Category: Crafts and Hobbies

Chelly’s favorite hobby is sewing for dolls, but sometimes she makes other stuff too. Keep watching for more tutorials and patterns for her other crafty projects.

In a very clean, spartan bedroom, two African American dolls of about the same height and measurements model the same handmade pajamas: a white tank top or sleeveless cotton top decorated with pink ribbons and pink lace in a vertical strip down the front of the shirt, and a pair of Valentine's Day pajama pants with both an elastic waist and a snap-front fly. These are baggy, low rise pajama pants made of light pink cotton with black and bright pink tiny hearts printed on them. The dolls are (left) Petite Barbie and (right) African American Skipper.
10-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Petite Barbie Patterns, Skipper Patterns

Sew Skipper or Petite Barbie some pajama pants and a sleeveless top #PajamaParty #FunCrafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Now that I have a functioning computer again (mine was down for part of February and most of March), I have some catching up to do! I posted the free sewing patterns for making these pajamas for 10 inch dolls like Skipper and Petite Barbie back when I was working with … Continue reading Sew Skipper or Petite Barbie some pajama pants and a sleeveless top #PajamaParty #FunCrafts

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A modern African American Skipper doll models a handmade pair of flannel short-shorts decorated with tiny pink and black hearts under a handmade white sleeveless shirt that has pink lace and a ribbon running down the front of the top. Under the doll, it says, "Free printable PDF sewing patterns at Chelly Wood dot com." This is part of the Valentine's Day and Black History Month celebrations in February at chellywood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
10-inch doll clothes patterns, 8-inch doll clothes patterns, 9-inch Dolls, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Petite Barbie Patterns, Skipper Patterns, Stacie Patterns, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts and a Sleeveless Top for Skipper #FreeSewingPatterns #FreePattern

Scroll down to the fourth set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Yes, I posted this pajama set last February, during Black History Month, but by the middle of February, I was already having computer issues. So I actually had some errors in the original blog post. That’s why I’m reposting the same patterns here today. Before I go on, I need to … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts and a Sleeveless Top for Skipper #FreeSewingPatterns #FreePattern

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The image shows a woman who is bent over a cutting mat with large doll clothes patterns laid out on the cutting mat. Above her it says, "how to cut doll clothes sewing patterns". There's also a small pink stamp overlaid on top of the image, which says, "pin and cut" and the texts on either side of the woman say, "special thanks to the mom who reached out to me for help" (left of the image) and "I hope you get to read today's blog post" (to the right of the image).
Crafts and Hobbies, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Uncategorized

How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern Part 5 (How do you cut it?) #SewersOfInstagram #MakersGonnaMake

Lately we’ve been learning how to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern. I’m continuing that train of thought in today’s blog post, which reviews the cutting steps and adds a few details. When you’re getting ready to cut out your doll clothes patterns, it can be very helpful to see which garment pieces will need two identical pieces cut. For these, you can … Continue reading How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern Part 5 (How do you cut it?) #SewersOfInstagram #MakersGonnaMake

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In front of an airport, Betty the Bus Driver (a Bumblebee DC Comics doll) drives a public transportation bus filled with people. This is part of the Chelly Wood dot com celebration of Black History Month in February of 2026.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

Stop Motion Video with DC Super Hero Bumblebee Doll as “Betty the Bus Driver!” #StopMotion #StopMotionAnimation

  March has been an interesting month for me. My computer started slowing down in February, and then in March, I took it to the fixit shop. And then I got it back and it didn’t work. So I took it to the fixit shop again. And when I got it back, it didn’t work again. This went on for something like five trips to … Continue reading Stop Motion Video with DC Super Hero Bumblebee Doll as “Betty the Bus Driver!” #StopMotion #StopMotionAnimation

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ON a swatch of wool fabric, we see patterns for a jacket front, a jacket back, a hat top, and a hat crown. All of these are Barbie doll sewing patterns from Simplicity 7601 hat and coat set. Because the swatch of fabric is quite small, we see that the coat front has been aligned with the nap arrow facing East and west, while the coat back has its arrow facing north and south. The hat top arrow faces east-west while the hat crown's nap arrow faces north and south. The fabric is a burgundy color with black chevron-shaped print.
Crafts and Hobbies, Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern Part 3 (What do the arrows mean?) #Sewcialists #Sewing

