The text in this thumbnail says, "Instrumental Christmas Music for Crafting" and it shows music notes surrounding craft projects like a handmade pincushion, paper crafts, and sewing projects. This is the thumbnail representing a Christmas music video that's meant to inspire crafters.

New music video to inspire your crafts for the holidays… #ChristmasCrafts #ChristmasMusic

You may remember that when I was sick with West Nile virus last spring, I was confined to a reclined position, day and night. I was trying to pass the time by crafting, and I wanted to find some “crafting inspirational videos” on YouTube… But there were almost no videos like that! So I created my first “Crafting Inspiration” music video. Today’s video offers holiday … Continue reading New music video to inspire your crafts for the holidays… #ChristmasCrafts #ChristmasMusic

The image shows a turquoise blue cotton fabric with the words "inspirational jazz for sewing doll clothes" across the top, followed by three circular photos showing a vintage Skipper doll modeling handmade doll clothes. Below these three circular photos is a larger rectangle, highlighting each outfit Skipper wears in the music video: pants with a 3/4 length sleeve shirt; a 50's style dress with bolero, and a pair of plaid shorts with a matching top. Musical notes dance across the lower right corner of the thumbnail.

New music video to inspire your crafts… With Skipper Simplicity patterns 5861!

  Sometimes I make doll clothes using other people’s patterns. I take lots of pictures, but what can I do with those pictures, since it’s not my pattern to offer up for free on this website? Today I decided to make another “Sewing Inspiration” video, using Simplicity’s 5861 doll clothes patterns for vintage Skipper, which I’m really enjoying making! As a fan of jazz, I … Continue reading New music video to inspire your crafts… With Skipper Simplicity patterns 5861!

On a purple background, we see the word "Closures" poised above three photos: one of a woman's hand holding a strip of blue Velcro, another showing a lineup of four different colors of 3 inch zippers, and a third image of tiny buttons in bright colors, resting in the palm of a woman's hand.

New in the Chelly Wood Store: Clasps, Buttons, Velcro, and More!

In my store (found under the “Shop” button in the main menu on my website), you can now purchase clasps, buttons, Velcro, and more. Today’s blog post details each of these items. Let’s start with clasps. I bought the overalls clasps shown in the palm of my hand above, from a store called I Sew for Doll on Etsy. They have quite a few tiny … Continue reading New in the Chelly Wood Store: Clasps, Buttons, Velcro, and More!

Please excuse the mess while my website, ChellyWood.com, is under construction. The image shows a jumble of electrical cords attached to a computer screen that offers some sort of paper pattern like the paper doll clothes patterns that followers of ChellyWood.com can print and download for sewing projects.

Please Recommend a Website for Doll Crafters

Today I’d like to look at some of the creators and websites that inspire my doll clothes and doll craft designs. I’d also like to hear from you… Which doll collectors and doll crafters’ websites do you frequent online? Let us know in the comments! If you’re looking for inspiration, Pinterest has a plethora of doll craft ideas (and some free patterns) that can fill your … Continue reading Please Recommend a Website for Doll Crafters

The image says, "entrance slips for art class" and shows nine images which can be quickly and easily sketched as students enter the art classroom. You can find my Teachers Pay Teachers store at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Chelly-Wood

New item for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store — entrance slips for art teachers!

  If you’re new to my website, you may not be aware that in my “day job,” I’m a school librarian. One of the elective classes I teach is Introduction to Art. This past year, as my art students entered the classroom, they were immediately given a quick sketch practice, which we called their “entrance slip.” I projected an easy-to-sketch graphic on the whiteboard, and … Continue reading New item for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store — entrance slips for art teachers!

This is the street view of the store, Home Grown Quilts, in Grangeville, Idaho, with its "Viking Husqvarna" sewing machine sign hanging from the rafters outside the store.

Let’s take a tour of Home Grown Quilts in Grangeville, Idaho!

I don’t know what the rest of you did for the 4th of July this year, but I went to visit family in North Idaho, and while I was there, I went to a quilting store called Home Grown Quilts. Breezi, the store manager’s daughter-in-law, who seemed to be in charge of the store around lunchtime that day, wasn’t just standing behind the cut counter … Continue reading Let’s take a tour of Home Grown Quilts in Grangeville, Idaho!

