Category: Sewing Chat

A blue and white modern looking iron is pictured with the text "What are the best brands for irons?" above the image. This blue and white iron is similar in style to the Hot-2-Trot Sunbeam that's mentioned in Chelly Wood's article about the best irons for sewing doll clothes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Fabric, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

What’s the best small iron for sewing projects? #SewingTips #SewingMeetUp

Once in a while I get questions from followers about the everyday tools I sometimes take for granted, like the types of irons I use for my doll clothes sewing projects. Recently, in fact, someone left a comment on one of my YouTube tutorials, asking about the small, pink, travel-sized iron that appears in that particular video. So today, I’m going to share that information … Continue reading What’s the best small iron for sewing projects? #SewingTips #SewingMeetUp

Chelly Wood8 Comments
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.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, Barbie Patterns, Crafts and Hobbies, Fan Mail, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns (Free Barbie Patterns) and How to Find Them Online #FreeStuff #SewingPatterns

Today’s tutorial video shows how to find free sewing patterns for fashion dolls like Barbie (and others) online, using ChellyWood.com’s library of free PDF sewing patterns. Sometimes people come to my website and leave a comment that says, “I’m looking for free Bratz doll clothes patterns” or “Do you have any patterns for the Disney Princess ten inch dolls?” I designed today’s tutorial video to … Continue reading Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns (Free Barbie Patterns) and How to Find Them Online #FreeStuff #SewingPatterns

Chelly Wood2 Comments
A vibrant purple thumbnail featuring the back of a robot's head in profile is seen. Uniquely, the robot has a sewing button as an ear piece and a straight pin wheel below it, suggesting a fusion of technology and crafting. The bold text reads, “Tech talk... Let's discuss technology! Does ChellyWood.com use AI?” This image creatively blends elements of robotics and sewing, engaging viewers in a conversation about the intersection of technology and creativity.
A4 Printer PDF Patterns, Crafts and Hobbies, Doll Collecting, History and Research, Momoko Doll Patterns, Sewing and Fashion History, Sewing Chat, Tammy Doll Patterns

Full Disclosure: Here’s how I use AI (AKA artificial intelligence) in my creative process… #SewingWithAI #SmartSewing

First, it should be noted that some of my competitors on YouTube are non-human AI sewing tutorials. It is my belief that my own sewing tutorials have been used to create these (together with the tutorials made by other human sewists and designers), in many cases without our consent. This is especially true of certain videos that show you how to make and design your … Continue reading Full Disclosure: Here’s how I use AI (AKA artificial intelligence) in my creative process… #SewingWithAI #SmartSewing

Chelly Wood5 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
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.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: BELTS — What’s the best way to make a belt? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION:  Typically used to close or hold up a garment, a belt is usually wrapped around one’s middle section (like the waist or hips) and often clasped or fastened at the front, side, or back of the waist. This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find other definitions as well. And as you can see in the images that … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: BELTS — What’s the best way to make a belt? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

Chelly Wood4 Comments
Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What are bell bottoms? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION:  A pair of pants or jeans that flare from the knee to the hem, like a bell shape. This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find other definitions as well. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please learn more about my affiliate marketing program on the Privacy Policy page. The term “bell bottoms” refers to … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What are bell bottoms? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

Chelly Wood2 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
Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, History and Research, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Sewing Glossary with Pictures (Gallery)

Please click on the vocabulary term you’d like to learn more about. It will take you to a page that offers even more pictures (sometimes videos), a more thorough definition, and some discussion questions about that sewing term. As of 25 June 2025, this page is under construction, so please keep coming back to see what words I’ve added! Not what you’re looking for? Please … Continue reading Sewing Glossary with Pictures (Gallery)

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Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What does alteration mean in sewing? #LearningToSew #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION:  When you are sewing and you make an alteration, you’re just making a change to the shape of the sewing pattern. For example, you may lower a hemline, extend a neckline (like the image above shows), or you may add a seam allowance where no seam allowance had existed before. This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What does alteration mean in sewing? #LearningToSew #SewingVocabulary

Chelly WoodLeave a comment
Various sewing and crafting notions like thread, a tape measure, scissors, and a writing utensil swirl around the words "Sewing Vocab" in a thumbnail frame. This is the default thumbnail for the sewing picture dictionary (or sewing glossary with pictures) on ChellyWood.com, a website that offers free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes.
Crafts and Hobbies, Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is an A-line dress or skirt? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

The image above shows what an A-line dress might look like before it is sewn, and yes, as the article title suggests, I’m building a glossary of sewing terms with pictures. Today’s “sewing vocabulary” post is all about A-line skirts and dresses, which will start off the “Letter A” section of the glossary. Please scroll down to add to the discussion on this topic. (Look … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is an A-line dress or skirt? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary

Chelly Wood3 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, 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

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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.
Charity Work, Crafts and Hobbies, Fan Mail, Selling Your Crafts, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

Time for a Q and A: Once I’ve made doll clothes using Creative-Commons-marked patterns, am I allowed to sell what I’ve made? #Copyright #SewingPatterns

Every now and then I get a message in my inbox from some thoughtful person who wants to make sure they are okay to sell products made using my free doll clothes patterns. It’s such a kind gesture! I really appreciate that! So let’s take a look at that question: Once I’ve made doll clothes using your Creative-Commons-marked patterns, am I allowed to sell what … Continue reading Time for a Q and A: Once I’ve made doll clothes using Creative-Commons-marked patterns, am I allowed to sell what I’ve made? #Copyright #SewingPatterns

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, 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
Through a small window of a photo, we see a doll's upper body only, where she wears a bolero jacket or coat that's trimmed in green rickrack to match the color of the dress she wears. There are white rickrack trim images bordering the photo, and above all of this, the thumbnail asks, "When do you add rickrack trim?"
Crafts and Hobbies, For Sale in the Store, Lottie dolls, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

When to Add Rickrack Trim to a Garment #Fashion #SewingTips

Do you see that green zigzag trim along the edges of my Lottie doll’s bolero jacket? That’s rickrack! Webster’s dictionary describes rickrack trim as “a flat braid woven to form zigzags and used especially as trimming on clothing.”* But how does a person decide that a garment needs rickrack trim, and at what point in the garment’s creation does one attach it to the garment? … Continue reading When to Add Rickrack Trim to a Garment #Fashion #SewingTips

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