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.

The image shows sewing pattern Simplicity 8281 for Barbie, Cher, and Farrah Fawcett dolls.
Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection

The Patterns of Christmas Past — Share a memory! #Sewing #VintageSewing

Whenever I dig up my Simplicity 8281 doll clothes sewing pattern, it always reminds me of a Christmas in about 1982  or 1983, when I used this pattern to sew a whopping 60 doll clothes outfits, and I sold them all to classmates and neighbors, to raise money for our family’s Christmas gifts. My favorite of these patterns was the View 4 dress because it … Continue reading The Patterns of Christmas Past — Share a memory! #Sewing #VintageSewing

Chelly Wood4 Comments
Text reads "ORT holder or thread catcher" and the image shows a fabric basket that collapses and pops out, for holding "old ratty threads" and other miscellaneous sewing accoutrements.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

Collapsible ORT thread catcher for sale in my store! #Sewing #Handmade

Also known as a “thread catcher,” the item you see above is sometimes referred to as an ORT holder. The letters O-R-T stand for “old ratty threads” or sometimes “odd random threads.” My mother-in-law, Anita, has made me half a dozen of these thread catchers, and I absolutely love them! So when she asked if she could sell one of her lovely creations in my … Continue reading Collapsible ORT thread catcher for sale in my store! #Sewing #Handmade

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The text reads "sewing room for dolls (DIY)" and the image shows a glue gun poised over the top of an open diorama room box that contains a miniature dress form mannequin, a table, and on the table stands a tiny vintage sewing machine. Visit my website, Chelly Wood dot com to learn how to make your own doll's sewing room diorama like the one I use in my stop motion videos.
Doll Furniture, Props and Dioramas

Let’s make a little Barbie dress form for a miniature sewing room! @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DIY

Isn’t this a cute little dress form? I bought it on eBay for a very reasonable price, but I didn’t really like the color. Its original color was black with a gold stand. As I wanted a red-white-and-turquoise theme for my original doll-sized sewing room, I decided a can of spray paint was all it would take to turn this “Barbie dress form” into the … Continue reading Let’s make a little Barbie dress form for a miniature sewing room! @ ChellyWood.com #Barbie #DIY

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Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, Fan Mail, History and Research, Interviews With Crafters, Links, Vintage Barbie

Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys

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

Chelly Wood4 Comments
A vintage Malibu Barbie models a handmade dress. She stands beside a photo of Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns, which is labeled "Sew-easy by Advance, Barbie, Mattel teen fashion doll patterns, around-the-clock wardrobe."
Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

How I altered the neckline of vintage Barbie pattern Advance 2896 to fit better #SewingTips #VintageSewing

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

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A black Barbie models an orange raglan-sleeved cotton shirt and an orange gingham check cotton pencil skirt. The text reads "free pattern!"
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

Easy Barbie clothes to sew with FREE patterns! #ChristmasGiftIdeas #EasyCrafts

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. On Halloween, I gave you a pattern for and a tutorial showing how to make the cotton shirt shown at the top of this blog post, but what about the skirt? It’s super easy to make too, so today I’m going to post the whole ensemble. That way, if … Continue reading Easy Barbie clothes to sew with FREE patterns! #ChristmasGiftIdeas #EasyCrafts

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The thumbnail text reads "People who read" followed by the word "meme." The image shows a cell phone with the Chelly Wood doll superimposed, but wearing a beautiful ball gown made of red satin, tulle, and white cotton. The clear tulle is dotted with tiny red roses made of satin. The doll stands in a library.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

The story behind my “People Who Read” meme… #Humor #Bibliophile #StopMotion

A lot of people follow me on YouTube because a.) they sew for dolls, b.) they enjoy collecting dolls or c.) they like to watch stop-motion videos. Today’s brief meme is for all three! On the weekends, I design doll clothes sewing patterns, which people can download for free, right here on my website, ChellyWood.com. But in my “day job,” I’m actually just an ordinary … Continue reading The story behind my “People Who Read” meme… #Humor #Bibliophile #StopMotion

Chelly Wood4 Comments
Thumbnail reads "free pattern" and shows an image of a 9 inch Tinkerbell doll modeling a handmade Christmas dress.
9-inch Dolls, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tinkerbell fairy dolls, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

How to sew Tinkerbell fairy doll dresses for the holidays with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollCollector #DollClothesPatterns

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing patterns and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. This week we’re sewing a pretty red plaid dress for the little Disney Tinkerbell fairy 9 inch dolls.  We’re getting closer and closer to Christmas, so I made my little dress for Tinkerbell out of a lightweight cotton/polyester blend red and … Continue reading How to sew Tinkerbell fairy doll dresses for the holidays with free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollCollector #DollClothesPatterns

