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.

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

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

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

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 a laundry line of doll clothes that fit 14 inch, 15 inch, 16 inch, or 17 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers, Hearts for Hearts girls, vintage Velvet dolls, or Best Friends Club BFC Ink dolls. There are free printable sewing patterns for making all of these doll clothes at ChellyWood.com

How to Care for Your Handmade Doll Clothes #HelpfulTips for #DollCollectors

Today’s blog post on taking care of your handmade doll clothes is actually a re-post of an article I wrote several years ago. However, this topic is one I seem to get questions about from time to time, so maybe, while I’m “out of the office,” it’s a good opportunity to revisit it. Nobody likes to see a naked doll laying around, but did you … Continue reading How to Care for Your Handmade Doll Clothes #HelpfulTips for #DollCollectors

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.

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

Text says, "Earth Day sewing challenge at Chelly Wood dot com" surrounding a wardrobe of Barbie or Pedigree Sindy fashion doll clothes including shirts, pants, skirts, and accessories.

Sustainable Sewing: Eco-Friendly Projects for Earth Day — #EarthDay #SewingChallenge

For today, I created a little YouTube Short, challenging everyone to create a whole wardrobe from recycled fabrics! Hooray for Earth Day!!! (It’s April 22nd — but you don’t have to call that your done-with-this-project deadline.) All you have to do, to join the challenge, is use a small garment, like a child’s tee shirt (that’s what I used) and upcycle that fabric into a … Continue reading Sustainable Sewing: Eco-Friendly Projects for Earth Day — #EarthDay #SewingChallenge

A vintage Ideal Tammy doll stands next to the envelope for the Simplicity 4883 doll clothes pattern for Tammy. The doll wears the exact same dress pictured on the cover art from the Simplicity 4883 pattern: a ball gown with a red satin bodice and straps, a white cotton circle skirt (floor length) that's covered with tulle and dotted with tiny red satin roses. The text says "View 2 Prom Dress" under "Simplicity 4883." The chellywood.com logo appears in the image as well.

Where to buy miniature satin roses, now that JoAnn’s is closed #JoAnn #Miniatures

  Some of you may recall seeing a fun little stop-motion video short that I did, in which my “Chelly doll” is wearing a lovely gown with a red satin bodice, tulle skirting, and miniature satin roses. That short was a video I created for a contest at the school where I work. That doll dress was actually designed to fit Ideal Tammy dolls (not … Continue reading Where to buy miniature satin roses, now that JoAnn’s is closed #JoAnn #Miniatures

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

History of Dolls in America (Facts, a Timeline, and Family-friendly Fun!) #Collectibles

  Today’s blog post is the wrap up for the history challenge that I did earlier this year. Click here to read about the challenge and download the free PDF to join the history challenge. Today’s images and much of the information provided come from the DAR Museum online. Please click on the links provided to learn more about the DAR Museum. The address of … Continue reading History of Dolls in America (Facts, a Timeline, and Family-friendly Fun!) #Collectibles

Seated in her sewing room, we see the Chelly Wood doll holding up a sign that shows a page from Facebook, but over the top of the Facebook page, someone has a giant red X through the text and the word "NO!" has been written beside the big X.

Here’s why I haven’t been on Facebook lately… #Disgruntled #Censorship

Do you recognize the header at the top of today’s blog post? If so, you’ve probably navigated over to my Facebook page at some point in the past. The last time I posted something on my Facebook page was February 25th. In fact, I haven’t even opened my Facebook account since then. Not even once. Until today, that is, when I went in to take … Continue reading Here’s why I haven’t been on Facebook lately… #Disgruntled #Censorship

Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys

Have you ever heard of the Estrela Barbies? After a fan from Brazil named Debora left a lengthy comment about them on one of my blog posts, I contacted her to find out more about these rare and highly collectible Barbie dolls. Today’s blog post will give you the details, as they were explained to me by Debora, in my online interview with her. Before … Continue reading Estrela Barbie: a rare treasure! #Collectibles #Toys

Click on the "Website Navigation Guide" button to learn more about how to navigate on ChellyWood.com, to find the free doll clothes sewing patterns and tutorial videos you need, to make a whole wardrobe of doll clothes for your doll or dolls.

How to find free doll clothes sewing patterns online @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

Navigating on ChellyWood.com You’ve reached the page that shows how to navigate ChellyWood.com, to find the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit the doll you’re wanting to sew for. If you want to find just baby doll clothes sewing patterns, you may find this tutorial video helpful too. If you’re looking for Barbie doll clothes patterns, this tutorial video is … Continue reading How to find free doll clothes sewing patterns online @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

Queen Anne Era Doll with Delicately Designed Gown, Shoes, and Stockings — but who made them? #AmericanDoll #10

This doll is referred to in the DAR Museum collection as a Queen Anne era doll, and its date is cited as being 18th century, but for our history challenge, we need to know a more precise date for this doll. Was it early 18th century or late 18th century? I want you to also picture in your mind the person who made the delicate … Continue reading Queen Anne Era Doll with Delicately Designed Gown, Shoes, and Stockings — but who made them? #AmericanDoll #10

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

This antique doll may have been imported by the Hudson’s Bay Company! #AmericanDoll #9

This little wooden doll is wearing a lovely long dress trimmed in ribbons and lace. But just have a look at the bottom of the dress. Do you see how that spotted burgundy fabric on the underside of the dress is a different fabric from the outer skirting of the dress? This is a perfect example of how lining a doll’s garment gives it longevity! … Continue reading This antique doll may have been imported by the Hudson’s Bay Company! #AmericanDoll #9

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

Giddings China Doll, Four-Poster Miniature Bed, and Mini Quilt –#AmericanDoll #8

This lovely doll is part of an extensive collection of toys donated to the DAR Museum in Washington DC by the Giddings family of Nebraska and (later) Illinois. Her name is “Miss Hetty” (1), according to the collection’s information on the DAR Museum website. Today’s blog post is part of a history challenge! Click here to read about the challenge and download the free PDF … Continue reading Giddings China Doll, Four-Poster Miniature Bed, and Mini Quilt –#AmericanDoll #8