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.

Celebrating everyday people for #BlackHistoryMonth with #BlackGirlsSew

  Have you ever heard of Black Girls Sew? Watch the video above and you’ll learn a little about it. Or visit their website using this link. As part of my celebration of Black History Month, on Fridays, I’m honoring everyday people like the ladies who organized Black Girls Sew, a non-profit organization that works to teach kids how to sew. Before I go on, … Continue reading Celebrating everyday people for #BlackHistoryMonth with #BlackGirlsSew

An African American Creatable World doll models a handmade African print cotton shirt. The shirt is sleeveless, but running down the front of the shirt is a red lace trim with a black quarter-inch wide ribbon running down the center of the lace trim, sort of like a black placket. The African print fabric of the shirt is multicolor, incorporating red, blue, yellow, green, and black. The text reads, "Free sewing Pattern!"

Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s sewing project tutorial video and free doll clothes sewing pattern can be used to make an adorable little sleeveless shirt with a lace-and-ribbon decorative front. And if you’ve been following my daily blog posts, you’ll know it’s February, which is Black History Month. So on your way down to get … Continue reading Let’s make a lace-and-ribbon-front shirt for 10 inch dolls! And let’s learn about lacebark… #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

The image shows a Lieutenant Uhura doll (in the likeness of actress Nichelle Nichols) wearing a handmade dress with a dropped ruffle and cap sleeves. The main part of the dress is made of red and white striped cotton fabric that looks a lot like the stripes on a peppermint candy. The watermark reminds you to go to ChellyWood.com for free printable sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls and action figures of many shapes and all different sizes.

Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos for making today’s dress project. Today’s blog post is a re-post from five years ago. February is Black History Month in the United States, and as part of the celebration of African American history, I’m posting a sewing project that honors … Continue reading Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

Eveeryday Hero! Betty the bus driver poses for her photo. She's a real person, but here, she's represented by the Bumblebee DC superhero doll dressed in Trans Dev uniform for driving her bus. Beside her is a red, yellow, and green book entitled Black History Month.

Betty the Bus Driver — an Everyday Hero Making History at Chicago’s Midway Airport #BlackHistoryMonth #Chicago

If you’ve been following my blog posts, you know that February is Black History Month, and on Fridays, I’m featuring everyday people who are making history in the things they do each and every day, as they go through their lives. Today I’m going to feature a lady named Betty, who drives a bus that takes passengers to and from Midway Airport in Chicago to … Continue reading Betty the Bus Driver — an Everyday Hero Making History at Chicago’s Midway Airport #BlackHistoryMonth #Chicago

We are making history! A book entitled "Black History Month" rests beside a circle of hands bumping fists. Each fist is a different flesh tone, from pale to dark brown. This thumbnail is for an article about how we, in real time, are making history happen all around us. The article can be found at Chelly Wood dot com, as part of her Black History Month celebration in February of 2026.

We are the history makers… #BlackHistoryMonth #History

We are the history makers… As you know, February is Black History Month, and in celebration, I’m writing articles that research various famous Black Americans or persons of African ancestry, while also posting my usual doll-clothes-sewing related blog posts. However on Fridays this month, I want to feature everyday people of African heritage. Why? Because we are the makers of history — you and I … Continue reading We are the history makers… #BlackHistoryMonth #History

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.

Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is a bow, in sewing terms? #BlackHistory #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION: Made of ribbon or fabric folded back and forth upon itself and sometimes tied to create loops with extensions hanging below a knot, a bow is a decorative element added to garments & accessories for its aesthetic value. 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 … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is a bow, in sewing terms? #BlackHistory #SewingVocabulary

Thumbnail shows a blond haired African American Barbie modeling a handmade pair of pink bell bottom pants or trousers with an elastic waist and a pink and grey and white tee shirt with short sleeves and vertical stripes. The text says, "Free Patterns" and offers the website Chelly Wood dot com as the location to find those free doll clothes patterns for your Curvy Barbie dolls.

Sew Bell Bottom Pants for Curvy Barbie and Discover the Fascinating World of Black People with Blond Hair #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. During the month of February, which is Black History Month here in the United States (where I live), I’m featuring black or African American looking dolls in all of my doll clothes pattern pages. Also, I’m going to offer little bits of history related to famous African Americans, famous people of … Continue reading Sew Bell Bottom Pants for Curvy Barbie and Discover the Fascinating World of Black People with Blond Hair #BlackHistoryMonth #Crafts

A quilted frame surrounds an image of Vogue Craft 9985 (featuring the Victorian bridal dress for a Barbie and a tuxedo for Ken) beside the Chelly Wood doll who points to the pattern. This pattern is for a wedding dress and tux for Barbie and Ken, in a Victorian era style. It's Vogue Craft 9985 from the late 1800's to early 1900s in history, although the pattern is copyrighted 1998.

