Printable Paper Dolls

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.

Meet Diamond, a New Asian Paper Doll with Practical Fantasy Armor

An Asian paper doll with practical fantasy armor and weapons for slaying/riding dragons or generally just having a good time. Print her in color or as a coloring page. Great rainy day activity.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
This Diamond, a new Asian paper doll for the Jewels and Gemstones family. I really wanted to draw a paper doll with some practical fantasy armor for slaying/riding dragons or making friends with them I suppose.

I just recently divided the Jewels and Gemstones into two subsections- one for dolls and one for clothing. I figure sometimes people want a doll and sometimes people want clothing (though all the dolls have clothing, so arguably my taxonomy isn’t perfect.)

But then, what is?

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I keep a running list of themes I want to be sure to draw for any new series and “practical fantasy armor” is always on the list. While I love my pulpy fantasy armor (and I always will), I also think it is important to draw armor that might actually protect someone in a fight. Not that I recommend testing it.

Specific Source Images: This illustration and this Illustration, both from Pinterest

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  more armor designs in my armor tag
Around the Internet: I collect drawings of Fantasy Armor on my Pinterest board. See also, Women Fighters in Reasonable Armor and Bikini Armor Battle Damage from Tumblr.

Last Thoughts
Not to start a battle over the best armor, but which do you prefer? Practical armor or pulpy armor? I’m evenly divided on the topic. Meanwhile, do you have a favorite source of armor illustration that I missed? I’d love to see it.

Patreon is the best way to show the blog some love and get extra content each week. Join us!

Also, am I the only one who thinks Daimond’s hair here could also stand in for a punk look? I really should draw some punk clothing for the Jewels & Gemstones. I haven’t yet.

A Steampunk Mechanic with Striped Trousers

A set of printable paper doll clothing with striped trousers, shirt and boots in a steampunk style from paperthinpersonas.com. Includes tools as an accessory and can be printed in color or black and white for coloring.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I really wanted to do a steampunk set that felt different from some of the other steampunk things I have done in the past. I occasionally like to dabble in what I think of as “steampunk for the lower classes”. While I tend to love my over the top ruffles and bows, I thought it might be fun to do a steampunk mechanic sort of get up.

I also wanted to practice drawing vertical stripes which are a bit of a challenge for me.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
So, there was a short fad in the 19th century for striped pants for men. They weren’t quite this bold though, generally. Really, this outfit was heavily influenced by men’s clothing of the 1800s, but I didn’t use any actual historical sources.

Specific Source Images: These pants and this belt both of which I found on Pinterest.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  more Steampunk Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: So, I’ve got a bunch of Steampunk Fashion ideas on my Pinterest board devoted to it. Also, here’s the Wikipedia article on Steampunk fashion which I think gives a decent overview.

Last Thoughts
Friendly reminder, on Instagram, some other paper doll artists and myself are all using #100daysofpaperdolls to share 100 days of paper doll clothing pieces. It’s been so much fun to draw these! I’m going strong, but I confess I’m a little nervous about making it to 100. So, keep me company while I try.

Plus, if you’re a patron (thank you for your support) head over to Patreon because I am doing a poll for my next theme for my 100 days of paper doll project.

Meanwhile, I’m super happy to say that later this week there will be a new Jewels and Gemstones paper doll debuting and a round up of 1960s paper dolls from the blog.

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.

Suit From the Mid-1950s

A fitted suit from 1956 with bucket hat and matching necklace. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I think of the 1950s, I think of suits and dresses. Sure, pants and shorts existed, but I always think of crisp suits and soft dresses. So, I knew I wanted to do a suit or two.

There’s really two fashionable shapes for suits in the 1950s. One is tight and sleek. The other is a fitted bodice and a full skirt as in Dior’s New Look.

Personally, I love both.

Today’s suit though is of the tight skirted variety.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I was really intrigued by this pattern from Advance, because I am always am fascinated by the idea of separates in the past. It’s an idea that has been around for as long as I think women have been getting dressed. You can see the concept as far back as the 18th century when different jackets would be paired with different skirts. I suspect you could trace it back further, but I never have attempted too.

Specific Source Images: Advance 8114

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Since I mentioned Dior’s New Look, you can read more here .

Last Thoughts
My lovely supporters on Patreon will be getting another suit on Friday. So, be sure to check that out if you’re a patron.

