Category: Old Patterns from Chelly’s Collection

A kitten is shown playing in a sewing room, in a basket full of sewing notions, like thread, ribbon, and tape measures.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 3: Know Your Notions) #Sewing #FallCrafts

  For the past two Mondays, we’ve been looking at Simplicity doll clothes pattern #4654, which is a super fun pattern for those of us who have been sewing for a while. However, in the image below, I’ve underlined some key vocabulary that tells us this isn’t the ideal pattern for the absolute beginner. With that said, it’s time for my disclaimer statement: some of … Continue reading How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 3: Know Your Notions) #Sewing #FallCrafts

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 2: Know Your Fabrics) #LearningToSew #Fabrics

  At the end of last month, I did a blog post on how to tell when a sewing pattern is not for beginners, subtitled “Part 1” and today I’m continuing that discussion. It’s not just a lecture, mind you, it’s a discussion! So please add your comments at the bottom. Other visitors to this website will see your comments and learn from them too! … Continue reading How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 2: Know Your Fabrics) #LearningToSew #Fabrics

Chelly Wood2 Comments
Here we see the Chelly Wood doll from the ChellyWood.com website and the ChellyWood1 YouTube channel. She holds up a sewing pattern for 18 inch doll clothes. The pattern's cover image shows Simplicity 18" doll clothes pattern #4654 which includes patterns for making a lined hooded raincoat or coverup, a tank top and skort, a short-sleeved everyday dress, a sunny sleeveless top with capri pants, a T-shirt with cargo pants, and a crop top with skort or shorts. There's also an 18-inch doll pictured on the pattern wearing a denim jumper with overall straps. The doll wears a striped tee shirt under the overall-style jumper. (This is "jumper" in the US sense of the word -- not a "sweater" as we'd say in the US, but more of a dress with the style of overalls). The watermark on this photo reminds us to visit ChellyWood.com for free, printable sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes. This image also has a header that says, "Today's topic of discussion: what makes a pattern difficult for beginners?" And in fact, if you navigate to the link to the article that accompanies this image, doll clothing designer, YouTuber, and writer Chelly Wood discusses all the features that make this particular pattern difficult for a beginner who is just learning to sew. This article is designed to help anyone who teaches sewing classes, is teaching another person how to sew, or people who are, themselves, just learning to sew, what to avoid when purchasing store-bought patterns.
Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 1) #SewingForDolls #Handmade

I started sewing doll clothes when I was very young, back in the early 1970’s, but I didn’t really learn how to read patterns and pattern instructions until I was about 10 or 12. Reading the instructions on the back of a pattern can seem daunting to a child who is learning to sew, and therefore I don’t advise it for kids under age 10. … Continue reading How to Tell When a Sewing Pattern Is NOT for Beginners (Part 1) #SewingForDolls #Handmade

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
With a quilted frame around it, we see a section of a McCall's vintage fashion doll clothes sewing pattern for making a cape that will fit a fashion doll like Barbie and similar-sized dolls.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Uncategorized

What are the best patterns for Fashion Doll capes? #DollClothesPatterns #ToyCollectors

Fall is right around the corner, so we’ll need to keep our little dolls warm. A coat is easy enough to make, but capes are usually even easier! Before you read on, please note that many of my links are affiliate marketing links. To learn more about this, please see my Privacy Policy page. Thank you! You’ll notice, that in the image of Simplicity 8466 … Continue reading What are the best patterns for Fashion Doll capes? #DollClothesPatterns #ToyCollectors

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
With a purple and turquoise fabric quilt frame, we see see two doll clothes patterns for Mattel Skipper dolls inside the frame with a woman's torso over the top. The woman, who wears a yellow blouse, has her hands up and her shoulders shrugging, with a curious look on her face. There are question marks dancing around her. The ChellyWood.com logo appears to the side of these images.
10-inch doll clothes patterns, 9-inch Dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Skipper Patterns, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Not all Skipper patterns are alike! #BuyerBeware #DollClothesPatterns

