Printable Paper Dolls

The Poppets & Their Contemporary Applique Looks

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Polka-dot socks and Applique
A modern kids clothing paper doll outfit in color or black and white. Part of the Poppets series, it can be worn by any of the Poppets paper dolls. From paperthinpersonas.com.

A modern kids clothing paper doll outfit in color or black and white. Part of the Poppets series, it can be worn by any of the Poppets paper dolls. From paperthinpersonas.com.

One trend I have noticed in my children’s clothing research is a new appreciation for handwork like embroidery and applique. I love applique and so that was the source of inspiration for today’s contemporary Poppet outfit. Obviously, I designed the skirt first and then put together some other pieces to go with it.

Even as a grown up, I love the idea of a set of pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched into different outfits. Heck, that’s how I shop for my own work clothing.

The trimming on the pants was added after I felt like they needed something a little extra. Sometimes, I find drawing the same basic thing over and over again a little dull. Pants are pretty much just pants, a lot of the time.

I say this as the girl who usually buys two pairs when I find a style that fits, but then I think my own dress choices don’t have to impact my artistic paper doll dress choices. 🙂

Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy  has a coupon called: READER2017 for the blog readers. It’s good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more through the end of March.

Or if you’d like to support the blog directly, then donate a little each month and  become a Patron. There’s a behind the scenes blog and early paper doll previews.

Plus, if you haven’t checked it out yet there is also a new blog facebook page where I am sharing stuff from the Archives, as well as announcing new posts when they are posted.

I think that’s all my general announcements for the moment. 🙂

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

The Mini-Maidens Visit the 1950s and Drink a Cocktail

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Cocktail Dresses of the 1950s, Specifically this one and this one

A pair of black and white paper doll 1950s cocktail dresses. The top dress is based on a Vogue sewing pattern and the bottom dress is based on an example from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Both are available to print and color from paperthinpersonas.com.

Today, the Mini-Maiden paper dolls are getting a pair of 1950s cocktail dresses. The top dress is based on a Vogue sewing pattern and the bottom dress is based on an example from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The style of skirt on both dresses is called a “barrel skirt”.

Central to my life philosophy is this: You can choose to look at the bright side, or you can not, but I try to look at the bright side. Which means, mostly, I try to see the things I am proud about in a paper doll set rather than the things that bug the heck out of me.

I succeed in this about 83% of the time, which isn’t bad, really.

So, when I see the floral print, I am trying to focus on the things I like about it and not the things that sort of annoy me. I am succeeding, mostly.

Meanwhile, both these cocktail dresses are based on the same basic silhouette. I’m always on the look out for styles that seem to show up repeatedly in the same time period. That indicates that they were common, rather than unusual. I loved the pattern on the illustration on the Vogue pattern envelope, so I tried to recreate something like it on the top dress.

I think my success was strictly mixed.

Moving on from my angst over the floral pattern, I actually am pretty pleased with these two cocktail dresses.

What do you all think? Floral or not floral? Let me know in a comment.

Meanwhile, I’m still running a sale on the blog’s Etsy Store. There a coupon code good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. Use the code: READER2017

Or if you’d rather become a Patron and see behind the scenes, then donate through Patreon.

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

An Elven Fantasy Gown for the Ms. Mannequin Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Elves! ELVES!
Trying my hand at Lord of the Rings inspired Elven fantasy gowns for paper dolls in purple or black and white for coloring. Free to print for personal use from paperthinpersonas.com.

When I decided to draw my elven Ms. Mannequin doll, (name), I knew I needed to also draw some elven clothing for her. For that, I turned to my favorite costuming site The Costumer’s Guide to Movie Costumes. It’s not the most updated or the flashiest, but it has a lot of photos and often photos of people who aren’t the “main character” which is handy.

Since my patrons specifically asked for LoTR inspired fantasy stuff, I wanted to honor that request. In the movies, the elves seem to have a lot of stand collars and long sleeves. Based on those trends, I designed this gown.

It is probably actually two gowns. A robe like garment over an under-gown. I imagine the robe is in something thick and soft like velvet and the under-gown is a raw silk.

Coloring today’s paper doll gown turned out to be very fun. I actually developed three different color schemes for it, before I settled on this monochromatic scheme.

But I didn’t want my other two scheme to not get any time to shine, so there’s an autumn color scheme that you can see over on the Patreon page. (Plus, you can join while your there, if you’d like). Meanwhile, on the blog’s Facebook page, there is a winter storm color scheme.

Hop to the Patreon post and the Facebook page and then tell me, which of these schemes is your favorite in a comment? I’m curious to know.

Meanwhile, there’s a coupon for my readers (Reader2017) good in my Etsy store until the end of the month. It’s 25% off.

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

The New B&b Girl: A Vintage Styled Brunette Curvy Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:The Pattern on a Mechanical Pencil from Target
A retro inspired curvy brunette paper doll and her vintage styled dress, plus shoes. Part of the Bodacious and Buxom paper doll series, she can wear any of their clothing. Free to print for personal use.