A Victorian Barbie pattern for Mary McLeod Bethune #BlackHistoryMonth #SewVintage

I stumbled across this photo of Mary McLeod Bethune online and was utterly mesmerized by it! I mean, just look at the variety of clothing ensembles these young ladies (and Ms. McLeod Bethune) are wearing! Not only does this photo record the early years of an American icon, Mary McLeod Bethune, but it’s a plethora of fashion history, all in one photo! Before I go … Continue reading A Victorian Barbie pattern for Mary McLeod Bethune #BlackHistoryMonth #SewVintage

The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.

The history of the djellaba and the slave trade #BlackHistoryMonth #ModernSlavery

As part of our celebration of Black History Month, here on ChellyWood.com, we’ve studied the Nakatukok of Uganda and Central Africa, we’ve examined the boubou of Senegal and West Africa, and we’ve tried to answer questions about the gele or head-tie, which is popular all over the continent of Africa (as well as abroad). Another unique garment, found in Algeria, Morocco, and North Africa is … Continue reading The history of the djellaba and the slave trade #BlackHistoryMonth #ModernSlavery

The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.

Let’s celebrate Black History Month by asking “How old is the gele or head-tie?” #BlackHistory #AfricanHistory

In our celebration of Black History Month, we’ve taken a look at the pastoral clothing of the Karamojong tribe of Uganda in Central Africa; we’ve also studied the boubou, a sort of kaftan worn in many countries of West Africa. Now it’s time to learn about the gele, a head scarf or head tie, commonly worn in Nigeria, the most populous country in modern times … Continue reading Let’s celebrate Black History Month by asking “How old is the gele or head-tie?” #BlackHistory #AfricanHistory

The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.

Let’s celebrate Black History Month by learning about the boubou! #BlackHistory #Senegal

About ten years ago, my youngest daughter and I took a vacation trip to Paris. If you’ve never been there, you might be surprised to learn that a lot of African people and people of mixed African and French backgrounds live in Paris. So after our visit to Paris was over, we waited to board our plane to come back to the US, and in … Continue reading Let’s celebrate Black History Month by learning about the boubou! #BlackHistory #Senegal

The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.

Let’s celebrate Black History Month by learning about the Nakatukok of the Karamojong tribe in Uganda, Africa! #BlackHistory #AfricanCulture

I first ran across the nakatukok while studying the tribal people of Uganda. However this garment seems to be an adaptation that came to Uganda after European colonization. Now, I’m not a historian; I’m just a school librarian who enjoys studying history and sewing doll clothes. So please correct me in the comments below, if you read anything here that strikes you as incorrect. So … Continue reading Let’s celebrate Black History Month by learning about the Nakatukok of the Karamojong tribe in Uganda, Africa! #BlackHistory #AfricanCulture

The thumbnail shows four different styles of traditional African clothing. The text above says, "Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African fashions." The text below shows the at symbol followed by Chelly Wood dot com.

Let’s celebrate Black History Month with a look at traditional African clothing #BlackHistory #AfricanCulture

In years past, I’ve done different blog posts on various topics related to Black History Month in February,  but this is the first time I’ve begun the celebration by delving into the traditional clothing of various African nations. It was really fun to learn all about the traditional clothing of  African countries, regions, and tribes, but we only have so many blog posts in February… … Continue reading Let’s celebrate Black History Month with a look at traditional African clothing #BlackHistory #AfricanCulture

The image shows a Lieutenant Uhura doll (in the likeness of actress Nichelle Nichols) wearing a handmade dress with a dropped ruffle and cap sleeves. The main part of the dress is made of red and white striped cotton fabric that looks a lot like the stripes on a peppermint candy. The watermark reminds you to go to ChellyWood.com for free printable sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit dolls and action figures of many shapes and all different sizes.

Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

Please scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free printable PDF sewing pattern and links to any additional relevant tutorial videos for making today’s dress project. February is Black History Month in the United States, and as part of the celebration of African American history, I’m posting a sewing project that honors one of my favorite African American Celebrities, Nichelle Nichols. Yes, … Continue reading Honoring Nichelle Nichols for Black History Month with a Free Pattern @ ChellyWood.com #BlackHistory #NichelleNichols

This is a mock-up image of the Queens of Africa gallery of doll clothes sewing patterns at ChellyWood.com, a website where you can find free printable PDF sewing patterns to fit dolls of many shapes and all different sizes. The image shows Azeezah, a Queens of Africa doll modeling handmade doll clothes that include three different styles of skirts, a pair of ankle pants, and a strappy summer top in both felt and cotton fabrics. The doll can be purchased at https://queensofafricadolls.com/ or on Amazon

Free Sewing Patterns for Queens of Africa Dolls (Gallery)

Please click on the doll clothes you would like to make. Not what you’re looking for? Behind the scenes, I’m creating a series of classes in doll clothing design techniques, so you can design your own doll clothes for your dolls, using simple techniques, household tools, and your amazing imagination! Click on this link to learn more about my paid courses on the Creative Spark Online Learning platform. If you would like … Continue reading Free Sewing Patterns for Queens of Africa Dolls (Gallery)