Tag: Crafts

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.
Crafts and Hobbies, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

A couple of tips for getting the elastic to go through a casing #SewingTips #Elastic

You may remember that I extended an invitation to submit questions a couple of weeks back. Well today’s blog post answers one of those questions regarding the pulling of elastic through a casing. Before we dive into this topic, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on … Continue reading A couple of tips for getting the elastic to go through a casing #SewingTips #Elastic

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The Chelly Wood doll stands next to the Advance 9938 Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern with her cartoonish sewing room behind her.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

Learning to Sew with Advance 9938 Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns from 1961 #SewVintage #Barbie

Don’t you just love the artwork on these old Barbie patterns? I could stare at this envelope all day, dreaming of the wonderful outfits I could make with it! I’ve written a few articles about the outfits offered in Advance 9938, and if you click on the links I’ve provided below, you can read all about the lessons I’ve learned by sewing these patterns. I … Continue reading Learning to Sew with Advance 9938 Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns from 1961 #SewVintage #Barbie

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The thumbnail of this "sewing video trends" topic shows a woman worrying as she watches a video of someone sewing. Around the video are images of a dollar sign, a megaphone, a purple colored recycle symbol, and an arrow pointing at YouTube as it states "LOOK!"
Crafts and Hobbies, Sewing Chat

“Sewing Trends I’m NOT a Fan Of” — guest video from Julija Gobere (Sewing Julia) #Trending #Sewing

  Today’s blog post is sort of a “guest post” from sewing YouTuber, Julija Gobere, AKA SewingJulia (see link for her channel). Her video is used with permission. After watching this video, I thought… “Uh-oh! Did I give a sob story about how much it costs me to run this website, so people would help me out financially?” Ugh. I don’t wanna be that sewist! … Continue reading “Sewing Trends I’m NOT a Fan Of” — guest video from Julija Gobere (Sewing Julia) #Trending #Sewing

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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.
Interviews With Crafters, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tammy Doll Patterns, Uncategorized

Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

If you’ve been following my blog much at all, you’ve probably run across at least one of the many blog posts I’ve written on this particular sewing pattern, vintage Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls. I have a long history with this pattern, which was the very first pattern I ever sewed. In fact this pattern helped morph me into the doll clothing designer that … Continue reading Can anyone help me date the year of publication on one of my all-time favorite doll clothes patterns? #Simplicity #RetroSewing

Chelly Wood6 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, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, Favorite Books, Tips for Beginners, Tutorials: Sewing Basics

Can I teach myself to sew online, or do I need an in-person instructor? #Sewing #Tutorials

I’m back with another question from Kim, a follower who reached out to me a few weeks ago with a series of questions that beginners sometimes have when they’re learning to sew. In essence, Kim wanted to know if she could teach herself to sew, or whether or not an in-person instructor would be needed. I will address my answer to Kim’s question below the … Continue reading Can I teach myself to sew online, or do I need an in-person instructor? #Sewing #Tutorials

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, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Sewing Chat, Tips for Beginners

Do you HAVE to know how to read a sewing pattern? #SewingForBeginners #QandA

Two weeks ago I posted the first of a series of questions from one of my followers, Kim. Today’s blog post addresses the third of Kim’s questions, and today I’ll be addressing her question and my answer here, on ChellyWood.com, as the third blog post in a four-part blog post series. Before I do that, though, I need to make my official “Affiliate Marketing Disclaimer” … Continue reading Do you HAVE to know how to read a sewing pattern? #SewingForBeginners #QandA

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, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Last Wednesday I posted the first of a series of questions from one of my followers, Kim. Today’s blog post addresses the second of Kim’s questions, and today I’ll be addressing her question and my answer here, on ChellyWood.com, as the second blog post in a four-part blog post series. But I want to hear the opinions of my followers as well, so please read … Continue reading Did you learn to sew for people first? Or did you sew for dolls first? #SewOver50 #QandA

Chelly Wood3 Comments
Advance 9939 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns (the envelope that the patterns come in) is shown with the Chelly Wood doll, framed in a quilted border. The text reads "Advance 9939 vintage Barbie patterns."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Vintage Barbie

Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

I purchased my vintage Advance 9939 sewing pattern for Barbie dolls last summer, and ever since then, I’ve been exploring these patterns with joy in my heart! Once I complete an outfit, I try it on various dolls to see which modern and collectible dolls can fit in these outfits, and I hope to share what I’ve learned in the blog posts I’ll be linking … Continue reading Learning to Sew with Advance 9939 Vintage Barbie Doll Clothes Patterns #VintageSewing #SewOver50

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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, Creative Spark Online Learning, Fan Mail, For Sale in the Store, Interviews With Crafters, Tips for Beginners

How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

In my inbox, from time to time, I get questions about how to sew an item of doll clothing that I’ve designed, how to design a specific item of doll clothes, or generally how to improve one’s sewing game. Back in the middle of December, I received the following question from someone named Kim: “Since I’m a beginner… you know how a mother bird teaches … Continue reading How can I improve my sewing game? #SewWithMe #QandA

Chelly Wood2 Comments
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

Three times I made mistakes when sewing Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls #MLK #Oops!

