Black & White

Starlight Leggings: Space Princess

Futuristic space princess paper doll outfit in pinks and purples. Free to print in color or black and white.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
As I explained last week, I occasionally let my Patrons help me pick out my paper doll themes and I was both pleased and surprised when Space Princess won the poll I had put together. So, every Tuesday for the rest of the month, there will be a space princess post.

If you’d like some say in what I create hop over to Patreon and join us by donating. You get access to polls, and at two dollars a month, there’s extra paper doll outfits and you get to help support Paper Thin Personas.

Mostly when I think of Space Princesses I think of futuristic gowns, but I don’t think even Space Princesses want to wear gowns all the time. So, I wanted to create a non-gown based outfit for her.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Before I start a collection like this, I tend to gather up inspirational images on Pinterest. Occasionally in that process I’ll find a single image that I really adore. In this case, it was this dress from Pedro Lourenço Spring 2011 collection. I don’t really know how these sleeves actually stay on, but I love it.

Specific Source Images: This dress from Pedro Lourenco’s Spring 2011 Collection

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & Jade the Space Princess doll
Around the Internet: The whole Pedro Lourenço Spring 2011 collection is great.

Last Thoughts

If you are a patron, you might remember that on Friday I posted this bodysuit and jacket it can mix and match with today’s outfit perfectly. In fact, all of the Space Princess pieces have a shared color scheme for increased options when mixing and matching.

If you missed last week post, that was Jade as the Space Princess herself. Also, next Tuesday there will be another Space Princess piece.

Are you enjoying this Space Princess collection? Let me know in a comment. I love to get your feedback.

Jade: A Space Princess

A printable paper doll celebrating Space Princesses with pink hair and an elegant futuristic gown.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Way back in January, I asked my Patrons to vote on some ideas of theme weeks. I threw up some ideas I’d been considering and then I added Space Princess on a whim. To my own astonishment (I never thought it would beat out Lolita AND Regency), the Space Princess won the poll. I was both excited and, I’ll be honest, super surprised.

I then tossed up another poll just last week see how I should share my finished Space Princess creation and weekly won. So, for the rest of the month of May, every Tuesday, there will be a Space Princess post. We’re starting, logically, with the Space Princess herself and then we’ll go from there.

If you’d like to get into the poll voting activities, head on over to Patreon and join us by donating. You get access to polls and you get to help support Paper Thin Personas.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Okay, so when I was kid my Grandmother would send me cards with paper dolls in them and I got this card at some point. And ever since I have had this strange affection for the idea of Space Princesses. I don’t know what makes a Space Princess, exactly, except perhaps a Princess in Space? I think that’s basically it.

I chose Jade as the model for the Space Princess, because there has one been one Jade paper doll on the blog so far and it was very nice and very modern and I thought… clearly, she needs a super absurd hairstyle and fantasy gown. After all, doesn’t everyone?

Specific Source Images: This hair, this gown, this gown from Dior 2006, and this gown.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & this paper doll, this paper doll and these paper doll clothes
Around the Internet: There is an Adventure Time character called Lumpy Space Princess (I know very little about Adventure Time, FYI). Also, I’m in love with all of Dior’s 2006 Fall collection. John Galliano, I have mixed feelings about as a human, but I can’t deny his mid-2000s work is incredible.

Last Thoughts
Be sure to come back next week on Tuesday for another Space Princess design. I normally share these things on Monday, but I thought doing a Tuesday series would be a fun change of pace. Also, I was out of town Monday, so Tuesday was easier for me.

Meanwhile on Friday, there will be another Space Princess outfit for the Patrons, join us if you like.

Also, as always, I love to hear from you, so leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this month of Space Princess stuff.

Archives Delve: Two Dozen Fun Mermaid Printable Paper Dolls from the Archives

So, there’s this thing on the social medias (see, you can tell I’m super social media savvy by how I talk about it) where people say that May is “Mer-May” and they draw and celebrate mermaids, for I suspect, no reason except that mer-May sounds cool.

