Tag: sewing hacks

Chelly Wood doll stands next to the pattern envelope for vintage Simplicity 9097, a 1970s era wardrobe for Barbie dolls. Among these patterns are the following ensembles: view 1: a wedding dress with empire waist, high collar, and bell sleeves; view 2: a similar evening gown shown in purple; view 3 a mod dress with pleated skirt and sleeveless bodice; view 3 B: the same mod dress shown with a short cape and scarf; view 4: a turtleneck blouse with raglan sleeves and a long skirt; view 5: the same blouse with a pair of trousers and a long, below-the-hip length vest.
Creatable World Dolls, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls, Vintage Barbie

How to Sew Dolls’ Shirt Collars so They Look Natural #Sewingtips #CreatableWorld

Shirt collars can be especially tricky when you’re making dolls’ clothes. Are there any tips for making a collar lay nicely on a doll’s shirt? Yes, there are, and that’s the topic of today’s blog post. I know I’ve written about this topic before, but it gets brought up pretty regularly. Please forgive me if this is a repeat for you. Before I go on, … Continue reading How to Sew Dolls’ Shirt Collars so They Look Natural #Sewingtips #CreatableWorld

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Click the thumbnail to read the article on Chelly Wood dot com. Three dolls are shown wearing the View B dress from McCall's 2970: left, 6 inch American Girl, center, Vogue Ginny, and right, Elsa from Disney's Frozen (6 inches tall).
6-inch doll clothes patterns, 8-inch doll clothes patterns, American Girl Doll Patterns, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls, Vogue Ginny Dolls

Can Vogue Ginny dolls, 6 inch Disney Princesses, and the 6 inch American Girl doll fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #AmericanGirl #SewingPatterns

Today’s blog post is part of a series of posts which look at McCall’s 2970 miniature fashion doll wardrobe pattern. This series is designed to help readers decide which dolls do (and which dolls don’t) fit in this very tiny sewing pattern. To read my previous posts on this topic, please click the link right here. The McCall’s 2970 pattern is designed to fit vintage … Continue reading Can Vogue Ginny dolls, 6 inch Disney Princesses, and the 6 inch American Girl doll fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #AmericanGirl #SewingPatterns

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McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
3-inch doll clothes patterns, 5-inch doll clothes patterns, Enchantimals, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls

Can Enchantimals dolls and Calico Critters fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #TinyThings #Dollhouses

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at whether or not the McCall’s 2970 miniature fashion doll wardrobe pattern would fit Strawberry Shortcake, Lottie, and the Stacie dolls from the 1990’s. If you’d like to go back to read that article, click the link right here. In case you didn’t know, the McCall’s 2970 doll clothes patterns were designed to fit vintage Dawn dolls, which … Continue reading Can Enchantimals dolls and Calico Critters fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #TinyThings #Dollhouses

Chelly Wood2 Comments
McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Can Strawberry Shortcake dolls and Lottie dolls fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #MeMadeMonday #VintageToys

As you can see in the image above, the McCall’s 2970 miniature fashion doll wardrobe pattern was designed to fit a number of different six to seven inch fashion dolls. But this pattern came out in the early 1970’s. A lot of dolls have been made since then that may very well fit the clothes in this pattern. Today’s blog post addresses how well the … Continue reading Can Strawberry Shortcake dolls and Lottie dolls fit in McCall’s 2970 sewing patterns? #MeMadeMonday #VintageToys

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In a quilted thumbnail is the cover image of Simplicity 6006, a doll clothes pattern for making a plush Holly Hobbie doll and plenty of pioneer style dresses for her. This image comes from Chelly Wood dot com.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Little House on the Prairie and Holly Hobbie – are they related? #HistoricalFiction #LittleHouse

When people talk about the 1970’s, they usually reference a time when everyone dressed like hippies, went to Woodstock, and lived at ashrams. I was a little girl in the 1970’s, yet I don’t remember any of that hippie-dippie stuff. Not really. I mean, my cousins grew their hair out long and played guitar, but that was about it. What I remember is this: every … Continue reading Little House on the Prairie and Holly Hobbie – are they related? #HistoricalFiction #LittleHouse

Chelly Wood7 Comments
With a quilted frame around it, we see a section of a McCall's vintage fashion doll clothes sewing pattern for making a cape that will fit a fashion doll like Barbie and similar-sized dolls.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Why do so many doll clothes patterns include a cape? Here’s why… #barbiestyle #barbiecollector

