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The Poppet’s Get a 1920s Spring-Time Dress and Matching Cloche

May 19, 2020April 27, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:1920s Children’s Clothing- One of my True Loves

Today’s Poppet 1920s Children’s Wardrobe Collection contribution is a spring time dress. I sort of thought of it as an Easter dress when I designed it, but Easter was a few weeks ago. I chose a pale color scheme with soft blue and pink for the dress. With the dress is a matching cloche, because lord knows the 1920s loved a good looking cloche.

I know I’ve spoken before about how much I adore 1920s children’s clothing. There’s just something about clothing of that era that I adore. I have equal love for children’s clothing of the 1930s, but I haven’t had as many opportunities to draw that.

Maybe that’s a project for another time.

I openly confess that I don’t have a good record of what I used as reference when I drew today’s dress. I am pretty sure I used Children’s Fashions 1900-1950 As Pictured in Sears Catalogs, 1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company and/or Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs. All of these books are from Dover which is a great source of reasonably priced fashion history books. I think I own almost all their 1920s fashion books.

The realization that fashion history books are a justifiable business expense has made it a lot harder to talk myself out of buying them.

I do realize that recently most of what I have posted for the Poppet’s paper dolls to print have been either from the Fairy Tale project or the 1920s project. Never fear, there are also normal clothing on the horizon. I mean, even paper dolls need jeans.

So, what do you think of today’s 1920s paper doll dress? Love it? Hate it? Wish it was purple? Let me know in a comment.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about becoming a Patron or liking it on facebook and tune in tomorrow for a paper doll outfit inspired by one of my favorite novels.

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

The Poppets Dress up as Gretel of Hansel and Gretel

April 12, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Gretel of Hansel and Gretel

The new addition to the Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes Poppet paper doll series is a Gretel costume from the tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Recorded by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812, Hansel and Gretel are a young brother and sister captured by a cannibalistic witch living deep in the forest in a house made of candy and gingerbread. The two children save their lives by outwitting the witch and their own cruel parents.

The story is, like a lot of fairy tales, a bit dark.

When I was working up my list of fairy tales, I had not intention to originally include Hansel and Gretel. It’s just not a fairy tale that I really love.

However, it is a fairy tale with a child protagonist and a pretty strong female character, as it is Gretel who pushes the cannibalistic Witch into the oven.

So, it seemed like a fitting on to do.

I wanted to use the colors of ginger bread in this Gretel costume, so I stuck with brown, cream and red. The edge of her skirt is decorated with gingerbread men and peppermint candies, mostly because I knew I could draw them.

The shape of the jumper is based on braces used with lederhosen. I don’t know a lot about Bavarian clothing, ain’t gonna lie, but I’ve always liked the suspenders/braces that go with lederhosen.

Please think about donating through Patreon, it really does help. Plus you get access to the behind the scenes blog, here’s two I’ve opened to the public- sketchbook photos and Some Stuff about my Process.

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

The Poppet’s Springtime 1920s Dress

April 25, 2017April 6, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1920s Children’s Clothing

This is the second dress of a bunch of 1920s stuff I have drawn for the Poppets paper dolls, so much so that I actually think I should really start a special series for it.

I mean, I already have two 1920s paper doll outfits and a doll finished to go up and I have another batch of it penciled. Basically, I think it is time to accept one simple fact, “I am completely obsessed with 1920s children’s clothing.”

So, I have created a new on-going Poppet’s series called the 1920s Children’s Wardrobe Collection.

I know, it’s not a very creative name.

And I failed to carefully note where I got the images for the batch of 1920s children’s clothing I have finished, but I am going to get better at citation in the future.

Also, because I am me.

Anyway, I’d love to hear what people think of a flood of 1920s children’s clothing, so let me know in a comment.

Today’s 1920s paper doll dress was based on one from I think a Sears catalog. I really loved the floral detail on the bodice and I chose bright fun spring colors. I probably should have made the shoes brown or black, but once I start coloring sometimes it gets away from me.

If you’d like to support the blog, then donate a little each month and become a Patron. It really helps.

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.

