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.

Inside a purple square thumbnail, the text reads, "free pattern!" beside the photo of a Barbie doll with long blond hair modeling a strappy summer shirt and a full Halloween-themed skirt dotted with tiny pumpkins. Visit ChellyWood.com for the free patterns to make this outfit for your Barbie dolls.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Whole Costumes for Dolls

DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 2 #HalloweenBarbie #BarbieHalloween

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s “Spooky Halloween Skirt” and top project is actually one I’ve designed in pink and white in the past, and you can find this project under Barbie, Sindy, and a few other dolls, when you link out from the home page. Unlike the “Spooky Sewing Series” Part 1 skirt, this project … Continue reading DIY Halloween Skirts for Barbie: Spooky Sewing Series Part 2 #HalloweenBarbie #BarbieHalloween

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Advance 2896 with quilted frame and Tall Barbie in Halloween dress standing nearby. the doll is shown in profile. Her long hair is accentuated by this side view, and you can see that the dress has a belt that ties in the back. On the pattern envelope this dress is most like the one pictured in View 5.
Fabric, Holiday Crafts, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

When your pattern doesn’t fit on the fabric, what do you do? #SewingTips #couture

We’ve all had it happen. You’re thinking, “A fat quarter should be enough to make this little doll dress. Right?” You get home, start pinning the pattern pieces onto the fabric, and then… “Oh crap.” That fat quarter isn’t quite long enough for the skirt’s ruffle (or whatever piece still needs pinning). What can you do? Before I go on, I need to make my … Continue reading When your pattern doesn’t fit on the fabric, what do you do? #SewingTips #couture

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A teenage girl displays a handmade rail fence doll-sized quilt in pink, burgundy, and off-white. To her left is an American Girl Kaya doll, and to her right is an 18-inch platinum blonde Madame Alexander doll. Each doll is dressed in flannel nightgowns with bunny slippers, perfectly matching the quilt's size. The scene is set in a pink-themed girl's bedroom, with the chellywood.com logo visible in one corner.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

I have something new for sale in my Etsy store… #AGdolls #giftsforgirls

It might look like AI made the image above, but actually, I used my Canva account to design that image. However the quilt is another story. It’s entirely made by hand, with careful hand stitching, by my mother-in-law, Anita. At 18 by 22 inches, this rail fence style doll quilt is the perfect size for 18 inch dolls like Journey Girls, American Girl, and Our … Continue reading I have something new for sale in my Etsy store… #AGdolls #giftsforgirls

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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, Doll Shoes, Moana dolls, Sewing Chat

Which dolls do you have trouble finding shoes for? #DollShoes #DollCollectors

Yesterday I posted the image above on this blog post offering free doll clothes sewing patterns for my 9 and 1/2 inch Moana fashion doll. But did you notice her shoes? They don’t fit her very well… Take a close look at the image on the left, and you’ll see that these little red Mary Janes have a very loose “strap” on them. That’s because … Continue reading Which dolls do you have trouble finding shoes for? #DollShoes #DollCollectors

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Moana wears a Halloween orange tank top (vest in the UK) with a pair of black and white gingham shorts. The text says, "Free pattern!"
10-inch doll clothes patterns, 9-inch Dolls, A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Daily Patterns, Holiday Crafts, Moana dolls, Whole Costumes for Dolls

Free sewing patterns for 9.5 inch Moana doll’s shorts and cropped summer top @ ChellyWood.com #DisneyFan #indiepatterns

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Yes, if you’re a regular follower, you’ve probably seen today’s outfit on a different doll. I like to re-post similar outfits on different dolls, so I can add links from (in this case) the Moana gallery of free patterns to this page. That way, people who are specifically seeking a shorts-and-tank-top … Continue reading Free sewing patterns for 9.5 inch Moana doll’s shorts and cropped summer top @ ChellyWood.com #DisneyFan #indiepatterns

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Thumbnail image shows the front of pattern envelope Simplicity 8281, plus a close-up of Simplicity 8281's View 6 culottes, vest, and long-sleeved tee shirt. In the middle, between the pattern envelope and the close-up of a doll wearing the View 6 gouchos (culottes) vest and t-shirt, we see a bubble cut Barbie wearing the handmade outfit. Exactly as printed on the envelope cover, the gouchos / culottes and vest are sky blue, while the long-sleeved T-shirt is made of a red and white striped jersey fabric with narrow one-eighth inch wide stripes. The dolls shoes are red classic pumps.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Are denim vests back in style in 2025? #SewingPodcast #FashionHistory

I started my 7th grade year in the fall of 1979, and I distinctly remember owning an outfit that included a denim vest. It came with a pretty ruffled skirt made of tan denim, a white top made of lightweight cotton, and a tan denim vest with cream-colored topstitching. My aunt, Harriet, took me on a shopping spree just before school started, and she bought … Continue reading Are denim vests back in style in 2025? #SewingPodcast #FashionHistory

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Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Makeovers, For Sale in the Store, Holiday Crafts

Here’s a crafting idea that is a little… ahem… embarrassing… #HalloweenParty #HalloweenPartyIdeas

I bought these plastic skulls thinking I would make them into dolls. Yes, you read that right. I know what you’re thinking… “What on earth? That’s crazy!” Yeah. I know. 😳 Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on my website, please go … Continue reading Here’s a crafting idea that is a little… ahem… embarrassing… #HalloweenParty #HalloweenPartyIdeas

