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

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.

Here’s how I sew a miniature button on a doll’s shirt, coat, or dress… #Miniature #Sewing

Please scroll down to the bullets for links to any additional relevant tutorial videos. *Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about … Continue reading Here’s how I sew a miniature button on a doll’s shirt, coat, or dress… #Miniature #Sewing

Frog and Toadstool cube shaped or pillow shaped pincushion for sale, for four dollars and ninety nine cents plus shipping at Chelly Wood dot com. The little yellow frog sits on top of a toadstool. His back is dotted with tiny yellow straight pins with ball heads. The toadstool and frog are batiked onto a purple background. The toadstool is streaked with a rainbow of colors, but it’s largely covered by the two-toned yellow and brown frog. The frog’s shape is outlined with black embroidery.

I have another frog pincushion for sale! (My last one sold instantly!) #Handmade #Frog

Yes, the first frog pincushion that I posted for sale in my online store was sold within minutes of posting it… Wow! Thank you to my regular follower (and friend) who kindly purchased it! But I have been busily making more of these, in the hope that I can find them each a new home. Here’s the story behind my froggy pincushions… I ran across … Continue reading I have another frog pincushion for sale! (My last one sold instantly!) #Handmade #Frog

Frog and Toadstool cube shaped or pillow shaped pincushion for sale for four dollars and ninety nine cents plus shipping at Chelly Wood dot com. The little green frog sits under a toadstool. His back is dotted with tiny green straight pins with ball heads. The toadstool and frog are batiked onto a pink background with a blue below-the-horizon rock or pool of water. The toadstool is bright yellow on top, purple underneath, and has a black stem that's mostly hidden behind the two-toned green frog.

Frog and Toadstool pincushion… Can you give me some online sales advice? #Handmade #Frog

It has been a while since I’ve added a handmade product of my own to my store, so today I’m announcing a cute little froggy pincushion, which is for sale in my store. And at the end of today’s blog post, I’m also asking for a little advice on how best to sell these. Here’s the story behind my froggy pincushions… I ran across a … Continue reading Frog and Toadstool pincushion… Can you give me some online sales advice? #Handmade #Frog

BTS doll clothes (an original suit with tie and shirt) is for sale on eBay. Information is available at Chelly Wood dot com.

BTS Doll Clothes! #parkjimin #btsjimin

Today’s blog post is announcing the sale of my BTS doll clothes — the clothes that came on my Jimin character doll from the Mattel BTS collection. For those of you who regularly follow my blog posts, please help spread the word by pinning my images from this blog post on your favorite social media platform. That will help drive traffic to my eBay store, … Continue reading BTS Doll Clothes! #parkjimin #btsjimin

Text reads "ORT holder or thread catcher" and the image shows a fabric basket that collapses and pops out, for holding "old ratty threads" and other miscellaneous sewing accoutrements.

What is an ORT holder? #Sewing #Handmade

Also known as a “thread catcher,” the item you see above is sometimes referred to as an ORT holder. The letters O-R-T stand for “old ratty threads” or sometimes “odd random threads.” My mother-in-law, Anita, has made me half a dozen of these, and I absolutely love them! So when she asked if she could sell one of her lovely creations in my online shop, … Continue reading What is an ORT holder? #Sewing #Handmade

A kitten is shown playing in a sewing room, in a basket full of sewing notions, like thread, ribbon, and tape measures.

Now that JoAnn’s is closed, where am I going to buy sewing notions? #JoAnn #DIY

Look, my online store has been here, on ChellyWood.com, since I opened it on June 21, 2023. Some of the items I sell in my store are my own creations; others are part of my stash that I’m trying to sell to make room for other stuff; and some of my “store” items are really just affiliate marketing links. But those affiliate marketing links can … Continue reading Now that JoAnn’s is closed, where am I going to buy sewing notions? #JoAnn #DIY

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.

Still for sale in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make me an offer… #JoannFabric #FabricForSale

Two years ago I posted a 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: Okay, now you’re going to want to know more about the satin remnants … Continue reading Still for sale in my store: pink satin fabric remnants! Make me an offer… #JoannFabric #FabricForSale

Through a small window of a photo, we see a doll's upper body only, where she wears a bolero jacket or coat that's trimmed in green rickrack to match the color of the dress she wears. There are white rickrack trim images bordering the photo, and above all of this, the thumbnail asks, "When do you add rickrack trim?"

When to Add Rickrack Trim to a Garment #Fashion #SewingTips

Do you see that green zigzag trim along the edges of my Lottie doll’s bolero jacket? That’s rickrack! Webster’s dictionary describes rickrack trim as “a flat braid woven to form zigzags and used especially as trimming on clothing.”* But how does a person decide that a garment needs rickrack trim, and at what point in the garment’s creation does one attach it to the garment? … Continue reading When to Add Rickrack Trim to a Garment #Fashion #SewingTips