Poppet Paper Dolls Play At Snow White

May 19, 2020March 20, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Snow White

One of my long term projects this year has been drawing fairy tale and nursery rhyme inspired Poppet paper dolls. You can find them all under the creatively named Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhyme Poppet Series. Today, there is a Snow White paper doll. Other fairy tales I have been working on are Hansel & Gretel and Little Red Ridinghood. I’ve already posted Little Bo Peep and the Princess and the Frog (though I did that one long before I started the series.)

In some fairy tales the look of the main character hardly matters, but Snow White is not one of those fairy tales. The 1857 edition of Brother’s Grimm contains the tale of Snow White and it opens like this:

“Once upon a time in midwinter, when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a queen sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony wood. As she sewed she looked up at the snow and pricked her finger with her needle. Three drops of blood fell into the snow. The red on the white looked so beautiful that she thought to herself, “If only I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood in this frame.”

It seems somehow wrong to create a Snow White paper doll without giving her super pale skin, black hair and red lips. Her skin isn’t actually white, but it is fairer than any of the other skin tones I have ever done for the Poppets. So, she won’t be sharing shoes that show flesh with anyone.

For her dress, I wanted to show some of forest elements that are so integral to the story, hence the trees and butterflies. In the 1857 version of the tale there are three attempts on Snow White’s life.

The first is with a bodice lace (like a shoe lace but for a corset) that is laced so tight it strangles her. The second is with a poisoned comb and the third is the apple attempt. I did not draw a comb, but I did was to give my Snow White paper doll a lace up bodice to reference that first attempt.

Of course, the 1857 version also ends with Snow White and the Prince torturing the Evil Queen to death with red hot shoes. As usual, older Fairy Tales are a trifle violent and rather dark.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about donating through Patreon. If you’re not sure wha the behind the scenes blog posts are like here’s two I’ve opened to the public- sketchbook photos and Some Stuff about my Process.

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

The Poppets & Their Contemporary Applique Looks

May 19, 2020March 9, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Polka-dot socks and Applique

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.

A Poppet’s Fairy Paper Doll Outfit With Wings

February 28, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fairies and the Art of Amy Brown

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.

The Poppets Printable Paper Dolls Get Some Modern Kids Clothes

May 19, 2020February 23, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Sweatshirt

I don’t have kids, but I was recently blessed with my first Nephew. Now, before he was born, we didn’t know the gender. Finding gender neutral baby clothing was surprisingly difficult and I find I am still attracted to the idea of gender neutral children’s clothing. I’m always looking for more ideas for the Poppets paper dolls, since I tend to find historical kids clothing more interesting then contemporary kids clothing. However, I loved this sweatshirt and thought it needed to become a Poppet paper doll outfit.

I originally was going to do a more gender neutral color scheme of grey and khaki. However, when it came time to color it in, I might have said, “Hmmm… I could use all gender neutral colors… Or I could make bright pink leggings.”

Clearly, the bright pink leggings won.

As I often do with contemporary clothing, I felt like I needed a few more pieces to increase the mix and match options, so I also created the rolled shorts. I do think that the bird sweatshirt would look super cute with these jeans. I drew those back when I first introduced the Poppets paper dolls and somehow I haven’t drawn another pair of jeans for them since.

Huh. Maybe I should get on that. Do the Poppets paper dolls need jeans? Let me know in a comment.

Just in case you haven’t heard, there’s now a 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 until the end of March.

Meanwhile, if you’re not in a shopping mood, then think about becoming 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.

Friday I’ll be posting my February dress for the 2017 paper doll collab project. So, stay tuned for that.

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

A Pink Haired, Green Skinned, Butterfly Winged Fairy Poppet Paper Doll

May 19, 2020February 13, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Unisex Children’s Clothing, Fig & Me Dolls, Untied Shoes, and Twig & Tale Sewing Patterns

One of my Patron requests for 2017 was more fantasy creatures like mermaids and fairies. So, today’s fairy Poppet paper doll in my response to that request from Cathy W and I thought someone else, but I couldn’t verify that. So, other person who I couldn’t verify, if you exist outside my head, this is also for you.

Who doesn’t want an excuse to draw a printable fairy paper doll?

