Category: Vintage Francie

The envelope for McCall's 8531 doll clothes patterns for Barbie's cousin, Mod Francie, shows eight different outfits that you can sew for Francie, using McCall's 8531.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Here are a few tips and tricks for sewing the McCall’s 8531 doll clothes wardrobe for vintage Francie dolls! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

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 Francie 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 the outfits offered … Continue reading Here are a few tips and tricks for sewing the McCall’s 8531 doll clothes wardrobe for vintage Francie dolls! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

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How to make a dress with pintucks. Pictured are a finished bright yellow doll's dress with the top half showing a full set of pintucks all the way across the dress's upper half. An arrow points to the View A drawing on the McCall's 8531 doll clothes sewing pattern envelope. Beside this is the enlarged image of the drawing from the front of the envelope, sewing an artist's rendition of Francie wearing the same dress as the photo on the left, but the dress in the drawing is white, and it also shows Francie wearing a little lace cap.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Pintucks Part 2: How I salvaged Dress View A with a few modifications to McCall’s 8531 for Francie #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

In last Monday’s post, you heard about how, even I — a very experienced doll clothes sewing enthusiast — struggled to understand the wording “… stitching back ‘Hemlines’ from top as far as lower ends of tucks” in the McCall’s doll clothes pattern 8531 for Mattel’s vintage Francie dolls. I also learned that the estimate in the pattern for how much fabric you would need … Continue reading Pintucks Part 2: How I salvaged Dress View A with a few modifications to McCall’s 8531 for Francie #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

Chelly Wood4 Comments
The envelope for McCall's 8531 doll clothes patterns for Barbie's cousin, Mod Francie, shows eight different outfits that you can sew for Francie, using McCall's 8531.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Pintuck Dress for Francie — The easiest way to learn pintucks! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

According to Wikipedia, “In sewing, a tuck is a fold or pleat in fabric that is sewn or fastened in place.”* It goes on to explain that pintucks are tiny tucks. They’re certainly right about that. The key word is TINY. But there’s a LOT Wikipedia doesn’t tell you about pintucks, and now that I’ve learned a thing or two about pintucks while sewing the … Continue reading Pintuck Dress for Francie — The easiest way to learn pintucks! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A Barbie stands sideways, modeling a reversible tank top and 3-tiered skirt, framed by a turquoise blue cotton frame and beside the photo of the Barbie doll, it says, "free pattern" above the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew summer clothes for Barbie! Free A4 and American PDF sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SummerSewing #SewingProject

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s patterns will fit Barbie dolls and similar-sized fashion dolls. If this looks like a re-post to my regular followers, you’re not wrong. People who live in the UK, South Africa, Australia, and many other parts of the world use a different type of printer paper than we do … Continue reading Sew summer clothes for Barbie! Free A4 and American PDF sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SummerSewing #SewingProject

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Today's do-a-pick game shows Francie wearing a red head scarf, blue tank top, and bell-bottom jeans. It's "Picnic fashions for Francie" for today's theme for the DoApick game!
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Let’s Do a Pick — Taking Francie on a picnic– What to wear? #DoApick #vintageDolls

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Blue gingham sundress, Best Buy #8644 Jeans and blue tank top, Best Buy #3365 Brown skirt with brown gingham shirt, Best Buy #8647 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 — Taking Francie on a picnic– What to wear? #DoApick #vintageDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A square thumbnail includes images of a handmade doll's purse, text that states "doll's purse with pocket" and a little DIY labeled sewing graphic. This thumbnail image accompanies a how-to blog post with tutorial video showing how to make a doll's purse (fits fashion dolls like Barbie and Pedigree Sindy).
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Rainbow High, Sindy, Tutorials: Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

How to make a purse for fashion dolls #DIY #FashionDolls

  Looking for the measurements for making your fashion-doll-sized purse? You’ve come to the right place! Today’s tutorial video shows how to make a sweet little purse for fashion dolls, and it even has a tiny pocket that you can put your doll’s accessories in! So if you scroll down to the second set of bullets, I’ve listed the measurements for each piece of this … Continue reading How to make a purse for fashion dolls #DIY #FashionDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A vintage Francie doll models a St. Patrick's Day green strappy dress with a pencil skirt. The text reads, "free sewing pattern!" The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears beneath the text.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

St. Patrick’s Day dress sewing adventure for Barbie or her retro buddy Francie! 🍀✨ #SaintPatricksDay #GirlsNightOut

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. I’ve had this dress available on my website for a long time now, but I’ve only posted it as a Valentine’s Day dress and a springtime/Easter dress. Disclaimer Statement: ChellyWood.com earns money by linking to Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other online affiliate programs. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn … Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day dress sewing adventure for Barbie or her retro buddy Francie! 🍀✨ #SaintPatricksDay #GirlsNightOut

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The thumbnail shows the words "Do a Pick" atop a cell phone that shows a close-up of blond Francie modeling Best Buy Fashion #8645. The text beside and slightly to the left reads "Playing Betty and Veronica from Archie comics." The #DoApick shorts offer a series of three items from a bygone Barbie or other doll's era, from which you and a friend might pick out toys and dolls and the dolls' outfits.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Favorite Books, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Let’s Do a Pick — Barbie is Betty and Steffie is Veronica from Archie Comics! #DoApick #Archie

