Category: Sewing and Fashion History

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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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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Thumbnail image featuring a prominent purple silhouette of a sewing machine outlined in white against a turquoise background. The geometric design includes a square displaying a vintage wooden spool of thread, and a rectangle showcasing the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Crafts and Hobbies, Sewing and Fashion History, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Last week we shared our favorite brands of irons. Today I want to hear about what brand of sewing machine you use, and is it a good one or not? I’ll also share the brands I’ve used over the years, along with my own opinion about each of them. However, before I start describing sewing machines, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As … Continue reading What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Chelly Wood13 Comments
With a quilted purple and blue frame, a photo of a Made to Move Curvy Barbie with bright pink Anime-style hair stands next to and looks down at vintage 8281 Simplicity Barbie doll clothes pattern, which contains the patterns for making the very same raglan-sleeved shirt or blouse that the Made-to-Move Curvy Barbie is wearing. She also wears a miniskirt that is not pictured on the envelope for Simplicity 8281 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns. The ChellyWood.com logo appears to the side of the photo.
Curvy Barbie, Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie, Vintage Ken

What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

In the image at the top of today’s blog post, Ken is modeling a handmade raglan-sleeved T-shirt, but what, exactly, does “raglan” mean? Well, in today’s blog post, we’ll dig deep into the differences between a set-in sleeve and a raglan sleeve, looking at doll clothes sewing patterns for both kinds. If you’re wondering about the history of the word “raglan” (AKA its etymology), I’ll … Continue reading What are raglan shirts? — Here’s a quick explanation! #Sewing #HandmadeWithLove

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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.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

How can I tell if McCalls 9061 vintage patterns will fit my AG dolls? I have 2 methods! #SewingTips #SewingHacks

When you look at a vintage pattern, do you sometimes wonder whether or not it will fit your modern dolls? Nobody wants to waste time making, for example, the nightgown in View E above, if they’re not sure it will fit. Right? In today’s blog post, I’m going to show you a couple of tricks I use to test a pattern before I start sewing … Continue reading How can I tell if McCalls 9061 vintage patterns will fit my AG dolls? I have 2 methods! #SewingTips #SewingHacks

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A vibrant purple thumbnail featuring the back of a robot's head in profile is seen. Uniquely, the robot has a sewing button as an ear piece and a straight pin wheel below it, suggesting a fusion of technology and crafting. The bold text reads, “Tech talk... Let's discuss technology! Does ChellyWood.com use AI?” This image creatively blends elements of robotics and sewing, engaging viewers in a conversation about the intersection of technology and creativity.
A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Momoko Doll Patterns, Sewing and Fashion History, Sewing Chat, Tammy Doll Patterns

Full Disclosure: Here’s how I use AI (AKA artificial intelligence) in my creative process… #SewingWithAI #SmartSewing

First, it should be noted that some of my competitors on YouTube are non-human AI sewing tutorials. It is my belief that my own sewing tutorials have been used to create these (together with the tutorials made by other human sewists and designers), in many cases without our consent. This is especially true of certain videos that show you how to make and design your … Continue reading Full Disclosure: Here’s how I use AI (AKA artificial intelligence) in my creative process… #SewingWithAI #SmartSewing

Chelly Wood5 Comments
A background of plaid includes lines of dark green, black, Kelly green, and a very thin line of peach or tan. In the center is a large medallion in a peach or tan color. The medallion has been watercolor painted with Kelly green seahorses, their tails whipping into tight swirls. Beneath the center floral motif of the medallion, two seashells are depicted with swirling lines. This Celtic shield reminds us of the central animal and artistic figures in the Witham Shield, which is designed with swirling animals that have been interpreted as swans. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears at the bottom of the swatch of plaid fabric.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Favorite Books, For Sale in the Store, History and Research, Links, Paper Crafts, Sewing and Fashion History, Tutorials: Crafts, Yarn and Embroidery

Ancient Celtic artwork inspired my fabric designs… What do you think? #CelticArt #CelticKnot

  Did you know that Wood, my last name, is Scottish? When my aunt visited Scotland, she was surprised by how many Scottish people shared our last name. In fact, the Wood clan has its own registered plaid! (It’s a little different from the plaid I designed, which you’ll see later in this blog post.) Like many people, I’ve done my DNA analysis, and my … Continue reading Ancient Celtic artwork inspired my fabric designs… What do you think? #CelticArt #CelticKnot

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been repainted and re-wigged) stands beside the Advance 2899 vintage doll clothes patterns for a 1960's Ken doll. This pattern was published in 1962.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, 12-inch doll clothes patterns, History and Research, Ken Patterns, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History

What ever happened to the ascot (men’s formal neckwear)? #JimNabors #Birthday

In View 1 of the Advance 2899 pattern envelope you see above, that little 1960’s Ken doll is wearing a red jacket and under that jacket, he’s wearing a type of neckwear called an “ascot.” But what is an ascot? And why don’t we see people wearing them these days? Along with my explanation of how I sewed an ascot for my vintage 1960 Ken … Continue reading What ever happened to the ascot (men’s formal neckwear)? #JimNabors #Birthday

Chelly Wood6 Comments
A simple graphic of a turquoise blue button sits atop a purple gingham fabric background, with the Chelly Wood dot com logo in the lower left corner of this thumbnail image.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, History and Research, Interviews With Crafters, Links, Sewing and Fashion History, Yarn and Embroidery

How are fabrics made? How are buttons made? The answers may surprise you! #Sewing #SewOver50

  First of all, obviously I didn’t make the video I’m showing you, however I’ve watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it! And since I’m busy moving out of the library where I work (I’m retiring from my job as a full-time school librarian), I thought you might like something fun to watch while I’m away from my home office for a bit. If you enjoyed … Continue reading How are fabrics made? How are buttons made? The answers may surprise you! #Sewing #SewOver50

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Advance 9939 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns (the envelope that the patterns come in) is shown with the Chelly Wood doll, framed in a quilted border. The text reads "Advance 9939 vintage Barbie patterns."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Vintage Barbie

Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

I purchased my vintage Advance 9939 sewing pattern for Barbie dolls last summer, and ever since then, I’ve been exploring these patterns with joy in my heart! Once I complete an outfit, I try it on various dolls to see which modern and collectible dolls can fit in these outfits, and I hope to share what I’ve learned in the blog posts I’ll be linking … Continue reading Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

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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
The image shows a homeless man smiling while he holds a large quilt in front of a tent. The text reads, "Charity."
Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Holiday Crafts, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners

Do you quilt? My cousin’s story will warm your heart! ❤️ #Charity #Homelessness

When my cousin Anita Queen posted these pictures on Facebook, I called her up and asked if I could interview her about her charitable work as a quilter. Being a family relative and fellow seamstress, she gladly shared her story. Have you ever had a quilt that seems to grow dust? You’ve posted it on Etsy, taken it to craft fairs, and no matter what … Continue reading Do you quilt? My cousin’s story will warm your heart! ❤️ #Charity #Homelessness

Chelly Wood4 Comments
The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.
Links, Sewing and Fashion History

The history of the djellaba and the slave trade #BlackHistoryMonth #ModernSlavery

As part of our celebration of Black History Month, here on ChellyWood.com, we’ve studied the Nakatukok of Uganda and Central Africa, we’ve examined the boubou of Senegal and West Africa, and we’ve tried to answer questions about the gele or head-tie, which is popular all over the continent of Africa (as well as abroad). Another unique garment, found in Algeria, Morocco, and North Africa is … Continue reading The history of the djellaba and the slave trade #BlackHistoryMonth #ModernSlavery

Chelly Wood2 Comments