A woman's hand lies open, and inside her hand rests a tiny Sunday best or Easter bonnet made of off-white or ivory colored cotton eyelet fabric and a little pink velvet ribbon tied in a bow at the back of the bonnet. We're seeing the hat from above, looking straight on at the hat's top and brim.

Sew a “Sunday Best” bonnet with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #LeapYear #LeapDay

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Happy Leap Day, everyone! For this amazing Leap Year, let’s think about making doll clothes for Easter, or if you don’t celebrate Easter, consider making this bonnet for your favorite beach day out! Can you believe that I was only 10 years old — or maybe 11 — when … Continue reading Sew a “Sunday Best” bonnet with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #LeapYear #LeapDay

We see side-by-side images of vintage Simplicity 5861 sewing patterns. One has the original images of a blond vintage Skipper doll wearing each outfit in the ensemble. The other image shows a modern Stacie doll wearing the exact same outfits -- even the fabrics match! -- on the cover of the Simplicity 5861 original pattern envelope. This Stacie doll is Black with an African American natural hair look. She even wears the exact same socks and shoes and headbands/hair ribbons that Skipper wears on the original cover art for this Simplicity Skipper pattern ensemble! At the top of this pair of patterns, it says, "Who knew?"

Who knew modern Stacie dolls and vintage Skipper dolls were an exact match? #SewVintage #Barbie

Check this out! Can you believe it? I made the whole ensemble of doll clothes with my Simplicity 5861 pattern for vintage Skipper, and every single item in the ensemble fits not only vintage Skipper, but also modern Stacie dolls! I loved sewing this set. It was pure joy! Of course there were challenges along the way. I started with the View 2 gingham dress … Continue reading Who knew modern Stacie dolls and vintage Skipper dolls were an exact match? #SewVintage #Barbie

In this thumbnail image, a 17 inch Endless Hair Kingdom Princess Barbie models handmade jeans and a handmade tie-dyed shirt with turquoise blue cotton fringe. She looks like she's walking toward the text which reads "free patterns."

Sew a pair of jeans and an easy felt shirt for 17″ Barbie w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Felt #Sewing

Scroll down to the bulleted section for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s patterns have been available on this website for a while, but today is the first time I’ve shared this set as a PDF for my 17-inch Endless Hair Kingdom Barbie doll. Previously, you could only find today’s patterns in JPG image form. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please … Continue reading Sew a pair of jeans and an easy felt shirt for 17″ Barbie w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Felt #Sewing

Thumbnail shows a woman's hand preparing a swatch of fabric for making knife pleats. The two dolls shown are the modern Stacie in African American rendition of the doll, plus the drawing on the front of the Simplicity 5861 pattern envelope, showing a vintage Skipper doll modeling the handmade skirt.

Making Pleats for a Skipper Skirt with Simplicity 5861 #VintageToys #Sewing

Do you see the folds in that little green skirt, in View 3 of my Simplicity 5861 doll clothes sewing pattern for Skipper dolls? Those are called pleats. Sometimes they’re referred to as “knife pleats.” And for a doll that’s tiny, like vintage Skipper and modern Stacie (shown below), it can be especially tricky to get the pleats just right. Yes, as the text says … Continue reading Making Pleats for a Skipper Skirt with Simplicity 5861 #VintageToys #Sewing

The text on this thumbnail reads "free pattern" and shows a Mattel Chelsea doll in a handmade orange halter dress made of cotton fabric and felt.

Chelsea has a whole new look w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #Miniatures

Scroll down to the second set of bullets to download the free printable PDF sewing pattern.* Little girl dolls are just so much fun to dress, aren’t they? I had a blast using this African-esque swirl-patterned fabric to make Chelsea a cute little halter-style dress! And I easily finished this project in about an hour. You can’t beat that! Today’s doll dress will fit a … Continue reading Chelsea has a whole new look w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #Miniatures

The words "free pattern" point to a pair of yellow knee-high socks worn under a miniature houndstooth pleated skirt. The doll modeling the socks also wears red mary jane shoes.

