The thumbnail shows a traditional blond Barbie walking in handmade doll clothes including a cream colored blouse with a black Halloween-themed skirt trimmed in cream colored lace. The text says, "free patterns!" click on the thumbnail to access your free PDF sewing patterns for making this Halloween outfit for Barbie sized dolls.

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 5 #HalloweenSewing #DIYHalloween

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. When I first designed this skirt, I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. The “comma shape” was the best I could come up with to match the skirt my friend Lisa was wearing at the IANDS conference in Chicago, and I really wanted to design a skirt just … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 5 #HalloweenSewing #DIYHalloween

Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: Bloomers… What are they? #Couture #HistoricalSewing

DEFINITIONS:  A woman’s undergarment worn during the Victorian era, designed like trousers but having gathers below the knee, often worn to allow freedom of movement when riding a bicycle Discretionary short pants worn under a cheerleader’s skirt Underpants (esp. those with ruffles, often for young girls) This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find other definitions as well. As … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: Bloomers… What are they? #Couture #HistoricalSewing

Thumbnail featuring a 10 and a half inch Mirabel Madrigal doll beside a dress form labeled “Tape Measure Tuesday.” The thumbnail includes text: “With doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood,” accompanied by the Chelly Wood dot com logo. The image is bordered by white rulers against a light turquoise blue background. Clicking this thumbnail leads to an infographic detailing sewing measurements for the 10 and a half inch Mirabel Madrigal dolls.

What are the Mirabel Madrigal doll’s sewing measurements? Well here you go! #Latinas #TapeMeasureTuesday

Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement. Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please … Continue reading What are the Mirabel Madrigal doll’s sewing measurements? Well here you go! #Latinas #TapeMeasureTuesday

Simplicity 1242 doll clothes patterns for Barbie doll is featured beside the logo for Chelly Wood dot com. Incidentally, this pattern is a modern remake of an older pattern numbered Simplicity 6208 in its original form.

Why do the same sewing patterns sometimes have different numbers? #VintageSewing #RetroToys

I recently added Simplicity 1242 to my vintage doll clothes pattern collection. When I looked it up on eBay, I discovered this exact same pattern used to be called Simplicity 6208. What’s up with that? I mean yeah, it’s a super cute pattern, whisking me back to bygone days with its charm, but why did Simplicity mix things up? Why bother changing it from Simplicity … Continue reading Why do the same sewing patterns sometimes have different numbers? #VintageSewing #RetroToys

Free patterns are offered for making a Barbie sized long skirt with a short-sleeved cotton shirt that also fits Barbie. Click on this thumbnail to access the free doll clothes patterns and tutorial videos for making this Halloween-themed ensemble for Barbie.

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 4 #Halloween2025 #HalloweenParty

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s “Spooky Halloween Skirt” and cotton shirt project is actually one I’ve designed for Barbie and the Queens of Africa in previous blog posts, but today’s post shows this particular shirt and skirt together for the first time. When I sewed my shirt, I actually took a shirt with a more … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 4 #Halloween2025 #HalloweenParty

In this visually engaging thumbnail titled "Five Spooky Halloween Skirts for Barbie," viewers are treated to a captivating display of fashion and creativity. The video is prominently featured on a flat screen TV, showcasing the legs and feet of five Barbie dolls. Each doll struts in style, wearing a unique combination of black boots, orange heels, and black and white striped leggings paired with vibrant, Halloween-themed skirts that capture the festive spirit of the season.

Barbie and friends are headed to a Halloween dance… Watch the stop-motion video! #StopMotion #HalloweenKids

My regular followers have been enjoying my “Spooky Sewing” series, where you learn how to make the outfits featured in today’s stop motion video, using my free doll clothes sewing patterns and tutorial videos. This series will continue next week as well. Today’s video includes both a super fun dance scene in stop-motion and a pitch for the sale of these adorable Halloween outfits for … Continue reading Barbie and friends are headed to a Halloween dance… Watch the stop-motion video! #StopMotion #HalloweenKids

A purple frame enhances the words "who's the doll of the day" as they surround a photo of doll clothes all piled up next to the bare foot of a random doll.

Doll of the Day: Can you help me identify this handsome gentleman? #ActionFigures #Dolls

I found this muscle-bound fellow at a yard sale, and I’m designing some clothes to fit him. But who is he? I have no idea! The only clue I have is the letter “M” on his sleeve. It’s bright orange-ish-yellow and black, on a black and white circular background. Does anyone remember him? Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories regarding this handsome gentleman in … Continue reading Doll of the Day: Can you help me identify this handsome gentleman? #ActionFigures #Dolls

A thumbnail features a Mattel Petite Barbie doll with red hair modeling a Halloween outfit including a shirt, miniskirt, tights, and boots. The text reads, "Free patterns!" Click on the thumbnail to access free printable PDF sewing patterns for making this "Spooky Sewing" outfit for your Petite Barbie doll.

