These are primarily non-doll-related sewing tutorials. For example: how to backstitch; how to sew snaps; etc…
When my acquaintances find out how much I love to sew, they often say things like, “I have a pair of pants that need to be hemmed,” or “I have a ripped shirt that needs fixed.” But let me just say that sewing and mending are two different things… Sewing is a creative endeavor; mending is not. It’s more like housework! Mending is when a … Continue reading Hem your own pants without a #sewing machine @ ChellyWood.com
I’ve had a few requests for videos demonstrating some of the most fundamental concepts in sewing. In particular, parents wanted me to create a video tutorial for children learning to sew. Perhaps you’ve seen my video that shows “How to Sew a Snap on Fabric“. The snaps video and this straight stitch tutorial are both part of my “Easy Sewing Tutorials for Kids” video collection on … Continue reading Teach #Kids to #Sew With this Easy Straight-Stitch #Tutorial @ ChellyWood.com
Yesterday I posted my DIY tutorial for making a super easy-to-sew felt top for Monster High™ dolls. The only hard part (for a beginner anyway) was sewing the snaps on the felt. In this video, I show you the fundamental basics of sewing a snap onto fabric. For the more advanced sewist, there’s also a trick to aligning your snaps: push a straight pin through … Continue reading Here’s a simple #sewing tip: how to #sew snaps on #fabric @ ChellyWood.com
This really is a pretty simple doll shirt, with one exception. The snaps can be tricky for beginners, which is why, on the pattern, I’ve labeled it with two dusty rose flowers instead of one. To make it easier for all the beginners out there, I’ll re-post my “How to Sew Snaps on Fabric” tutorial tomorrow. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to review my basic straight … Continue reading #SewEasy #MonsterHigh #Dolls Shirt Tutorial @ ChellyWood.com
If you click on the question, it will take you to the answer. Do you ever take requests? Why do you give your patterns away for free? It’s really nice of you to give us free patterns. What can I do in return? Do you have any sewing machine advice? Doll clothes are so tiny! Once I’ve made doll clothes using your Creative-Commons-marked patterns, am … Continue reading Helpful Tips and FAQ’s
People have been submitting questions about printing patterns more than usual lately, so I decided it was time for a “How to Print Patterns” makeover… especially since Google Chrome makes it so easy to print patterns, even if you don’t have Microsoft Word or a similar program. For anyone who hasn’t discovered the internet-awesomeness of Google Chrome, there are plenty of tutorials showing how to … Continue reading How to Print #Sewing #Patterns @Google Docs to #BeInternetAwesome
Here in the US, summer has arrived, and with it, the risk of forest fires increases due to dry weather. If you’re looking for a fun gift to give a little boy or girl, why not make him/her a FireFighter Bear? Of course today’s pattern is the second pattern in this two-pattern set, so if you want to make someone a FireFighter Bear like Smokey, … Continue reading Hey @smokey_bear, have you seen my #firefighter #TeddyBear pattern?
My regular followers know that beneath each of my YouTube videos, there are links to a number of videos like this “How to Whipstitch” tutorial. These “basic stitchery” tutorials are designed to help you understand terms and concepts within each tutorial, like: How to print my FREE patterns How to sew snaps on fabric How to thread a needle How to sew by hand How to … Continue reading #Embroidery and #Sewing Tips: the Whip #Stitch and MORE! (@ ChellyWood.com)
Yesterday I explained that in April (and possibly in May), I’ll be doing some re-posting of older patterns, so I can update my Gallery Page. Today I’m showing an example of the type of video I’ll be linking to in my “Tailor’s Tips and Tricks” section of each post. This one, quite simply, shows you how to tie a knot in your fabric, using … Continue reading How to Tie a Knot Using a Needle and Thread @ ChellyWood.com #Crafts
Before I begin today’s blog post, I must make a disclaimer: I earn from qualifying purchases. If you’d like to know how this website uses affiliate marketing to earn income, please see my Privacy Policy page. 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 … Continue reading #Miniature #Dolls’ Clothes Buttons, Zippers, and Buckles — Advice and Links from ChellyWood.com
Sorry for the nude Barbies®, everyone, but I wanted to show you how different these dolls look. Note the significant change in the bust, waist, and hip areas in particular. So do the two dolls’ patterns match up exactly? I’ve been asked this question often, over the years, and I can tell you a little about my own experiences with older patterns on modern … Continue reading Do #Vintage Barbie #Patterns Fit New #Barbies?
You’ve got the cousins and/or grandkids coming over for the holidays. What are you going to do to keep them entertained? Why not give them a box of scraps, a handful of little dolls, and have them learn to sew? If you introduce them to beginning sewing lessons on their parents’ phones, they’ll be hooked! I have a series of tutorials for the beginning sewists on my YouTube … Continue reading Free #sewing lesson for #kids: make a tiny #doll’s dress w/ free pattern
This wraps up my Halloween sewing projects for this year. Earlier I showed you how to make a cat costume for fashion dolls, a ghost costume for miniature dolls, and now I’m bringing this segment to a close with this adorable jack-o’-lantern Halloween candy bucket or candy bag. It’s made of felt and ribbon, with just a touch of embroidery floss. Frankly, it’s so easy to … Continue reading Make a #Crafty #Halloween #Pumpkin Candy Bucket or Bag
It has been a while since I created this “How to Sew Snaps on Fabric” tutorial video, so I thought it would be a good idea to revisit it on my blog. If you’re wondering why I make patterns and videos without charging a fee, please visit the “Chelly’s Books” page, and that should explain my general motivations. In case you haven’t heard, I have also designed … Continue reading Simple #Sewing lesson from ChellyWood.com #crafty #diy
As part of my “Easy-Sew Projects for Kids” series, I thought it would be a good idea to teach my beginning sewists that patterns can be altered. We call this “alterations” in official sewing terminology. This video demonstrates that an alteration can be as easy as snipping away extra felt from a little doll coat. Of course, when working with fabric, it’s not usually that … Continue reading How to Make Simple #Sewing Alterations for #Felt #DollClothes
