gowns

Nebula Gown: Space Princess Collection

A futuristic princess gown with a armored bodice in gold and a layered skirt. Part of the Space Princess gown collection from Paper Thin Personas for the Jewels and Gemstones collection.

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I know you’re not supposed to have favorites among your children and I probably shouldn’t have favorites among my paper dolls, but I did sort of save my favorite Space Princess Gown for last. Sure, I love them all, but today’s gown is my favorite.

I don’t know if my Patrons would agree, but I am a sucker for the high-waist and the reflective bodice which, in my head, is armored.

While I never thought Space Princesses would win the poll I gave my Patrons, I am sort of over joyed the theme won, because it has been so much fun to draw these over the top outfits.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
As some of you may recall, my affection for Space Princesses dates back to this card. My grandmother sent it to me when I was a kid and ever since, I’ve had a thing for Space Princesses. I don’t know what a space princess is… but it sure is a good excuse to draw futuristic fantasy gowns and who doesn’t want an excuse to do that?

I chose Jade as the model for the Space Princess, because there has one been one Jade paper doll on the blog so far and it was very nice and very modern and I thought… clearly, she needs a super absurd hairstyle and fantasy gown. After all, doesn’t everyone?

Specific Source Images: This gown from my Pinterest Sci-Fi fashion board.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & Jade: Space Princess
Around the Internet: My Pinterest Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi Fashion Board

Last Thoughts
I have one more big piece of travel in June and then hopefully things will quiet down for a little bit. Or not. I keep thinking… soon I’ll have more paper doll time, but paper doll time has been in short supply. I am drawing a lot, but I’m not finishing much. Follow me on Instagram if you want to see my progress on the #100dayproject where I’m drawing #100daysofpaperdolls along with some other amazing artists.

There was an extra Space Princess outfit for my Patrons (join us if you like), but this is the last Space Princess piece for the moment. Maybe I’ll draw more later.

Should I draw more Space Princess content? Let me know in a comment. I love to hear from y’all.

Galaxy Frock: Space Princess Collection

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Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
So, I am a little annoyed at WordPress at the moment, somehow it missed posting all the stuff I carefully had scheduled for last week. As a result, I am posting those things this week. Sigh.

My Patrons chose this theme of Space Princess dresses back in January. In case you are wondering how long it take me to finish things, well… I started this back in January. See, I am clearly not a very fast paper doll creator.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I love the work of Guo Pei. She’s a Chinese fashion designer and there’s something that just feel Space Princess to me in so much of her work. I could have drawn the whole Space Princess wardrobe from her designs. They are amazing.

Specific Source Images: This gown from Guo Pei Spring 2019 and this gown.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & this paper doll, this paper doll and these paper doll clothes
Around the Internet: Guo Pei’s collections are all amazing. She has a wonderful, almost fantastical style with a strong traditional Chinese influence. A nice article on her called Guo Pei: Couture Beyond

Last Thoughts
Be sure to come back next week on Tuesday for another Space Princess design, unless WordPress once again decides it hates me. I think I got the problem fixed. I think…

As always a big thank you to my Amazing Patrons, they make the blog possible.

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

Mini-Maiden’s Lord of the Rings Inspired Fantasy Gown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Patron Requests for Lord of the Rings Inspired Fantasy Gowns

A Lord of the Rings dress for the mini-maiden paper doll coloring sets in black and white. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com

Three of my patrons all requested Lord of the Rings style fantasy paper doll content for 2017, so Denise, Chris and Grace, this is for y’all. Now, I will confess that I find Lord of the Rings to be among the most boring books ever written. I know there are circles where this opinion would get me shot, but I can’t help it. There is so much description. I just don’t care about trees that much. Give me The Hobbit an I am a happy camper. I would far rather read it.

Still, the movies are visually stunning. So, that is where my inspiration came from for today’s Lord of the Rings dress. Specifically, I was thinking of Eowyn’s “White Wool” Gown. Personally, I wouldn’t color this white myself. I would go for a rich red or blue.

That’s just me though. Don’t let me stifle anyone’s creative juices.

Anyway, when someone says Lord of the Rings dress, I think of classic high fantasy and for me that means sleeves you could hide a small army in. A very small army, but an army none the less. Maybe a mouse army.

I digress.

