Month: December 2016

Ms Mannequin’s Get an Evil Sorceress Gown & Crown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  This Evil Sorceress Paper Doll Set from 2010
A purple, green and black evil sorceress gown for my printable paper dolls designed to fit the Ms. Mannequin paper doll series. Free to print in color or black and white.

An evil sorceress gown to color for my printable paper dolls designed to fit the Ms. Mannequin paper doll series. Free to print in color or black and white.

Inspired by a Curves paper doll set from many years ago, today the Ms. Mannequinn paper dolls are getting distinctly magical. I have to confess, I had a lot of fun visiting the evil sorceress gown designing game. I make need to make more of these. They are so unlike the sort of sweet gowns I tend to draw.

You see, I think if you’re going to be an evil sorceress, you can’t just wear anything. I mean, who would take you seriously in pale pink? Therefore, if you’re going to practice black magic, you need some fancy get up to do it. This lovely paper doll evil sorceress gown is black and purple trimmed in bright green and has a black and white striped corset top. The high stand collar frames the face. So, if you’re going to be evil and you’re going to do magic, I figure the least you can do is look darn sexy while you’re at it.

Also, I gave her a crown, because every paper doll evil sorceress needs one.

Confession- I did not test the collar, so I am a little skittish about how it will work on an actual Ms. Mannequin paper doll. I think it should work, but I thought I should mention it in case I was wrong.

So, you tell me, want to see more evil sorceress gowns in the coming year? I had way more fun designing this then I probably should admit.

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Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here

Mini-Maidens Visit The 17th Century

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Severall Habits of English Women Plate 11 By Wenceslaus Hollar and Shoes from 1640
A 17th century paper doll dress in black and white for coloring and printing from paperthinpersonas.com.

Just like when I go clothing shopping, I am naturally attracted to tweed and cardigans, when I look at historical clothing, certain periods are more appealing to me then others. I have never found the 17th century to be a very interesting clothing era, which is odd considering how much I love the book Three Musketeers.

Part of the liberty of drawing “one” printable paper doll outfit at a time is being able to say, “Well, I can try this and I am not committing to something crazy.”

So, today I am showing off my first ever 17th century paper doll dress. This dress is based on this image from the 1640s. I don’t think the sleeves are quit right and drawing lace is always a challenge, but I have to remind myself that it is my first try, so I should probably be more forgiving of my own work.

The shoes are based off this pair from 1640, but I also used the book Mode in Footwear to help me as well.

I think I would like to do more research and try a few more 17th century paper doll dress creations, but I need to learn more about it. I feel like I just don’t know enough to really get into the 1600s when I draw.

So, would you like to see more from the 17th century? Do you like this attempt? Should I keep exploring this period? Let me know in a comment.

Also, you might have noticed I have been playing around with the blog format. It has been the same for like three years and I think I am overdue for a change. We’ll see if I still like it in a few days. 🙂

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Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

B&B: A Steampunk Arctic Explorer

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Arctic Explorers, Photos of Ladies on Glaciers in High Heels, and Fur Trim

A steampunk arctic explorer outfit for my curvy paper doll series. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

This week’s “winter” outfit is this set of winter time steampunk arctic explorer clothing, because why not? I mean, everyone needs to have something fab to wear while exploring the arctic, don’t they?

I know nothing about arctic exploration, except what I know from living in Alaska and having to study the history of the state in school. My sister is a professional geologist and she has done crazy things like ice coring, but I didn’t ask for her advice.

I did try to be a bit practical with a skypole/walking stick with a spike and I went with trousers. I’ve seen 1890s photos of women on glaciers wearing high heels, so she got heels, but I wonder if maybe I should have drawn her some ice cleats or something. I’ll have to think about that next time I draw a steampunk arctic explorer outfit.

Maybe I should have asked Sis for advice. 🙂

This is only my second EVER steampunk inspired B&B paper doll outfit. I can’t believe that, but a quick foray into my archives does tell me it is true. Wow.

I have get on that in the New Year.

By the way, today’s post, as with all my posts, is possible because of my amazing Patrons, so think about giving a donation to help or following the blog on Twitter or  leaving a comment or telling a friend about it or posting it to social media. Every little thing helps!

Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

The Poppets Visit 1908 and Get Some Edwardian Children’s Clothes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Macy’s 1908 Catalog
Today the Popper paper dolls are visiting 1908 and get some Edwardian children's clothes and shoes. The paper doll dress can be printed in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com.

So, back in June, I posted a preview of this Edwardian Poppet dress from 1908. Today, I am posting it finished. So, you can print and dress up the Poppets in it. My source was this Macy’s 1908 catalog. You can find the dress on page 97. It’s described as being made from chambray and trimmed in white. It came in rose or blue and cost 97 cents in sizes 4 to 14. I imagine the Poppet paper dolls as about 10, so it is right in their age range.

The Edwardian period is only one decade, 1900 to 1910 during the reign of King Edward. A lot of people extend the fashion period to 1914 since World War 1 really changed clothing. That makes sense, but then what do you call the era from 1914 until 1920? Anyway, I haven’t decided if I am willing to extend my era beyond 1910.

I find Edwardian children’s clothing interesting, because it is so different from Victorian outfits. The popularity of Rousseau’s beliefs that children should be allowed to do play actively meant that the styles tend to be simpler. And unlike earlier periods, you can’t immediately ID the age of a child by the length of the skirt. Most skirts are just below knee length, no matter what the age.

Though simpler than Victorian outfits, Edwardian children’s clothing still feels stuffy compared to today. Several more Edwardian paper doll pieces planned, so eventually the Poppets will have a whole wardrobe of Edwardian outfits for all sorts of occasions.

Until then, enjoy today’s summery 1908 dress even if it is December and outside it might not be so warm.

So, Edwardian children’s clothes? Love them? Hate them? Personally, I have mixed feelings. I think it is the pigeon breasted thing. Other’s thoughts?

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

Marisole Monday & Friends: Marisole In 1968

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1968 Pattern Covers, Jumpers and Harvest Colors

A free printable African-American paper doll with hair and a dress from 1968 from paperthinpersonas.com.

marisole-1968-paper-doll-vintage

I created today’s printable African-American paper doll from the Marisole Monday & Friend’s series after I was inspired by this amazing vintage pattern cover from 1968 that I found on Pinterest. Brown skinned models don’t show up on pattern covers from the big name companies until the 1970s, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t brown skinned girls wearing and making the fashions.

The omission of diversity in historical fashion related documents is the result of the institutionalized racism of the time, but doesn’t indicate a lack of the presence of people of color in fashionable dress.

And now that I have finished my Primary Source Literacy explanation for the day (a danger of being a Special Collections Librarian), we can get back to the paper doll.

My only big frustration with today’s doll is her hair. I tried to get that 1960’s bouffant sorta look with her flip and I just don’t think I quite got it right. People say the 1980s were a time for big hair, but I think that is because they haven’t seen the 1960s. Teasing and hairspray were big things.

I love Pinterest for collecting paper doll inspiration and I have a whole 1960s fashion board, but things there often lack contextual information, so I tend to be pretty critical of what I use.

I know I have readers who were alive in the 1960s, so let me know how I did with today’s paper doll. Did I do justice to that decade? It was, I have to say, a bit before my time.

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Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here. 

Marisole Monday & Friends: Fantasy Warrior Paper Doll Armor

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Xena: Warrior Princess, Ancient Roman Armor, and The Color Red
Absurd fantasy paper doll armor with weapons in black and white and color. From paperthinpersonas.com.

Happy Friday! I try to save paper doll pieces that I really like for the end of the week. I think of them as a fun treat.

So, I know I have mentioned in the past my love of Xena: Warrior Princess. I also know I have mentioned my strange affection for absurd fantasy armor that wouldn’t really protect you, but darn it looks good. So, today I am pleased to provide both a nod Xena and a nod to “Wow, I don’t think that armor will work like you think armor should work.”

But seriously for a second, I think sometimes there is a lot to be said for embracing absurdity. And since I embraced absurdity with this set, I will not apologize for giving her boots high heels.

Along with the armor and boots, she has fun weapons- a pair of swords and a spear. I actually had fun trying to make them all match in design motifs. These are the thing I think about when designing paper dolls.

So, my dear readers, should fantasy armor be practical or absurd? Let me know what you think in a comment.

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Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here. 

