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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.

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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.

Marisole Monday & Friends Now Have an 1820s Inspired Winter Walking Dress

March 21, 2017March 17, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Pelisses from the 1820s, such as this one from 1822

First of all, Happy St. Patrick’s Day and this paper doll has nothing to do with it. 🙂

Last Friday, I shared a ballgown inspired by the late 1860s, but today I have a winter walking costume inspired by the 1820s pelisse like this one from 1822, this one from 1818 and this one from 1825. It is the companion piece to last week’s printable paper doll dress.

The pelisse from 1822 was the one that was today’s paper doll gown’s strongest influence.

I went back and forth about the color scheme for a while, but I really wanted to do something in the red family. As it happens, I super like red.

Monochrome color schemes aren’t something I do much, but maybe I should play with them more. I find I often go back to the same colors for paper doll clothing over and over again.

I was trying to get all my wintery paper doll stuff backlog taken care off before it gets too warm, but frankly the weather has been freakish.

It keeps switching between Spring, in the 70s, and Winter, in the 30s and 40s. I don’t really care which one it chooses, but I dislike having to check my phone every morning to see if I need to grab my coat.

That’s enough complaining about Alabama’s wacky spring weather.

Meanwhile, if you want to support the blog, then think about donating through Patreon. I’ve opened up two example behind the scenes blog posts one with sketchbook photos and one where I talk about how I decide what to work on, so if you like those then seeing more just costs a dollar a month.

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

Some 1910s Clothing for my Curvy B&B Printable Paper Dolls

May 28, 2020March 14, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Fashion Plate form 1915

There are periods of fashion I am naturally attracted too like the 1920s and 1870s, but others that I am learning to apperciate more. One of these is 1910s clothing.

1910s clothing can be broken down into two major eras. The early part of the decade has a column silhouette, like this dress from 1912. After the beginning of World War I in 1914, the skirts begin to flare out and shorten. The silhouette becomes much freer. Today’s paper doll outfit is from 1915 and falls into this flared skirt era. Other examples of this “look” include this fashion plate from 1916, this dress or this suit.

One thing I love about 1910s clothing is the profusion of really absurd looking hats, like today’s hat from this fashion plate. I mean, really? I would say that surely no one wore a hat like that, but check out this example and this example from the Met.

See? Absurd hats abound in the 1910s. Does anyone but me kinda wish we still wore hats? Let me know in a comment.

Clearly, I need to spend more time in this era. There’s some fun stuff there.

One quick historical note: No one wore socks like the ones I drew here in 1910, but I didn’t want do deal will bare legs (which would have been a scandal in 1910) and I didn’t want to have draw full on stockings or attach the shoes to the dress, so this was my solution. Not perfect from a historical accuracy point of view, but there you have it.

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

A Wintertime Steampunk Costume for the Mini-Maidens Paper Dolls

May 19, 2020February 3, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: The Greta’s Trousseau Project

So, back in 2013, I started a project called Greta’s Steampunk Trousseau. The idea was to draw the extensive ladies wardrobe of the 19th century in a steampunk style. I added steampunk costumes to Greta’s Trousseau until about 2015 when I lost interest in the project and moved onto other paper doll things.

But, earlier this month, I was panicking. That the end of January was near and I didn’t have any Mini-Maiden paper doll posts ready for February. Searching for something to post, I discovered this wintertime steampunk costume which I had created for Greta’s Trousseau.

I thought to myself, “I swear I posted that.”

And then a through search of my archives informed me that I hadn’t.

So, because I am not one to waste a perfectly good paper doll outfit find and because everyone needs thigh high gaiters, I cleaned it up and here it is today.

As some of you know, I love Victorian fashion magazines. So, here’s me channeling my inner Victorian fashion magazine to describe today’s steampunk costume:

An elegant, but practical, promenade toilette for the colder months of the year. The jeacket has draped sleeves trimmed in fur, a high collar and a longer silouette with provides additional protection from the chilled air. The draped skirt is trimmed in fur. The long gaiters provide needed protection against winter mud and muck, while also being a practical alternative to high boots. The hat is a simple style and trimmed in wide ruched ribbon.

