In the image above, I’m holding up a Tressy doll wardrobe pattern, published by Simplicity in 1964. As you can see in the list offered on the back of the pattern (see below), these patterns will also fit Barbie: But my gosh! Look at the list of dolls that can swap clothes with Tressy! So today I’m asking, not only what ever happened to Tressy … Continue reading What ever happened to Tressy dolls? #ToyCollector #DollClothes
Maybe you’ve been thinking about sewing an apron for each of your family members as Christmas gifts. They don’t take long to make. Simplicity apron pattern number 2691 is a simple pattern to follow. It comes with a table runner and placemats, and although it was published in 2009, it’s a timeless shape and design. What most people struggle with are those apron ties, so … Continue reading How to Sew Apron Ties — Aprons make great Christmas gifts for the whole family! #HolidaySewingProjects
The image above shows Simplicity pattern number 5390, which was published in 1981. I would have been 14 years old when I bought this. The Simplicity 5390 pattern brings to mind my earliest memories of sewing “people clothes” for myself. I believe I made every single outfit shown on the cover of the pattern… except maybe the pants — and I may have made them … Continue reading What “people clothes” have inspired your doll clothes? #SewingPatterns #DollClothes
Just looking at the image above, you would realize that this Simplicity doll clothes pattern number 7600 comes with a lot of great stuff: it’s got a cheerleader costume, a formal gown, shorts, pants, shirts, and a swimsuit. What a versatile pattern! But what you don’t see is that it also includes a pair of bloomers, which are meant to go under the cheer outfit, … Continue reading A Versatile Old Pattern for Skipper Underpants and Swimsuits! @ ChellyWood.com #SewingChat #DollClothes
I get requests for doll pajamas all the time, and occasionally I’ll mention McCall’s Crafts Pattern #2862 as a good option. What my fans and followers don’t realize is that pajama patterns are readily available for nearly all the dolls I’ve designed patterns for… right here on ChellyWood.com! Yep. If there’s a dress pattern, it can become a nightgown pattern. It just depends upon how … Continue reading Baby Doll Pajamas with McCall’s Crafts Pattern 2862 #DollClothes #DollClothesPatterns
Today I’m using a 1989 Simplicity Craft doll clothes pattern (number 9144) to discuss the many uses of ribbons when making doll clothes. If you take a closer look at the outfits offered in Simplicity Craft Pattern 9144, you’ll see that 5 of the 7 outfits suggested on the cover include ribbon, and these patterns are for large baby dolls: I love that the pattern … Continue reading How to choose ribbons for doll clothes #OffrayRibbon #DollClothes
When I was a little girl, any doll dress that had lace, rickrack, or ribbon trim was always a favorite of mine. My cousin and I would “do a pick” for doll clothes before we started our play time. That’s where you lay out all the doll clothes on a bed, table, or floor, and take turns picking which doll clothes were part of your … Continue reading The trim makes all the difference with vintage Simplicity 16 inch baby doll clothes #pattern #1844
Every now and then, I have people request that I design “Jane Austen character dresses.” What I suspect they want is a dress with an “empire waist.” As you can see in the image below, the vintage Simplicity doll clothes pattern number 8466 actually offers a ball gown with an empire waist (see View 4): However the empire waist style of dress that women actually … Continue reading Vintage Barbie pattern for dress with an “empire waist” #SewVintage #DollClothes
Back in June, I did a review of this Mattel Advance Sew Easy pattern number 2895, with a focus on the wedding dress and veil. Today I’m going to look at the Barbie gloves. Every now and then, I’ve gotten requests in my in-box for designing Barbie gloves or mittens. I’d like to be able to tell you that this Mattel Advance doll clothes pattern … Continue reading Barbie gloves or mittens #VintageBarbie #DollClothes
It’s summer time in the northern hemisphere, but it’s the dead of winter in our planet’s southern hemisphere, so today’s blog post is for my followers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. Let’s talk about how to keep your dollies warm! Today I’m answering the question, “Which fabrics are best for making doll coats?” and I’m bringing to your attention the vintage … Continue reading What Fabrics to Use When Sewing Doll Coats
On this website, I get frequent requests for new patterns to fit 18 inch dolls. One request that pops up more often than others is a request for pajamas and a bathrobe. When I get these requests, I remind my followers that such patterns exist, and they’re not that hard to find! Today’s pattern review for the See & Sew B5414 is one such pattern. … Continue reading 18-inch doll bathrobe and pajamas #Sewing #DollClothes
Are you old enough to remember the original Holly Hobbie? Today’s vintage pattern on the discussion table is a Holly Hobbie doll and clothes (Simplicity #6006) pattern which is marked with a copyright from 1973. In the comments, feel free to write your memories of Holly Hobbie. Or, if you’re a fan of the new Holly Hobbie show on Hulu, leave a comment on that topic … Continue reading Holly Hobbie Patterns Past and Present! #HollyHobbie #DollClothes
I often get “fan mail” asking, “Will you please design more doll clothes for boy dolls?” and then the email mentions the type of doll they want “male doll clothes” for. Chances are, I already have a pattern that will most likely work. That’s because boys’ clothes and girls’ clothes really aren’t that different, if you use your imagination. Take the McCall’s Craft Pattern M6233 … Continue reading Baby BOY doll clothes? Yup! #DollClothes #SewingPatterns
There are several factors that contribute to the ease or difficulty in sewing a doll dress pattern. In my humble opinion, as a doll clothing designer who has been sewing for half a century, here are four factors to consider when picking out an “easy-to-sew” doll dress pattern: Pattern maker Type of skirt Sleeves Collars Let’s talk about pattern makers. The Simplicity pattern company … Continue reading What are the easiest doll dress patterns to sew? #18inchDolls #DollClothes
The biggest problem with Barbie doll wedding dresses is making a veil that actually stays on the doll’s head! Let’s have a good look at my “Sew-Easy Patterns by Advance” vintage Mattel, Inc. Toymakers Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern #2895. This is a prime example of how the patterns for Barbie wedding dresses (if they include a veil pattern at all) never seem to make … Continue reading The biggest problem with Barbie doll wedding dresses is… #JuneWedding #DollClothes
