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.

Simplicity 9054, showing the envelope front, which displays swimwear, hippie clothes, and 1960s and early 1970s fashions for both Ken and Barbie
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Ken

Guide to Sewing Simplicity 9054 Doll Clothes for Vintage Barbie and Ken Collectors #MeMadeMonday #BarbieGirl

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 vintage Ken, vintage Barbie, 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 when sewing … Continue reading Guide to Sewing Simplicity 9054 Doll Clothes for Vintage Barbie and Ken Collectors #MeMadeMonday #BarbieGirl

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
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

Chelly Wood4 Comments
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

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Displaying Simplicity 9054 vintage patterns for 11 and one half inch dolls such as Barbie, Julie, Maddie Mod, and Ken. View 1 dress, scarf and vest; View 2 tunic, scarf, and pants; view 3 blouse, pants, and vest (hippie style with fringe); view 4 bikini bathing suit for Barbie; view 5 shirt, pants, and jacket (double breasted without a collar) for Ken; View 6 and 7 turtleneck sweater for Ken; View 7 pants and vest (with fringe, hippie style); view 8 swim trunks or shorts for Ken. Lessons learned from sewing this pattern can be found at the website, ChellyWood.com under her vintage doll clothes sewing patterns button.
Disney Princess Dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Does the Simplicity 9054 bikini pattern for Barbie also fit Disney Princesses? #MeMadeMonday #DisneyDolls

Last week I showed you the Christmas-themed boxers that I made for Ken, using Simplicity 9054 (view 8). At about the same time, I experimented with the view 4 bikini from this pattern. I used a stretchy green and white striped fabric to make the undies and the bra from View 4, and even though the instructions for making this bikini top/bra suggest using a … Continue reading Does the Simplicity 9054 bikini pattern for Barbie also fit Disney Princesses? #MeMadeMonday #DisneyDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Baby Alive doll clothes free sewing patterns for making a felt sleeveless shirt and an elastic waist simple schoolgirl's skirt. Visit Chelly Wood dot com for the free patterns. From the blog post, this image leads to the instructions page, where you can download the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making these doll clothes for Baby Alive and similar sized dolls.
12-inch doll clothes patterns, 13-inch doll clothes patterns, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Baby Alive, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Holiday Crafts, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Make a super easy peasy outfit for Baby Alive with today’s free patterns! #SewEasy #CraftersCorner

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Yesterday I posted pictures of three “little girl” dolls wearing this same sleeveless felt shirt and easy-to-sew elastic-waist skirt. After I’d finished that blog post, I thought to myself, “I wonder if this also fits Baby Alive…?” So I tried it on her. Lo and behold, it did! Before I go … Continue reading Make a super easy peasy outfit for Baby Alive with today’s free patterns! #SewEasy #CraftersCorner

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
The Chelly Wood doll holds up her digital sewing planner called, "My Sewing Goals," which has a typed list of Chelly's goals for her New Year's resolution (all of which are mentioned in the accompanying blog post as well).
Crafts and Hobbies, Interviews With Crafters, Selling Your Crafts, Sewing Chat

Time for New Year’s Resolutions… What doll clothes patterns should I design in 2026? #NewYear2026 #SewingGoals

Yes, it’s time for me to set my New Year’s resolutions. I’d love your help. Please scroll down to the bottom of today’s blog post and let me know what doll clothes you’d like me to design (and for which dolls) in 2026. I’m looking for ideas! Please submit a comment. Now, did I achieve last year’s goals? Mostly, no. (I think I set the … Continue reading Time for New Year’s Resolutions… What doll clothes patterns should I design in 2026? #NewYear2026 #SewingGoals

Chelly Wood8 Comments
The image shows the Chelly Wood doll (really a Spin Master Liv doll that has had her hair died and her face repainted to look like the real doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood) staring at the camera over the top of her lowered glasses. The photo is superimposed over a swatch of turquoise blue linen fabric with the word "hashtag goals" over the top of the photo. In the lower left corner, we see the ChellyWood.com logo.
2 Enchanting 2B True -- Doll Pics, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Play Videos, Favorite Books, For Sale in the Store, Romeo & Juliet

Have I finished Romeo and Juliet with Dolls, Act V (the stop-motion video) in 2025? #Goals #FreeSpeech

The first goal I set on my sewing and craft planner in January of 2025 was “Finish Romeo and Juliet, Act V! Work on this project for 30 minutes per week.” But did I achieve my goal? That’s what today’s blog post is all about. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying … Continue reading Have I finished Romeo and Juliet with Dolls, Act V (the stop-motion video) in 2025? #Goals #FreeSpeech

Chelly Wood6 Comments
Simplicity 9054, showing the envelope front, which displays swimwear, hippie clothes, and 1960s and early 1970s fashions for both Ken and Barbie
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Holiday Fabrics: Magic Beyond the Season? ✨ #MeMadeMonday #SewChristmas