In case you doubt how old this design is, here’s the doodle it was based on from 2014.

So, should I take on another long term project like this? I have a few ideas for one which I am letting my Patrons vote on right now. So far the things that have been bouncing around in my head range from another steampunk thing (I do love me my neo-Victorian stuff) to a alien space princess. Everything is better with Alien space princesses.

Thoughts from y’all? Is another long term thing like this a good idea? Let me know in a comment.

Meanwhile, if you want to vote, then become a patron. Plus, the blog has a facebook page now which is pretty neat.

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

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

Sprites In Some 18th Century Clothing Options

May 28, 2020January 17, 2017

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 18th Century Merchant Class Clothing

This 18th century clothing for the Sprites paper dolls are meant to represent the Merchant Class. On the left, for the men, we have a jacket and vest worn over a shirt. His breeches, stockings and shoes are all mid-18th century. On the right, for the lady, we have a round-gown, defined by the lack of a stomacher. A handkerchief fills her low neckline and she has a matching cap, stockings and shoes.

In the United States in the 18th century, there were four social classes. You could be wealthy, merchant class, lower class or in some for of bondage, such as enslaved or indentured. In England, these classes were defined by birth. So, it was entirely possible to be a Merchant and make more money than a Lord, but you were still in the middle class. Unless you could marry off your son or daughter into a higher social status and then… Well, we have the plot of one of a million 18th century romances.

I should add that the merchant class didn’t just include merchants. Anyone involved in a trade like lawyers, doctors and clergy were considered middle-class. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that Barbers were separate from Doctors.

If you’re interested in learning more about 18th century clothing, you can check out my 18th Century Pixies series. I talk a lot in there about the ladies clothing of the era.

Alternatively, one of my favorite 18th century costume history books is What Clothes Reveal. I used it a lot for these, because it shows what “middle-class” people wore, rather than just what those with lots of cash wore. Colonial Williamsburg also has a decent overview of 18th century clothing. If you’re not sure where to start, start there.

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Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

Sprites Get Dickens Caroling Costumes for the Holidays

May 28, 2020December 23, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Dicken’s Christmas Carol, Vaguely Victorian Fashion and Google Image Search

I have never done a Christmas paper doll before. The way I’ve always figured it, there are plenty of Christmas paper dolls and I didn’t see much I could add to the genre. But since I have switched to a daily outfit posting schedule, I figured I might try it this year. So, today we have some Dickens caroling costumes for the Sprites printable paper dolls.

Dickens wrote the Christmas Carol on 1842, but there’s nothing historically correct about these outfits. In fact, I refused to do any historical research, though I did Google “Dickens Caroling Costumes” to get some ideas.

Some of the college students I work with would call that research, but I try not to think about that too much.

In fact, I would call these costumes and not clothing, because they aren’t historically correct in anyway. I knew I wanted the lady to have a bonnet and cape and for the guy to have a top hat. Beyond that, I just had fun.

I chose a holly pattern for the skirt, because I thought it was holiday and old fashioned without being too obvious.

Anyway, tomorrow is the first night of Hanukah and Christmas is on Sunday, so I would like to wish everyone who is celebrating either a really wonderful holiday. And for those who aren’t celebrating, I hope you have a great weekend with, or without, family.

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

B&B: A Steampunk Arctic Explorer

May 28, 2020December 14, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Arctic Explorers, Photos of Ladies on Glaciers in High Heels, and Fur Trim

This week’s “winter” outfit is this set of winter time steampunk arctic explorer clothing, because why not? I mean, everyone needs to have something fab to wear while exploring the arctic, don’t they?

I know nothing about arctic exploration, except what I know from living in Alaska and having to study the history of the state in school. My sister is a professional geologist and she has done crazy things like ice coring, but I didn’t ask for her advice.