A retro inspired curvy brunette paper doll and her vintage styled dress, plus shoes. Part of the Bodacious and Buxom paper doll series, she can wear any of their clothing. Free to print anc color for personal use.

The pattern on today’s printable paper doll dress was inspired by the pattern on a mechanical pencil I got from my boss as a Christmas present. I thought it was super cute.

I don’t judge where your art ideas come from. That’s all I’m saying.

Actually, that pattern was really the inspiration for the entire paper doll. Once I knew I wanted to draw the pattern, then the style of dress, something vintage looking, naturally followed. The black and white version, she just seemed brunette to me and I also couldn’t help but notice I hadn’t done a fair skinned B&B paper doll in a long while.

So, all these forces combined to bring you today’s vintage inspired brunette B&B printable paper doll.

Now I’m curious, what is the strangest thing you have ever based art off of? Anyone else gotten inspiration from the pattern off a mechanical pencil? Let me know in a comment.

And if you love the blog, think about becoming a patron or following the facebook page.

Plus, still my Reader2017 coupon running in the Etsy store if you want to pick up some paper dolls.

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

The Sprites Paper Dolls & Their Gothic Fashions

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Gothic Fashions
A paper doll page of gothic fashions from the Sprites printable paper dolls in color or black and white. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

A set of gothic fashions for the Sprites printable paper dolls in color or black and white.

Sometimes, I create paper doll clothing set and then I forget about them. This happens to me with disturbing regularity. So, I could have sworn that I posted these gothic paper doll Sprites outfits back in November of 2016. As it turns out, I had them totally done, but didn’t get them formatted or saved as PDFs.

So, clearly my memory was deeply flawed. Here they are in today all their gothic paper doll fashion glory. Better late than never.

When I dabble in gothic fashion, I try to create things that are interesting and not all black. Black is a challenging color for printable paper dolls, because printers have varying sensitivities to it. So, sometimes the tones are too dark and other times they are too light. I try to find a compromise by using several different shades of black in the same outfit which keeps the outfit from feeling flat.

This is a trick I use with pretty much all my paper doll clothing, but in black pieces it is particularly important

The other big challenge of the Sprites printable paper dolls is the fact that they exist in pairs. Every lady printable paper doll outfit is accompanied by a gentlemen’s printable paper doll outfit. This symmetry is both part of the fun and part of the frustration.

In today’s gothic fashions, I gave the Lady Sprites a black and purple scheme. The Gentlemen Sprites have a black and red color scheme.

This is the last Sprites printable paper doll set from my stash. So, I have to get working on finishing some things in progress for March. The problem with a strong backlog is that it lulls me into a false sense of confidence.

Meanwhile, if you love the blog, then consider donating through Patreon.

There’s still my Reader2017 coupon running in the Etsy store and the blog has a facebook page now.

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

A Sailor Lolita Outfit for the Mini-Maiden Printable Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Patron Requests for and Sailor Lolita Styles

A sailor Lolita outfit for the Mini-Maiden printable paper doll series. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

I have done a variety of Lolita styles before, but never Sailor Lolita as was pointed out by one of my Patrons. (Join here if you want to support PTP.) So, here’s my foray into that style.

Lolita is an alliterative fashion style from Japan that is heavily influenced by Victorian and Edwardian children’s clothing. It’s street fashion and like every genre of street fashion, there are seemingly endless variations. Sailor Lolita is the term used for Lolita dresses infulenced by sailor suits of the Edwardian and Victorian era. There is a nearly endless obcession with sailor suits in the 19th and 20th century.

Examples of early sailor suits include these designs from the 1900s, this version from 1905 and this version from the 1920s. I decided to base today’s Sailor Lolita outfit off of examples like this one and this one.

You can see a bunch more on my Lolita Fashion board on Pinterest.

I’m adding new things to the Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy this week, inculding steampunk styles in three color schemes and black and white.Remember, the coupon called: READER2017 is good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more through the end of March.

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

Marisole Monday in a Women’s 1920s Golf Clothes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Golfing Outfits from the 1920s

Women's 1920s golf clothes for my Marisole Monday & Friend's paper doll series in full color to print from paperhinpersonas.com.

Women's 1920s golf clothes for my Marisole Monday & Friend's paper doll series in black and white.

I can’t tell you how many times my father has dropped hints that I should draw some golf clothing. He’s a fan of the sport. So, today I am pleased to present some 1920s historical clothing attire for the Marisole Monday & Freind’s paper dolls.

The history of women’s sports attire has always fascinated me. By the 1920s, from which today’s paper doll outfit hails, women were participating in many different team and individual sports including basketball, tennis, archery, fencing, and, of course, golf. Golf was pretty popular in the 1920s and women’s 1920s golf clothes were being designed by big names like this golf outfit by Worth.

