Category: Holiday Crafts

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

Sewing a blouse for modern Skipper using a vintage Skipper doll’s patterns! #MeMadeMonday #BlackHistory

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

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The thumbnail image shows a purple patch sewn onto a turquoise cloth. The words "doll clothes sewing chat" are written in the center of the purple patch. Floating in a circle around the patch are graphics of various sewing notions, from scissors, to a tape measure, to bobbins, to thread, and more. This feature on Chelly Wood dot com, is an open discussion about a sewing concept. The article will begin with a definition of the sewing concept, and then a discussion question will follow. This is a great place for people to ask questions about and/or give advice on sewing concepts related to making doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Favorite Books, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Interviews With Crafters, Links, Sewing and Fashion History

Celebrating everyday people for #BlackHistoryMonth with #BlackGirlsSew

  Have you ever heard of Black Girls Sew? Watch the video above and you’ll learn a little about it. Or visit their website using this link. As part of my celebration of Black History Month, on Fridays, I’m honoring everyday people like the ladies who organized Black Girls Sew, a non-profit organization that works to teach kids how to sew. Before I go on, … Continue reading Celebrating everyday people for #BlackHistoryMonth with #BlackGirlsSew

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An African American Creatable World doll models a handmade African print cotton shirt. The shirt is sleeveless, but running down the front of the shirt is a red lace trim with a black quarter-inch wide ribbon running down the center of the lace trim, sort of like a black placket. The African print fabric of the shirt is multicolor, incorporating red, blue, yellow, green, and black. The text reads, "Free sewing Pattern!"
10-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Creatable World Dolls, Daily Patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Petite Barbie Patterns, Skipper Patterns, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s sewing project tutorial video and free doll clothes sewing pattern can be used to make an adorable little sleeveless shirt with a lace-and-ribbon decorative front. And if you’ve been following my daily blog posts, you’ll know it’s February, which is Black History Month. So on your way down to get … Continue reading Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

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The image shows a Lieutenant Uhura doll (in the likeness of actress Nichelle Nichols) wearing a handmade dress with a dropped ruffle and cap sleeves. The main part of the dress is made of red and white striped cotton fabric that looks a lot like the stripes on a peppermint candy. The watermark reminds you to go to ChellyWood.com for free printable sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls and action figures of many shapes and all different sizes.
8-inch doll clothes patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Mego Action Figures, Sewing and Fashion History, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos for making today’s dress project. Today’s blog post is a re-post from five years ago. February is Black History Month in the United States, and as part of the celebration of African American history, I’m posting a sewing project that honors … Continue reading Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

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The thumbnail image shows a purple patch sewn onto a turquoise cloth. The words "doll clothes sewing chat" are written in the center of the purple patch. Floating in a circle around the patch are graphics of various sewing notions, from scissors, to a tape measure, to bobbins, to thread, and more. This feature on Chelly Wood dot com, is an open discussion about a sewing concept. The article will begin with a definition of the sewing concept, and then a discussion question will follow. This is a great place for people to ask questions about and/or give advice on sewing concepts related to making doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, LOL Surprise Dolls

What are you working on, in terms of craft projects? Please comment! #CraftProjects #SewingProjects

Today’s blog post asks you — yes YOU — to answer the question, “What are you working on?” Please scroll down to the comments section to tell me what projects have recently inspired you. Be sure to check in with my Black History Month segment as well. You’ll find it just before you get to the cross-stitch graphic. In a nutshell, here’s what I’m busy … Continue reading What are you working on, in terms of craft projects? Please comment! #CraftProjects #SewingProjects

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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.
History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Stacie Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Skipper

Altering a shirt from Simplicity 5861 to make Mary McLeod Bethune’s students’ blouses #BlackHistoryMonth #SewWithMe

This month, as part of my celebration of Black History Month, I’ve been delving into the clothing worn by Mary McLeod Bethune and her students, in the photo at the top of today’s blog post. You can learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune by clicking on the links I’ve provided whenever her name appears in this post. Today’s blog post will discuss how I made … Continue reading Altering a shirt from Simplicity 5861 to make Mary McLeod Bethune’s students’ blouses #BlackHistoryMonth #SewWithMe

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Eveeryday Hero! Betty the bus driver poses for her photo. She's a real person, but here, she's represented by the Bumblebee DC superhero doll dressed in Trans Dev uniform for driving her bus. Beside her is a red, yellow, and green book entitled Black History Month.
DC Super Hero Girls Dolls, History and Research, Holiday Crafts