Before I write a blog post like this one, I usually go to the internet to see if other people have already written on this topic. I do this to make sure I know my facts, and frankly, it’s a good idea to do a little pre-research on what has already been said so that my content adds to the conversation. It surprised me to … Continue reading Why do so many doll clothes patterns include a cape? Here’s why… #barbiestyle #barbiecollector

Chelly Wood19 Comments
McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls

Here’s how I made a very tiny doll dress with McCall’s 2970 (View B) #isew #slowsewing

I’ve recently done a few blog posts on this McCall’s 2970 doll clothes sewing pattern, including posts about the tiny underpants patterns it comes with and various tiny dolls and toys that can wear this itty bitty pattern. To read my previous blog posts, including the one that details the difficulties associated with the View B dress, please click here. Before I go on, I … Continue reading Here’s how I made a very tiny doll dress with McCall’s 2970 (View B) #isew #slowsewing

Chelly Wood5 Comments
McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Palitoy's Pippa Dolls, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls

McCall’s 2970 — A pattern for tiny 6 inch fashion dolls! #Miniatures #SewingProjects

Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing McCall’s 2970 doll clothes patterns, which are designed to fit tiny 6 inch fashion dolls like Topper Dawn and Palitoy Pippa. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. Here are the projects related to … Continue reading McCall’s 2970 — A pattern for tiny 6 inch fashion dolls! #Miniatures #SewingProjects

Chelly Wood6 Comments
McCall's 4716, as discussed at chellywood.com (free doll clothes sewing pattern website). Left section shows all outfits offered by the pattern. Top row, left to right: overalls with check shirt and scarf; Native American style fringe-trimmed leather jacket with jeans; puffy vest, turtleneck, and trousers; check shirt with pants and scarf. Middle row, left to right: collared blouse with long skirt and apron; collared shirt with long ruffled sleeves, over which a shawl has been crisscrossed and a long skirt with ruffle; pinafore style long dress over collared shirt; cape with hood. Third row (bottom row), left to right: baby diaper; baby bunting; neck scarf; shawl. To the left of these drawings of the various outfits, Steve and Steffie and their little baby are pictured wearing the handmade overalls, check shirt with scarft, collared shirt, pinafore dress and a blue denim apron; and the baby bunting, respectively. The title of the pattern is "Carefree Patterns from McCall's 4716" and the price is listed as one dollar and twenty-five cents, with a Canadian amount at $1.35. The envelope also says "envelope contains all sizes."
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Is there a sewing pattern that fits 8 inch, 9 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch and 12 inch dolls? #DollClothes #SewingHacks

Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing McCall’s 4716 doll clothes patterns. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. The one feature of this pattern that surprises people most, is the fact that it fits both little dolls (Sunshine Family 8 and … Continue reading Is there a sewing pattern that fits 8 inch, 9 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch and 12 inch dolls? #DollClothes #SewingHacks

Chelly Wood2 Comments
McCall's 2970 doll clothes sewing patterns. Click the thumbnail for the article which talks about which dolls (including Topper Dawn and Pippa) will fit in this tiny six inch doll's wardrobe. Article available to read at chellywood.com
Fan Mail, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Topper Dawn Dolls, Vintage Barbie

Is there a good sewing pattern for Miniature dollhouse-sized dolls and six-inch action figures? #MeMadeMonday #ActionFigures

On Friday I received a message from someone who was looking for patterns to fit the little tiny 6 inch Phicen dolls/action figures. McCall’s 2970 is one such pattern. In the image at the top of this post, I’ve included a list of dolls that the pattern envelope suggests. But I also think many dollhouse-sized dolls and possibly even the Phicen 6 inch action figures … Continue reading Is there a good sewing pattern for Miniature dollhouse-sized dolls and six-inch action figures? #MeMadeMonday #ActionFigures

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Here we see a photo of the Marie Osmond 6664 "Butterick's Personality Doll Wardrobe" envelope and its photo of an actual Marie Osmond doll modeling a red western shirt with white front yokes and a pair of shiny black pants. The pattern options to the doll's right are showing a yellow jumper (in the USA sense of "jumper" -- a sleeveless dress which is sometimes worn over a shirt): a floor length caftan dress with ribbon ties at the sleeve and a waistband; a blue, V-neck long-sleeved shirt with cuffs and a waistband; a long-sleeved white shirt with a collar and cuffs; a purple evening dance dress with a zig-zag-cut skirt and a bodice with straps that tie at the shoulders; a short camel-colored caftan blouse with a waistband and ribbon ties at the sleeves' ends; a green flared ice skater's skirt; a green body suit with long sleeves and a turtle neck. The Chelly Wood doll stands to the left of the envelope. The Marie Osmond doll is on the pattern envelope itself because Butterick 6664 is designed to fit the Marie Osmond Barbie doll.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

What does “directional fabric” mean? #BeginnerSewing #SewingHack

Have you ever wondered why floral and polka dot fabrics are so popular? One of the reasons why people love polka dots and florals is because they’re usually non-directional fabrics. But what does that mean? Well, that’s what I’ll address today, and I’ll let you know how I made alterations to a Marie Osmond doll dress when I didn’t have enough of a directional fabric. … Continue reading What does “directional fabric” mean? #BeginnerSewing #SewingHack

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In this image, we see the top half of the Barbie Advance 9938 doll clothes sewing pattern. View 1 shows a typical just-below-the-knee strappy sun dress in yellow fabric. View 2 shows an Asian-style sheath dress with side buttons that run from the Mandarin collar across the bust, to the underarm. This View 2 dress is in solid blue. There's an arrow pointing to the View 3 dress, which is made with a pink bodice and a white floor length full skirt that's dotted with tiny pink flowers. This is a strapless party gown, and the doll wearing it is a cartoon-ish blond ponytail Barbie with a pink ribbon in her hair. The text which has an arrow pointing to the View 3 dress says "Advance 9938 View 3."
Curvy Barbie, Holiday Crafts, Jem and the Holograms, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tammy Doll Patterns, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Are there any sewing patterns that will fit big bust dolls? #MeMadeMonday #CustomDolls

When you own a doll with a big bust or a curvier figure than the average modern day Barbie, it can be challenging to find sewing patterns to fit her. People reach out to me now and then asking for patterns to fit dolls with curvier figures, from a variety of different doll making companies. So today’s blog post will show you an evening gown … Continue reading Are there any sewing patterns that will fit big bust dolls? #MeMadeMonday #CustomDolls

Chelly Wood2 Comments
The Chelly Wood doll stands next to the Advance 9938 Barbie doll clothes sewing pattern with her cartoonish sewing room behind her.
Fabric, Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

What fabrics to avoid when sewing doll clothes #VintageBarbie #thriftedfabric

Today’s project is a vintage Barbie dress with panels across the bodice. I used two different vintage Barbie patterns to make this dress for a good reason: I was trying to use up my tiny bits of leftover purple fabric! I also had some black fabric, which I had bought at a yard sale. This black fabric was some sort of polyester blend, and it … Continue reading What fabrics to avoid when sewing doll clothes #VintageBarbie #thriftedfabric

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Chelly Wood doll stands next to the pattern envelope for vintage Simplicity 9097, a 1970s era wardrobe for Barbie dolls. Among these patterns are the following ensembles: view 1: a wedding dress with empire waist, high collar, and bell sleeves; view 2: a similar evening gown shown in purple; view 3 a mod dress with pleated skirt and sleeveless bodice; view 3 B: the same mod dress shown with a short cape and scarf; view 4: a turtleneck blouse with raglan sleeves and a long skirt; view 5: the same blouse with a pair of trousers and a long, below-the-hip length vest.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

Learning to sew with vintage Simplicity 9097 Barbie patterns #MeMadeMonday #SewRetro

Today’s blog post is a collection of lessons I’ve learned while sewing the Simplicity 9097 doll clothes patterns. As with other blog posts on my Vintage Pattern page, I’ll be adding to this list of lessons as I create different outfits using this pattern. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. … Continue reading Learning to sew with vintage Simplicity 9097 Barbie patterns #MeMadeMonday #SewRetro

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This image is a quilt-like square with the Chelly Wood logo turned on its side. Beside the logo, we see a photo of Simplicity doll clothes pattern 8466 from the late 1960's or early 1970's. The dolls on the cover of this pattern are dressed in various fashions including one long dress pattern that uses an empire waist.
Old Patterns from Chelly's Collection, Sewing and Fashion History, Tips for Beginners, Vintage Barbie

How to alter a turtleneck so it’s a regular style of shirt #MeMadeMonday #SewingHack

The numbers for the View 5 and View 6 outfits are covered up by the price tag in the image above, but today’s blog post will explain how I removed the turtleneck collar from these two vintage Barbie shirt patterns, to create a more basic shirt neckline for this easy-to-make shirt. You may want to look back at last week’s post, so you can see … Continue reading How to alter a turtleneck so it’s a regular style of shirt #MeMadeMonday #SewingHack

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