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you probably already know I’m a big fan of the Simplicity 4883 sewing pattern. I’ve been making doll clothes with Simplicity 4883 since my early childhood. In fact, it was the first pattern ever given to me, and it was from this pattern that I learned how to alter doll clothes. From there, I learned … Continue reading Three times I made mistakes when sewing Simplicity 4883 for Ideal Tammy dolls #MLK #Oops!

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13-inch doll clothes patterns, 14-inch doll clothes patterns, 15-inch doll clothes patterns, 16-inch doll clothes patterns, 17-inch doll clothes patterns, 18-inch doll clothes patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Baby Alive, Baby Doll Patterns, BFC Ink Dolls, Crissy Family of Dolls, Daily Patterns, Disney Princess Dolls, Doll Shoes, FibreCraft Doll Clothes, Hearts for Hearts Girls, Madame Alexander Doll Clothes Patterns, Tutorials: Crafts, Velvet Dolls, Wellie Wishers Patterns

How to make a pair of sandals for dolls using elastic and craft foam… #AmericanGirl #WellieWishers

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Today’s tutorial video is, once again, an older tutorial that I’ve re-mastered to include voiceover. I’m trying to gradually revisit those older text-only videos and add voice over to them because a.) it helps Google Translate to offer the instructions into another language on my YouTube channel and b.) it gives … Continue reading How to make a pair of sandals for dolls using elastic and craft foam… #AmericanGirl #WellieWishers

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As part of a celebration of the new year, Chelly Wood dot com did a top ten sewing patterns of 2024. This is the thumbnail for that blog post, showing patterns over the top of fireworks.
11-inch doll clothes patterns, 12-inch doll clothes patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Baby Doll Patterns, Barbie Patterns, Contests, Crafts and Hobbies, Crissy Family of Dolls, Elf on the Shelf, Holiday Crafts, Made to Move Barbie, Tall Barbie

Here are my Top 10 most popular free doll clothes patterns — a look back at 2024! #NewYearsDay #Top10

Today is the first day of 2025 — Hooray! In August of 2025, I’ll be retiring from my full-time job as a school librarian, so that will free up my time to do more with dolls and doll clothing designs. Watch for more news about my plans for 2025 in a later blog post in January. With today’s blog post, I want to reflect on … Continue reading Here are my Top 10 most popular free doll clothes patterns — a look back at 2024! #NewYearsDay #Top10

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Advance 9939 vintage Barbie doll clothes patterns (the envelope that the patterns come in) is shown with the Chelly Wood doll, framed in a quilted border. The text reads "Advance 9939 vintage Barbie patterns."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tammy Doll Patterns, Vintage Barbie

Can Ideal Tammy dolls wear vintage Barbie clothes? #SewVintage #IdealToys

Today’s blog post attempts to answer the question, “Can Ideal Tammy dolls wear vintage Barbie clothes?” I’ll be focusing on one vintage Barbie doll clothes pattern in particular: the ice skating outfit from View 4 of the Advance 9939 doll clothes pattern from 1961. The two dolls–Ideal Tammy and vintage Barbie–have very different body measurements, and you can learn more about Tammy’s body measurements in … Continue reading Can Ideal Tammy dolls wear vintage Barbie clothes? #SewVintage #IdealToys

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The Chelly Wood doll stands beside a close-up image of the view 3 doll dress from Simplicity 4510, a vintage Barbie pattern. This view 3 dress is red, has a one-shoulder style bodice, and a pencil skirt. there's a tulle overlay atop the pencil skirt of the dress.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Vintage Barbie

How to make a tutu for a doll — super easy instructions! #isew #cosplay

I’ve already given away this lovely one-shoulder dress, which I made using the vintage Simplicity 4510 pattern, view three. And the tulle “tutu-style” overskirt is not a part of the actual dress, as you can see in the image above. Instead, the tutu (made of tulle with a bias-tape-like waistband that ties in the back) is a separate item of clothing, from the one-shoulder pencil-skirt … Continue reading How to make a tutu for a doll — super easy instructions! #isew #cosplay

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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!
Chelly's Books, Crafts and Hobbies, Holiday Crafts, Sewing Chat

Did you achieve your sewing goals this year? Please comment! #SewingChat #BusinessGoals

The graphic at the top of the page is actually my sewing planner, which is currently for sale in my Etsy store. You can go check it out with this link, if you’d like a tool to help you plan your sewing goals for 2025. But today I want to look back at 2024, to see what I did and didn’t accomplish, and why. I’d … Continue reading Did you achieve your sewing goals this year? Please comment! #SewingChat #BusinessGoals

Chelly Wood6 Comments