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 text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

Queen Anne Era Doll with Delicately Designed Gown, Shoes, and Stockings — but who made them? #AmericanDoll #10

This doll is referred to in the DAR Museum collection as a Queen Anne era doll, and its date is cited as being 18th century, but for our history challenge, we need to know a more precise date for this doll. Was it early 18th century or late 18th century? I want you to also picture in your mind the person who made the delicate … Continue reading Queen Anne Era Doll with Delicately Designed Gown, Shoes, and Stockings — but who made them? #AmericanDoll #10

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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

  Have you ever purchased doll clothes sewing patterns on eBay? I have. In fact, the pattern pictured above, McCall’s Crafts pattern 4400, was one I purchased about a year ago. Yes, the pattern you see in the image above is outdated, but there are some timeless patterns in this set, as well as out-of-style fashions.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 be used for a … Continue reading Tips for Buying Used Doll Clothes Patterns on eBay @ ChellyWood.com #AmSewing #DollClothes

Chelly Wood4 Comments
The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

This antique doll may have been imported by the Hudson’s Bay Company! #AmericanDoll #9

This little wooden doll is wearing a lovely long dress trimmed in ribbons and lace. But just have a look at the bottom of the dress. Do you see how that spotted burgundy fabric on the underside of the dress is a different fabric from the outer skirting of the dress? This is a perfect example of how lining a doll’s garment gives it longevity! … Continue reading This antique doll may have been imported by the Hudson’s Bay Company! #AmericanDoll #9

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, Doll Furniture, History and Research, Links, Props and Dioramas

Giddings China Doll, Four-Poster Miniature Bed, and Mini Quilt –#AmericanDoll #8

This lovely doll is part of an extensive collection of toys donated to the DAR Museum in Washington DC by the Giddings family of Nebraska and (later) Illinois. Her name is “Miss Hetty” (1), according to the collection’s information on the DAR Museum website. Today’s blog post is part of a history challenge! Click here to read about the challenge and download the free PDF … Continue reading Giddings China Doll, Four-Poster Miniature Bed, and Mini Quilt –#AmericanDoll #8

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Set in a purple cotton background with tiny white polka dots, the text "free pattern" overlaps a photo of a very tiny doll's hand holding the green ribbon strap for an orange jack-o-lantern shaped pumpkin candy bucket for carrying Halloween candy when a child goes trick or treating.
5-inch doll clothes patterns, 6-inch doll clothes patterns, Chelsea, Holiday Crafts

Sew a miniature pumpkin (jack-o’-lantern) trick-or-treat Halloween candy bucket with today’s free patterns!

Please scroll to the very bottom of this page for today’s free pumpkin candy bucket pattern. Every Halloween people visit my website in search of this popular pumpkin-shaped candy bucket pattern, which is just the right size for nearly all fashion dolls! So today’s pattern and tutorial are a repeat, but they’re too popular to pass them by! Before I go any further, I need … Continue reading Sew a miniature pumpkin (jack-o’-lantern) trick-or-treat Halloween candy bucket with today’s free patterns!

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Within this purple thumbnail, we see a 10 inch Disney Moana doll with her hair back in many little braids, wearing a bright orange pair of pants with a bright orange swingy crop top. The text reads, "free pattern!"
10-inch doll clothes patterns, 9-inch Dolls, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Holiday Crafts, Moana dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Let’s make a Halloween orange outfit for Moana dolls w/today’s free PDF sewing patterns! #HalloweenDIY #Moana

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Doesn’t my Moana doll look adorable in this swingy crop top and matching pants? She’s such a sweet little doll to sew for! Before we dive into this project, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more … Continue reading Let’s make a Halloween orange outfit for Moana dolls w/today’s free PDF sewing patterns! #HalloweenDIY #Moana

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The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

The Hattie Thompson Doll — An early heat transfer face perhaps? — #AmericanDoll #7

For today’s “History of Dolls” blog post, I’m researching what I’m calling the “Hattie Thompson Doll” because according to the DAR website, this doll was made at some point in the 20th century, by a woman name Hattie Thompson. Today’s blog post is part of a history challenge! Click here to read about the challenge and download the free PDF to join the history challenge. … Continue reading The Hattie Thompson Doll — An early heat transfer face perhaps? — #AmericanDoll #7

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In this purple background thumbnail, the text reads "Ken versus GI Joe: Who is the best dance partner?" There's an image of a blond Barbie dancing with African American Ken from Texas A&M articulated EMT dolls, and standing out as the third leg is a somewhat shorter crew cut GI Joe (also African American) with kung fu grip hands.
Doll Collecting, Doll Measurements, Doll Play Videos, GI Joe, History and Research, Sewing Chat

