A quilted frame surrounds an image of Vogue Craft 9985 (featuring the Victorian bridal dress for a Barbie and a tuxedo for Ken) beside the Chelly Wood doll who points to the pattern. This pattern is for a wedding dress and tux for Barbie and Ken, in a Victorian era style. It's Vogue Craft 9985 from the late 1800's to early 1900s in history, although the pattern is copyrighted 1998.

Vogue Craft 9985 doll clothes sewing pattern for Barbie and Ken #MeMadeMonday #Sewing

Sometimes people who visit my website for the first time think I’m offering these copyrighted patterns for free. That’s not the case, of course. My website does offer free sewing patterns for Barbie, Ken, and similar-sized dolls, and if you need help finding those patterns, this link should help. However today’s blog post is all about the lessons I’ve personally learned from my Vogue Craft … Continue reading Vogue Craft 9985 doll clothes sewing pattern for Barbie and Ken #MeMadeMonday #Sewing

A woman in a long dress with a bustle is silhouetted in white on a purple background with a turquoise blue frame. She holds a bouquet. a man in a top hat holding a cane stands beside her. The Word "History" is in all capitals, stylized in a historical font, beneath the two silhouetted figures in white on the purple background.

Here are a few ideas I didn’t cover for Black History Month, but maybe next year? #BlackHistory #SewingProjects

Can you believe February is almost behind us now? I had taken so many photos of my Black dolls and done so much research for Black History Month, but other than today, there are literally only two days left of this month. And I’ve barely gotten the ball rolling! So I’m going to show you some of the projects I had planned and perhaps cover … Continue reading Here are a few ideas I didn’t cover for Black History Month, but maybe next year? #BlackHistory #SewingProjects

The thumbnail, framed by a turquoise blue and purple quilt, shows the front of the envelope for Simplicity 5861, a vintage doll clothes pattern for Skipper, from 1964. The text in this thumbnail reads, "Vintage Skipper Simplicity 5861" and under this, we see the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Sewing a blouse for modern Skipper using a vintage Skipper doll’s patterns! #MeMadeMonday #BlackHistory

If you’ve been following my Monday blog posts, then you’ll know that my modern Skipper doll, shown above, is supposed to look like one of Mary McLeod Bethune‘s students in a vintage black-and-white photo from the early 1900’s. To learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune‘s profoundly important work in the fields of education and civil rights, please click here. Before I go on, I need … Continue reading Sewing a blouse for modern Skipper using a vintage Skipper doll’s patterns! #MeMadeMonday #BlackHistory

An African American Creatable World doll models a handmade African print cotton shirt. The shirt is sleeveless, but running down the front of the shirt is a red lace trim with a black quarter-inch wide ribbon running down the center of the lace trim, sort of like a black placket. The African print fabric of the shirt is multicolor, incorporating red, blue, yellow, green, and black. The text reads, "Free sewing Pattern!"

Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s sewing project tutorial video and free doll clothes sewing pattern can be used to make an adorable little sleeveless shirt with a lace-and-ribbon decorative front. And if you’ve been following my daily blog posts, you’ll know it’s February, which is Black History Month. So on your way down to get … Continue reading Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

The thumbnail, framed by a turquoise blue and purple quilt, shows the front of the envelope for Simplicity 5861, a vintage doll clothes pattern for Skipper, from 1964. The text in this thumbnail reads, "Vintage Skipper Simplicity 5861" and under this, we see the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Altering a shirt from Simplicity 5861 to make Mary McLeod Bethune’s students’ blouses #BlackHistoryMonth #SewWithMe

This month, as part of my celebration of Black History Month, I’ve been delving into the clothing worn by Mary McLeod Bethune and her students, in the photo at the top of today’s blog post. You can learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune by clicking on the links I’ve provided whenever her name appears in this post. Today’s blog post will discuss how I made … Continue reading Altering a shirt from Simplicity 5861 to make Mary McLeod Bethune’s students’ blouses #BlackHistoryMonth #SewWithMe

In a very clean, spartan bedroom, two African American dolls of about the same height and measurements model the same handmade pajamas: a white tank top or sleeveless cotton top decorated with pink ribbons and pink lace in a vertical strip down the front of the shirt, and a pair of Valentine's Day pajama pants with both an elastic waist and a snap-front fly. These are baggy, low rise pajama pants made of light pink cotton with black and bright pink tiny hearts printed on them. The dolls are (left) Petite Barbie and (right) African American Skipper.