Sew a pair of knee-high socks for Stacie with today’s free sock pattern @ ChellyWood.com #EasyDIY #QuickCrafts

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing patterns and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. A while back, I did a blog post in which I mentioned that I was working on a pattern for little tiny doll socks. Well, I got the pattern done, tested it, made a video, and… here you go! The tutorial … Continue reading Sew a pair of knee-high socks for Stacie with today’s free sock pattern @ ChellyWood.com #EasyDIY #QuickCrafts

In a turquoise blue linen fabric thumbnail background, there's a photo of a Tall Barbie modeling a handmade winter coat or trench coat. Beside this, the text reads, "free pattern" and under that is the logo for Chelly Wood dot com.

Let’s make a timeless classic for Barbies: a super simple trench coat! #DollCollector #Fashion

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Back in December of 2022, I gave you a free bathrobe pattern, which was designed to fit fashion dolls like Barbie. To my surprise, I still get requests every now and then for a “Barbie trench coat” or a “Barbie winter coat” pattern. When people write to me requesting … Continue reading Let’s make a timeless classic for Barbies: a super simple trench coat! #DollCollector #Fashion

Text at the top reads, "my first Barbie 13 inch doll clothes" and below this, an arrow points to two different images of a 13 inch Barbie doll modeling handmade doll clothes including a halter top with ruffle skirt combo outfit and a satin dress with a big front bow; the text within the arrow reads, "free sewing patterns!" The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in the lower left corner, reminding us to go to ChellyWood.com for free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit the 13 inch My First Barbies, as well as many other dolls of different sizes and shapes.

Free Sewing Patterns for Making Doll Clothes to Fit 13 inch My First Barbie Dolls (Gallery)

Please click on the doll clothes you would like to make. Not what you’re looking for? Behind the scenes, I’m creating a series of classes in doll clothing design techniques, so you can design your own doll clothes for your dolls, using simple techniques, household tools, and your amazing imagination! Click on this link to learn more about my paid courses on the Creative Spark … Continue reading Free Sewing Patterns for Making Doll Clothes to Fit 13 inch My First Barbie Dolls (Gallery)

A vintage Skipper wears a handmade yellow shirt and green pleated skirt with matching green knee-high socks and little black ballet flats. The skipper doll is dressed exactly like the image in view 3 on the envelope for Simplicity 5861, a wardrobe designed and published in the 1960's for a vintage Skipper doll. There's also a close-up of her hand-stitched green knee-high socks. This thumbnail's text reads "vintage Simplicity 5861" and it's framed by turquoise blue and purple quilted fabrics.

Nancy Drew, the mystery girl, makes a magical appearance with my Simplicity Skipper pattern 5861 #NancyDrew #SewVintage

Last summer I got my hands on an uncut version of this wonderful Skipper doll clothes pattern, vintage Simplicity 5861, an original pattern from 1964. Holy hand-stitching, Batman! I have REALLY enjoyed sewing this whole ensemble! My goal, last summer, was to make each item in the wardrobe to match the image on the envelope cover exactly. And guess what… I’ve gotten the whole thing … Continue reading Nancy Drew, the mystery girl, makes a magical appearance with my Simplicity Skipper pattern 5861 #NancyDrew #SewVintage

The square thumbnail with a turquoise blue cotton or linen background reads thus: "free tall doll clothes patterns" and beside this text is an image of an Asian or Asian American Fashionista Tall Barbie wearing two versions of the same pants-and-shirt pattern.