Additionally, I am considering doing another 100 day project this year. Last year, I drew 100 dresses and took pictures of them on Instagram. You can see them all here.

Summer Dress from 1951 with Hat & Purse

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Vintage clothing, like the 1950s, are fascinating to me, because really women’s clothing hasn’t dramatically changed in the last 80 years or so. So, I think what makes the 1950s really the 1950s are the accessories- the hats, purses and gloves that women don’t wear anymore.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to draw a summer day dress when I stumbled across these digitized images from Montgomery Ward Spring Summer 1950 catalogs posted by the Closet Historian. Basically, I wanted an excuse to draw one of those fantastic straw hats.

Specific Source Images: Simplicity 3572, Montgomery Ward Spring Summer 1950 catalog and this purse from the Met.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Check out the Vintage Pattern Wiki for more 1950s and other vintage pattern goodness.

Last Thoughts
Because I might be a tiny bit OCD, the green in today’s dress matches the green in the sandals from this set.

Patreon on Friday will also be a 1950s dress. Also, I think this is a collab Friday, but I haven’t even drawn mine yet. I should get on that.

Sapphire & The 1950s

A curvy black paper doll with historical underwear from the 1950s and three pairs of shoes. Her underwear and shoes come from various museum collections. Her short black hair is styled based on black actresses and singers of the 1950s.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Some themes I know I want to explore from the very beginning of a paper doll project and this was one of those themes. I knew I wanted to do a 1950s paper doll.

I love 1950s clothing. Also, historical paper dolls are what I mostly collect and were my favorites as a child. So, it is a win-win all around for me.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really wanted to start with a basic set of underwear (strapless to accommodate evening gowns) and four pairs of shoes. I wanted the shoes to be mix and match-able with the dresses I designed around the same time (I’ll be sharing those later.)

One of my favorite tricks for hair from this era (or any time in the last 90 years) is to chose from actresses in Hollywood. Not only did actresses set the hairstyles of their time, but they are often more racially diverse than models in magazines or catalogs (until 1970 when that improves a bit).

For Sapphire’s hair, I based her style off the hair styles worn by Dorothy Dandridge and Leana Horne in the 1950s. Dorothy Dandridge was an actress who died young, sadly. Lena Horne was a wildly successful singer who did some acting, but mostly was known for her singing.

Specific Source Images: These shoes, these shoes, these shoes and these sandals all from The Met. This corset from the V&A. Photos of Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge (Here’s the same hair again on Dorothy Dandridge in 1954). I like it when I see the same hairstyle on several actresses, because then I know it wasn’t just a quirk of one woman, but something several women chose to wear.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls &  more paper dolls from the 1950s
Around the Internet: Check out The Met and The V&A, both of which have great costume collections. Also, check out my 1950s fashion Pinterest Board.

Last Thoughts
I had a lot of fun creating a “set” of clothing for Sapphire, so tune in for the next few days. I’ll be sharing 1950s fashions. It’s going to be super fun.

Want an extra paper doll or dress each week? Than join us on Patreon.

Architectural Evening Gown for the Paper Dolls

A beautiful architectural eveninf gown in green with a origami style bodice for the paper dolls to print.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I have themes I return to over and over again. Evening gowns are one of them. They are sort of the “comfort food” of my drawing life. I enjoy creating them and, best of all, they are pretty easy to draw.

The challenge of evening gowns is not always drawing basically the same thing over and over again.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I really have been in love with architectural evening gowns lately. I love the complex folded patterns. They’re also fun to try to draw. However, they often need extra tabs, like the floating tab I created fr this one. You’ll want to attach it to the shoulder.

Specific Source Images: This dress which I think is from Hannibal Laguna, though I haven’t been able to match it to specific season.

Learn/See More
On the Blog:More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: My Pinterest Board devoted toFormal Gowns and Cocktail dresses

Last Thoughts
It occurs to me I haven’t done a cocktail dress yet for the Jewels and Gemstones paper dolls. I probably should get on that. A project for another day, I think.

In case you missed it, I am changing things up in regards to scheduling. I’m just updating when I feel like it and time allows. If you want a weekly update, join Patreon. There will be a Friday paper doll outfit there every week. Also, you can sign up for email notifications and the will let you know when the site has updated.