Sprites: Some Springtime Paper Doll Clothing in December

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Springtime Colors, Striped Pockets, and Bucket Bags
Spring colored modern paper doll fashions for the Sprites paper doll series. Available in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com

Okay, so this does seem a little bit of a Spring-Like outfit choice considering that it is December 8th, but I created these outfits months and months ago and I really like the color scheme, so we are getting some Spring in December for the Sprites printable paper doll series.

One of the challenges of these modern sets has been to find color schemes that could go masculine or feminine. Pastels can be dangerous, but I think aqua is a color that can go either way.

I also had way more fun designing the purse to go with this set than I should probably admit to people.

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Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

Ms. Mannequin: Coats and Boots for Fashionable Winter Wear

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Sorel Boots, Coats and Boots Worn by College Students

Paper dolls need warm clothing, too! Here are coats and boots for the Ms. Mannequin series. Free to print in black and white or in color from paperthinpersonas.com.

I grew up in Southeast Alaska where the winter weather is so horrid that stylish winter wear is pretty much out of the question. One of the things I like about Alabama is that our winters are fairly mild and I can wear a coat that is cute, rather than waterproof and really warm.

As I mentioned last week, I am trying to post one “winter” themed piece a week for December. Today’s coats and boots are this weeks “winter” items. Not quite as ambitious as say Julie’s amazing 30 days of Angel paper dolls, but my little nod to the season. I do find since I just draw “one” thing for each day, it is much easier to do holiday/themed pieces, because finishing one paper doll outfit last minute is far simpler than finishing four or five that I needed to fill up a sheet in the past.

Needless to say, I am really enjoying this new way of doing things.

All right, so the white boots with the fur trim are based on some Sorel boots, but only in the vaguest of ways. The brown boots are based on some I saw a college student wearing and thought were cute. The coats are both based on items from various fashion magazines in my house.

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Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here.

Mini-Maidens: Fantasy Gown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Bliants, Dirndls, Bunads, and Decorated Corsets 
A black and white fantasy gown design to color from the Mini-Maidens. Free to print and color from paperthinpersonas.com
So, back when I decided to throw the shackles of themes off, I began by drawing five Marisole Monday & Friend’s posts and five Mini-Maiden posts. This is the last of those Mini-Maiden posts. It fells both good and a little odd to be at the “end” of that first run of content.

For those of you who don’t know, I tend to work in “batches” and I talk about this at length in my Behind the Scenes blog on Patreon. You can read the post here and a lot more posts like it on Patreon.

Meanwhile, today’s paper doll fantasy gown was a riff on this set I created for Ms. Mannequin a while ago though in a much more simple style. I love embroidered corsets/waistcoats like those worn with Austrian dirndl or the bunad of Norway and those garments influenced the underbust corset that she wears. The gown underneath it is 12 century France influenced, particularly the bliant, which is a 12th century gown style with long wide sleeves.

Think the stereotypical medieval gown and you’ve got the right image in your head.

Tomorrow there will be Ms. Mannequin paper doll coats and boots up for printing and coloring as my weekly, “Winter” post. Then the week shall continue with some modern spring looks for the Sprites and a fantasy armor set for Marisole Monday & Friends. Wow, it feels so odd sometimes to know exactly what the week holds. Amen for pre-planning. 🙂

Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

B&B: An Asian-American Paper Doll with a Modern Dress

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Shoes! Mostly. 

A curvy Asian paper doll from the B&B paper doll series. Free to print in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com.

Once in a while, it is all about the shoes and this is one of those once in a while moments, I gotta admit. I just had so much fun designing shoes, plus I wanted to make sure my new member of the B&B paper doll family had at least two options when she went out into the world.

There are other things going on here than shoes, of course, and one of them is that paper doll diversity is super important to me. I realized a few months ago that I hadn’t drawn an Asian paper doll for the B&B series since I made Chic Chick back in 2015.

So, I wanted to add another Asian or Asian-American paper doll girl to the B&B paper doll family. Plus, I just noticed she is in a very similar color scheme to Chic Chick, so she can totally share clothing, no problem. I did not do that on purpose.

I sometimes worry people think I am WAY more organized about that kinda stuff than I actually am.

Tomorrow, there will be a fantasy gown for the Mini-Maiden series. So, that should be super fun.

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So, what do you think of today’s B&B paper doll? Do you love her shoes as much as I do? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing from you guys.

Need to get some more clothing for this Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear? Pick out some clothing here