autumn Archives • Paper Thin Personas

Bianca Boo’s Frightful Frocks: Pumpkin

October 31, 2025October 30, 2025

A printable paper doll for Halloween themed around pumpkins with a wig and stockings.

Download Page 6: Bianca Boo Pumpkin | The Bianca Boo Collection

Today’s theme for Bianca Boo’s Frightful Frocks is Pumpkins!

This paper doll outfit was another case where I designed the hair before I designed the outfit. (Just like I did with the Bat design) I feel like I must have seen this somewhere. I don’t imagine I came up with entirely on my own, but I have a sort of “no research” rule when I do Halloween things. So, I don’t know where it came from even though I imagine it came from somewhere.

For the outfit, I was inspired in part by a these pumpkin designs from (I think) Nyahallo. The designs aren’t signed, which is hard. I love pumpkins. Not only do I love to eat them (I do love that), but I love the shapes and colors of them. They’re so sculptural. I wanted to bring this love of the shape of pumpkins to the outfit.

I wish I had not used the word “rows” twice in the poem. I was writing fast, because I was behind. “Oh, well, perhaps something I’ll fix someday in revision.” (I say this knowing I will never do that.)

Bianca Boo with laughter sweet,
Steps through rows of pumpkins neat,
Orange globes in cheerful rows,
Her Halloween magic clearly shows!

While Julie Matthews from Paper Doll School and I are doing a fun joint paper doll project between our two sites: Paper Thin Personas (mine) and Paper Doll School (hers), we didn’t consult about what out ideas were for the themes. So, I have no idea what she’s done. It looks amazing though. You should go check it out.

I think this one really captures what I love about Halloween paper doll design. Those little intersections of whimsy, nostalgia, and seasonal color. Pumpkins have such a joyful presence, and translating that into a costume was just plain fun.

As always, I hope you enjoy dressing up your dolls in these frightful frocks and maybe feel a little pumpkin magic of your own this spooky season.

Bianca Boo’s Frightful Frocks: Moth Queen

October 27, 2025

Download Page 3: Bianca Boo Moth Queen | The Bianca Boo Collection

Today’s Fright Frock for Bianca Boo, my Halloween printable paper doll project with Julie Matthews, is a “Moth Queen” themed gown. So, of course, I needed a dress and a crown and a wig, because Bianca’s hair has to match the rest of her style. When Julie and I first brainstormed this Halloween paper doll project, we started with a list of thirteen ideas and narrowed it down to our favorites. Today’s design, The Moth Queen, isn’t a costume exactly, it is more of an “inspired by” outfit. I admit that I first thought of a more “fairy” feeling sort of dress, but that felt cliche, so I turned to other ideas.

Lolita fashion has always fascinated me. Originating from Japanese street fashion, Lolita draws inspiration from Victorian and Rococo clothing, creating that signature modest, doll-like silhouette full of lace, bows, and ruffles. What I find endlessly inspiring about the style is that outfits are organized into coordinates around themes, so everything matches from the purse to the dress. I think that’s very rich fodder for paper dolls, myself. For today’s Moth Queen themed paper doll outfit, I was inspired by Qi Lolita fashion, a substyle that mixes the frilly sweetness of Lolita with traditional Chinese clothing details.

Moths seem to be having a real moment right now. I’m not sure why, but then again, I rarely understand fashion trends, and that’s never stopped me from drawing them anyway. Personally, I like to think of moths as butterflies for autumn. They are a little moodier and perfect for spooky season (which is apparently what the internet is calling ‘fall’ these days).

As with the rest of Bianca Boo’s Frightful Frocks, I’ve been pairing each outfit with a short, whimsical poem. I don’t usually write formal verse, but I’ve been having so much fun experimenting with these little rhymes. Here’s the poem for today’s dress:

Bianco Boo in a frock so bright,
Dancing and twirling through the night,
With wings unfurled in golden gloss,
She crowned herself the queen of moths.

If you’d like to add The Moth Queen to your collection, you can download the printable paper doll outfit above. And if you missed the earlier designs in this Halloween series, be sure to check out the rest of Bianca Boo’s Frightful Frocks. Each one comes with its own little verse to celebrate the spooky season. Also, be sure to check out Julie Matthew’s Paper Doll School where she’s also creating outfits for these themes.

Fall Fashionista:A Printable Brunette Paper Doll

February 21, 2024

A printable paper doll coloring page with a mix and match wardrobe.

A Printable Brunette Paper Doll with a mix and match wardrobe.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Paper Dolls from the Ensemble Eclectica Series

I worked on this printable paper doll while I was visiting my family for a week. My niece helped me pick out the colors for her and I was happy to create a printable brunette paper doll for her.

My niece’s choice of this color scheme from my Pinterest board injected a splash of vibrancy into the project, particularly with her love for the color purple. I found that I needed more than the four colors of the scheme, so added the pink in for coordination. Like many kids, she loves bright colors with strong contrast. She also asked for brown hair and blue eyes.

Any time spent with my niece and nephew are highlights of my trips. We played paper dolls, went swimming, and went to the theater.