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A vintage Malibu Barbie models a handmade dress. She stands beside a photo of Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns, which is labeled "Sew-easy by Advance, Barbie, Mattel teen fashion doll patterns, around-the-clock wardrobe."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Sew-Easy by Advance 2896 vintage “Around the Clock” sewing patterns — Let’s talk pockets! #Pockets #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

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The text in the dialog bubble reads "Back in style?" and the Chelly Wood doll stands in an old-fashioned 1950's style kitchen, wearing a cartoonish ruffled apron over the top of her red check shirt and black pants. She holds a cartoon-like platter with a cartoon-like pink and white layer cake on top. This thumbnail image accompanies a video about how fashion repeats itself in history.
Crafts and Hobbies, History and Research, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing and Fashion History, Sewing Chat

Do you see old fashions coming back into style? #Fashion #FashionHistory #Style

On YouTube, I enjoy watching Nicole Rudolph’s videos about fashion in history, but this one about fashions that repeat themselves was particularly interesting to me. If you’ve followed my doll history articles, which I posted on Tuesdays over the past 10 weeks or so, you’ll remember that a doll’s clothing isn’t always indicative of the era in which it was made. This video gives us … Continue reading Do you see old fashions coming back into style? #Fashion #FashionHistory #Style

Chelly Wood2 Comments
In a turquoise blue thumbnail, a black Barbie with long straight black hair and silver hoop earrings models a handmade cotton shirt with raglan sleeves. The text reads "free pattern" and this blog post is on Halloween, so it makes sense that the shirt is orange.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

Sew a super simple raglan-sleeved cotton shirt using today’s free Barbie shirt patterns @ ChellyWood.com #CasualStyle #BarbieClothes

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Happy Halloween! This week I’m giving you the free printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial video for making the super simple cotton shirt shown in the video at the top of this blog post. I’ve had this pattern on my website before, but we always used jersey fabric with … Continue reading Sew a super simple raglan-sleeved cotton shirt using today’s free Barbie shirt patterns @ ChellyWood.com #CasualStyle #BarbieClothes

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A woman's hand holds a long strand of white, very thin cord elastic. The ends of the elastic cross near her finger tips.
4-inch doll clothes patterns, 5-inch doll clothes patterns, Holiday Crafts, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

How to use cord elastic for very teeny-tiny little dolls’ elastic waistbands! #miniature #dollhouse

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The image at the top of today’s blog post shows a Mattel Barbie being measured for the usual 1/8 inch wide elastic, which is what I often use for small doll clothes. However, for tomorrow’s blog post, I’ll be recommending the use of elastic cord because when making clothes for Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea, these clothing … Continue reading How to use cord elastic for very teeny-tiny little dolls’ elastic waistbands! #miniature #dollhouse

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Click on the "Website Navigation Guide" button to learn more about how to navigate on ChellyWood.com, to find the free doll clothes sewing patterns and tutorial videos you need, to make a whole wardrobe of doll clothes for your doll or dolls.
Crafts and Hobbies, Daily Patterns, Links, Tutorials: Crafts, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls

How to find free doll clothes sewing patterns online @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

Navigating on ChellyWood.com You’ve reached the page that shows how to navigate ChellyWood.com, to find the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit the doll you’re wanting to sew for. If you want to find just baby doll clothes sewing patterns, you may find this tutorial video helpful too. If you’re looking for Barbie doll clothes patterns, this tutorial video is … Continue reading How to find free doll clothes sewing patterns online @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

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This thumbnail shows harvest colors of fabric with three images of Barbie dolls in holiday or harvest or Halloween outfits. The text reads, "Halloween slash harvest holiday music for crafting."
Crafts and Hobbies, Music Videos for Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection

Please consider adding today’s holiday crafting music video to your YouTube playlists for the holidays! #HolidayCrafting #MusicVideo

Okay, folks, I’ve created yet another music video to inspire your crafts! If you look back at this blog post, you’ll understand that by adding this music to your playlists on YouTube, it not only gives you music to inspire your crafting and sewing projects, but it also help the YouTube algorithm to understand that my channel is worth watching! So if you like the … Continue reading Please consider adding today’s holiday crafting music video to your YouTube playlists for the holidays! #HolidayCrafting #MusicVideo

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In a quilted frame the text reads "Advance 2896" and a photo of a Bubblecut Barbie shows her wearing a Halloween candy printed black dress. An arrow points from the Barbie to the View 5 image on the envelope of a Sew-Easy Advance pattern for Barbie.
Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

I discovered an unexpected gem in vintage Sew-Easy by Advance Barbie patterns! #VintageClothes #VintageBarbie

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

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