As the heading for today’s blog post states, “Not all Skipper patterns are alike!” And that’s the overall theme for today’s post. However, before I begin talking about the subtle differences between the many renditions of the Skipper doll, please note, many of my links in today’s blog post are affiliate links. To learn more about my affiliate marketing program, please go to my Privacy … Continue reading Not all Skipper patterns are alike! #BuyerBeware #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly Wood6 Comments
Here we see the full front display of Vogue Craft Pattern #9964, which offers patterns for making doll clothes that will fit a vintage Tutti, vintage Skipper, Vintage Barbie, Bubble Hair Barbie, and vintage Midge dolls.
10-inch doll clothes patterns, 9-inch Dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Skipper Patterns, Vintage Barbie

Vogue Craft 9964 vs. Simplicity 5861 for vintage Skipper, Vintage Skooter, or Modern Momoko dolls… #MomokoDoll #DollCollectors

Every now and then, people ask me where they can find patterns for vintage Skipper or Skooter dolls. Today I’m recommending this Vogue Craft 9964 pattern to anyone who doesn’t have the budget to buy an antique pattern, but wants to sew with a commercial pattern that will work for vintage Skipper or vintage Skooter dolls. Please note: when you click on links to various … Continue reading Vogue Craft 9964 vs. Simplicity 5861 for vintage Skipper, Vintage Skooter, or Modern Momoko dolls… #MomokoDoll #DollCollectors

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
With a tiny quilt framing it, we see an image of the McCall's 5462 doll clothes pattern on the right and an image of a Barbie doll modeling the shirt from view B in the McCall's Barbie clothes pattern on the left. An arrow points from the pattern to the doll's shirt.
Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners

How to sew a boatneck top, using McCall’s Barbie pattern 5462 #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns

If you’ve only recently started to sew doll clothes, you may feel a little challenged by projects that use a boatneck. According to Webster’s online dictionary, a boatneck top has “a wide neckline that extends toward the tips of the shoulders.” Don’t be discouraged when you see this type of neckline because I’m going to give you some tips by sharing one such project, from … Continue reading How to sew a boatneck top, using McCall’s Barbie pattern 5462 #SewingTips #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
A purple and turquoise blue quilt frames the words "how do you box your doll clothes" which float above a 3-D photo of a box wrapped in craft paper with a turquoise blue ribbon delicately tied around the box. The ChellyWood.com logo appears to one side of the text and photo.
Crafts and Hobbies, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Paper Crafts, Selling Your Crafts, Uncategorized

How do you box your doll clothes for mailing (shipping)? #Handmade #DollClothesPatterns

The ensemble shown at the top of this page was part of a doll clothes gift I made for a friend’s little girl, Navy. What a cool name this little girl has, don’t you think? Navy? I love it! That’s even a color of fabric! Okay, so when I gave her this gift, consisting of all these handmade doll clothes, how did I package them? … Continue reading How do you box your doll clothes for mailing (shipping)? #Handmade #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
In this image, the Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll with a Chelly Wood makeover) holds up the McCalls Crafts pattern number 5462. The image is framed by a blue and purple quilt.
Creative Spark Online Learning, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners

Alterations on the fold line with McCall’s Crafts pattern number 5462 #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

See that T-shirt in View B with the three-quarter-length sleeves? I’m going to focus today on how to make alterations to that shirt, which is found in the McCall’s Crafts pattern number 5462. I’m going to show you how you can turn this T-shirt into a jacket or stretchy-fabric sweater, just by altering the way you cut it on the fold. In the image above, … Continue reading Alterations on the fold line with McCall’s Crafts pattern number 5462 #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
In this image, the Chelly Wood doll holds up McCall's "teen doll" pattern #3429 which was published in 1972. In the blog post at ChellyWood.com, where this pattern is discussed, Chelly Wood (a doll clothing pattern designer) asks the question, "Do you prefer to come up with your own fabric concepts, or do you like to choose a fabric that matches the illustration on the front of the doll clothes pattern?" The Chelly Wood doll is actually a Spin Master Liv doll that has been made over to look like the actual doll clothes pattern designer, Chelly Wood.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

Do you follow fabric suggestions on patterns? Join the discussion @ ChellyWood.com #SewingChat #Fabric

Do you prefer to come up with your own fabric concepts, or do you like to choose a fabric that matches the illustration on the front of a doll clothes pattern? When I was younger, I used to scour my small town’s tiny fabric store for fabric that sort of matched what was in the illustration on the front of a pattern. I’d make my … Continue reading Do you follow fabric suggestions on patterns? Join the discussion @ ChellyWood.com #SewingChat #Fabric

