Have you ever discovered someone else’s unfinished craft project or sewing project in an unexpected place? And if so, were you tempted to finish the project they started? Today’s blog post is about one such unfinished sewing project! I bought the envelope you see in the image above, and when I got home and opened it up… there was a UFO inside! (An unfinished object.) … Continue reading Unfinished Sewing Projects #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage
First, I need to say that today’s post is from 2022. My computer has gone back to the repair shop, for I think the FIFTH time! I’m still without a computer, which makes it hard to blog and make videos. So I’m very sorry for all the repeats. I created this blog post when a non-sewing mom reached out to me, asking me how to … Continue reading How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern PART 1 (How do you read a pattern envelope?) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns #ChristmasCrafts
Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: The skirt with pumps The shorts with summer top The scoop neck playsuit I’m really sorry for the sound quality. My computer is back at the fixit shop, so I was recording on my laptop, which doesn’t work great… What’s the story behind this game? When I was a kid, whenever it was playtime with dolls, we … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Buy a Barbie Fashion Pak at the local five and dime store in 1963! #DoApick #vintageToys
Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing McCall’s 6260 doll clothes patterns. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To … Continue reading Learning to sew with vintage McCall’s 6260 Barbie patterns #MeMadeMonday #SewRetro
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
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
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
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
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
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
Today I’ll be exploring how elastic changes the fit of a pair of fashion doll underpants, when sewing the View 4 bikini bottoms from Simplicity 9054. As you can see in the image above, the View 4 patterns offer a bikini swimsuit option, which of course, can become a bra and underpants, if you’re creative with your fabric choices and the execution of that fabric … Continue reading What’s the best underpants pattern for dolls? #PatternReview #SewWithMe
Last week I shared the first version of the bra I made for my Disney Princess fashion doll. As you can see in the image above, it didn’t turn out right. So I re-made it this past week, with these two goals in mind: I wanted to alter the pattern so it’s narrower (vertically) I wanted to give the garment a lining (to prevent the … Continue reading Alterations make my Disney Princess fashion doll’s bra fit perfectly! #MeMadeMonday #DisneyPrincesses
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 vintage Ken, vintage Barbie, 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 when sewing … Continue reading Guide to Sewing Simplicity 9054 Doll Clothes for Vintage Barbie and Ken Collectors #MeMadeMonday #BarbieGirl
It’s Christmas, 2025! So today’s #DoApick short is about the fun Christmas presents that were available to play with when I was a kid, growing up in the 1970’s. So fun! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday. 🙂 Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: American Airlines Captain #0779 American Airlines Stewardess #984 Army and Air Force #797 And here’s a link … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Play a game with Barbie’s Friend Ship Airplane from 1972! #DoApick #vintageToys
For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s blog post shares with you a free, printable PDF sewing pattern for making a nostalgic looking pair of 1950’s style fashion doll gloves, so all your vintage dolls can wear gloves with their “Sunday best” dresses! This is part of a winter-themed or holiday-themed series of re-posts that … Continue reading Free pattern and tutorial video for making fashion doll gloves or mittens @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothesPatterns #VintageFashion
