Clothes Archives • Page 3 of 6 • Paper Thin Personas

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 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.

Poppets: Ice Skating in 1927

May 19, 2020January 19, 2017

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

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

May 19, 2020December 29, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Rosettes and Kid’s Party Dresses

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

May 19, 2020December 19, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Curls, BJDs and Cute Sandals

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.

If you want to help keep the blog up and running then think about donating and becoming a Patron.

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

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

May 19, 2020December 13, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Macy’s 1908 Catalog

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

May 19, 2020December 1, 2016

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

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.

If you want to support the blog become a patron where there’s behind the scenes updates, another paper doll series, and other fun things.

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

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