Sew Skipper or Petite Barbie some pajama pants while learning about Wangarĩ Maathai for #BlackHistoryMonth #SewingProject

  Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, let’s make some heart-printed pajama pants for your 10 inch dolls, shall we? Today’s tutorial video will show you how to make the pajama pants I’m showing on my Petite Barbie and my African American Skipper dolls. And be sure to scroll down … Continue reading Sew Skipper or Petite Barbie some pajama pants while learning about Wangarĩ Maathai for #BlackHistoryMonth #SewingProject

The Chelly Wood doll stands beside the Simplicity 4510 vintage Barbie pattern envelope. The Chelly Wood doll looks like she's holding up the envelope. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red and white gingham shirt with matching hair scarf, and a pair of black pants with black flats. The image has a quilted frame.

Making a Skirt Like Mary McLeod Bethune’s with Simplicity 4510 #MeMadeMonday #BlackHistory

Last Monday we learned that Mary McLeod Bethune was “a pioneering American educator and civil rights leader” (Library of Congress) associated with African American leadership in education, women’s suffrage, and the founding of the United Negro College Fund. An impressive resume, if ever there was one. If you’d like to learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune, please go back to read last Monday’s blog post … Continue reading Making a Skirt Like Mary McLeod Bethune’s with Simplicity 4510 #MeMadeMonday #BlackHistory

A modern African American Skipper doll models a handmade pair of flannel short-shorts decorated with tiny pink and black hearts under a handmade white sleeveless shirt that has pink lace and a ribbon running down the front of the top. Under the doll, it says, "Free printable PDF sewing patterns at Chelly Wood dot com." This is part of the Valentine's Day and Black History Month celebrations in February at chellywood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.

Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts for Skipper and the Story of Charlotta Bass #ValentinesDay #BlackHistory

  Scroll down to the fourth set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. As you know, February is Black History Month, so in addition to today’s free sewing pattern for a pair of Valentine’s Day shorts to fit Barbie’s little sisters, Skipper and Stacie (and a number of other 8 inch to 10 inch dolls), I’m going to celebrate the life of Charlotta … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts for Skipper and the Story of Charlotta Bass #ValentinesDay #BlackHistory

Thumbnail shows a blond haired African American Barbie modeling a handmade pair of pink bell bottom pants or trousers with an elastic waist and a pink and grey and white tee shirt with short sleeves and vertical stripes. The text says, "Free Patterns" and offers the website Chelly Wood dot com as the location to find those free doll clothes patterns for your Curvy Barbie dolls.

Sew Bell Bottom Pants for Curvy Barbie and Discover the Fascinating World of Black People with Blond Hair #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. During the month of February, which is Black History Month here in the United States (where I live), I’m featuring black or African American looking dolls in all of my doll clothes pattern pages. Also, I’m going to offer little bits of history related to famous African Americans, famous people of … Continue reading Sew Bell Bottom Pants for Curvy Barbie and Discover the Fascinating World of Black People with Blond Hair #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

A quilted frame surrounds an image of Vogue Craft 9985 (featuring the Victorian bridal dress for a Barbie and a tuxedo for Ken) beside the Chelly Wood doll who points to the pattern. This pattern is for a wedding dress and tux for Barbie and Ken, in a Victorian era style. It's Vogue Craft 9985 from the late 1800's to early 1900s in history, although the pattern is copyrighted 1998.

A Victorian Barbie pattern for Mary McLeod Bethune #BlackHistoryMonth #SewVintage

I stumbled across this photo of Mary McLeod Bethune online and was utterly mesmerized by it! I mean, just look at the variety of clothing ensembles these young ladies (and Ms. McLeod Bethune) are wearing! Not only does this photo record the early years of an American icon, Mary McLeod Bethune, but it’s a plethora of fashion history, all in one photo! Before I go … Continue reading A Victorian Barbie pattern for Mary McLeod Bethune #BlackHistoryMonth #SewVintage

McCall's 6260 vintage Barbie patterns: view A shows a ponytail Barbie wearing a pink gingham dress with lace skirt overlaid and a matching pair of pink gingham panties (shown below the doll on a silver graphic line); View B shows a silver evening gown (strapless) with matching stole and a pink ribbon tied at the waist; View C shows a pink swing coat with very large pockets and lots of buttons; View D shows an orange Kimono style bath robe with white trim and a white belt tied at the waist; View E shows a pair of high-waisted black pants with a little bolero style pink top over the top of them; View F shows a blue bikini with tiny pink polka dots.

