RLC

Archives Dive: Paper Dolls of the 1960s & Their Clothing

I love 1960s fashion. So, I also love paper dolls of the 1960s and these paper dolls are my ode to that era and it’s amazing fashions. Seriously, drawing this beehive for Abigail was maybe the most fun thing I’ve done in a while. I still find the beehive one of those hairstyle that you think must be a joke, until you find vintage photos.

And then it is like, nope… that was a real thing. (Yes, I know I can’t make too much fun- I was alive in the 1990s.)

Paper Dolls Of the 1960s & Clothing of the 1960s

The other really great thing about the 1960s is how colorful it was. One of the best parts of that decade was that they really embraced radical color schemes. I know some people might argue some of the radical color schemes weren’t attractive, but as someone who loves color. I think it is super fun.

As always, it is Friday, so a friendly reminder that over on patreon there’s a Friday Paper Doll Post for my 2 dollar and up patrons every Friday.

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.

I’m Doing #The100DayProject

Prepping for the 100 Day Project!

I could not be more excited to say that I am going to tackle the 100 Day Project this year! I’m going to try super hard not to cheat and create a bunch at once, unless I absolutely have to. I will be doing some travel, so some of that maybe necessary.

What is the 100 Day Project? Well, I’m glad you asked! It’s basically a challenge born on Instagram to pick a project and then do it for 100 days.

A best friend is doing 100 days of 100 words a day. I’m doing 100 days of paper doll clothing. No full outfits mind you, but like a shirt, or shoes, or dress or something. I suppose if I need to do something super quick, I could even do a necklace. But the idea is to do 100 days of different paper doll pieces.

And what is the prize? Well…. nothing. I just get to say I did.

The paper doll I’ll be drawing for is from my Etsy store. I’ve been meaning to create more clothing for those dolls for weeks/months and I am WAY behind. So, I thought- Well, this is a great chance. I know I need about 8 to 10 pieces to make up a page, so I can try to get 10 or more pages done.

If you want to follow along as I do my drawing, then follow me on Instagram. I’ll be posting there. I will try to remember to also post to Facebook and Twitter, but I’m not 100% reliable about that.

Tomorrow I’ll share my first piece on Instagram! Come say Hi! I could use the moral support.

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.

Archives Delve Superhero Paper Dolls!

In honor of Monday’s super hero paper doll, I thought it would be fun to show a few of the other Super Hero paper dolls I’ve drawn over the years. Also, I saw Captain Marvel this week and really enjoyed it. I guess I’m just in a super hero mood!

Super Hero Paper Dolls!

An interesting fact about comic books: Before digital printing, comics were printed using four color printing. The colors were yellow, cyan (blue), magenta (red) and black. Every other color was made up of dots of these colors printed in various percentages. This meant there were only about 64 colors that could be used in comic books and, in reality, about half of them in darker shades looked the same in print.  So, choices were often made based on which colors were more easy to print and would stand out. That’s why bold color contrasting combinations (red and blue, green and purple, blue and yellow, ect… ) tend to show up. It was easier to print and  you got better results.

So, I tend to stick to this same principle when I’m designing Super Hero paper dolls. Meanwhile, as some of you probably already figured out, I’m stepping away from a regular schedule. I’ll be updating erratically- ideally three times a week or so, but no promises on that either.

If you want more regular updates, then join us on Patreon where there will be a Friday paper doll or outfit.

Pirate Costume for the Paper Dolls! Sailing the High Seas

We're having fun with pirates today with a printable pirate costume for the paper dolls including a top, hat, sword, pants and boots.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
My favorite book as a child was Treasure Island. I’ve read it many many times now and I love it more each time. I even listened to it on audio while driving between states during my move. The characters are incredible and every-time I read it, I notice something new I didn’t see before.

Through Treasure Island, I fell in love with super old-school adventure novels. By high school, I had read Robinson Crusoe, Three Musketeers, Count of Monte Cristo and Kidnapped. My first love though remains Treasure Island.

Three Musketeers is a close second.

So, I like to draw pirate outfits. I blame is enjoyment on my love of Treasure Island. I suppose I could blame it on something else, I don’t know what I would point to.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Pirates, of course. Not real pirates (who I expect were rather smelly and dirty), but fantasy pirates who are much more fun and less likely to have scurvy.

Specific Source Images:This image from Pinterest

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Pirate Paper Dolls, Another Jewels & Gemstones Foray into the Genre & More Jewels and Gemstones Generally
Around the Internet: My Pinterest board section devoted to Pirates.

Last Thoughts
By the way, I’m doing March Meet the Maker on Instagram (mostly, though I am also posting to Facebook when it makes sense) and if you want to follow along, you can follow me on Instagram.

My patrons got a Pirate set on Monday and that set does mix and match with this set. What more paper dolls? Then come join up on Patreon.

What were your favorite books as a kid? Did you love pirate stories or something else? I was a pirates and fairy tale fan. Not shocking, I know.