Have you ever heard of the Estrela Barbies? After a fan from Brazil named Debora left a lengthy comment about them on one of my blog posts, I contacted her to find out more about these rare and highly collectible Barbie dolls. Today’s blog post will give you the details, as they were explained to me by Debora, in my online interview with her. Before … Continue reading Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys
Last week we took a look at the skirt pockets on my Sew-Easy Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll sewing pattern, and today I’m going to explain how I altered the neckline of the cap-sleeved shirt that is part of this View 3 pattern set. To be clear, the skirt in the image above is a separate garment from the shirt. Now quickly, let me make … Continue reading How I altered the neckline of vintage Barbie pattern Advance 2896 to fit better #SewingTips #VintageSewing
While making this lovely harvest-themed Advance 2896 View 3 skirt for a vintage Malibu Barbie, I read through the directions, and while the directions are quaint and a lot of fun to read, it may surprise you to learn that I don’t always follow them. Sometimes I know an easier way of piecing together a garment, and I believe that’s the case with my vintage … Continue reading Sew-Easy by Advance 2896 vintage “Around the Clock” sewing patterns — Let’s talk pockets! #Pockets #VintageSewing
If you’ve ever bought a vintage doll clothes pattern, you may have found a hidden gem inside the pattern envelope. Sometimes I’ll find an old receipt, a pre-cut outfit with its original vintage fabric still pinned onto the pattern, or a hand-written note that the previous owner left, to help them remember little nuances about the pattern (see image above for one such example). But … Continue reading I discovered an unexpected gem in vintage Sew-Easy by Advance Barbie patterns! #VintageClothes #VintageBarbie
Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Barbie’s Travel Trunk #4289 Skipper Doll Case #4966 Barbie 2-Doll Trunk #1004 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.” That’s where you take turns picking which doll or dolls you’ll … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — What to bring to a Halloween overnight party…? #DoApick #vintageDollCollector
I follow lots of different doll-related YouTubers, but recently I started following Mandi Lee, largely because this unboxing video was so much fun to watch! In this video, YouTuber Mandi Lee goes through a bunch of vintage dolls, miniatures, and doll clothes that she found on Facebook Marketplace. She asks viewers to help her identify some of the cool items she has in this … Continue reading Can you help doll collector Mandi Lee identify these items? #FridayFollow #DollCollecting
Every now and then, people ask me where they can find patterns for vintage Skipper or Skooter dolls. Today I’m recommending this Vogue Craft 9964 pattern to anyone who doesn’t have the budget to buy an antique pattern, but wants to sew with a commercial pattern that will work for vintage Skipper or vintage Skooter dolls. Please note: when you click on links to various … Continue reading Vogue Craft 9964 vs. Simplicity 5861 for vintage Skipper, Vintage Skooter, or Modern Momoko dolls… #MomokoDoll #DollCollectors
Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Barbie’s Beauty Center Mod Ken with all the stickers Quick Curl Barbie 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.” That’s where you take turns picking which doll or dolls you’ll … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Aunt Colleen (a hairdresser) will buy you a new doll/toy! #DoApick #vintageDollCollector
Do you prefer to come up with your own fabric concepts, or do you like to choose a fabric that matches the illustration on the front of a doll clothes pattern? When I was younger, I used to scour my small town’s tiny fabric store for fabric that sort of matched what was in the illustration on the front of a pattern. I’d make my … Continue reading Do you follow fabric suggestions on patterns? Join the discussion @ ChellyWood.com #SewingChat #Fabric
Yesterday I put this moped / scooter up for sale in my eBay store. If you’re interested, I am taking offers on this item. When I bought it, I was thinking, “Oh, hey! This would make a really neat eBike if I did a little painting and re-designing of it.” However that project has been put aside for more important projects (I’m currently sewing for … Continue reading Barbie Scooter or Electric Bike for Sale on eBay #BarbieCollector #VintageBarbie
Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Francie’s Fabulous Footwear #8625 Skipper’s Shoes and Hangers #8624 Shoes & Boots for Barbie #8626 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.” That’s where you take turns picking which doll … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Earn a reward of doll shoes for good behavior! #DoApick #vintageDollCollector
As you may recall from yesterday’s swimsuit pattern article, I’m doing some blog posts about the swimsuit/bodysuit pattern shown as View B, on the vintage McCall’s Teen Doll Fashion pattern number 3429, which appears above. On Monday, I showed you my sewing fail, with regard to this swimsuit / bodysuit pattern. Once I’d tossed my salmon-colored first attempt aside, I decided to give it another … Continue reading Vintage McCall’s “Teen Fashion Doll” swimsuit pattern Part Deux #Vintage #DollClothesPatterns
Yesterday I showed you my sewing fail, with regard to the swimsuit / bodysuit pattern in McCall’s vintage “Teen Doll Fashion” patterns. Once I’d tossed my coral-colored first attempt aside, I decided to give it another shot with the purple fabric, which turned out much better. But the big surprise came when I tried this finished swimsuit on my dolls. I first tried it … Continue reading Which “mystery Barbie” fits best in my vintage McCall’s “Teen Fashion Doll” swimsuit pattern? Surprise! #Vintage #DollClothesPatterns
In the northern hemisphere, summer is just around the corner, so it’s time to do a blog post on swimsuits! Sorry for the terrible condition of my pattern in today’s blog post. Not only is the envelope in bad physical condition, but when I purchased it, this pattern was also missing quite a few pieces. But it had the swimsuit/bodysuit pattern (which was what … Continue reading Read the directions! McCall’s “Teen Fashion Doll” pattern 3429 #SewingFail #DollClothesPatterns
The biggest problem with Barbie doll wedding dresses is making a veil that actually stays on the doll’s head! Let’s have a good look at my “Sew-Easy Patterns by Advance” vintage Mattel, Inc. Toymakers Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern #2895. This is a prime example of how the patterns for Barbie wedding dresses (if they include a veil pattern at all) never seem to make … Continue reading The biggest problem with Barbie doll wedding dresses is… #JuneWedding #DollClothes
