The image shows a lady loading her glue gun with spare glue sticks, and there are actual palm trees (potted plants) behind her. The text reads, "doll beach DIY."

How to make a BIG beach diorama for your dolls!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Yesterday I shared some pictures of the 18 inch doll beach diorama that I built about four years ago or so: The video at the top of the page today shows you how to make your own doll beach, just like the one in the image above. It’s ideal for 18 inch dolls, but of course … Continue reading How to make a BIG beach diorama for your dolls!

The image says, "entrance slips for art class" and shows nine images which can be quickly and easily sketched as students enter the art classroom. You can find my Teachers Pay Teachers store at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Chelly-Wood

New item for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store — entrance slips for art teachers!

  If you’re new to my website, you may not be aware that in my “day job,” I’m a school librarian. One of the elective classes I teach is Introduction to Art. This past year, as my art students entered the classroom, they were immediately given a quick sketch practice, which we called their “entrance slip.” I projected an easy-to-sketch graphic on the whiteboard, and … Continue reading New item for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store — entrance slips for art teachers!

In a purple frame with tiny white polka dots, we see the words "free pattern" hovering above the Chelly Wood dot com logo. In a frame within this frame is a photo of a doll holding up a little green purse or handbag. The handbag is made of green cotton fabric with white felt for a closure. A tiny green button is sewn to the closure flap. The purse his held aloft by a miniature fashion doll's hand by the 1/8 inch ribbon that's used as a purse strap.

Make a purse or handbag for 6 to 7 inch fashion dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com

Scroll down to the second set of bullets to download the free printable PDF sewing pattern.* Today’s doll purse will fit a wide variety of tiny dolls. Not all of the dolls that will fit this purse are mentioned in the first bulleted list, so please keep that in mind. Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make … Continue reading Make a purse or handbag for 6 to 7 inch fashion dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com

Here we see a doll's matted, snarled hair flying wildly behind her head. The doll's face is obscured. The ChellyWood.com logo appears below the image and to the left.

Doll Hair Repair — Is it ever a hopeless endeavor?

I frequent second-hand stores when I feel like having a “fun day out,” and I like to look for used dolls that can be repaired and given a new wardrobe. But one of the most challenging problems with used dolls is matted up, tangled hair. I’ve had some amazing successes with dolls that had such horrendous hair problems, I honestly didn’t think I could do … Continue reading Doll Hair Repair — Is it ever a hopeless endeavor?

This is the street view of the store, Home Grown Quilts, in Grangeville, Idaho, with its "Viking Husqvarna" sewing machine sign hanging from the rafters outside the store.

Let’s take a tour of Home Grown Quilts in Grangeville, Idaho!

I don’t know what the rest of you did for the 4th of July this year, but I went to visit family in North Idaho, and while I was there, I went to a quilting store called Home Grown Quilts. Breezi, the store manager’s daughter-in-law, who seemed to be in charge of the store around lunchtime that day, wasn’t just standing behind the cut counter … Continue reading Let’s take a tour of Home Grown Quilts in Grangeville, Idaho!

The image shows three rolled cylinders of pink satin, each tied with a pink satin ribbon. The text reads "for sale: satin remnants!" The ChellyWood.com logo appears in one corner of the image.

New in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make a dress for 13-inch My First Barbie with this lovely fabric!

Yesterday I posted a brand new pattern and tutorial video, showing you how to make a beautiful, 1960’s style, pink satin dress, which will fit Judy Littlechap. But did you happen to see the list of dolls which will fit in this lovely dress? Let’s have a look at that list again: Yesterday’s free dress pattern will fit these dolls: Lammily First Edition dolls (from … Continue reading New in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make a dress for 13-inch My First Barbie with this lovely fabric!

A woman sits knitting tiny stocking caps in a plush chair. The text over her head reads "the mini stocking caps, part 2."

The Story of the Miniature Stocking Caps: Part 2 (PLEASE Comment!)

Yesterday, I told you the story of Evelyn, who hand-knitted a multitude of tiny stocking caps before she passed away. I bought them at a church rummage sale, from a woman who seemed very disrespectful toward Evelyn. And now I’m trying to sell these very tiny handmade stocking caps in a way that honors Evelyn’s hard work. When I say “very tiny,” this is what … Continue reading The Story of the Miniature Stocking Caps: Part 2 (PLEASE Comment!)

This thumbnail image shows a plethora of tiny, miniature stocking caps, some of which have pom-poms on top and some do not. The text reads, "the story of the mini stocking caps." The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in the upper right hand corner.

The Story of the Tiny Stocking Caps and Poor Evelyn Who Made Them…

You might have seen these little stocking caps for sale in my store. Well there’s a story behind these hand-knitted miniature stocking caps. I don’t knit, but I can tell you a little about the woman who did make them. Today I want to share what I can of her sad story. I was driving around Twin Falls, Idaho (a town near where I live) … Continue reading The Story of the Tiny Stocking Caps and Poor Evelyn Who Made Them…

The images show thread spools, a stack of felt, folded fabrics, and a clipboard upon which is a drawing of a dress. Next to the clipboard is a pencil. These are things Chelly Wood has toyed around with doing, as she recovers from West Nile Virus.

Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

Do you ever wonder what the fashion capital of the world has to offer to a sewist? Well, Paris is not called the “fashion capital of the world” without a good reason. In the summer of 2016, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Paris with my daughter, and of course, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to shop for fabric while I was there! I’d … Continue reading Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

On a blue background, we see a pair of yellow ankle pants for a very small doll -- handmade by Chelly Wood -- and the words "Summer projects!" This is a thumbnail for a blog post about summer sewing projects for people who enjoy sewing doll clothes.

What are you sewing this summer? Let’s share for inspiration! #Summer #Sewing

Let’s share! What are you working on this summer? What sewing projects do you have underway? Leave your summer sewing project descriptions in the comments section to give inspiration to everyone who reads this blog post! See the pile of vintage sewing patterns at the top of this post? That’s what I’ve been working on… I found all of these lovely uncut, vintage doll clothes … Continue reading What are you sewing this summer? Let’s share for inspiration! #Summer #Sewing

For the fourth of July, 2023, this thumbnail with its pale blue background says, "free pattern" over the top of the ChellyWood.com logo. Beside the text is an image of a Stacie doll from the 1980's modeling a red circle skirt and a white T-shirt. She raises her hand in a wave. Behind her is an American Flag mini quilt.

Let’s make a circle skirt w/eyelet trim for 1980’s Stacie dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothes

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. Today’s circle skirt project  with eyelet trim was first published here on ChellyWood.com for vintage Skipper, but it also fits modern Stacie dolls, as well as these older Stacie dolls from the 1980’s. I’m publishing it again, with a little different T-shirt … Continue reading Let’s make a circle skirt w/eyelet trim for 1980’s Stacie dolls w/free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #DollClothes

In a purple cotton frame with tiny white polka dots, we see the words "free pattern" beside the image of an American Girl Wellie Wishers doll (African-American Kendall) modeling a handmade red-white-and-blue swimsuit in a bikini style. The logo for ChellyWood.com appears in one corner.

Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (top and bottoms) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns

Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s free PDF sewing patterns are for making a popsicle 4th-of-July-themed bikini swimsuit for dolls in the 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15 inch doll size range. For a full list of all the dolls that will fit into today’s free swimsuit pattern, please scroll down to the first set of bullets. If … Continue reading Make a 4th of July bikini swimsuit (top and bottoms) for Wellie Wishers w/today’s free patterns @ ChellyWood.com #4thOfJuly #DollClothesPatterns