Betty the Bus Driver — an Everyday Hero Making History at Chicago’s Midway Airport #BlackHistoryMonth #Chicago

If you’ve been following my blog posts, you know that February is Black History Month, and on Fridays, I’m featuring everyday people who are making history in the things they do each and every day, as they go through their lives. Today I’m going to feature a lady named Betty, who drives a bus that takes passengers to and from Midway Airport in Chicago to … Continue reading Betty the Bus Driver — an Everyday Hero Making History at Chicago’s Midway Airport #BlackHistoryMonth #Chicago

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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 while learning about Wangarĩ Maathai for #BlackHistoryMonth #SewingProject

  Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, let’s make some heart-printed pajama pants for your 10 inch dolls, shall we? Today’s tutorial video will show you how to make the pajama pants I’m showing on my Petite Barbie and my African American Skipper dolls. And be sure to scroll down … Continue reading Sew Skipper or Petite Barbie some pajama pants while learning about Wangarĩ Maathai for #BlackHistoryMonth #SewingProject

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Free fourteen inch doll patterns! A Kendall Wellie Wishers doll appears to be walking left, wearing a swingy summer smock made of red fabric with white hearts. Under the smock, shorts peek out from beneath the hem. Her shoes are made of white felt. Visit ChellyWood.com for free sewing patterns to make these doll clothes for your Wellie Wisher or other 14 to 15 inch dolls.
13-inch doll clothes patterns, 14-inch doll clothes patterns, 15-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, History and Research, Holiday Crafts, Wellie Wishers Patterns

Make a Valentine’s Day smock and shorts for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free doll clothes patterns! #BlackHistoryMonth #ValentinesDay

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today I’m showing you how to make a summer play suit which uses a smock-style A-line top over a pair of shorts with two back pockets. The shorts pattern has existed on my website for a number of years, so you may already have downloaded this pattern, but the smock style … Continue reading Make a Valentine’s Day smock and shorts for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free doll clothes patterns! #BlackHistoryMonth #ValentinesDay

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We are making history! A book entitled "Black History Month" rests beside a circle of hands bumping fists. Each fist is a different flesh tone, from pale to dark brown. This thumbnail is for an article about how we, in real time, are making history happen all around us. The article can be found at Chelly Wood dot com, as part of her Black History Month celebration in February of 2026.
Holiday Crafts, Uncategorized

We are the history makers… #BlackHistoryMonth #History

We are the history makers… As you know, February is Black History Month, and in celebration, I’m writing articles that research various famous Black Americans or persons of African ancestry, while also posting my usual doll-clothes-sewing related blog posts. However on Fridays this month, I want to feature everyday people of African heritage. Why? Because we are the makers of history — you and I … Continue reading We are the history makers… #BlackHistoryMonth #History

Chelly Wood6 Comments
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, Sewing and Fashion History, Skipper Patterns, Stacie Patterns, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Skipper, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts for Skipper and the Story of Charlotta Bass #ValentinesDay #BlackHistory

  Scroll down to the fourth set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. As you know, February is Black History Month, so in addition to today’s free sewing pattern for a pair of Valentine’s Day shorts to fit Barbie’s little sisters, Skipper and Stacie (and a number of other 8 inch to 10 inch dolls), I’m going to celebrate the life of Charlotta … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Pajama Shorts for Skipper and the Story of Charlotta Bass #ValentinesDay #BlackHistory

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Holiday Crafts, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat

Eco-Friendly Christmas: Handmade Denim Ornaments Created by a Beloved Family Member

Today I just want to focus on someone special in my life… my mother-in-law, Anita. She’s a gifted quilter, knitter, painter, glassmaker, gardener — the list could go on and on — and this year she took the festive spirit to a new level by crafting unique, handmade Christmas ornaments and decorations for her house. Using found objects and recycling denim from old pairs of … Continue reading Eco-Friendly Christmas: Handmade Denim Ornaments Created by a Beloved Family Member

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Within a blue linen frame, we see the words "free pattern" overlaid on top of a photo of a fashion doll, whose "Sunday best" dressy glove (really a mitten) is resting elegantly against her full skirt. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in the lower left corner.
12-inch doll clothes patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tall Barbie, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Free pattern and tutorial video for making fashion doll gloves or mittens @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothesPatterns #VintageFashion

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

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