Seriously for a moment though, I was sort of surprised by the request for more fairies. One of the oddities of my brain is that I assume everyone has the same knowledge of my archive as me. So, sometimes when someone says, “Hey, could you draw…”

I think- “But I did draw that.”

Except sometimes it turns out that paper doll was like four years ago and I’m the only person who remembers that I drew it. So my first reaction to being asked for fairies was to think, “But I’ve done fairies.”

And then I paused and looked at my Archives and I was like, “Oh. Not as much as I thought.”

Also, just because I have done something once, doesn’t mean I can’t do it again. There’s not like statute of limitations on paper doll production, you know?

Anyhow, this is all a convoluted way of saying that I plan to do more mermaids and fairies in 2017. (In fact, come back February 21st, that’s all I’m saying…)

The wings are meant to be glued to the back of the paper doll along the white section. Last time I posted a fairy with wings, there was some confusion about this.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about becoming a Patron or liking it on facebook.

Mostly, I am using Facebook to share stuff from the Archives, because I expect no one to really go through nearly 1,000 posts. Not quote 1,000. I should do something cool when I hit 1,000.

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

A Little Bo Beep Paper Doll Costume for the Poppets Paper Dolls

May 19, 2020February 7, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Vintage Little Bo Peep Illustrations Like This and This

While I have abandoned my sets, I haven’t really given up the whole themes for paper dolls idea. The truth is that I like themes. They help me keep my head on straight and they give me something to draw when I don’t know what to draw.

At the end of 2016, I asked my Patrons what they would like to see in 2017. I got requests for fairy tales from several of them. Well, fortunately, I already had plans for introducing a Poppets Paper Doll year long Fairy Tale and Nursery Rhyme theme.

This might last longer than a year, but I am aiming for a year. Who knows? I can be fickle.

I am starting the series it this Little Bo Beep paper doll printable. It’ll fit any of the Poppets paper dolls, of course. Most, if not all of us, known the nursery rhyme Little Bo Peep. The version I remember goes like this:

Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,
and can’t tell where to find them;
leave them alone, And they’ll come home
wagging their tails behind them.

I knew I wanted to do something that felt a little vintage and old fashioned without actually being historical. The nursery rhyme was first published in the early 1800s, but the exact age is unknown. I wanted to be traditional in my depiction of Little Bo Peep. Also, I got to draw lots of tiny sheep.

You can check out my Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes board on Pinterest to see some of my inspirational images. Plus, there are hints at a few other fairy tales and nursery rhymes I am planning to feature over the course of the year.

Which brings me to my next point, is there a fairy tale you’d like to see the Poppets get an outfit from? Let me know in a comment.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about becoming a Patron or liking it on facebook.

Mostly, I am using Facebook to share stuff from the Archives, but there is something specific that you’d like to see on the page, let me know in a comment. I am very new to Facebook.

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

Poppet’s Snowy Fantasy Burgundian Gown

May 19, 2020January 25, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Burgundian gowns, Like this one

Today’s fantasy gown was inspired by the Burgundian gowns of the mid to late 1400s. The style was worn by women of wealth and status. This manuscript illustration of Fortune and her Wheel is particularly nice.

Now, my fantasy version hasn’t got a lot in common with this, but I really wanted to capture the spirit of the gown which, when I was a child, was something I always thought was worn by Princesses.

So, let’s talk about “Burgundian Gowns”, shall we? Here’s a nice article about how to make your own, plus some good pictures from A Damsel In This Dress. The term “Burgundian Gown” refers to the Duchy of Burgundy which was the leading fashion center of the time.

In the 1400s, the Duchy of Burgundy was Belguim, the Netherlands and parts of northern France. While England and France were busy duking it out in the Hundred Years War, this area became the cultural center of Europe.

The gowns, in the real world, consist of two parts. The kirtle and then a gown over it. The gown was lined in fur that showed when it was folded back to reveal the kirtle underneath. In my fantasy version, that’s the lace and ribbon trimmed part that’s visible in the deep v-neck of the outer gown.

Since it is winter outside, I chose to decorate my gown with a snowflake pattern.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about becoming a Patron.

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

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