Let’s make a pair of jeans with back pockets for Tall Barbie Dolls! #DollClothesPatterns #FreeStuff

For your free patterns and additional tutorial videos, please scroll down to the third set of bullets. Today’s tutorial video (above) shows you how to make a pair of pants or jeans with optional back pockets, and this pattern doesn’t fit a regular Barbie; rather, it was designed, by me, to fit the Mattel Tall Barbie from the Fashionista lineup. To those of you who … Continue reading Let’s make a pair of jeans with back pockets for Tall Barbie Dolls! #DollClothesPatterns #FreeStuff

The words "free pattern" rest at an angle in this turquoise blue square thumbnail, along the left side of the thumbnail box. The right-hand side of the thumbnail box is taken up with a photo of a lovely 13 inch Barbie doll wearing handmade top and skirt separates. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner. The top My First Barbie wears is a blue halter top; the skirt is an elastic-waist skirt with a fluttery ruffle. Click the article title to get the free pattern and read tips on how to make this outfit for your 13 inch Barbies.

I’ve had enough winter for a while! I’m creating summer clothes for the new My First Barbie (13-inch) doll… #CraftIdeas #NewBarbie

For your free patterns and additional tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. As I type today’s blog post, it’s 16 degrees outside, and two feet of snow has drifted up against our playhouse, which is where my cats slept last night, under a heat lamp. I’ll have to shovel snow this morning, so the kitties can get out to go … Continue reading I’ve had enough winter for a while! I’m creating summer clothes for the new My First Barbie (13-inch) doll… #CraftIdeas #NewBarbie

The words "free pattern" are slightly angled across a photo of a My First Barbie 13 inch doll (made by Mattel). She wears a handmade 1960s style retro dress in pink satin. The frame is purple linen or cotton with tiny white polka dots. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner of the image.

Stitch up a chic satin dress with a bow for the 13 inch My First Barbie, using my free patterns! #Dolls #Barbie

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s dress-making tutorial video and free sewing pattern are for more advanced sewists. You can see that I’ve given the pattern five flowers on my difficulty scale (see below). To learn more about how the difficulty scale works, please click here. Be sure to scroll down for the easy-to-download PDF … Continue reading Stitch up a chic satin dress with a bow for the 13 inch My First Barbie, using my free patterns! #Dolls #Barbie

The thumbnail shows a cell phone, on the screen of which is a Julia doll dressed in her white nurse's costume with hat. The text reads, "Do a Pick" followed by "Choose a career for Julia." Click on this button to gain access to the free do-a-pick game, in which you choose a career for a vintage Julia doll.

Let’s Do a Pick — Choose a career for Julia! #DoApick #vintageDolls #VintageBarbie

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Julia in her nurse’s costume (medical nurse career) Twist Christie in her swimsuit (lifeguard career) Ruffles ‘N Swirls vintage dress (Broadway dancer career) What’s the story behind this game? When I was a kid, whenever it was playtime with dolls, we would lay out all our dolls and their clothing items. Then we would “do a pick.” … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Choose a career for Julia! #DoApick #vintageDolls #VintageBarbie

A vintage skipper doll models a red cotton bolero over a black and white gingham sleeveless dress with a circle skirt that's knee-height. Beside this doll, a vintage Skipper models a pink felt bolero with green rickrack trim over a similar dress, but this dress is made of green cotton with tiny white and pink roses, and it's a calf-length circle skirt. The text for this thumbnail says "same pattern -- two looks!"

Stitching up a retro-style dress for Skipper that’s versatile enough for two amazing looks! #SewingAlterations #SewingInspiration

*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, JoAnn Fabric, 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 visit the website’s Privacy Policy … Continue reading Stitching up a retro-style dress for Skipper that’s versatile enough for two amazing looks! #SewingAlterations #SewingInspiration

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.

Learning to sew with Simplicity 5861 vintage Skipper doll clothes patterns #VintageDolls #DollClothesPatterns

To say that I adore the Skipper 5861 Simplicity pattern from 1964 would be an utter and complete understatement. It’s so awesome, I have no words to express the fun I’ve had when making each and every one of the outfits pictured on the front of the envelope! *Please note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my … Continue reading Learning to sew with Simplicity 5861 vintage Skipper doll clothes patterns #VintageDolls #DollClothesPatterns