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this one everybody… When you make doll clothes out of seasonal fabrics, do these doll clothes become less fun to play with when the holidays are over? I remember playing dolls at my friend Rachel’s house when we were kids, and her family actually put her dolls’ holiday clothes away in a closet when Christmas was over. Can … Continue reading Holiday Fabrics: Magic Beyond the Season? ✨ #MeMadeMonday #SewChristmas

Chelly Wood4 Comments
Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What does boot cut jeans mean? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION: A pair of pants or jeans that flare from the knee to the hem, allowing room for a pair of boots under them. This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find other definitions as well. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can learn more about my affiliate marketing program on the Privacy Policy page. … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What does boot cut jeans mean? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

Chelly Wood10 Comments
The envelope for McCall's 8531 doll clothes patterns for Barbie's cousin, Mod Francie, shows eight different outfits that you can sew for Francie, using McCall's 8531.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Here are a few tips and tricks for sewing the McCall’s 8531 doll clothes wardrobe for vintage Francie dolls! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

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 Francie 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 when sewing the outfits offered … Continue reading Here are a few tips and tricks for sewing the McCall’s 8531 doll clothes wardrobe for vintage Francie dolls! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
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

10 Sewing Books You Can Buy Used Without Regrets #Top10 #Books #GiftIdeas

This list of my top “10 sewing books you can buy used without regrets” is based on a.) the books that have helped me hone my sewing skills, b.) the books that bring me inspiration to continue with my sewing projects, and c.) books that help keep my sewing projects organized. And it may surprise you to find that I’ve included more than just my … Continue reading 10 Sewing Books You Can Buy Used Without Regrets #Top10 #Books #GiftIdeas

Chelly Wood6 Comments
Holiday Crafts

Make a No-Sew “Quilted” Christmas Tree Ornament with my free Pattern #Quilted #ChristmasTree

Every year during the holidays, today’s tutorial video gets a bunch of views on my YouTube channel. Every video view adds a few pennies to my pocketbook, which is great! So this is a re-post, but it’s a popular and fun craft project for the holidays. Hopefully my regular followers don’t mind seeing it again. Here’s the free PDF pattern to accompany the video: Quilted … Continue reading Make a No-Sew “Quilted” Christmas Tree Ornament with my free Pattern #Quilted #ChristmasTree

Chelly Wood1 Comment
How to make a dress with pintucks. Pictured are a finished bright yellow doll's dress with the top half showing a full set of pintucks all the way across the dress's upper half. An arrow points to the View A drawing on the McCall's 8531 doll clothes sewing pattern envelope. Beside this is the enlarged image of the drawing from the front of the envelope, sewing an artist's rendition of Francie wearing the same dress as the photo on the left, but the dress in the drawing is white, and it also shows Francie wearing a little lace cap.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Pintucks Part 2: How I salvaged Dress View A with a few modifications to McCall’s 8531 for Francie #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

In last Monday’s post, you heard about how, even I — a very experienced doll clothes sewing enthusiast — struggled to understand the wording “… stitching back ‘Hemlines’ from top as far as lower ends of tucks” in the McCall’s doll clothes pattern 8531 for Mattel’s vintage Francie dolls. I also learned that the estimate in the pattern for how much fabric you would need … Continue reading Pintucks Part 2: How I salvaged Dress View A with a few modifications to McCall’s 8531 for Francie #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

Chelly Wood4 Comments
A Dora and Friends 8 inch doll holds up a sign that says "Happy Thanksgiving!" The doll wears a handmade orange tank top over a pair of handmade black and white gingham shorts.
Holiday Crafts

Happy Thanksgiving and THANK YOU to all my followers and friends! #Thanksgiving #SewingGoals and #PortlandFrogs

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate it. I’m truly thankful today, for all of you who share your love of sewing and doll crafts with me. I hope you have a pleasant day! In the video, I mention a “Portland Frogs” video. That link should take you to the absolute silliness that inspired my artwork. I love the idea of a peaceful — … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving and THANK YOU to all my followers and friends! #Thanksgiving #SewingGoals and #PortlandFrogs

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The envelope for McCall's 8531 doll clothes patterns for Barbie's cousin, Mod Francie, shows eight different outfits that you can sew for Francie, using McCall's 8531.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Francie

Pintuck Dress for Francie — The easiest way to learn pintucks! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

According to Wikipedia, “In sewing, a tuck is a fold or pleat in fabric that is sewn or fastened in place.”* It goes on to explain that pintucks are tiny tucks. They’re certainly right about that. The key word is TINY. But there’s a LOT Wikipedia doesn’t tell you about pintucks, and now that I’ve learned a thing or two about pintucks while sewing the … Continue reading Pintuck Dress for Francie — The easiest way to learn pintucks! #MeMadeMonday #SewVintage

Chelly Wood2 Comments