Poppets

Poppets: Ice Skating in 1927

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs, Bobble Hats

A 1920s ice skating outfit for a child paper doll from paperthinpersonas.com

This is the first of a bunch of 1920s clothing I have drawn for the Poppets, so I hope everyone loves this era as much as I do. I originally drew the outfits last year when I was still doing sets and then I kinda forgot about them for a few months and rediscovered them while I was cleaning up my files at the end of the year.

I always do an annual file clean up and I often discover things I kinda forgot about or abandoned because they weren’t something I really liked. Boots wrote a really brave post on her blog, Pop Culture Looking Land,  about failed projects. I wrote a follow-up over on my Patreon page for my Patrons.

Moral of the story: Sometimes, I abandon stuff and then find it again and go, “Actually, that’s not so bad.”

And this one of those things. I don’t even remember what I didn’t like about it. I think it was the ice skates.

Still now I look at them and I am like, “They’re okay. What was my problem?”

The human mind is a funny thing.

Can I make a confession? I have no idea how to ice skate. I think I have been on ice skates exactly three times and every time I ended up on my butt. It was not much fun. Still, I like watching other people ice skate, so that should be worth something.

Love the blog? Think about supporting it on Patreon (my sister just did and surely she has good taste) and I always love to hear what you think in the comments.

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

Poppet Paper Dolls Party Dress For New Years

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Rosettes and Kid’s Party Dresses
A child paper doll's Holiday party dress with black tights and shoes. Free printable paper doll dress in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com

One thing that super annoys me is when child dolls don’t get dressed like children. So, when it came to designing a New Years party dress for the Poppets printable paper dolls, I wanted to draw a holiday sort of child’s party dress.

I think if you recolored this gown, it could also be a Easter dress or a Thanksgiving dress or any number of other things. So, check out the black and white version if you want to try your hand and setting the Poppets up for another holiday.

You know what sort of amazes me? So, all of last year I posted 10 Poppets paper doll posts. This year I posted 18. That’s a lot more. Now, it is not a perfect comparison, because I stopped posting “sets” and started posting individual outfits, but still. Pretty notable increase I think.

And I can’t wait to keep posting for them. I have a bunch of 1920s stuff drawn and I want to do a fairy tale series for them as well. So if you are a Poppet paper doll fan, stay tuned for next year.

What would you like to see for the Poppets in the coming year? Drop me a comment if you have an idea.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog in 2017, then think about becoming a Patron.

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

Meet a New Natural Haired Poppet Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Curls, BJDs and Cute Sandals
Meet my attempt to draw a black paper doll with natural hair she has panties, shoes and a purple and white dress. Part of the Poppet paper doll series from paperthinpersonas.com. Free to print in color or black and white.

Meet my attempt to draw a black paper doll with natural hair she has panties, shoes and a drop waisted dress. Part of the Poppet paper doll series from paperthinpersonas.com. Free to print and color.

Once in a while, a paper doll face comes out just as I imagined it. And this is one of those paper dolls. I think she’s very cute and I couldn’t be more pleased with how she turned out. I was a little scared to draw a paper doll with natural hair, so I hope she looks okay.

As with my last Poppet paper doll, I didn’t name her, but feel free to do so yourself. She has the same skin-tone as Petal, so they can share shoes. I indicated that by making the paper dolls bases the same color.

The Poppets paper doll body design was based on by Ball Jointed Dolls (BJDs) sold by companies   like Volks, Iplehouse and Fairyland. While BDJs are beautiful, they can be super expensive. Plus, as they are made of resin, they can’t be in direct light and have to be handled while wearing gloves. I just can’t imagine owning a doll that I was scared to touch. One of the best parts of printable paper dolls is that if one gets damaged, it is not big deal. Just print another one.

There’s no specific BJD that inspired today’s brown skinned Poppet paper doll, but I like to mention the original inspiration for the Poppets when I can. I don’t think of the Poppets as “real” children, but rather dolls. I loved paper dolls of dolls when I was a child, especially the ones by Peck-Grande like this one from Ebay.

Want to know when new things post? Then follow the blog on Twitter @paperpersonas. I post every time something new pops up. I was what the best option for knowing when new stuff arrives is and I think this is it. There is also an email list (sign up in the sidebar) and that will email you, so that is an option too.

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Need more clothes for today’s Poppet paper doll? Find Additional Outfits Here.

The Poppets Visit 1908 and Get Some Edwardian Children’s Clothes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Macy’s 1908 Catalog
Today the Popper paper dolls are visiting 1908 and get some Edwardian children's clothes and shoes. The paper doll dress can be printed in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com.