Chelly Wood14 Comments
Here we see each of the doll clothing items found in Simplicity doll clothes sewing pattern #4510 from the early 1960's. This vintage pattern includes a wedding dress with a train and veil, a half-sleeve jacket, a business skirt, and off-the-shoulder evening gown with short pencil skirt, an overskirt pattern which ties in the back, a day dress, a pair of underpants and bra (or 1950's style bikini), a super short swimsuit coverup with ruffle, and an evening gown with straps and lace bodice.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection

What to do with a pattern that’s missing pieces… #VintageSewing #VintagePatterns

Some time ago, I found this vintage Simplicity 4510 Barbie sewing pattern at a second hand store. It cost me only 50 cents (American), but it was missing all of the pattern pieces except three skirts. So why did I buy it? There’s a lot more to a commercial pattern than just the pattern pieces! For example, take a look at the drawn images of … Continue reading What to do with a pattern that’s missing pieces… #VintageSewing #VintagePatterns

Chelly Wood4 Comments
This image shows a single music note with the words "inspirational crafting music" and it accompanies crafting or sewing inspirational music videos made by Chelly Wood, using the musicians featured on the Animoto movie making platform.
Crafts and Hobbies, Music Videos for Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection

Crafting music for vintage Simplicity 4883 (Ideal Tammy and Pedigree Sindy) sewing projects! #Sewing #Crafting

Okay, folks, I’ve created yet another music video to inspire your crafts! If you look back at this blog post, you’ll understand that by adding this music to your playlists on YouTube, it not only gives you music to inspire your crafting and sewing projects, but it also help the YouTube algorithm to understand that my channel is worth watching! So if you like the … Continue reading Crafting music for vintage Simplicity 4883 (Ideal Tammy and Pedigree Sindy) sewing projects! #Sewing #Crafting

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
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.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sindy, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Uncategorized, Yarn and Embroidery

Have you ever read a pattern incorrectly? And how did it turn out? #SewingChat #SewingPatterns

Once again, I’ve been working with vintage Simplicity pattern 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls. This time I was making the little red coat in View 1. As you can see in Figure 2 above, the image on the envelope shows little black stitches at the neckline and waistline of the finished coat. I saw this and thought, “Oh goodie-goodie gumdrops! I can do some embroidery!” … Continue reading Have you ever read a pattern incorrectly? And how did it turn out? #SewingChat #SewingPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The thumbnail, framed by a turquoise blue and purple quilt, shows the front of the envelope for Simplicity 5861, a vintage doll clothes pattern for Skipper, from 1964. The text in this thumbnail reads, "Vintage Skipper Simplicity 5861" and under this, we see the Chelly Wood dot com logo.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics, Tutorials: Sewing for Dolls, Uncategorized, Vintage Skipper

How to sew a hook and eye on doll clothes w/Simplicity 5861 #SewingTips #Crafting

Today I’m going to explain how to sew a hook and eye onto the back of a doll’s garment. Specifically, I’ll be working with the bodice for Dress View 6 in the Simplicity doll clothes wardrobe pattern 5861 for vintage Skipper dolls. Just in case you don’t know the vocabulary, the pink arrow in Figure 1 above points to the “hook” and the green arrow … Continue reading How to sew a hook and eye on doll clothes w/Simplicity 5861 #SewingTips #Crafting

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
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.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sindy, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners

Can vintage Pedigree Sindy dolls fit in doll clothes made for vintage Tammy? (Part 2 — View 3 Wrap Skirt) #DollCollector #PedigreeSindy

Last week’s blog post was called, “Can vintage Sindy dolls fit in clothes made for vintage Tammy? (Part 1).” We saw, last week, that Pedigree Sindy dolls are able to fit in Dress View 1 from my Simplicity 4883 sewing pattern, but the bust seemed a little roomy for her. To read that whole blog post, please click here. Today’s blog post revisits the question, … Continue reading Can vintage Pedigree Sindy dolls fit in doll clothes made for vintage Tammy? (Part 2 — View 3 Wrap Skirt) #DollCollector #PedigreeSindy

Chelly Wood2 Comments