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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, Creative Spark Online Learning, Holiday Crafts, Tips for Beginners

I’m going to design a new class… What are your thoughts? #SewingLesson #DIY

I’m ready to start planning my next class, for C&T Publishing’s Creative Spark online learning platform. In the comments, please let me know what type of course you’d like me to teach next. Here are some thoughts I’ve had: How to design your own doll dresses How to design your own doll shirts and blouses How to design your own skirts How to make a … Continue reading I’m going to design a new class… What are your thoughts? #SewingLesson #DIY

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An apron is a simple Christmas gift to make. You can usually whip one up in a couple of hours. On ChellyWood.com, the doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood, offers advice for making aprons for the whole family for Christmas. This image shows a quilted background with the photo of Simplicity Apron pattern 2691, showing an apron with a pocket and contrasting colors of fabric, along with a quilt-look table runner and a placemat pattern. Visit ChellyWood.com to join the chat.
Crafts and Hobbies, Holiday Crafts, Links, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to Sew Apron Ties — Aprons make great gifts for the whole family! #HolidaySewing #ChristmasGiftIdeas

Maybe you’ve been thinking about sewing an apron for each of your family members as Christmas gifts, or even to use at Thanksgiving, when the whole family is visiting. It’s definitely not too early to start planning your holiday sewing projects! And honestly, aprons don’t take long to make. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, … Continue reading How to Sew Apron Ties — Aprons make great gifts for the whole family! #HolidaySewing #ChristmasGiftIdeas

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A black and white photo of a pair of sewing scissors with spools of thread lying on a work surface. Text says simply "Thread" with the Chelly Wood dot com logo beneath it. Thumbnail colors are turquoise blue and white with the name Chelly Wood in lilac / purple. Click this thumbnail to read an article about thread recommendations and leave a comment on your own opinions for the best brands of thread to use when sewing.
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store

What’s the best thread for beginners? Please join the discussion! #Sewing #LearningToSew

Recently I received a comment on my blog, asking me to give advice on which type of thread a beginner should use. The answer I gave is the subject of today’s blog post, but if you have an opinion, please feel free to leave it in the comments at the bottom of today’s post! Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer … Continue reading What’s the best thread for beginners? Please join the discussion! #Sewing #LearningToSew

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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.
History and Research, Sewing and Fashion History, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Men’s and Women’s Fashion in History #EuropeanHistory #AmericanHistory

The video above comes from the Catherine Sews YouTube channel. I love a good romp through fashion history, and Catherine (who like me is retiring from her teaching career to focus on her own creativity) takes us on a wonderful journey through fashion history in this video, which chronicles both men’s and women’s fashion, from the 1700’s to the 2000’s! I hope you enjoy this … Continue reading Men’s and Women’s Fashion in History #EuropeanHistory #AmericanHistory

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A pink screen shows a video play button and the text reads "History of American Dolls: Video."
Doll Collecting, History and Research, Sewing and Fashion History

Fashion Doll History from the DAR Museum #FashionDolls #History

The video above comes from the DAR Museum’s YouTube channel. As a member of the DAR myself (the Daughters of the American Revolution), I have thoroughly enjoyed some of the podcasts and YouTube videos the DAR Museum has done on sewing history. To see the whole “Making-Meaning-Memory: A Sewn in America Symposium” playlist, please click here. You may recognize some of the dolls featured in … Continue reading Fashion Doll History from the DAR Museum #FashionDolls #History

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Inside a purple frame, talk bubbles express Q for Questions and A for Answers. The text reads, "Sewing tips for beginners." This is a thumbnail for a Q and A blog post for beginners who are learning to sew and want to "pick the brain" of an experienced doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Fan Mail, For Sale in the Store, Links, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

Recently I saw a Reddit post that asked, “What do I need, to use my new sewing machine?” So I thought this might be a good follow-up topic to the last two Friday posts, which answered the questions, “Which sewing machine brand is the best?” and “What brand of iron do you use?” For today’s blog post, in addition to my usual affiliate marketing links, … Continue reading What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

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On a white background, we see an array of Celtic knots forming green and blue squares, all of which seem to be linked together by circles of red. This Celtic knot pattern has been made into a fabric, which can be purchased at Chelly Wood's shop on Spoonflower, a fabric website. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner of this Celtic knot patterned fabric swatch.
Contests, Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Favorite Books, Holiday Crafts, Paper Crafts, Tutorials: Crafts

Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Some of you are already aware that I’ve begun experimenting with painting and fabric design. I now have an account on Spoonflower where you can see and (if you’re interested) purchase the fabrics I’ve designed. Of course I’m just learning how to make my own fabrics, and I’m by no means an expert at this point. However I’m particularly proud of the fabric I designed … Continue reading Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Chelly Wood4 Comments
A Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been OOAK re-dressed, re-painted, and had its hair dyed to look like the real doll clothing designer Chelly Wood stands beside a photo of a McCall's 9061 vintage sewing pattern for baby and toddler dolls. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red check shirt and black trousers with a pair of flats. Her hair is tied in a red check handkerchief and she wears dark cat eye glasses.
Baby Doll Patterns, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners

Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

If you’re looking for details, tips, and tricks for sewing with the vintage McCall’s 9061 pattern for baby and toddler dolls, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s blog post, I’m going to give you links to the other blog posts I’ve written about this pattern, plus, I’ll let you know what information can be found on the envelope itself, including which dolls this … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

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