While I thought of this paper doll as being autumnal when I drew her, I suppose she could also be a spring paper doll- transitional clothing for the warming weather. I did give her a rather autumn themed title. Anyway, she’s here and she can share clothing with all the other Ensemble Eclectica paper dolls.

The weather is warming where I live, but it’s still very cold. However, it’s above zero and that’s something to celebrate.

A Vivian Halloween Gown

October 12, 2023

Regency Autumn Fantasy

November 2, 2022

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One of my favorite things is taking a historical silhouette and just playing with it. It’s pretty much just a chance to draw pretty dresses for paper dolls. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing variety (like this Cybergoth Set), but I think anyone whose a regular here knows my first loves are the fantasy and historical stuff.

The fantasy stuff is easier than the historical stuff, because there’s no research involved. I simply am unable to call something historical if I haven’t actually done some research to back up that claim. And sometimes, I just don’t wanna do research.

Despite the research free nature of these dresses, they are based on Regency Era styles. In my head, the dress on the left with the yellow skirt is a ballgown, because it is the lowest cut and fanciest. The dresses on the left are a dinner dress (the blue one) and day dress (the one with the vest).

If you want some actual regency dresses, rather than these regency fantasy dresses, I recommend my Regency tag and as I was working on this post, I realized I do have other regency fantasy dresses- enough that maybe I should make a tag for that too, so I did.

I now have a regency inspired tag for all my non-historical forays into this silhouette, including my regencycore modern stuff which I think I’m going to draw more of. I really enjoy drawing romantic dresses. And yes, I am eagerly waiting for season 3 of Bridgerton.

Meanwhile, this is Newsletter week, so if you haven’t, sign up and get an extra paper doll coloring page in your inbox every two weeks.

Autumnal Evening Gowns with Amethyst

December 1, 2021

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It feels funny to me to be talking about autumn when the temp hasn’t been above zero here in at least three weeks. Well, it was warmer when I designed these gowns, I guess. The thing about them that feels autumnal to me is the color scheme. Jewel tones feel like winter and fall to me. Not sure that other people agree with me on that one, but that’s how I’ve always felt about it.

Weirdly, I know these gowns have source images, because I almost never draw formal gowns without using my Pinterest Formal Gowns and Cocktail Dresses board (creatively named), but I’ll be darned if I can find the source images. I usually save them carefully… So, read into that one what you like I guess.

Meanwhile, snow is falling, Hanukkah has begun, and I hope those who celebrate a holiday in the coming months have a wonderful one. As I move towards the end of the year, I always find myself beginning to think about the future and what has been done this year. It’s a funny time of the year for me. I plan to take a few months off soon, so I’ll have time to be contemplative.

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Paper Doll Collaboration 2019: Pattern!

September 30, 2019

Black and White PDF | More of the Paper Doll Collaboration 2019

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Julie of Paper Doll School have done such a better job of keeping up with this collaboration than I have. I confess I have several months drawn, but never finished.

My natural instinct is to feel guilty about this (I have an overdeveloped since of responsibility), but since in the last three months I have moved across the country, gotten a new job and moved in with my partner. I really don’t think I should feel the least bit guilty about any of it.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
The theme for September was pattern and I was super excited to explore that theme. I really love working with patterns, though I think some patterns are easier for me to draw than others. My fights with plaid are a thing that I wish I didn’t have quite so much. I also think some types of patterns render bettern in my style of pen and ink than others.

Anyway, since I knew the patterns were going to take center stage, I chose to do two very simple silhouettes for my paper doll outfits- a pair of a-line dresses. Neither of these pieces would be warm enough for Alaska in February without some serious tights. There was ice on my car last week! But they’re both fun and I can pretend warm weather is going to continue a little longer.

Specific Source Images: Well, I did look at some gourds, but… nothing I can point to today!

Learn/See More
On the Blog: The 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project, the 2018 Collaborative Paper Doll Project and this years 2019 Paper Doll Collaborative Project
Around the Internet: Julie of Paper Doll School, the lovely Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls also have created some paper dolls, I know.

Last Thoughts
Be sure to go check out Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls both of whom I know have some really fun versions of this month’s theme.

Last, but not least, Happy New Year to anyone celebrating! May your New Year be very sweet.

Autumnal Blouses and Boots for the A Pose Ladies

November 9, 2018

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & ClothesOne of the things I love to do is draw paper doll clothing from fashion catalogs and magazines. Clear pictures are useful, but so it seeing clothing I might not have thought up myself.

This set of paper doll fashions were based on the latest Autumn trends. Sleeve details and ruffles are not super popular. So are blouses, so here we have some blouses with sleeve details. To go with this pair of blouses, there is a pair of skinny jeans tucked into boots. The paper doll also has a matching purse.

I chose a color scheme inspired by Pantone’s Fall 2018 color report.

I hope you all enjoy this contemporary fashion addition to the A Pose Ladies fashion wardrobes.

Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

The B&B Curvy Paper Dolls Get An Autumnal Sorceress Gown

November 8, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Falling Leaves and Layered Gowns

After I finished the Elements dresses for the Sorceress Gowns Project I wasn’t sure what to draw next. The elements made a lot of sense to me, but then I was like… What other sorts of gown themes can I explore?

However, as autumn has come to Alabama and with it there are lots of leaves turning, I decided an series on the seasons would be a fun thing to work on next. So, today’s Sorceress Gowns Project paper doll outfit is based on the themes and colors of autumn.

I wanted to use colors that I see in the hills around town these days. The rich reds and yellows of turning leaves. I chose to do several different leaf designs.

The staff was inspired by a tree branch, though I’m not sure it entirely works.

And like all the Sorceress Gowns, she has some pretty cool boots.

I haven’t drawn winter, spring or summer yet, so this might end up the lone gown, but I plan on them. I just haven’t decided what I want them to look like quite yet. I’ve been working on thumbnail sketches for those dresses. I think I have a decent idea of what they might look like.

Of course, I tend to change my mind a lot, so it is also totally possible that I will before I do the final dresses.

Meanwhile, Friday there will be a super fun Sprites fantasy set.

As always, let me know what you think of today’s paper doll gown in a comment. I adore hearing from you all.

Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

A Celebration of Autumn Boots for the B&B Printable Paper Dolls

October 18, 2017October 18, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Renaissance Dresses & Princess Gowns

Sure, there’s a dress with today’s paper doll set, but really I wanted to draw boots. Because I love boots.

The dress, well, it’s there because I thought I needed something more than just boots. It’s a nice dress and very in style. Right now, the trend is for dramatic sleeves, so there’s a lot of bellsleeves and ruffle sleeves like this one being shown. Sleeves are very much the latest thing.

Personally, I like bellsleeves, so I don’t mind this trend at all.

Anyway, I wanted a simple dress, because I really wanted the focus to be on the boots. While I no longer create “sets” in the traditional sense, I do still really believe in playablity. It’s critical to me that each paper doll series function as a collection. So, while you can look at this as one dress and two pairs of boots, it is also a set that expands on the other contemporary fashion pieces that are available for my curvy B&B paper dolls.

If I were to coordinate it, I would use this set, this set and this set, and this set to start.

I have a few more trendy fashion sets for the B&B series in the words. (Also, more for the Sorceress Gowns collection, never fear fantasy fans.) I jump around a lot I know, but that’s just because I am interested in so many things.

I can’t imagine spending my time creating only one sort of paper doll. I think it would become very boring.

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Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

A New Isadora Mini-Maiden Paper Doll to Color

December 6, 2020October 2, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fall Fashions

It does feel like autumn might finally be coming to Alabama. The weather is starting to cool down and today was just beautiful. I spent part of the weekend at the local botanical gardens. They are free and a wonderful place to go walking. I really enjoyed them and I want to go back again.

Today’s Mini-Maiden paper doll is Isadora who I haven’t featured since March when she was a faun. Isadora is named for Isadora Duncan, the dancer. I can’t remember if I mentioned that recently, but someone asked me how I name my paper dolls a while back and I was like, “Well… kinda randomly, truth be told.”

Anyway, I’ve been going through the fashion magazines of the season. I am ready for boots and I am ready for tights. Isadora doesn’t have tights, but she does have some fun boots. I love autumn and winter. They are by far my favorite seasons in Alabama.

Her other shoes are more formal. I thought her dress could go either way depending on the shoes. I also try to draw extra shoes when I draw dolls. An old habit from my full color dolls with skin tones.

Isadora, being in black and white, is a paper doll you can color anyway you wish. That’s part of the flexibility of black and white paper dolls.

I confess though, I was never a big “colorer” as a kid, so I still prefer the ones in color.

I hope everyone is having a great Monday and let me know what you think if today’s Isadora in a comment.

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Need a more outfits for today’s Mini-Maiden Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here.

Marisole Monday’s Early Fall Shirts & Jeans

September 18, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fall Fashions

Growing up in Alaska, autumn came very quickly. As soon as there was fresh snow on the mountain, known as termination dust, it was time to pull out boots and give up on summer. In Alabama, autumn comes in more slowly. It’s a gradual shift from the humid tropical weather of summer to a damp crisp autumn. While I don’t think the weather will last into this week, last week really felt like fall. Mostly, because we got rain from Irma, just rain- nothing serious where I live, and it made everything cooler and grey.

Of course, for a paper doll drawer like myself, the change of seasons gets me thinking about clothing. So, today, I wanted to share some transitional pieces. I’m not sure tank tops are really autumnal, but since it was in the 80s yesterday, I think they could be.

The colors are more autumn than the paper doll clothing designs. In the fall, I think of wines, rich purples and dark teals. To counter balance, the rich colors, I did light washed jeans. Apparently, bleached denim is back, so I thought I would share some.

I hope everyone is having a great autumn. I’m settling into my routine with grad school and work. The students have returned to campus (yay!) and I am enjoying working with them. I don’t know what it is about college students, but I adore interacting with them.

Meanwhile, what’s your favorite thing about autumn? Food? Weather? Getting to finally wear boots again?

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