There maybe a nuance to this whole thing I am missing? I’m not sure.

Anyway, I thought it was a great excuse to collect up a bunch of the different mermaid paper dolls I’ve done over the years and share them here. I don’t think all of my work is super kid friendly, but when I draw mermaids I’m nearly always thinking about kids. I loved mermaids as a child. So, I think of these as all being mermaid printables for kids, where as some of my like- post-apocalyptic stuff is maybe less kid friendly.

Some of these are designed to be magnetic paper dolls and you can print them on magnetic paper. They are super addicting to play with (if you like dress up games and such- if you don’t like dress up than um… I don’t know if this is really the blog for you.)

24 Mermaid Printables for Kids

Hopefully, I will get more mermaids drawn this month. I have a few sketched, but I haven’t gotten them inked or scanned or even close to completion. So, stay tuned for that update and, as always, if you’re curious what I’m up too than you can follow me on the social medias for more in-progress images.

A Noble Female Knight & Her Armor

A set of female knight armor with swords for the paper dolls today! Not as heavy duty as full plate, but I had a lot of fun designing it. As always, there's a black and white version too if you want.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I draw a lot of warrior paper dolls, because I really enjoy designing both pragmatic practical looking armor (like today’s) and totally absurd insane impractical looking armor (like this one) and I think both have a place. I tend to think of my paper dolls that wear more practical plate style armor as knight paper dolls, even though there’s nothing that really specifies such a thing.

When I am dealing with plate armor there’s always going to be a lot of grey, so I try to find colors to accent it. For some reason, I really like purple with gray and brown, so that’s what I went with here. I also liked that it was a little unexpected.

Also I can’t decide how to describe this. I’ve settled on “female knight armor” which I like slightly more than “lady knight armor” or “woman’s knight armor”, but I’m not smitten with any of those descriptions. It really only matters for SEO reasons, but still… sigh.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Hmmm… well, armor of course. I just wanted to do a plate armor design that didn’t go over maile (which is my usual default) so I ended up with this.

Specific Source Images: This fantasy armor illustration and this fantasy armor illustration

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Warrior Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: I keep a whole fantasy armor board on Pinterest for inspiration when designing these sorts of things.

Last Thoughts
I know there’s a word for these quilted coats that go under plate armor, but I’ll be darned if I can remember what it is. Maybe someone can help me out in the comments?

One of the blessings/curses of having done so many paper dolls is that I sometimes feel like I am repeating myself. I try not to let that bother me, because when it comes to paper dolls the process is what I really enjoy. I think of it like knitting or sewing. You can buy a shirt or a you can buy a hat, but if you enjoy the process of making one than who cares how many you have made? I do try to seek out variety though- both because it entertains me and because I think I would get really bored if I didn’t.

As always, comments are always appreciated and if you would like to support the blog than consider becoming a patron.

Paper Doll Collaboration for April! Cosplay & Fandom

Star Trek and Buffy coloring page with outfits from the two series to print, color and play with.

Black and White PDF | More of the Paper Doll Collaboration 2019

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Every month, myself and some fantastic paper doll artists around the internet- Julie of Paper Doll School, Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls  and Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls all create an outfit for the same paper doll pose. That way, in theory anyway, the all the dolls can share all the clothing.

It’s a super fun way to share how different artists view the same subject matter. Plus it really makes me (I can’t speak for the others) stretch, because the themes are often things I wouldn’t normally create.

For example, I really don’t do cosplay and I rarely draw fanart. I have complex mixed feelings about the ethics of fanart in general (which I won’t get into here), but I also realize that in a lot of geek culture there’s a long history of fanart being accepted. So, I tend to come down on the side of it being okay, as long as I am not profiting from it directly. But I don’t imagine it will become a big part of what I tend to illustrate.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
If there are two shows that deeply defined my teenage life, they would be Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. My high school let out at 2:15 and I was home by 3 and that was when Buffy aired. I painstakingly recorded every episode and I remember carefully reading the TV listings to make sure I could catch on re-run ones I had missed. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was on from 9pm to 10pm. My bedtime was 9:30, so every night I set the VCR to record the episode, so I could watch it when I got home from school the next day.

