The image shows a woman's fingers holding a tiny doll pants pocket, the cover art of Simplicity 8466 doll clothes sewing patterns from the 1960's, and a text that reads "vintage Simplicity 8466. All of this is framed by a turquoise blue and purple quilt.

Transforming regular doll pants into pocketed cargo pants with vintage Simplicity 8466 #BarbiePatterns

I love my Simplicity 8466 Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern from 1969, but of course the outfits offered in this set of patterns (while vintage-adorable) are a little outdated for today’s children. But pants are pants, right? Wrong. The pair of pants in View 7 are sort of short with a bell bottom feature, that just doesn’t appeal to todays kids… UNLESS… Unless you add … Continue reading Transforming regular doll pants into pocketed cargo pants with vintage Simplicity 8466 #BarbiePatterns

Use the link provided in the caption to get you to the free patterns and tutorial videos for this embroidery sampler that looks like a windmill.

History Inspires Us — a little story from Chelly’s life experiences #StoryTime #History

Here’s a little-known fact about me: I’m a member of the DAR — the Daughters of the American Revolution. That means I have an ancestor who fought in the American Revolutionary War. And today I’m sharing a little story I wrote for my local DAR chapter’s newsletter. At the very end of this tale, you’ll see how it connects to sewing, so be patient as … Continue reading History Inspires Us — a little story from Chelly’s life experiences #StoryTime #History

Find your free PDF sewing patterns for making a doll's jeans or pants and a T-shirt at ChellyWood.com -- this thumbnail says, "free pattern" which accompanies a photo of a Hairmazing doll in pants and a shirt. The Chelly Wood logo also appears in this purple thumbnail frame.

Make a T-shirt and Jeans for Hairmazing Fashion Forward dolls w/today’s free doll clothes patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #Crafting

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Today I’m giving you the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making the doll clothes shown at the top of this post: a tee shirt and a pair of jeans — but of course you could make pants/trousers for your doll with the jeans pattern. Hairmazing Fashion Forward dolls … Continue reading Make a T-shirt and Jeans for Hairmazing Fashion Forward dolls w/today’s free doll clothes patterns @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #Crafting

Surrounded by a quilted purple and blue frame, we see the logo for Chelly Wood dot com beside a close-up photo of a vintage bubble-cut Barbie wearing a white short sleeved blouse and a puffy green skirt with a waistband. The photo is somewhat pixelated, indicating that it's a vintage photo.

I’m making a blouse from the enchanting Sew-Easy Advance Barbie Pattern #2896, with a touch of whimsy… #Vintage #SewVintage

Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. A colleague of mine has two little girls who love Barbie, so of course, I’m sewing them a wardrobe of Barbie clothes because, well… that’s what I do. The first project I decided to tackle was the shirt shown in View 3 of the Sew-Easy Advance Barbie Pattern #2896. When I started the project, I … Continue reading I’m making a blouse from the enchanting Sew-Easy Advance Barbie Pattern #2896, with a touch of whimsy… #Vintage #SewVintage

Text reads "elf on the shelf clothes... free sewing patterns!" and a large white arrow points to four different doll clothes outfits modeled by the Elf on the Shelf doll. Click on this image or the highlighted title text, and this link will take you to the gallery of free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit your Elf on the Shelf dolls.

FREE 13 and 1/2 inch (34 cm) tall Elf on the Shelf doll clothes sewing patterns (Gallery)

Please click on the doll clothes you would like to make. Please note: my 13 and 1/2 inch or 34 cm measurement for the Elf on the Shelf includes the elf’s permanently sewn-on hat. 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, … Continue reading FREE 13 and 1/2 inch (34 cm) tall Elf on the Shelf doll clothes sewing patterns (Gallery)

This is a Canva-made purple framed image of basic sewing tools, including scissors, thread, straight pins, safety pins, buttons, and some swatches of felt. The text reads "sewing basics" under the photo, with the Chelly Wood dot com logo below the photo.

New to Sewing — What do I need? Here are the 10 basic sewing supplies for beginners who are just learning to sew…

For those of you who are regular followers, in recent months you’ve seen a number of posts about the top ten items I would put in a sewing kit, if I were a beginner and brand new to sewing. Today’s blog post is a roundup of all ten items. On the other hand, if you just happened to stumble across my website, you may have … Continue reading New to Sewing — What do I need? Here are the 10 basic sewing supplies for beginners who are just learning to sew…

The image shows a craft fair store with bags, bobs, bits, and T-shirts on display. The text says (at the top) "ChellyWood LLC" follwed by "sewing supplies," "handmade items," "and more." There's a sign hanging from a push pin that says "Open" as well.

Where to Buy Miniature Buttons, Zippers, and Buckles for Dolls #SewingProjects

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. On my “Contact” page, I often get emailed the question, “Where can I buy tiny buttons for my doll clothes?” From time to time, people also ask me for advice on zippers and buckles. I use Etsy for tiny doll buttons, extra small zippers, and similar sewing notions, but I generally buy my tiny snaps from … Continue reading Where to Buy Miniature Buttons, Zippers, and Buckles for Dolls #SewingProjects

A vintage skipper doll models a red cotton bolero over a black and white gingham sleeveless dress with a circle skirt that's knee-height. Beside this doll, a vintage Skipper models a pink felt bolero with green rickrack trim over a similar dress, but this dress is made of green cotton with tiny white and pink roses, and it's a calf-length circle skirt. The text for this thumbnail says "same pattern -- two looks!"