GI Joe vs. Ken: Who makes a better boyfriend for Barbie? — Please leave a comment! #gijoe #retro70s

  This is not my advertisement, but I certainly remember the ad from when I was a kid, and my brother had this exact same GI Joe! Of course I own a GI Joe today, and I’ve designed some attractive clothing for him, which you can find on this page, on ChellyWood.com. Before I dive into this ad and what it means to me, I … Continue reading GI Joe vs. Ken: Who makes a better boyfriend for Barbie? — Please leave a comment! #gijoe #retro70s

Chelly Wood16 Comments
The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

Izannah Walker: an icon in the history of doll making in America #AmericanDoll #6

The doll you see above was created by a woman who is considered something of an icon in American doll history. The person I’m talking about is Izannah Walker, an early American manufacturer of dolls and an artist in her own right. Today’s blog post is part of a history challenge that has been running throughout the month of August. You’re supposed to look at … Continue reading Izannah Walker: an icon in the history of doll making in America #AmericanDoll #6

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The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

Can we judge a doll by its costume? #AmericanDoll #5

Meet Cordelia… Isn’t she sweet?! If you’ve been playing along with the history challenge, I’m very curious to hear your honest guesses. What era do you think she comes from? Please leave a comment below. If you’re not familiar with my history challenge, please click here to read about the challenge and download the free PDF to join us. When I first saw Cordelia, I … Continue reading Can we judge a doll by its costume? #AmericanDoll #5

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Three black question marks on a purple gingham background. Each question mark is turned at a slight angle, to create an arc of question marks. The image below the question marks is the Chelly Wood dot com logo. The purple gingham represents fabric.
Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Clothes for Sale, Doll Collecting, Doll Makeovers, Interviews With Crafters, Vintage Barbie

Can you help doll collector Mandi Lee identify these items? #FridayFollow #DollCollecting

  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

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The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

A Precious Native American Doll with a Beaded Face #AmericanDoll #4

Have you given a guess yet, as to the age of this precious little doll? That’s part of the history challenge that I issued at the start of this month. Click here to read about the challenge and to download the free PDF to join my doll history challenge. In what year do you guess this doll was “born” into the world? And who do … Continue reading A Precious Native American Doll with a Beaded Face #AmericanDoll #4

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On a purple background, a woman's hand holds up a yellow card with a blue stripe running down the left side. At the top of the bleu stripe, the Dritz logo appears as white logo image and text on top of a black background. The card holds 10 of the 12 sew-on snaps that were originally place on the card. Two of the snap locations are now vacated and holes are punched through the card where the snaps would have been.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store, Tips for Beginners

How to Sew Snaps (AKA Poppers) With a Hole in the Middle #Sewing #DollClothes

I’ve had a similar video available on my website for quite some time, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized my original “How to Sew Snaps on Doll Clothes” tutorial video doesn’t have any voiceover. So today’s blog post is going to catch that video up with new technology. As I’ve said before, by adding voiceover to my older tutorials, I’m making them easier … Continue reading How to Sew Snaps (AKA Poppers) With a Hole in the Middle #Sewing #DollClothes

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Links

What would a Victorian era doll look like if it was never played with? Meet… “Annie” #AmericanDoll #3

You read that title correctly. This doll was never played with! Affectionately called “Annie,” this doll, which stands 21 inches tall, was won by a man named Joseph J. Rand, at a fair. Having no children of his own, this doll was never, ever played with. Eventually it was donated to the DAR Museum in Washington DC, and as we’ve learned in previous “doll history” … Continue reading What would a Victorian era doll look like if it was never played with? Meet… “Annie” #AmericanDoll #3

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The image shows a sewing machine with a tiny pink swatch of fabric between the presser foot and the feed dogs. Thread, bobbins, and other sewing tools are scattered around a white table top near the sewing machine's base. This image represents Chelly's sewing room while she recovers from West Nile Virus.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fan Mail, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How do you finish off your seams? — Please comment! #SewingTips #SewingChat

For today’s “Doll Clothes Sewing Chat,” let’s talk about finishing off a seam. Personally, I use a backstitch, so I’m going to define what that means to me before we get the chat underway… DEFINITION: A backstitch is when you stitch in one direction, you stitch backwards from there, and then you stitch in the forward direction again. This can be done by hand or … Continue reading How do you finish off your seams? — Please comment! #SewingTips #SewingChat

Chelly Wood9 Comments