So, back in June, I posted a preview of this Edwardian Poppet dress from 1908. Today, I am posting it finished. So, you can print and dress up the Poppets in it. My source was this Macy’s 1908 catalog. You can find the dress on page 97. It’s described as being made from chambray and trimmed in white. It came in rose or blue and cost 97 cents in sizes 4 to 14. I imagine the Poppet paper dolls as about 10, so it is right in their age range.

The Edwardian period is only one decade, 1900 to 1910 during the reign of King Edward. A lot of people extend the fashion period to 1914 since World War 1 really changed clothing. That makes sense, but then what do you call the era from 1914 until 1920? Anyway, I haven’t decided if I am willing to extend my era beyond 1910.

I find Edwardian children’s clothing interesting, because it is so different from Victorian outfits. The popularity of Rousseau’s beliefs that children should be allowed to do play actively meant that the styles tend to be simpler. And unlike earlier periods, you can’t immediately ID the age of a child by the length of the skirt. Most skirts are just below knee length, no matter what the age.

Though simpler than Victorian outfits, Edwardian children’s clothing still feels stuffy compared to today. Several more Edwardian paper doll pieces planned, so eventually the Poppets will have a whole wardrobe of Edwardian outfits for all sorts of occasions.

Until then, enjoy today’s summery 1908 dress even if it is December and outside it might not be so warm.

So, Edwardian children’s clothes? Love them? Hate them? Personally, I have mixed feelings. I think it is the pigeon breasted thing. Other’s thoughts?

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

Poppets: Snow Princess Paper Doll Dress

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Snowflakes, Princess Dresses, and All Things Rococo

A snow princess paper doll fantasy dress in color, but also available in black and white. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com

Happy December!

My goal for the month of December is to post one “winter” themed piece a week. We’ll see if I actually succeed, but I think it is super important to set goals.

To start with, here is snow princess paper doll dress. Fairy tales were a huge part of my childhood. Even after I was “too old” for picture books, I would go to the section in the library devoted to fairy tales and spend hours reading different versions of my favorite stories. I loved the variety of ways of telling the same story.

Clearly, I love all things fairy tale related and that includes a love of princess fantasy gowns. It has been a long time since I did an over the top princess dress for the Poppet series. Every child paper doll paper needs an over the top princess dress.

This snow princess paper doll dress was inspired by 18th century Rococo designs, specifically polonaise dresses. These gowns were known for their draped and swagged over skirts. I have always loved the style. Meanwhile, this Poppet gown has some practical short boots for tromping through the snow and long sleeves to keep her warm.

When it comes to winter fairy tales, which ones are your favorites? I confess a love for the Snow Queen and Snow Child, a story about a childless couple who make a child out of snow that comes to life. I think it is Russian in origin. Any other recommendations for winter fairy tales? Let me know in a comment.

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

Acorn Pixie Pants and a Stuffed Owl Paper Doll Outfit

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

poppet-modern-unisex-blue-color

When I was in middle school, I never tied my shoes. I wore hiking boots all day. Whenever people told me, my shoes were untied, then I would tell them that, “It’s okay. I like living dangerously.”

The truth was that I was just forgetful and they had a tendency to become untied.

So, I was thinking of that when I drew this set of Poppet paper doll clothing.

I was also thinking about gender neutral children’s clothing which seems to be a trend. I think the pants could be worn by a boy or a girl, though all the Poppets are girl paper dolls. They are based off this pattern from Twig and Tale. I wanted to stick with the nature theme, so her pants have acorns on them and she has a stuffed owl. I don’t know why I’ve been on such a stuffed animal drawing kick. I did a bunny last time and an owl this time.

I guess I just like drawing stuffed animals and that is probably okay. Her owl is purple.

After this, the next two Poppet pieces in progress are both historical. I have a bunch of 1920s stuff in the works for them and some Edwardian looks too. I think today’s outfit would go well with last week’s explorer outfit and this one from 2014.

As usual, if you love the blog, then think about supporting it on Patreon and I always love to hear what you think in the comments.

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

Explorer’s Outfit with a Bunny Companion

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fig & Me Dolls, Stuffed Bunnies, Oliver & S Sewing Patterns and Adventures

Poppet paper dolls are off exploring with her faithful bunny companion. Free paper doll clothes to print in color or black and white.

I have fond memories of exploring as a child. I was lucky enough to live in a small town in Alaska with lost of wilderness around me, so it wasn’t hard to just hike back into the woods and feel like you were in some secret place where no one had ever been.

So, the Poppets are off exploring today in this outfit designed for the occasion complete with a bag to carry back treasures in and a bunny companion.