As I announced yesterday, I now have an Etsy Store! Just for my blog readers, there is a coupon code good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. Visit the shop and use the code: READER2017

Also, the blog has a fairly new facebook page which is pretty neat. I’m using it to show off stuff from the expansive and amazing archives of PTP. Trust me, there’s a lot of material in there.

And, as always, if you love the blog, think about becoming a patron.

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

Ancient Greek Fantasy Gown Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Ancient Greek Dress, Corsets, Lyres and Pale Aqua

A ancient greek inspired paper doll fantasy gown with a corset and lute.

So, I have been spending some time with my big paper doll index and I have noticed there are a few tags with very few items in them. I don’t think everything has to be even, but I was surprised at how few Ancient Greek Inspired pieces of paper doll art I have posted. The last one was back in 2013. So, just like I created an Astronaut and a Ninja recently to try to flesh out those areas, I decided to dabble in the world of Ancient Greek inspiration.

Therefore today’s fantasy gown was inspired by Ancient Greek clothing, particularly the peplos which was women by women and fasten at the shoulders. Because I have a fondness in my heart for corsets, I added one over the top and her accessories are a scroll and a lyre, because everyone needs a lyre, don’t they?

Plus, they didn’t have codex format in Ancient Greece, so scrolls it is.

Other paper doll light tags include Russia inspired, cyborgs and ballet. Which one of those should I work on next? Let me know in a comment if you have an opinion, just remember: I always reserve the right to ignore suggestions and, of course, things take a long long time to go from idea to finished paper doll.

If you want to see more of that process, then become a patron where there’s behind the scenes updates.

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

B&B: African-American Fantasy Maiden’s Second Gown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Athena- Goddess of Wisdom, Renaissance Faires, and This Paper Doll I drew in 2013.

A fantasy paper doll gown featuring owls and puffy sleeves and trim and things. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

Yesterday, I posted my big beautiful brown skinned fantasy maiden B&B paper doll with some rockin’ boots and I explained how that paper doll set was inspired by a project to look again at older sets on the blog and use them for inspiration for newer sets. Yesterday’s paper doll and today’s gown were both based on a Pixie paper doll set called Dionisia.

Athena, goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology, inspired the trim on the bottom of her dress. Owls were the symbol of Athena and I wanted to give a nod to the goddess in this gown. In the Renaissance era, which was a minor inspiration for this gown, ancient Greek myth and legend was super popular, so the owl motif is also a nod to that.

Plus, it was an excuse to draw some owls and who doesn’t want to do that?

My natural instincts told me to make the undergown cream as I did with Monday’s paper doll gown, but I fought those instincts and went with a deep gold instead. Since the gown is trimmed in a nod to Athena, I decided that this gown was worn by a woman of education and distinction.

Therefore, she got a pot of ink, a scroll and a book as her accessories. Seriously, that’s why. It has nothing to do with my love of drawing books. Honestly.

Like the blog? Than think about becoming a Patron, following the blog on Twitter, leaving a comment, and/or telling a friend about it.

Tomorrow, there will be a ninja!

Also, I hope all my USA readers take the time today to go vote. Super important.

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

Ms Mannequin: Layered Fantasy Gown with an Underbust Corset

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Victorian Garters, Folk Art, and Layers, Layers, Layers

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Sometimes when I draw a paper doll outfit, it is really an excuse to explore something artistically. In today’s fantasy paper doll gown, I wanted to practice drawing drapery and layers. One of the things I am always thinking about when it comes to paper doll designs is how different pieces will layer over each other. Clothing, after all, has bulk and drape.

I previewed today’s fantasy paper doll gown way back in June and I actually drew the design back in December of last year. So, this has been a long long time coming, clearly.

There’s a second similar fantasy gown for the Ms. Mannequin series over on my Patreon page that everyone, not just Patrons, can download in color or black and white, so check that out over on my Patreon page and consider joining. It’s a great way to support the blog.

The corset designs are based on folk art designs which I love. I’ve always liked folk art florals and traditional crewel embroidery designs. The garters are, as I said above, based on Victorian garters which often closed with a clasp.

Meanwhile, please let me know what you think of today’s paper doll gown in a comment.

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

Meaghan’s Fantasy Gowns: Her Final Gown

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meaghan-fantasy-set-5-color

First of all, Happy Friday to all!

This it the last of the fantasy dresses for paper dolls this week and it is actually one of my favorites. I’ll confess it wasn’t one of my favorites when I first designed it, but it has grown on me and now I’m sorta loving it. (That might be the teal talking. I have a deep affection for teal.)