Since Monday, I’ve been revisiting some older blog posts that teach some basics for cutting out a commercial sewing pattern. Today’s blog post is part of that series. I do have good news, though… My computer is back up and running after being in the fixit shop for most of the month of March. What does this mean? It means I have a LOT of … Continue reading How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern Part 3 (What do the arrows mean?) #Sewcialists #Sewing

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In this photo, we see two pairs of scissors lying next to an uncut pattern for a doll hat's brim. One pair of scissors has a grey handle; the other pair of scissors has a purple handle.
Crafts and Hobbies, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Paper Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern PART 2 (How do you cut out the tissue paper pattern?) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns #ChristmasCrafts

This week’s series of blog posts will break the process of pinning and cutting a doll clothes pattern, into several carefully explained steps. These are re-posts from 2022 because I’m still living my life without a working computer. Sorry about that. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more … Continue reading How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern PART 2 (How do you cut out the tissue paper pattern?) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns #ChristmasCrafts

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In this thumbnail image, the Chelly Wood doll (really a Spin Master Liv doll that has been repainted and had its wig hair color altered to look like the real doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood) stands beside and points at the Simplicity 7601 doll clothes (Barbie sized doll clothes) pattern envelope. The words over the envelope say "simplicity 7601" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo appears to the left of the photo. The entire image is framed by a purple and turquoise blue quilt.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fan Mail, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Paper Crafts, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Uncategorized, Vintage Barbie

How to cut out a Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern PART 1 (How do you read a pattern envelope?) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns #ChristmasCrafts

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

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McCall's 6260 vintage Barbie patterns: view A shows a ponytail Barbie wearing a pink gingham dress with lace skirt overlaid and a matching pair of pink gingham panties (shown below the doll on a silver graphic line); View B shows a silver evening gown (strapless) with matching stole and a pink ribbon tied at the waist; View C shows a pink swing coat with very large pockets and lots of buttons; View D shows an orange Kimono style bath robe with white trim and a white belt tied at the waist; View E shows a pair of high-waisted black pants with a little bolero style pink top over the top of them; View F shows a blue bikini with tiny pink polka dots.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Learning to sew with vintage McCall’s 6260 Barbie patterns #MeMadeMonday #SewRetro

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

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A background of plaid includes lines of dark green, black, Kelly green, and a very thin line of peach or tan. In the center is a large medallion in a peach or tan color. The medallion has been watercolor painted with Kelly green seahorses, their tails whipping into tight swirls. Beneath the center floral motif of the medallion, two seashells are depicted with swirling lines. This Celtic shield reminds us of the central animal and artistic figures in the Witham Shield, which is designed with swirling animals that have been interpreted as swans. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears at the bottom of the swatch of plaid fabric.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Favorite Books, For Sale in the Store, History and Research, Links, Paper Crafts, Sewing and Fashion History, Tutorials: Crafts, Yarn and Embroidery

Ancient Celtic artwork inspired my fabric designs… What do you think? #CelticArt #StPatricksDayFabric

  Did you know that Wood, my last name, is Scottish? When my aunt Bertha visited Scotland, she was surprised by how many Scottish people shared our last name. In fact, the Wood clan has its own registered plaid! (It’s a little different from the plaid I designed, which you’ll see later in this blog post.) Like many people, I’ve done my DNA analysis, and … Continue reading Ancient Celtic artwork inspired my fabric designs… What do you think? #CelticArt #StPatricksDayFabric

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On a purple frame, the Disney princess Merida doll is photographed wearing a green plaid short-skirted dress with bloomers. The words "free pattern" appear at an angle to the doll's right (the viewer's left) and under these words is the Chelly Wood dot com logo. You can find free PDF sewing patterns for making this dress and these doll bloomers at ChellyWood.com (a website for free printable PDF sewing patterns to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes).
10-inch doll clothes patterns, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Holiday Crafts

Free Printable PDF Sewing Patterns for Disney Doll St. Patrick’s Day Dress With Bloomers @ ChellyWood.com #StPatricksDay #DollClothesPatterns