Stitching up a retro-style dress for Skipper that’s versatile enough for two amazing looks! #SewingAlterations #SewingInspiration

*Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, JoAnn Fabric, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please visit the website’s Privacy Policy … Continue reading Stitching up a retro-style dress for Skipper that’s versatile enough for two amazing looks! #SewingAlterations #SewingInspiration

The turquoise blue frame surrounds a photo of a woman writing goals into a spiral notebook, as she sits beside her computer. The text reads "Submit a Request" and includes the Chelly Wood dot com logo at the bottom of the photo.

Chelly’s sewing goals for 2024 and (drumroll…) Oh, HEY! Please submit your requests!

As many of you know, I keep a little spiral notebook, wherein I list each of your doll clothes pattern requests. At the start of 2024, I want to begin the year with some new and wonderful ideas to inspire the patterns I’ll design. So please drop down to the “comments” section and leave your request. It helps to be specific, so instead of writing … Continue reading Chelly’s sewing goals for 2024 and (drumroll…) Oh, HEY! Please submit your requests!

This image shows Chelly Wood's sewing goals printable digital sewing planner sheet, filled out with Chelly's goals for 2023. Beside the image of the goal sheet is a hot pink text that says hashtag goals!

Looking back at 2023, did you accomplish your sewing goals? #Goals #2023

It’s always a good idea to look back at what you’ve accomplished at the end of a year, and for today’s blog post, I’m asking everyone to leave a comment. Did you set any sewing goals? If so, what were they? And did you accomplish them? Please leave a comment. Let’s hear what each of us was able to sew and create and craft over … Continue reading Looking back at 2023, did you accomplish your sewing goals? #Goals #2023

A turquoise blue linen fabric frames a photo of different types and colors of elastic. The text reads, "Fantastic Elastic" and this thumbnail leads to a blog post about the variety of different sizes of elastic available and which ones suit your doll clothes for sewing projects.

What size elastic should I use for my doll’s clothes?

In November, I started a series that listed my top 10 items I’d put in a sewing kit for a beginner. Of course I was working up to Christmas, and trying to make a list of items for a sewing kit you might give someone for Christmas. But then I got caught up in my Elf on the Shelf outfit series, and now I find … Continue reading What size elastic should I use for my doll’s clothes?

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.

Learning to sew with Simplicity 5861 vintage Skipper doll clothes patterns #VintageDolls #DollClothesPatterns

To say that I adore the Skipper 5861 Simplicity pattern from 1964 would be an utter and complete understatement. It’s so awesome, I have no words to express the fun I’ve had when making each and every one of the outfits pictured on the front of the envelope! *Please note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my … Continue reading Learning to sew with Simplicity 5861 vintage Skipper doll clothes patterns #VintageDolls #DollClothesPatterns

An Elf on the Shelf doll models a green shirt and red kilt. An arrow points from Simplicity 8281 vintage Barbie doll clothes sewing patterns to the kilt that the elf on the Shelf wears. The text reads "kilt pattern" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in the frame as well.

Stitch up a Scottish kilt for your Elf on the Shelf using this retro Barbie wrap skirt design #Scottish #NorthPole

Note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I think it was back in November when I showed you how to mix-and-match your doll clothes for Barbie, using vintage Simplicity pattern number 8281. Remember this outfit? Well that same skirt actually fits my little Elf on the Shelf as well! It’s the wrap skirt from View 5 in the Simplicity 8281 pattern that … Continue reading Stitch up a Scottish kilt for your Elf on the Shelf using this retro Barbie wrap skirt design #Scottish #NorthPole

In a purple thumbnail frame, the words "free pattern" overshadow the Chelly Wood dot com logo, beside a photo of a Hairmazing Fashion Forward Walmart doll modeling a 3-tier skirt and crop top.

Make a T-shirt and 3-tiered skirt for Hairmazing Fashion Forward dolls w/today’s free doll clothes patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SewingProjects #TheHolidays

For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets. Note: as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This week I’m giving you the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making the “summer fun” outfit shown at the top of this blog post, to fit Hairmazing Fashion Forward “swimsuit” dolls. If you live in the northern hemisphere … Continue reading Make a T-shirt and 3-tiered skirt for Hairmazing Fashion Forward dolls w/today’s free doll clothes patterns @ ChellyWood.com #SewingProjects #TheHolidays

The text on this thumbnail says, "Besides just Skipper, which fashionista can rock this retro swing coat?" Beneath this text, it says, "Guess who!" A red felt arrow points at a scanned image from Simplicity 5861, which focuses on a vintage Skipper wearing a sky blue swing coat with matching scarf and little blue ballet flats.

What surprising “fashionista” can wear this Skipper retro swing coat?

*Please note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please visit the website’s Privacy Policy page. Yes, that’s our little buddy, Elf on the Shelf, modeling a Skipper swing coat from vintage Simplicity 5861! If you’re looking for a commercial coat pattern to fit Elf on the Shelf, vintage Simplicity 5861 will work … Continue reading What surprising “fashionista” can wear this Skipper retro swing coat?