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 3 #HalloweenDIY #DIYHalloween

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s “Spooky Halloween Skirt” and cotton shirt project is actually one I’ve designed for Barbie, Ideal Tammy, and other dolls, but today I’m posting the outfit for Petite Barbie dolls for the first time. To adjust a pattern that was designed to fit Barbie so it now fits a smaller doll … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 3 #HalloweenDIY #DIYHalloween

An Ida B Wells doll from Mattel's Inspiring Women collection wears a jacket from Simplicity 1242 while standing beside an image of the Simplicity 1242 doll clothes sewing pattern for Barbie dolls.

Duplicating Donna’s Jacket with Simplicity 1242 and an Inspiring Woman, Ida B. Wells #Sewing #WomensHistory

As I’ve said in my earlier blog posts, I was so moved by the people I met in Chicago at the IANDS conference, that I created doll clothes to represent each of the people I met while I was there. This doll is meant to represent a woman named Donna. I worked with her in the IANDS bookstore about three times, as a volunteer, and … Continue reading Duplicating Donna’s Jacket with Simplicity 1242 and an Inspiring Woman, Ida B. Wells #Sewing #WomensHistory

Inside a purple square thumbnail, the text reads, "free pattern!" beside the photo of a Barbie doll with long blond hair modeling a strappy summer shirt and a full Halloween-themed skirt dotted with tiny pumpkins. Visit ChellyWood.com for the free patterns to make this outfit for your Barbie dolls.

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 2 #HalloweenBarbie #BarbieHalloween

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s “Spooky Halloween Skirt” and top project is actually one I’ve designed in pink and white in the past, and you can find this project under Barbie, Sindy, and a few other dolls, when you link out from the home page. Unlike the “Spooky Sewing Series” Part 1 skirt, this project … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 2 #HalloweenBarbie #BarbieHalloween

A strawberry blond curvy Barbie doll models an animal print blouse that has three-quarter length sleeves and side darts. The text says, "free shirt pattern!" beside the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Make your Curvy Barbie an animal print blouse, PLUS details about my trip to Chicago! #BookStore #Fashionista

  Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. If you regularly follow my blog posts, you may recall that I attended the IANDS conference in Chicago, back in August. I was so inspired by the people I met at that conference, that I’ve begun the process of designing doll clothes to match the fashionable outfits worn by the … Continue reading Make your Curvy Barbie an animal print blouse, PLUS details about my trip to Chicago! #BookStore #Fashionista

In a purple thumbnail, a Barbie models a Halloween skirt and top ensemble. Beside her are the words, "Free pattern" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 1 #Halloween #HalloweenParty

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s “Spooky Halloween Skirt” and top project is actually the same outfit I posted last Easter, but with a couple of simple alterations. If you’re not sure what I mean by “alterations,” Scroll down past the needle and cross-stitches. That’s where I talk about the online courses that I teach, including … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 1 #Halloween #HalloweenParty

Thumbnail featuring an eleven inch tall Strawberry Shortcake doll beside a dress form labeled “Tape Measure Tuesday.” The thumbnail includes text: “With doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood,” accompanied by the Chelly Wood dot com logo. The image is bordered by bright turquoise blue rulers against a purple background with tiny polka dots. Clicking this thumbnail leads to an infographic detailing sewing measurements for the big Strawberry Shortcake dolls.

Tape Measure Tuesday with the BIG 11 inch Strawberry Shortcake doll #StrawberryShortcake #TapeMeasureTuesday

Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement. Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please … Continue reading Tape Measure Tuesday with the BIG 11 inch Strawberry Shortcake doll #StrawberryShortcake #TapeMeasureTuesday

Advance 2896 with quilted frame and Tall Barbie in Halloween dress standing nearby. the doll is shown in profile. Her long hair is accentuated by this side view, and you can see that the dress has a belt that ties in the back. On the pattern envelope this dress is most like the one pictured in View 5.

When your pattern doesn’t fit on the fabric, what do you do? #SewingTips #couture

We’ve all had it happen. You’re thinking, “A fat quarter should be enough to make this little doll dress. Right?” You get home, start pinning the pattern pieces onto the fabric, and then… “Oh crap.” That fat quarter isn’t quite long enough for the skirt’s ruffle (or whatever piece still needs pinning). What can you do? Before I go on, I need to make my … Continue reading When your pattern doesn’t fit on the fabric, what do you do? #SewingTips #couture

A teenage girl displays a handmade rail fence doll-sized quilt in pink, burgundy, and off-white. To her left is an American Girl Kaya doll, and to her right is an 18-inch platinum blonde Madame Alexander doll. Each doll is dressed in flannel nightgowns with bunny slippers, perfectly matching the quilt's size. The scene is set in a pink-themed girl's bedroom, with the chellywood.com logo visible in one corner.

I have something new for sale in my Etsy store… #AGdolls #giftsforgirls

It might look like AI made the image above, but actually, I used my Canva account to design that image. However the quilt is another story. It’s entirely made by hand, with careful hand stitching, by my mother-in-law, Anita. At 18 by 22 inches, this rail fence style doll quilt is the perfect size for 18 inch dolls like Journey Girls, American Girl, and Our … Continue reading I have something new for sale in my Etsy store… #AGdolls #giftsforgirls