Specific Source Images: The Star Trek Uniform was based on the uniforms from seasons 1 through 6. The Buffy outfit is based on what Buffy wears in the second season episode School Hard. I like Buffy’s girly looks, because I loved the contrast of a character in pastels kicking butt.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: There’s the 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project and the 2018 Collaborative Paper Doll Project
Around the Internet: My partners in crime- the lovely Julie of Paper Doll School, the remarkable Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls, and the delightful Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls

Last Thoughts

I spent a truly insane amount of time trying to find a decent shot of Buffy’s shoes to try to draw them. After a lot of re-watching scenes in slow motion, the best I can tell they are chunky heeled slingback loafers in white which might (or might not) have some sort of toe detail. I think, based on how much reflection they have, that they maybe patent leather or at least fake patent? Anyway, I did by best guessing based on the few images of them I could find.

Remember that Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Popculture and Paper Dolls all have their own versions of today’s theme. Go check them out!

1955 Summer Dress With Hat and Purse

A lovely Mid-1950s Summer Dress with hat. The dress is from Vogue in 1955. The hat is from Montgomery Ward in 1950. The purse is from Sears.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
There’s a few silhouettes one tends to associate with retro 50s fashion. There’s the tight waisted, full skirt look (like this) or the narrow fitted suit look (like this). There’s also a few variations on this and one of those variation is the dropwaist version of the full skirted look.

A dropwaist is when the waist (aka seam where the bodice meets the skirt) is lower than the natural waist on a person. A highwaist is when the waist is raised above the natural waist, but below the bust. An empire waist is when the waist of a dress is located right under the bust.

More than you maybe wanted to know about fashion terminology. I digress.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Summer is coming rapidly to Alabama. I love the Fall in Alabama and I like the Winter. I could leave the Summer without any sense of guilt at all. It’s hot and humid and my allergies are exploding. Ugh!

Anyway, I always think women in retro spring fashion ads look so wonderfully cool and calm and it probably sucked living in Alabama in the 1950s when air conditioning was rare and petticoats were common. None the less, I loved the concept if not the reality.

Specific Source Images: Vogue 8596, Montgomery Ward Spring/Summer 1950 hats pages and Sears (I used Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs)

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More 1950s Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Closet Historian regularly posts images from vintage catalogs in her collection and they are fascinating.

Last Thoughts
I’ve done two more 1950’s paper doll dresses and shared them with my Patrons. They are a 1950s suit and 1950s day dress. Join Us on Patreon if you’d like to support the blog (and get more paper doll content!)

Also, if you’re thinking- Well, I wish I had a 1950s paper doll to wear this stylin’ 1950s dress, I’ve made a version of the ever delightful Sapphire in 1950’s underwear. So, you can print her, but, as always, this dress will fit any of the Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls. Retro 50s fashion is so popular right now.

Nostalgic Fantasy Gown with Some Wedding Dress Influences

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I am really not sure how to classify this dress. It could be fantasy. It could be steampunk. It could be princess.

I suppose it can be whatever you want it to be. I just wanted to draw a pretty dress and this was the outcome of that. I chose the word “nostalgic” for it, because the dusty colors reminded me of Victorian post cards.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I don’t really know. I think the skirt shape probably owes something to dresses like this one. Since it is a pretty stiff aline, but there isn’t a specific source I can point to.

Specific Source Images: Nothing today.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: So, I am weirdly obsessed with Japanese bridal sites, because the dresses are so over the top. Kuraudia has the full Barbie wedding dress line. And it is amazing.

Last Thoughts
I am not lying when I tell you I love these Barbie wedding dresses. I would never wear them, but I am kinda in love with them. You can see the catalogs here.