Sometimes my fantasy sets come with a well formed world in my head and other times they are just a chance to play with a specific silhouette that interests me. This week’s series of garments certainly falls more into the “silhouette” that intrigues me category. It would be inaccurate to suggest that I started with a clear idea of the “world” and then created the dresses.

Never the less, seeing them all together as I get to do on Friday, some idea of the universe from which these dresses come can be formed.

Given the paper dolls delicate shoes, I think it is safe to say that she either rarely goes outdoors, it is the middle of summer or she is living in a place where foot protection isn’t needed. So, I think we are dealing with an urban enviorment. Hiking through the woods in those sandals? I do not think so.

All her dresses are long and most are quite flowy. While this is beautiful, it sure isn’t practical. I think therefore we can assume that she is wealthy enough to not be concerned with practicality.

So, in the end, I think we’re dealing with a princess or a noble woman in a society where she doesn’t have to worry about hurting her feet and can spend time practicing her flute. Not a bad life I don’t think for my paper doll.

A Fantasy Paper Doll & Her Gowns

So, my challenge to you is, what do you think of her life? What stories do you think this paper doll collection tells? Let me know in a comment and have a fantastic weekend!

Meaghan’s Fantasy Gowns: Her Third Paper Doll Gown

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An elgant paper doll fantasy gown with a matching circlet. Deisgned to fit the Marisole Monday & Friends paper doll series. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

Clearly, this is not Accessory Thursday. This, “Hey it’s a dress” Thursday which, I will confess, does not roll so smoothly off the tongue.

I put the accessories, which were shoes, on Monday with the doll, because they were NOT very interchangeable among the various Marisole Monday & Friends. I am soliciting opinions about this decision in a poll below.

One way in which this week’s dresses have diverged from my other dress is that I didn’t have a specific color scheme in mind. I tried to stick to colors that all sorta went together, but I didn’t start out with a clear plan. Since I am spreading things out over a week, I don’t feel as beholden to a color scheme as I once did.

This paper doll gown is actually the design that inspired the whole set. In my head, the vest she wears has the long skirt attached to it and is made from a thick black velvet trimmed in gold braid. The berry pink fabric is a heavy cloth, but the cream fabric is softer.

Her circlet is made from soft leather with decorative beads. I intentionally made it longer on the sides, so that you can adjust it to the dolls head as needed to get a good fit. If you missed her, here’s the doll from Monday.

By the way, just out of curiosity, I have a poll about Accessory Thursday.

[poll id=”19″]

Tomorrow, there’s an elegant teal gown and, as usual, the round-up of the whole set of printable paper dolls for your ease of printing.

As always, I love to hear what people think in a comment.

Meaghan’s Fantasy Gowns: Her Second Paper Doll Dress

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A paper doll fantasy dress design in teal and cream. It fits the Marisole Monday & Friend's paper dolls.

As I promised yesterday, today there’s some music to do with yesterday’s flute.

The process of designing fantasy paper doll dresses usually begins with a silhouette. For example, I wanted all these dresses to be high-waisted and very full at the hem making a distinct a-line shape. Each gown also has an “over-robe” and an “under-robe” creating a consistent look. This is part of what I think about each set. I’m really not designing “four dresses”, rather I’m designing a week of themed dresses, so I try to think about a connecting thread either with a time period (like I did for the Poppets of the 1860s) or a stylistic choice- like making all these similar in their silhouette.

I’m not suggesting for a micro-second that this is always easy, but I find I think better in themes, though once in a while, I am tempted to just do a random week of whatever occurs to me; however, I don’t know if that style would be sustainable for me for a long period. I like being organized, what can I say?

I blame it on the librarian in me.

The librarian in me is also why I like drawing books for my paper dolls so much. I tried something kinda new here in that I drew an open book, rather than my usual closed book. I know basically nothing about music, except how it was printed and that’s hardly much to use when one is trying to play it. I faked my “music notes” here just to give it something that clearly wasn’t text. I think this might be my first music book, so maybe the other paper dolls with instruments just play by ear?

If you missed Monday, here’s the paper doll to go with this dress, though it will fit all the Marisole Monday & Friend’s paper dolls, so there’s no reason not to share.

By the way, I am currently collecting people’s thoughts on the new format after six weeks. If you haven’t tossed in your two cents, please do in a comment. If you have already tossed in your two cents, feel free to toss them in again. I won’t mind.