I did try to be a bit practical with a skypole/walking stick with a spike and I went with trousers. I’ve seen 1890s photos of women on glaciers wearing high heels, so she got heels, but I wonder if maybe I should have drawn her some ice cleats or something. I’ll have to think about that next time I draw a steampunk arctic explorer outfit.

Maybe I should have asked Sis for advice. 🙂

This is only my second EVER steampunk inspired B&B paper doll outfit. I can’t believe that, but a quick foray into my archives does tell me it is true. Wow.

I have get on that in the New Year.

By the way, today’s post, as with all my posts, is possible because of my amazing Patrons, so think about giving a donation to help or following the blog on Twitter or leaving a comment or telling a friend about it or posting it to social media. Every little thing helps!

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

Steampunk Street Urchin Paper Doll Clothing

May 28, 2020November 25, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Newsboy Caps, Street Urchins, and Steampunk

I love all things Victorian and I have an equal love for neo-Victorian styles. I saw drawing steampunk stuff back in middle school, before there even was such a thing as steampunk. I called it Victorian Punk and I stumbled across some of those drawings last time I moved. Maybe I’ll dig them out and share them with my Patrons.

And actually, I haven’t ever done B&B steampunk before, unless you count my Regency Steampunk set I did last year. This set is much less high class and much more street urchin. Still, I love the belt. Love it.

Along with my favorite belt, there is also a newsboy cap, something I am still learning to draw, arm warmers and boots. Everything is better with boots. Personally, I also really like the yellow socks, but there is a black and white version, so feel free to color them anyway you please. Just in case you’re not as into yellow socks as I am.

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

Ms. Mannequin: Running Away to Join the Circus

May 28, 2020November 18, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: My Circus Pinterest Board and my Love of Boots

I have this odd fondness for vintage circus art. While I can’t really explain it, I mostly think I like vintage posters in general and old photos. By far the strongest influence on today’s paper doll outfit was my circus Pinterest board. Also, like my Ancient Greek fantasy gown from Tuesday, I realized I haven’t done much Circus inspired stuff since my Marisole Monday & Friend’s set from 2014.

Several years ago, my National Novel Writing Month project involved a circus. I never finished it, but that’s okay. Is anyone doing NaNoWriMo this year? I usually do, but I confess I’m not this time.

Anyway, I think this is the sort of circus outfit that is probably worn more often by burlesque dancers than actual circus performers, because I don’t think you can do trapeze in those boots, but then again, I don’t know much about actual circuses or their performers. Let’s be honest, here.

Still, I think there’s a lot of interesting things you can do visually with circus imagery.

Meanwhile, what do you think of today’s paper doll outfit? Let me know in a comment!

And if you’re interesting in what happens “behind the scenes” then join Patreon. There’s a whole different blog devoted to all things “backstage” there.

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

Retro Suit from 1954 for Paper Dolls

May 19, 2020October 26, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1950s Suits, Obviously

When you think of the 1950s, there are really two common silhouettes. The first is the nipped in waist and the full skirt. That look is pretty flattering on myself and one I enjoy drawing, but there is another look that was equally popular.

That is the narrow skirted silhouette, like today’s suit from 1954 for the Mini-Maiden paper doll series. This design is featured in the Complete Fashion Sourcebook by John Peacock and is identified as being from 1954. My major problem with Peacock’s works is that he rarely states where he found the images he is illustrating, so it is very hard to know what the context of the suit is.

However, very similar designs can be found in many other places including the Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs book from Dover publishing. Dover has a series of these books, one for each decade, and I could not recommend them enough.

A few more examples of this style from the 1950s can be seen in this vintage pattern cover, this vintage pattern cover and this vintage pattern cover. More 1950s fashion fun can be found on my 1950s fashion Pinterest board.

Sometimes, I think I wouldn’t mind wearing suits very day, because I love how they look. I don’t want to go back to the 1950s though, because as much as I like the clothing, I also like living in a era where the Civil Rights Act exists.

We’re on day three of our variety week and I want to know what you all think, so please let me know in a comment.

And, as always, if you like the blog, consider supporting it through Patreon.

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

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