Did you store a swatch of lace with your Barbie clothes when you were a kid? #VintageBarbie #Memories

Isn’t this an adorable pattern? See the View A dress? Notice the layer of eyelet lace that serves as a top skirt? That’s going to be my focus. Do you think the designer was trying to create an apron with that eyelet? Or do you think it’s just there to make the dress look lacy and feminine? Before I go on, I need to make … Continue reading Did you store a swatch of lace with your Barbie clothes when you were a kid? #VintageBarbie #Memories

A vintage 1960s Uneeda Wendy doll (which looks a lot like a brunette ponytail Barbie or a Bild Lili doll) models a handmade white tee shirt over a pair of turquoise blue capris (capri pants). She wears little white plastic pumps. The text says, "free patterns" and offers the logo for the Chelly Wood dot com website.

Sew a T-shirt and Capris for Uneeda Wendy or Barbie with Free PDF Sewing Patterns #BarbieStyle #Crafty

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Once again, I’m adding another little outfit to my collection of Uneeda Wendy doll clothes sewing patterns, but as I’ve said before, if it fits Wendy, it will probably fit your ponytail Barbie (or your modern Barbie) as well. And at the risk of sounding repetitious, remember that I’ve got the … Continue reading Sew a T-shirt and Capris for Uneeda Wendy or Barbie with Free PDF Sewing Patterns #BarbieStyle #Crafty

Free patterns for sewing a pretty sleeveless party dress with a full skirt and slight scoop neck. Fits vintage ponytail Barbie, vintage Bubble Cut Barbie, vintage Superstar Barbie, Uneeda Wendy, and other Barbie clone dolls. Visit ChellyWood.com for your free printable PDF sewing patterns. Image shows ponytail Uneeda Wendy with bangs modeling bright yellow party dress with full skirt.

Yes, these free party dress patterns WILL fit your vintage Ponytail Barbie! #FreeStuff #Sewing

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Okay, so you’ve seen this doll. You now know she’s not a real ponytail Barbie, and she’s not a Bild Lili. She’s a Uneeda Wendy. But will these patterns fit on your vintage Barbie doll? Yes, they absolutely will! Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: … Continue reading Yes, these free party dress patterns WILL fit your vintage Ponytail Barbie! #FreeStuff #Sewing

Free patterns! Uneeda Wendy ponytail fashion doll like Barbie or Bilt Lili. Shows doll in pink tank top (summer vest) and three-tier skirt (3-tiered skirt). Free patterns are available at Chelly Wood dot com. Click on the thumbnail to read the article and find the free PDF sewing patterns.

“Free Sewing Patterns for Uneeda Wendy Vintage Dolls: 3-Tier Skirt & Reversible Summer Top #VintageToys #DollCollector”

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. The lovely lady you see at the top of today’s post is not a Bild Lili, although if you were wondering about that, you’re not alone. When I was given this doll, I thought she might be a Bild Lili too! I inherited this gracious gift from a friend of my … Continue reading “Free Sewing Patterns for Uneeda Wendy Vintage Dolls: 3-Tier Skirt & Reversible Summer Top #VintageToys #DollCollector”

Four vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns appear next to the Chelly Wood doll, under the heading "panties," and with each of the pattern envelopes, a neon pink arrow points at the location of the underpants pattern as it appears on the envelope. The patterns shown here are McCall's 6260, McCall's 6420, Simplicity 9054, and McCall's 3429 (which is shown from the back of the pattern envelope -- pointing to the location of the underpants pattern there).

What’s the best fabric for making doll panties? #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

If you’ve been following my series on doll undergarments, here on ChellyWood.com, you’ll recognize number four above. It’s a pair of panties I sewed using a vintage doll clothes patterns. But what about the other ones? What’s their story? Well, please take note of the types of fabrics each pair of panties is made from because that will be the focus of today’s blog post! … Continue reading What’s the best fabric for making doll panties? #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage