Category: Interviews With Crafters

Do you sew doll clothes or doll accessories? Would you like to provide an interview for ChellyWood.com? Contact Chelly through her “Submit a Question” form, providing a link to your website. Let her know you’re interested in doing an interview.

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
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 Wood6 Comments
Crafts and Hobbies, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters

I’m making a new class, and I’d like your input!

Today’s blog post will be brief for me, but I’d really like everyone who reads this to PLEASE add to the comments section. So this is more about what you have to say than what I do, okay? I’m designing a new course for C&T Publishing, and I need to know these things as I build my class: What doll or dolls do you sew … Continue reading I’m making a new class, and I’d like your input!

Chelly Wood8 Comments
Discover Sewing Magic with Chelly Wood's Doll Clothes Sewing Pattern Creations! Inside a charming quilted frame, a unique Chelly Wood doll (a creatively transformed Spin Master Liv doll featuring a grey wig and custom face paint) strikes a pose, pointing at three vibrant purple question marks. Dressed in a red check gingham short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, the doll accessorizes with a red gingham handkerchief securing her silver grey hair and completes the look with black flats. Click to explore ChellyWood.com, your go-to resource for free, printable PDF sewing patterns to craft stylish doll clothes for dolls of all shapes and sizes. Dive into the sewing community and enhance your skills today!
Baby Doll Patterns, Charity Work, Crissy Family of Dolls, Doll Collecting, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing Chat

Look at what I found! Oooh la-la! #Lucky #Treasures

I absolutely love hearing the stories about each and every one of you, my fellow doll clothes sewing enthusiasts! For example, on Wednesday, July 23rd, I asked you what you were working on, and I got some really cool responses! (If you didn’t see the comments, you should really go back to that blog post and read through all of them!) From those little “Sewing … Continue reading Look at what I found! Oooh la-la! #Lucky #Treasures

Chelly Wood5 Comments
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.
Fabric, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Uncategorized

What are you working on? #SewingProjects #SewingChat

Today’s blog post is short and sweet. (At least, I hope you think it’s sweet!) I haven’t had many comments on my website lately, and frankly, I miss you guys! So I’m reaching out with a simple question: What are you working on right now? Or maybe your summer is filled with family gatherings, and you just haven’t had time for sewing. That’s okay. Tell … Continue reading What are you working on? #SewingProjects #SewingChat

Chelly Wood19 Comments
Which doll do you want sewing measurements for, as part of the Tape Measure Tuesday blog post theme on Chelly Wood dot com? Please cast your vote! Images include a dress form with the words "TapeMeasureTuesday" superimposed upon the mannequin. Also there's a very large question mark next to the image of a bright pink "vote" button with a mouse icon (hand with pointing finger) pressing the "vote" button. The whole thing is framed with a blank tape measure.
Contests, Doll Collecting, Doll Measurements, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tape Measure Tuesday

Join #TapeMeasureTuesday: Share Your Doll Measurements and Boost Your Social Media Presence! #Sewing #DollClothes

On Tuesday, June 24th, I published a #TapeMeasureTuesday blog post giving you Skipper’s doll body measurements for sewing purposes. And then on Tuesday, July 1st, I dropped the ball. No Tape Measure Tuesday was posted. Over the ten-plus-years I’ve been blogging, many times I’ve tried to get my Tape Measure Tuesday blog posts to be a regular feature on this website, but time and time … Continue reading Join #TapeMeasureTuesday: Share Your Doll Measurements and Boost Your Social Media Presence! #Sewing #DollClothes

Chelly Wood3 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

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, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How do you make a casing? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION: A casing is a tunnel-like section of a sewn object, through which one may pull a drawstring, curtain rod, or elastic. This is my own definition, but you can find the Merriam-Webster definition here as well. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please learn more about my affiliate marketing program on the Privacy Policy page. DISCUSSION QUESTION: How do you make … Continue reading How do you make a casing? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

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, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

What would you like me to teach for my next online class? Please join the #SewingChat !

It’s time to plan my next online class, and I’d like your help! If you visit the C&T Publishing online courses page, you’ll find that some of their best-selling classes range between $4.99 and $10.00, so I’ve been thinking about designing and offering an online course in that price range. To be fair, it would have to be a reasonably simple class at that price. … Continue reading What would you like me to teach for my next online class? Please join the #SewingChat !

Chelly Wood3 Comments
The image shows a quilted frame around a photo of the cover of the Simplicity 4883 doll clothes pattern envelope. Above the photo, it reads, "Simplicity 4883." Beside the photo is a graphic of a giant yellow and turquoise blue question mark. Below this is the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tammy Doll Patterns, Uncategorized

Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

If you’ve been following my blog much at all, you’ve probably run across at least one of the many blog posts I’ve written on this particular sewing pattern, vintage Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls. I have a long history with this pattern, which was the very first pattern I ever sewed. In fact this pattern helped morph me into the doll clothing designer that … Continue reading Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

Chelly Wood6 Comments
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, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Do you have any questions you would like Chelly Wood to answer in a future blog post? Please join the #SewingChat !

Today I’m going to address the fifth and final question from Kim, one of my followers who is learning to sew. In my email dialog with Kim, she asked a number of questions about learning to sew, and specifically learning to design her own doll clothes. Her questions delved into whether the paid courses I offer are going to help her in her quest to … Continue reading Do you have any questions you would like Chelly Wood to answer in a future blog post? Please join the #SewingChat !

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

Do you HAVE to know how to read a sewing pattern? #SewingForBeginners #QandA

Two weeks ago I posted the first of a series of questions from one of my followers, Kim. Today’s blog post addresses the third of Kim’s questions, and today I’ll be addressing her question and my answer here, on ChellyWood.com, as the third blog post in a four-part blog post series. Before I do that, though, I need to make my official “Affiliate Marketing Disclaimer” … Continue reading Do you HAVE to know how to read a sewing pattern? #SewingForBeginners #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Last Wednesday I posted the first of a series of questions from one of my followers, Kim. Today’s blog post addresses the second of Kim’s questions, and today I’ll be addressing her question and my answer here, on ChellyWood.com, as the second blog post in a four-part blog post series. But I want to hear the opinions of my followers as well, so please read … Continue reading Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The thumbnail shows a woman at her desk with a laptop. Above her is a chart of some type. The text reads "tax time! How much did ChellyWood LLC earn this year?" This is followed by the logo for Chelly Wood dot com at the bottom of the image, along with a "down" arrow.
Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Shoes, For Sale in the Store, Interviews With Crafters, Selling Your Crafts, Uncategorized

How much money did ChellyWood.com earn in 2024? #TaxTime #FullDisclosure

Yup! It’s time once again to pay Uncle Sam! For those of you living outside the US, the character of Uncle Sam — shown as a cartoon image on the right hand side of the poster I’m holding in the image above — is a personification of our government, here in the United States. Perhaps you knew that, but I thought I’d explain, just in … Continue reading How much money did ChellyWood.com earn in 2024? #TaxTime #FullDisclosure

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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, Fan Mail, For Sale in the Store, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

In my inbox, from time to time, I get questions about how to sew an item of doll clothing that I’ve designed, how to design a specific item of doll clothes, or generally how to improve one’s sewing game. Back in the middle of December, I received the following question from someone named Kim: “Since I’m a beginner… you know how a mother bird teaches … Continue reading How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments