The image shows a quilted frame around the Chelly Wood doll (really a re-painted Spin Master Liv doll that looks like the doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood), and a thought bubble displays that she is having red and white striped jersey fabric thoughts.

How do you stop obsessing about a project? #SewingProjects #VintageBarbie

  My brain has been stuck on the idea that I need to sew the red and white striped T-shirt from my Simplicity 8281 vintage doll clothes pattern for not just months, but YEARS now. Of course I have other, more important projects underway. And now it’s time for my disclaimer statement: many of my links are affiliate marketing links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I … Continue reading How do you stop obsessing about a project? #SewingProjects #VintageBarbie

An apron is a simple Christmas gift to make. You can usually whip one up in a couple of hours. On ChellyWood.com, the doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood, offers advice for making aprons for the whole family for Christmas. This image shows a quilted background with the photo of Simplicity Apron pattern 2691, showing an apron with a pocket and contrasting colors of fabric, along with a quilt-look table runner and a placemat pattern. Visit ChellyWood.com to join the chat.

How to Sew Apron Ties — Aprons make great gifts for the whole family! #HolidaySewing #ChristmasGiftIdeas

Maybe you’ve been thinking about sewing an apron for each of your family members as Christmas gifts, or even to use at Thanksgiving, when the whole family is visiting. It’s definitely not too early to start planning your holiday sewing projects! And honestly, aprons don’t take long to make. Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, … Continue reading How to Sew Apron Ties — Aprons make great gifts for the whole family! #HolidaySewing #ChristmasGiftIdeas

A tiny little Strawberry Shortcake doll stands in profile next to the words "Free tights pattern!" The chellywood.com logo appears on this thumbnail as well. Click on the image to get your free sewing patterns for making these tights (green and white striped tights) for a vintage Strawberry Shortcake doll from the 1970's.

Free sewing patterns for Strawberry Shortcake’s striped green tights! #StrawberryShortcake #Miniatures

  Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Of all the items of clothing for the tiny vintage Kenner Strawberry Shortcake dolls, the things kids tended to lose most were the itty bitty shoes and the little green striped tights. A replacement pair can cost between $10 and $30 on eBay… Egad! So today’s blog post gives you … Continue reading Free sewing patterns for Strawberry Shortcake’s striped green tights! #StrawberryShortcake #Miniatures

On the left side of the image, over a turquoise blue background, the text reads, "ChellyWood.com... free sewing patterns for a seventeen inch monster doll." On the right side of the image, over the lilac background, stands a Freak du Chic 17" Monster High Gooliope doll modeling a yellow felt sleeveless shirt and a pair of dark blue denim jeans.

Free printable PDF sewing patterns for the BIG 17 inch Monster High dolls #MonsterHigh #MHdoll

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. Yes, this sleeveless top and jeans pattern set has been available on my website before, but in the past, it wasn’t available as a PDF (easy-to-print) sewing pattern. Rather, my patterns only existed here as a JPG image that you could click on and download. If you’re wishing the pattern was … Continue reading Free printable PDF sewing patterns for the BIG 17 inch Monster High dolls #MonsterHigh #MHdoll

A black and white photo of a pair of sewing scissors with spools of thread lying on a work surface. Text says simply "Thread" with the Chelly Wood dot com logo beneath it. Thumbnail colors are turquoise blue and white with the name Chelly Wood in lilac / purple. Click this thumbnail to read an article about thread recommendations and leave a comment on your own opinions for the best brands of thread to use when sewing.

What’s the best thread for beginners? Please join the discussion! #Sewing #LearningToSew

Recently I received a comment on my blog, asking me to give advice on which type of thread a beginner should use. The answer I gave is the subject of today’s blog post, but if you have an opinion, please feel free to leave it in the comments at the bottom of today’s post! Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer … Continue reading What’s the best thread for beginners? Please join the discussion! #Sewing #LearningToSew

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.

What are the best patterns for Barbie capes? #FashionDolls #SewWithMe

Fall is right around the corner, so we’ll need to keep our little dolls warm. A coat is easy enough to make, but capes are usually even easier! Before you read on, please note that many of my links are affiliate marketing links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about this, please see my Privacy Policy page. Thank you! … Continue reading What are the best patterns for Barbie capes? #FashionDolls #SewWithMe

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.

What is a hook and eye closure, and how do you sew one? #SewingHacks #SewWithMe

Today I’m going to explain how to sew a hook and eye onto the back of a doll’s garment. Specifically, I’ll be working with the bodice for Dress View 6 in the Simplicity doll clothes wardrobe pattern 5861 for vintage Skipper dolls. Let’s stat with a quick explanation of the notion referred to as a “Hook and eye” or “Hook and loop.” The pink arrow … Continue reading What is a hook and eye closure, and how do you sew one? #SewingHacks #SewWithMe

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.

What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

Recently I saw a Reddit post that asked, “What do I need, to use my new sewing machine?” So I thought this might be a good follow-up topic to the last two Friday posts, which answered the questions, “Which sewing machine brand is the best?” and “What brand of iron do you use?” For today’s blog post, in addition to my usual affiliate marketing links, … Continue reading What do I need to use my sewing machine? #SewingMachine #LearningToSew

On a white background, we see an array of Celtic knots forming green and blue squares, all of which seem to be linked together by circles of red. This Celtic knot pattern has been made into a fabric, which can be purchased at Chelly Wood's shop on Spoonflower, a fabric website. The Chelly Wood dot com logo appears in one corner of this Celtic knot patterned fabric swatch.

Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Some of you are already aware that I’ve begun experimenting with painting and fabric design. I now have an account on Spoonflower where you can see and (if you’re interested) purchase the fabrics I’ve designed. Of course I’m just learning how to make my own fabrics, and I’m by no means an expert at this point. However I’m particularly proud of the fabric I designed … Continue reading Celtic Knots and Patterns… Celebrating Celtic Heritage with Style #Scotland #Art

Alt text: "Early 2000s Lemon Meringue Strawberry Shortcake doll by Playmates, featuring jazzy blue streaks and handmade clothes: a white cotton top and a purple floral mini skirt. Click to access a page with free patterns and sewing tutorial videos for creating these doll clothes."

Free Patterns to Sew a Summer Top and Skirt for 6¾-Inch Strawberry Shortcake Dolls #StrawberryShortcake #CraftyMom

Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns. It’s confession time. Strawberry Shortcake actually belonged to my younger sister’s generation, not mine. I was a typically snooty middle-school girl when the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls came out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. So I didn’t fall in love with Strawberry Shortcake until my own kids were old … Continue reading Free Patterns to Sew a Summer Top and Skirt for 6¾-Inch Strawberry Shortcake Dolls #StrawberryShortcake #CraftyMom

A Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been OOAK re-dressed, re-painted, and had its hair dyed to look like the real doll clothing designer Chelly Wood stands beside a photo of a McCall's 9061 vintage sewing pattern for baby and toddler dolls. The Chelly Wood doll wears a red check shirt and black trousers with a pair of flats. Her hair is tied in a red check handkerchief and she wears dark cat eye glasses.

Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

If you’re looking for details, tips, and tricks for sewing with the vintage McCall’s 9061 pattern for baby and toddler dolls, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s blog post, I’m going to give you links to the other blog posts I’ve written about this pattern, plus, I’ll let you know what information can be found on the envelope itself, including which dolls this … Continue reading Learning to sew with McCall’s 9061 Vintage Baby and Toddler Dolls’ Wardrobe Patterns #Sewing #DollCollector

Thumbnail image featuring a prominent purple silhouette of a sewing machine outlined in white against a turquoise background. The geometric design includes a square displaying a vintage wooden spool of thread, and a rectangle showcasing the Chelly Wood dot com logo.

What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Last week we shared our favorite brands of irons. Today I want to hear about what brand of sewing machine you use, and is it a good one or not? I’ll also share the brands I’ve used over the years, along with my own opinion about each of them. However, before I start describing sewing machines, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As … Continue reading What is the best brand of sewing machine for home use? And what type of machine did you learn to sew on? #Sewing #LearningToSew

Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

  My regular followers are probably wondering why I’ve posted so many “How to find” videos on my YouTube channel. Well, believe it or not, I still get questions — in fact I got one on my YouTube channel on Saturday — asking me how to find the patterns on this website. I’ve been on YouTube for more than 10 years, but there are still … Continue reading Where can I find free sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls? Please help spread the news! #Free #SewingPatterns #EasyDIY

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 bias tape used for? #SewWithMe #SewingVocabulary

DEFINITION:  Bias tape is fabric that has been cut on the bias, making it very flexible. When folded and sewn around a circular edge, its flexibility keeps it from winding in waves (as can be problematic in a rolled hem). 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 … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is bias tape used for? #SewWithMe #SewingVocabulary

A BFC Ink doll stands beside a dress form mannequin that is labeled "Tape Measure Tuesday." The doll is dressed only in a bra and panties. When you click on this thumbnail, it will take you to an infographic labeling the Best Friends Club Ink doll's sewing measurements.

Tape Measure Tuesday: Best Friends Club Ink (BFC Ink) Dolls’ Sewing Measurements! #TapeMeasureTuesday

Scroll down for clarifications to each measurement. Today’s infographic shows the sewing measurements for the Best Friends Club Ink (also known as BFC Ink) dolls. These dolls are highly articulated and very collectible! 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, … Continue reading Tape Measure Tuesday: Best Friends Club Ink (BFC Ink) Dolls’ Sewing Measurements! #TapeMeasureTuesday