I had a stuffed bunny as a child named Mr. Bunny (I still have him) and so I have always had a fondness for stuffed bunnies.

Today’s paper doll’s shirt is based off an Oliver + S sewing pattern called Hopscotch Skirt and Knit Top. I’ve always had a fondness for Oliver + S, because they used to use paper dolls in their pattern packaging.

Her shoes were inspired by this Fig & Me doll’s shoes.

So, my question to all of you is this- Did you have exploring adventures when you were a child? And where did you go to have them?

As always, if you love the blog, then think about supporting it on Patreon.

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

Poppets: Floral Border Printed Vintage Inspired Paper Doll Dress

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Bow-Tie Blouses, Mary Engelbreit’s Flowers, Colorful shoes and the November 1954 Betsy McCall Paper Doll.

A beautiful vintage inspired paper doll dress with a floral border. Heavily inspired by paper dolls like Betsy McCall. Free to print in color or black and white.

Personally, I can’t imagine putting a child in a cream colored dress and not expecting a disastrous spill/stain or something to happen to that dress five minutes later, but part of the pleasure of paper dolls is that reality doesn’t actually have to enter into it. Plus, the Poppets are based on ball-jointed dolls and not real children, so presumably pieces of resin are capable to keeping out of trouble.

One of the things I really love about this dress is the floral border. It was a later addition to the design. Originally, I was just going to do a wide stripe, like I did on the coat-dress from Tuesday. However, I didn’t want to repeat myself so soon, so I decided on some Mary Engelbreit inspired flowers along the hem.

The November 1954 Betsy McCall paper doll had two dresses with ties around their necks, but I’ll confess that I spent a lot of time looking at different Betsy McCall paper dolls and they all start to flow together after a while. Each page also has a little story on it. I tried to read a few, but stuff written for children in the 1950s, just isn’t that compelling to me.

So, next week will begin my first week of different pieces from different series posting. I am nervous and excited. We’ll start the week out with a Retro inspired astronaut and continue from there.

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

Poppets: Heading to the Seashore in a Nautical 1950s Inspired Paper Doll Dress

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Sailboats, Maritime Signal Flags, and Satchel Bags, like these

I grew up on the coast. On sunny days, which aren’t that common in Southeast Alaska, you could watch from the living room the sailboats as they whipped up and down the channel. I remember watching them as a child. There was a large marker warning people that there was a shoal, but people often ignored it during sailboat races and so, once in a while, a boat would end up stuck in the mud until high tide.

None of the boats on today’s paper doll skirt will likely have that problem.

The color scheme of today’s Poppet paper doll dress is based on maritime signal flags. When my father was studying for some sort of nautical exam, we spent time together looking through the signal flags and I’ll always think of those colors when I think of nautical inspired paper doll outfits.

When I was studying in England, I got a brown leather satchel, a lot like our paper doll’s red version. I carried it for many years, bit eventually the leather split. I’ve always loved how a nice satchel looks.

As always, I’d love to hear that people think in the comments.

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

Poppets: A Yellow and Blue Vintage Style Paper Doll Dress

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A yellow and teal paper doll dress inspired by vintage paper dolls like Betsy McCall

It is easy, given that most photographs of the 1950s and 1960s are black and white, to forget that there was color back then. I really wanted to embrace color when I designed this dress. I was super inspired by a February 1959 Betsy McCall paper doll, but then I simplified things and changed some things too.

Along with the dress, I decided to do a journal and a piece of paper with a pencil as today’s accessories. I remember that all through Elementary and Middle School we had to keep a journal. I never really liked do it, but it was one of those things. I was once way to honest in my journal, called my teacher a name I won’t post in my family friendly blog, and got in trouble with her.

Oddly, I didn’t get in trouble with my parents. They were super understanding and were like, “Well, don’t do it again and remember, private isn’t always really private.”

So, that was a useful lesson at least.

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations Include: Wanting Teal and Yellow Shoes, February 1959 Betsy McCall paper doll, and All those Journals I kept in School

Because these shoes have socks, they can be shared with any of the Poppet paper dolls, but Monday’s doll with her blond hair would look particularly cute in this dress, I think.

I clearly love drawing vintage and historical clothing for the Poppets, but I have been wondering if people feel like their Poppets need some modern duds.

So, here’s a poll!

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Now, you are also totally welcome to tell me your thoughts in a comment as well. I always enjoy getting to hear from you guys.

Lastly, if you like the blog, think about supporting it through Patreon or just leave me a comment to let me know you like it. I always enjoy getting to hear from you guys.

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