As my regular followers know, I’m down-and-out in Idaho without a functioning computer. So I’m re-posting older blog posts. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I thought it might be fun to revisit some of my old posts that deal with making St. Patrick’s Day-themed doll clothes. And now for my necessary disclaimer: as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn … Continue reading Free Printable PDF Sewing Patterns for Disney Doll St. Patrick’s Day Dress With Bloomers @ ChellyWood.com #StPatricksDay #DollClothesPatterns

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The image shows the Chelly Wood doll holding up a McCall's Crafts sewing pattern which displays the finished projects of a Barbie sized wedding dress, various pants and shirts, a cape, and evening gowns. The article that goes with this image offers advice for buying sewing patterns for making doll clothes, using the eBay auction platform. Please visit ChellyWood.com for additional sewing ideas plus free printable sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Buyer's Guide, Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Selling Your Crafts

Tips for Buying Used Doll Clothes Patterns on eBay @ ChellyWood.com #AmSewing #DollClothes

Today’s blog post is a re-post from 2021. I’m out of the office until I get my computer repaired. Please feel free to leave questions or comments at the bottom. I’ll check those from my phone. The pattern you see in the image above is outdated, but there are some timeless patterns in this set, as well as out-of-style fashions. The wedding dress pattern can … Continue reading Tips for Buying Used Doll Clothes Patterns on eBay @ ChellyWood.com #AmSewing #DollClothes

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Thumbnail image featuring a prominent purple silhouette of a sewing machine outlined in white against a turquoise background. The geometric design includes a square displaying a vintage wooden spool of thread, and a rectangle showcasing the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Crafts and Hobbies, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

Sewing machine advice for making tiny doll clothes @ ChellyWood.com #SewingMachines #SewingAdvice

Today’s blog post is a re-post from 2021. I’m “out of the office” for a while, waiting for my computer to be repaired. Back in 2021, I got a great question from a follower named Jacqueline: “Hello! I’m excited to get started learning to sew Barbie & Ken clothes. What advise do you have for me to keep my sewing machine from tangling thread & … Continue reading Sewing machine advice for making tiny doll clothes @ ChellyWood.com #SewingMachines #SewingAdvice

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A quilted frame surrounds an image of Vogue Craft 9985 (featuring the Victorian bridal dress for a Barbie and a tuxedo for Ken) beside the Chelly Wood doll who points to the pattern. This pattern is for a wedding dress and tux for Barbie and Ken, in a Victorian era style. It's Vogue Craft 9985 from the late 1800's to early 1900s in history, although the pattern is copyrighted 1998.
Ken Patterns, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Vogue Craft 9985 doll clothes sewing pattern for Barbie and Ken #MeMadeMonday #Sewing

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

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A woman in a long dress with a bustle is silhouetted in white on a purple background with a turquoise blue frame. She holds a bouquet. a man in a top hat holding a cane stands beside her. The Word "History" is in all capitals, stylized in a historical font, beneath the two silhouetted figures in white on the purple background.
Barbie Patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, LOL Surprise Dolls, Made to Move Barbie, Petite Barbie Patterns, Queens of Africa, Sewing and Fashion History, Stacie Patterns

Here are a few ideas I didn’t cover for Black History Month, but maybe next year? #BlackHistory #SewingProjects

Can you believe February is almost behind us now? I had taken so many photos of my Black dolls and done so much research for Black History Month, but other than today, there are literally only two days left of this month. And I’ve barely gotten the ball rolling! So I’m going to show you some of the projects I had planned and perhaps cover … Continue reading Here are a few ideas I didn’t cover for Black History Month, but maybe next year? #BlackHistory #SewingProjects

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Free sewing patterns! Make an Easter outfit for Creatable World with today's free patterns at Chelly Wood dot com. Black Creatable World with dreadlocks models a feminine white lace trimmed blouse and pastel polka dot ruffled skirt.
10-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Creatable World Dolls, Daily Patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Sewing and Fashion History, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Make a pretty Easter outfit for Creatable World dolls with today’s free patterns! #EasterCrafts #SewingProjects

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s free skirt pattern was first posted for Barbie, but as you can see in the image above, it does fit the Creatable World dolls as more of a midi-length ruffle skirt. But please don’t be put off by the mention of 11 inch fashion dolls on the pattern. You’ll want … Continue reading Make a pretty Easter outfit for Creatable World dolls with today’s free patterns! #EasterCrafts #SewingProjects

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