Today’s “Do a Pick” game features the following: Best Buy Fashion #8645 Best Buy Fashion #3347 Busy Steffie #3312 Malibu Barbie Blond Francie Vintage Archie Comic Books This “Do a Pick” game asks you to pick between dolls and outfits to play the characters of Betty and Veronica from the Archie comic books of the 1970’s. What’s the story behind this game? When I was … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick — Barbie is Betty and Steffie is Veronica from Archie Comics! #DoApick #Archie

Chelly Wood2 Comments
This thumbnail shows a Black Barbie doll modeling an easy Barbie doll outfit to make. The shirt is a T-shirt style shirt, but made of orange cotton. The skirt is an orange gingham pencil skirt. Click on the thumbnail to find the free printable PDF sewing patterns and easy-to-follow tutorial videos showing you how to make easy barbie clothes for your child or grandchild.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Made to Move Barbie, Petite Barbie Patterns, Tall Barbie, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Let’s make a simple pencil skirt for Barbie w/today’s free patterns! #Barbie #Sewing

  For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Yes, this project has appeared on my website before. I’m working on a small size project, where I’m remastering my oldest video tutorials with voiceover. That way people who don’t speak English can translate my verbal instructions by using YouTube’s Closed Captioning feature. And also, when there’s voiceover, … Continue reading Let’s make a simple pencil skirt for Barbie w/today’s free patterns! #Barbie #Sewing

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The image shows the bottom half of a modern Barbie wearing a purple swimsuit. She stands beside McCall's Teen Fashion Doll Pattern number 3429. This photo is surrounded by a purple cotton square frame dotted with tiny white polka dots. Over the photo and slightly to the left of the photo are the words "free pattern" under which is the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tall Barbie, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Which “mystery Barbie” fits best in my vintage McCall’s “Teen Fashion Doll” swimsuit pattern? Surprise! #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

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
This is a framed thumbnail with the following text written inside a bodice pattern outline: "Vintage Patterns with lessons for beginners" and a small yellow arrow points to text that states, "available after 30 October 2023".
Crissy Family of Dolls, Marie Osmond dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Pepper Dolls (Vintage), Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Brad, Vintage Francie, Vintage Ken, Vintage Skipper, Vogue Ginny Dolls

Lessons from Vintage Doll Clothes Patterns (Gallery)

NOTE: These are not free doll clothes patterns! If you would like to download any of the hundreds of free, printable sewing patterns that I offer on this website, please view this video to learn how to find free patterns to fit the doll you’re sewing for. With that said, please click on the doll clothes patterns you would like to learn about: I created … Continue reading Lessons from Vintage Doll Clothes Patterns (Gallery)

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A Barbie stands sideways, modeling a reversible tank top and 3-tiered skirt, framed by a turquoise blue cotton frame and beside the photo of the Barbie doll, it says, "free pattern" above the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Made to Move Barbie, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a summer outfit for Barbie! With free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DollClothesPatterns

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today’s patterns will fit Barbie dolls and similar-sized fashion dolls. Before I offer up all my helpful links for sewing today’s project, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on my … Continue reading Sew a summer outfit for Barbie! With free sewing patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Surrounded by a turquoise blue linen fabric frame, we see the words "free pattern" angled above a photo of a vintage Francie doll wearing a sun dress (aka sundress) that's made of white cotton fabric printed with tiny fruits like watermelons, cherries, and pineapples.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Daily Patterns, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a “fruity” sun dress for vintage Francie dolls with a beach bag or purse! #VintageFrancie #DollClothesPatterns

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. On Wednesday this week, we learned how to add a bias tape trim to the top of this dress, to make a business-y look, and I would highly recommend that you go back and read that post, to learn how to apply Velcro to the back of the dress: … Continue reading Sew a “fruity” sun dress for vintage Francie dolls with a beach bag or purse! #VintageFrancie #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
On a purple background with tiny white polka dots, the words "free pattern" are angled above the ChellyWood.com logo. Beside these is a photo of a vintage Francie doll with brown hair and bangs. The Francie doll models a summery sundress in a tapered business style. She carries a matching purse.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Vintage Francie, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Sew a strappy business dress for Francie with a faux bias cuff bodice and matching purse #SummerActivities #DollClothesPatterns

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. We’ve seen today’s free pattern on ChellyWood.com in the past, but the older version of this pattern used a ribbon for the strap, and I’ve never posted it for Francie before. Here’s the earlier version on my Queens of Africa doll: In today’s rendition of the pattern, I’ve included … Continue reading Sew a strappy business dress for Francie with a faux bias cuff bodice and matching purse #SummerActivities #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
This thumbnail shows a cloud-shaped 1970's style rainbow in the colors yellow, blue, green, and purple, superimposed on the usual purple cotton fabric background frame that Chelly Wood dot com often uses for its thumbnails. This frame surrounds a cell phone with a photo of a vintage "Francie" Barbie doll wearing the "Bloom Zoom" classic vintage doll clothes outfit. The text reads "Do a Pick: Outdoor Music Festival." If you click on this image in the gallery, it will take you to the "Do a Pick" game where you get to choose which super-cool outfit you want your Barbie (or in this case Francie) doll to wear when playing at the outdoor music festival your parents will attend in the hypothetical situation presented in this YouTube shorts #DoAPick mini video.
Do a Pick! Game, Doll Play Videos, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Let’s Do a Pick at an Outdoor Music Festival #DoApick #vintageDollCollector

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 play with and which outfits or accessories you’ll get to play with. Your playtime companion would take a turn picking her dolls, clothes, and accessories too. … Continue reading Let’s Do a Pick at an Outdoor Music Festival #DoApick #vintageDollCollector

Chelly Wood6 Comments