Most women’s golf outfits have skirts, but there were also trousers options, like the ones shown in this article about golf in advertisements. I based today’s outfit off illustrations from my two favorite 1920s fashion history books, Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs and 1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company, both of which are from Dover publications and are excellent resources on 1920s clothing. Sears was a more affordable company while B. Altman was much more fashionable and expensive.

Catalogs offer such a great window into what people could purchase in the past.

Anyway, I also had to draw a golf club for today’s outfit. Now, I will openly confess that I am not a skillful golfer, but I have taken a lesson or two. I based my golf club (I was not about to draw a whole set) on photos of 1920s golf clubs from Google Image Search. I know, I know. Not the best research practice.

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

A Poppet’s Fairy Paper Doll Outfit With Wings

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fairies and the Art of Amy Brown
A green and blue fairy paper doll outfit. Free to print in color or black and white.

A fairy costume with wings. Free to print in color or black and white.

I wanted to design some gender neutral fairy clothing. Something cute and not too girly, but still fun and whimsical.

Back in November, I posted this gender neutral kids clothing. I was researching that set I kept seeing these puffy-short like pants for girls and boys. I kept those and added a tunic. I wanted the tunic to feel a little stiff and almost bark like. Then I added veining like a leaf, because I liked how it looked.

The striped stockings are a nod to the art of Amy Brown, as are the wings. I rarely draw wings like this, but I am trying to practice. Wings are hard work, but I cheat by drawing only one side and then copying it over to make them symmetrical.

Color scheme wise, I wanted to pick something neutral. My fairy paper doll that I shared back in early February was so colorful. Greys, blues and greens seemed interesting and gender neutral.

So, enjoying fairies? Are fairies something I should do more of? Let me know in a comment.

I’ve added a few new things to the Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy and, as a grand opening, have a coupon called: READER2017 for the blog readers. It’s good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more through the end of March.

Or if you’d like to support the blog a different way then become a Patron or liking it on facebook where I am sharing stuff from the Archives, as well as announcing new posts when they are posted.

Tomorrow, tune in for 1920s golfing wear.

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

Aishwarya: An Elven Printable Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Elves and Purple Hair

A beautiful blue haired elf paper doll with two pairs of shoes. Part of the Ms Mannequin printable paper doll series, she can share clothing with those paper dolls. Available in color or black and white.

A short haired printable paper doll coloring page who can wear any of the Ms. Mannequin paper doll clothing. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com

One perk of being a Patron of the blog is that I will actually listen to requests and usually follow through, though I still owe someone a New Romantic outfit.

I swear I am working on it.

Anyway, the interest in Lord of the Rings style fantasy made me decide to draw an elf. My conclusion that pale blond elves are cliche made me create one with blue hair.

See everything makes sense if you just understand my general feelings that most depictions of elves are boring.

Plus, I think everything is better if there is blue hair.

Aishwarya, today’s elf, shares a skin-tone with Layla, so they can share shoes. Aishwarya means “prosperity, wealth” in Sanskrit. I thought it was a really beautiful name.

If you feel that the few fantasy outfits the Ms. Mannequin paper dolls have are not elven feeling, then worry not. Next week, there will be an Elven inspired outfit for Aishwarya to wear.

How did I do on my first Ms. Mannequin elf? Does she need some elf friends?

By the way, there’s now a Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy. Use the coupon called: READER2017 and get 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. I’ll be adding some new clothing in the next week or so.

Want me to listen to your request more? Then think about becoming a Patron.

Need some clothing for today’s Ms Mannequin paper doll? Pick Out Some Ms. Mannequin Clothing Here

An Oscar’s Worthy Dress for The 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: An Oscar’s Dress by Oscar De La Renta

An Oscar worthy evening gown based on an Oscar De La Renta design from Pre-Fall 2014.

The February theme was inspired by the Oscars and we all decided to draw an Oscars dress. Well, I went with an Oscar De La Renta inspiration last month and I might have gone for the same thing again. What can I say? I love his designs.

So, here is my 2017 Collab Paper Doll’s Oscar Dress. It’s Outfit 36 from Oscar De La Renta’s Pre-Fall 2014 collection. Here is another favorite from that collection.

I admit the put this dress together in a rush. Somehow February has completely gotten away from me, so here’s no wig to go with today’s dress, but you an use one of the wigs from the paper doll’s page, I think in a pinch.

And I am super pleased to announce the Miss Missy’s Paper Dolls has joined in the paper doll creation fun. So, here is her interpretation of the base doll.

Pop over to Paper Doll School, Pop Culture and Paper Dolls, Paper Doll School and Miss Missy’s Paper Dolls to pick up their versions of today’s gown. They should all be posted in the next few days.

Stay tuned for next month’s theme- Fashions from Space!

So, what do you think of my choice of Oscar gown? Too much? Just enough?

And, as always, if you love the blog, then think about donating to support it on Patreon.

Need a doll to wear this stylish outfit? Grab the Doll here.