The images show thread spools, a stack of felt, folded fabrics, and a clipboard upon which is a drawing of a dress. Next to the clipboard is a pencil. These are things Chelly Wood has toyed around with doing, as she recovers from West Nile Virus.

Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

Do you ever wonder what the fashion capital of the world has to offer to a sewist? Well, Paris is not called the “fashion capital of the world” without a good reason. In the summer of 2016, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Paris with my daughter, and of course, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to shop for fabric while I was there! I’d … Continue reading Where to Shop for Fabric in Paris

This thumbnail shows an image of a woman with her hair up in a bun, sitting at an antique sewing machine, sewing sheets. the text reads, "Sheets don't sew themselves!" The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner. This is the thumbnail for a blog post and video about the history of sewing before the industrial age.

How much did women sew in early America? A video from the DAR Museum

  A few of you who are regular website followers may have stumbled across one or two blog posts where I mentioned that I’m a member of the DAR — the Daughters of the American Revolution. As such, I follow the DAR Museum’s YouTube channel, and I love it when they give us insight into the history of sewing! Today’s “guest” video is one such … Continue reading How much did women sew in early America? A video from the DAR Museum

In this image, the Chelly Wood doll (a spin master Liv doll in a grey wig) holds out her hand toward an open cardboard box. The words above the box say Fab Scrap unboxing and Swimsuit Fabric. Inside the box, we can see purple swimsuit fabric spilling over the edge of the box.

Fabric Scrap Haul from FabScrap, a fabric recycling center in New York #Sustainability #TextileWaste

Please consider sharing this video on social media, to help spread the word about FabScrap, and the good things they’re doing to help our planet. I’m not sure where I first heard about FabScrap. It could have been from my sister, who is super conscientious about being good to our beautiful planet earth. In any case, I wasn’t sure whether or not FabScrap would be … Continue reading Fabric Scrap Haul from FabScrap, a fabric recycling center in New York #Sustainability #TextileWaste

This thumbnail shows the Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll) seated at her computer and over the top of her desk are the words "free canva course!" In the lower left corner of the thumbnail is the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

Let’s take a FREE Canva class together on March 23rd!

Have you ever wondered how I create my thumbnails, colorful blog images, and business logos? I use a type of software that’s available to everyone who has internet access, and the software is actually free: Canva! Today’s blog post is a simple announcement with a helpful tip for those of you out there who are small-business owners, making doll clothes and selling them online. Or … Continue reading Let’s take a FREE Canva class together on March 23rd!

The image shows a handmade oven hot pad, sewn using holiday printed fabric, which can be purchased online at StayWellHealthFoods.com

Where do you sell your handmade items? #CraftFair #Handmade

This past holiday season, it occurred to me that my pot holders — many of which are 10 years old or older — were starting to look pretty shabby. I was thinking about buying myself some new ones, when I wandered into my local health food store, Stay Well Health Foods, and discovered that handmade goods were being sold there. They had hand-knitted scarves and … Continue reading Where do you sell your handmade items? #CraftFair #Handmade

The image shows a close-up of a Barbie doll's tummy with a tie-style belt wrapped around her waist. She's wearing a pink bathrobe under the belt. The text says, "DIY Belt" and the whole image plus text is overlaid on top of a purple cotton background with tiny white polka dots. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner.

Instructions for Making a Doll’s Belt from Bias Tape @ ChellyWood.com #DIYprojects #DollClothesPatterns

Today’s video offers simple, easy-to-follow instructions for making a doll’s wrap-around tie-style belt to fit Mattel’s Barbie dolls and similar-sized dolls. It’s a follow-up to the pajamas and bathrobe project that you can find when you click here. Here’s an image of that project: As you can see, the bathrobe has pockets! So be sure to click here, to go back and learn how to … Continue reading Instructions for Making a Doll’s Belt from Bias Tape @ ChellyWood.com #DIYprojects #DollClothesPatterns