Category: Barbie Patterns

Here you’ll find free, downloadable, printable sewing patterns for Mattel’s Barbie and other 11 inch fashion dolls.

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.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

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

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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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Whole Costumes for Dolls

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

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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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Petite Barbie Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

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

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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.
Curvy Barbie, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

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

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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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Whole Costumes for 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

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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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Barbie Patterns, Curvy Barbie, Daily Patterns, Vintage Barbie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

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

Chelly Wood5 Comments
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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Whole Costumes for Dolls

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

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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.
Fabric, Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

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

Chelly Wood4 Comments
The DoApick thumbnail (do a pick thumbnail) is purple with a rainbow and cloud graphic behind a cell phone, featuring a photo from a vintage Mattel doll clothes catalog. Today’s photo features a vintage Skipper doll modeling a yellow dress with multicolored rickrack trim. Click on this thumbnail, and the link will take you to the “Do a Pick” game, which you can play by viewing (and listening to) the story scenario dealing with realistic activities children enjoyed with dolls, back in the early 1970’s. Leave a comment to play along.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Skipper

Let’s Do a Pick — Take Skipper to Church #DollLovers #DollCommunity

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Best Buy Skipper Fashion #8610 (yellow dress with rickrack trim) Best Buy Skipper Fashion #3373 (red floral skirt with white cotton top) Best Buy Skipper Fashion #8611 (traditional schoolgirl outfit) 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 … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Take Skipper to Church #DollLovers #DollCommunity

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Thumbnail image shows the front of pattern envelope Simplicity 8281, plus a close-up of Simplicity 8281's View 6 culottes, vest, and long-sleeved tee shirt. In the middle, between the pattern envelope and the close-up of a doll wearing the View 6 gouchos (culottes) vest and t-shirt, we see a bubble cut Barbie wearing the handmade outfit. Exactly as printed on the envelope cover, the gouchos / culottes and vest are sky blue, while the long-sleeved T-shirt is made of a red and white striped jersey fabric with narrow one-eighth inch wide stripes. The dolls shoes are red classic pumps.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Are denim vests back in style in 2025? #SewingPodcast #FashionHistory

I started my 7th grade year in the fall of 1979, and I distinctly remember owning an outfit that included a denim vest. It came with a pretty ruffled skirt made of tan denim, a white top made of lightweight cotton, and a tan denim vest with cream-colored topstitching. My aunt, Harriet, took me on a shopping spree just before school started, and she bought … Continue reading Are denim vests back in style in 2025? #SewingPodcast #FashionHistory

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Thumbnail image shows the front of pattern envelope Simplicity 8281, plus a close-up of Simplicity 8281's View 6 culottes, vest, and long-sleeved tee shirt. In the middle, between the pattern envelope and the close-up of a doll wearing the View 6 gouchos (culottes) vest and t-shirt, we see a bubble cut Barbie wearing the handmade outfit. Exactly as printed on the envelope cover, the gouchos / culottes and vest are sky blue, while the long-sleeved T-shirt is made of a red and white striped jersey fabric with narrow one-eighth inch wide stripes. The dolls shoes are red classic pumps.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

How to sew raglan sleeves by hand #VintageSewing #HandSewing

As most of my regular followers know, when it comes to making clothes for dolls, I really like to sew by hand. If I’m using a slippery or curly fabric, like satin or jersey, I definitely prefer sewing by hand. For today’s project — a raglan-sleeved Barbie shirt–I sewed it from start to finish, using a number of different hand stitches. And this blog post … Continue reading How to sew raglan sleeves by hand #VintageSewing #HandSewing

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The image shows a quilted frame around the Chelly Wood doll (really a re-painted Spin Master Liv doll that looks like the doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood), and a thought bubble displays that she is having red and white striped jersey fabric thoughts.
Creative Spark Online Learning, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

How do you stop obsessing about a project? #SewingProjects #VintageBarbie

  My brain has been stuck on the idea that I need to sew the red and white striped T-shirt from my Simplicity 8281 vintage doll clothes pattern for not just months, but YEARS now. Of course I have other, more important projects underway. And now it’s time for my disclaimer statement: many of my links are affiliate marketing links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I … Continue reading How do you stop obsessing about a project? #SewingProjects #VintageBarbie

Chelly Wood7 Comments
An image shows a cell phone displaying a vintage Mattel Francie doll. The doll is dressed in a brown winter coat with a matching hat and belt. Behind the cell phone, a rainbow with yellow, turquoise blue, and green colors creates cloud-like curves against a purple background. The screen displays the text "Do a Pick," indicating the name of the game, with a subtitle that reads "New coat for back to school," suggesting the game's theme focuses on buying a new coat for the fall school season.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie

Let’s Do a Pick — Back to School Coats for Francie or Skipper! #BarbieGames #BarbieFun

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Francie’s brown coat with collar and matching hat, Best Buy #8646 Francie’s long red and white coat with matching purse, Best Buy #3368 Skipper’s red velvet coat with furry collar, Best Buy #8613 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 … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Back to School Coats for Francie or Skipper! #BarbieGames #BarbieFun

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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.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Uncategorized, Vintage Skipper

What is a hook and eye closure, and how do you sew one? #SewingHacks #SewWithMe

Today I’m going to explain how to sew a hook and eye onto the back of a doll’s garment. Specifically, I’ll be working with the bodice for Dress View 6 in the Simplicity doll clothes wardrobe pattern 5861 for vintage Skipper dolls. Let’s stat with a quick explanation of the notion referred to as a “Hook and eye” or “Hook and loop.” The pink arrow … Continue reading What is a hook and eye closure, and how do you sew one? #SewingHacks #SewWithMe

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With a quilted purple and blue frame, a photo of a Made to Move Curvy Barbie with bright pink Anime-style hair stands next to and looks down at vintage 8281 Simplicity Barbie doll clothes pattern, which contains the patterns for making the very same raglan-sleeved shirt or blouse that the Made-to-Move Curvy Barbie is wearing. She also wears a miniskirt that is not pictured on the envelope for Simplicity 8281 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns. The ChellyWood.com logo appears to the side of the photo.
Curvy Barbie, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Ken

What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

In the image at the top of today’s blog post, Ken is modeling a handmade raglan-sleeved T-shirt, but what, exactly, does “raglan” mean? Well, in today’s blog post, we’ll dig deep into the differences between a set-in sleeve and a raglan sleeve, looking at doll clothes sewing patterns for both kinds. If you’re wondering about the history of the word “raglan” (AKA its etymology), I’ll … Continue reading What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

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