A big thank you to my patrons for their amazing support. I know one of my patrons really loves it when I do full skirted fancy dresses, so I hope she enjoys this little foray into that style, though I don’t think this dress is that over the top.

How would you classify this dress? Fantasy? Princess? Steampunk? Let me know in a comment.

Lady in the Castle Fantasy Gown

A colorful printable paper doll dress inspired by the medieval period and you can print it in color or in black and white for coloring.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I am really bad at coming up with names for these paper doll outfits. I really had no idea what to call this one. I think sometimes I shouldn’t name them at all, but I missed giving them names when I was not naming things. Now I am naming things and that’s giving me fits.

What’s the old saying? The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Anyway, I digress.

I suppose I could have called this- Vaguely Medieval Fantasy Creation, but that doesn’t really roll off the tongue, does it?

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to draw a medieval feeling gown without having to be historically accurate in anyway. So, I created this.

Specific Source Images: This surcoat from Pearson’s Renaissance Shoppe and this photograph of some character from the show Merlin. (Confession, I watched one season of Merlin and was not a big fan.)

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Medieval Inspired dresses & More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Faerie Queen Costuming, Pearson’s Renaissance Shoppe and Armstreet are all fun places to see similar designs.

Last Thoughts
If you are a patron hop over to Patreon where there is a second pink and green color scheme for today’s paper doll dress. It was super fun to color. If you’re not a patron, consider joining.

I’m traveling a bit this week (last trip for a few weeks, thank goodness!) So, I maybe a little slow on responding to comments/approving them. I need to get my spam filtering stuff set back up. That’s a goal for May.

A Fairy Gown with Wings (Fairies need wings, after all)

An elegant fairy gown with wings!

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I consider themes I like to draw for paper dolls (and there are a lot) fairies usually show up somehow.

It’s funny to me how much I like drawing sweet flower fairies with butterfly wings given my preference for actual fairy folklore where you do not really want their attention and they might kill you.

Still, it is more fun to draw versions with butterfly wings and draped grecian gowns.

Every paper doll fairy needs wings! So, you can glue these wings to the back of the paper dolls and they can fly! (Well, not literally) But you should glue the wings to the back of the paper doll and then fold them back slightly, carefully. Then the tabs for the clothing can slide between the wings and the back of the doll.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to do a draped grecian inspired fairy gown with boots and I wanted to draw some over the top fairy wings.

Specific Source Images: This illustration from Pinterest and This Illustration from DeviantArt

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  my round-up of all my fairy paper dolls from the blog
Around the Internet: I collect illustrations of Fairies (and Fauns) on my Pinterest board.

Last Thoughts
Yesterday, my amazing supporters on Patreon got a evening gown yesterday, so join up if you want a Friday paper doll outfit every week!

Plus, if you follow me on Instagram, you can see the 100 days of paper dolls I’ve been working on. Me and three other paper doll artists are all using #100daysofpaperdolls to share our work.

Sweet Style for March 2019! Collaboration Paper Doll

A coloring page focused on food/sweet fashion clothing.

Black and White PDF | More of the Paper Doll Collaboration 2019

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
As my long time readers know, I’ve teamed up with some amazing paper doll artists around the internet Julie of Paper Doll School, Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls  and Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls to create a shared paper doll project every month.

Life was nuts last month, so I skipped it, but this month I was excited for the “sweet/food” clothing theme. I chose to keep things kinda simple by using food items as graphics on some contemporary clothing pieces.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
My two big inspirations were sprinkles and the things that sprinkles can go on- cupcakes and ice-cream cones.

Specific Source Images: Nothing really specific this time.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: There’s the 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project and the 2018 Collaborative Paper Doll Project
Around the Internet: My partners in crime- the lovely Julie of Paper Doll School, the remarkable Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls, and the delightful Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls

Last Thoughts

Be sure to check out the versions of this today’s theme from Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Popculture and Paper Dolls.

We all looked at it quite differently, which for me is my favorite part of this process. I love seeing how different people create for the same theme.