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.

Here’s a quick preview for February’s upcoming sewing projects #SewingProjects #BlackHistoryMonth

I’m going to keep today’s blog post brief, but I do want you to let me know if there are events or people related to Black History Month that you’d like my blog posts to feature. Please feel free to leave those requests in the comments! I’ll spend this weekend doing my research, and as the video says, I’ll be posting facts about famous African … Continue reading Here’s a quick preview for February’s upcoming sewing projects #SewingProjects #BlackHistoryMonth

The image shows a needle and thread hovering over a swatch of heart-shaped lace. The overlay says, "Sewing with lace" and this header leads to a tutorial video that explains the many types of lace and what they are used for when sewing doll clothes.

How to add a lace embellishment to one of my free shirt patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SewWithMe #SewingHacks

Today I want to talk about how easy it is to add a swatch of lace to the front of a garment, to give it an extra kick! Lace is considered a notion or embellishment, and it isn’t a necessary addition to a garment. But it can really jazz up an ordinary shirt or blouse. Before I go on, I need to make my required … Continue reading How to add a lace embellishment to one of my free shirt patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SewWithMe #SewingHacks

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.

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

In the center of the frame is an old Y2k computer screen for an art program. The image shows the catalog listings for Ken swim trunks and beach jacket #750, the Ken Fun on Ice #791, and Ken Casuals #782. To the right of these catalogue images are the clothes (minus socks and shoes) from the original catalog listings. The text above this reads "Ken Clothes for sale." The ChellyWood.com logo appears at the bottom.

I have some vintage Ken clothes for sale on eBay… #KenFashion #KenCollector #DeClutter

I’m not so much a collector as a doll clothing designer, so while it’s really nice to have a variety of different Ken dolls to design and sew clothes for, I don’t really have a need for original doll clothes. So although a friend very generously gave me this collection of vintage Ken clothes — many of which are original Mattel items with the tags … Continue reading I have some vintage Ken clothes for sale on eBay… #KenFashion #KenCollector #DeClutter

On a gingham background, the silhouette of a human hand holding a cell phone has a white arrow pointing to the upper right corner of the cell phone, where a circle appears with tiny lines inside it. This indicates where the main menu will be located on Chelly Wood dot com, should a person need to access the dropdown menu for any of the following features: The home page, the blog, the helpful information dropdown (giving access to "helpful tips and FAQ's", Chelly's paid courses, contact information for this website, funding and charity work, Romeo & Juliet, Share your Creations! -- Additional items in the main menu include the privacy policy, cart, checkout, my account, shop, and donate.

Help me re-organize things on ChellyWood.com — I need some advice! #Goals

When I was at the IANDS conference in Chicago, one of the ladies there asked me if I could show her what my website looks like. I watched her fiddle around on her phone, confused, trying to get from the Home Page to the American Girls doll clothes pattern page. It was kind of a disaster. So I thought, “Oh man, I’ve got to make … Continue reading Help me re-organize things on ChellyWood.com — I need some advice! #Goals

Fabric. Click the "Fabric" button to see all the fabrics designed by Chelly Wood. This link will take you to Chelly's Spoonflower store.

Let’s talk fabric! #Fabric #Spoonflower

In 2025, those of us who live in the US lost our beloved JoAnn Fabrics stores, and in the little farm town where I live, that was really my only source for buying fabrics in person. So I got creative! I started to design my own fabrics with Spoonflower. Yes, they are more expensive, but Spoonflower is committed to an eco-friendly manufacturing process. And… If … Continue reading Let’s talk fabric! #Fabric #Spoonflower

Handmade doll quilt with tiny pillow. Images show in clockwise order, starting in the upper right corner: vintage charm; twenty-one inches by seventeen inches; applique hearts; vintage fabrics; tiny pillow included; made with love. Each of these subtexts accompanies a close-up image of the cotton fabrics used to make the heart applique quilt for dolls.

Doll quilts for sale! #Christmas2025 #GiftIdeas

If you’ve been making 18 inch doll clothes or baby doll clothes for your child or grandchild for Christmas, today’s blog post is a reminder that I have not one, but two handmade quilts for sale in my Etsy store, which would be great as part of your doll clothes Christmas gift bundle! My mother-in-law, Anita, makes these doll quilts, and as you can see, … Continue reading Doll quilts for sale! #Christmas2025 #GiftIdeas

In this visually engaging thumbnail titled "Five Spooky Halloween Skirts for Barbie," viewers are treated to a captivating display of fashion and creativity. The video is prominently featured on a flat screen TV, showcasing the legs and feet of five Barbie dolls. Each doll struts in style, wearing a unique combination of black boots, orange heels, and black and white striped leggings paired with vibrant, Halloween-themed skirts that capture the festive spirit of the season.

Barbie and friends are headed to a Halloween dance… Watch the stop-motion video! #StopMotion #HalloweenKids

My regular followers have been enjoying my “Spooky Sewing” series, where you learn how to make the outfits featured in today’s stop motion video, using my free doll clothes sewing patterns and tutorial videos. This series will continue next week as well. Today’s video includes both a super fun dance scene in stop-motion and a pitch for the sale of these adorable Halloween outfits for … Continue reading Barbie and friends are headed to a Halloween dance… Watch the stop-motion video! #StopMotion #HalloweenKids

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

  My regular followers are probably wondering why I’ve posted so many “How to find” videos on my YouTube channel. Well, believe it or not, I still get questions — in fact I got one on my YouTube channel on Saturday — asking me how to find the patterns on this website. I’ve been on YouTube for more than 10 years, but there are still … Continue reading Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

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.

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

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.

Top 5 BEST sites for doll collectors and doll sewing enthusiasts… Please share your favorites too! #DollCollector #DIY

Now that I’m retired from my job as a school librarian, I have a lot more time on my hands! I have more time for crafting, sewing, and learning. So I thought I’d ask all of you — my followers and friends — “What YouTube channels, what websites, and what resources do you use in your doll collecting and doll crafting?” Below, I’ll list five … Continue reading Top 5 BEST sites for doll collectors and doll sewing enthusiasts… Please share your favorites too! #DollCollector #DIY