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spring
Spring Evening Gowns for Paper Dolls
I like starting paper doll series with evening gowns. I don’t 100% know why, but I think because they are fun to draw and everyone needs a few amazing evening gowns, don’t they?
Plus a lot of things I like draw are evening gown adjacent like fantasy dresses and evening gowns help me plot out how many pieces I can fit in a single paper doll page.
See… there is a method to my madness.
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These dresses are all based on designs from David’s Bridal and other online retailers. I could spend hours looking at fancy dresses that I have no reason to wear. My life is not that exciting.
Anyway, some of the inspirational dresses were this corset bodice and this one. Other dresses included this one shoulder gown and several other dresses like this one and this one.
I guess this paper doll could be subtitled: Rachel Spent Time on David’s Bridal Website while Social Distancing!
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And since it is spring, or so the calendar tells me, even if there’s 24 inches of snow on the ground outside, I wanted to focus on a color scheme that was spring colors- pastels mostly, but since I find a lot of pastels overly saccharine, these are pretty smoky.
I am excited by the fact that I can fit three pairs of shoes along the bottom of each paper doll sheet! This is a little thing, but I get joy out of small things.
I hope everyone is staying safe and doing okay in this strange time we’re all living in.
By the way, I am still sharing weekly extra Jewels and Gemstones outfits with my Patrons.
Playing Around with Pantones Colors for Spring 2018
I love color. This should shock no one. One of my favorite things is looking at Pantones color reports each season to see what they’ve predicted for the coming season. The Spring 2018 color report had some really lovely colors in it. Ultra-violet is the Pantone 2018 color of the year. Since I love purple, I’m perfectly content with this choice. I’m not sure I buy all of Pantone’s hype about the color, but I think it’s pretty.
So, I used the Ulta-Violet color in every piece, except the pants (which I made one of Pantones suggested ‘classic’ colors) and the purse which is a very pale petal sort of mauve color. It looks white, I know, but I swear it’s a light pink. Very light pink.
I tried to be trendy as I could in these pieces. I’ve been seeing a lot of fringe on handbags and a lot of abstract, but almost tropical feeling florals. The off the shoulder top is still in, I think? And sleeve detail is still very hot. I enjoy sleeve detail, but I always worry I’m going to accidentally put a bell sleeve into my soup.
There’s a non-Pantone inspired color scheme over on my Patreon page. You can check that out here (it’s open to everyone.)
So, I’ve been having trouble coming up with things to write in these blog posts lately (I dunno why). So, I am asking for help. If you have a question they have been wanting to ask, or a topic you’re curious about, write it the comments and I’ll answer it.
Of course, you’re also welcome to just comment about today’s paper doll or any of the paper dolls. I love to hear from y’all.
Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing
The Bellflower Princess Paper Doll & Her Ball Gown
When I was planning the Dames and Dandies series, I new I was going to have a stable set of “faces”, but I wanted those faces to have many versions. So, this is Version 2 of Beatrix– The Bellflower Princess Paper Doll version.
Also, huge shout out to my Mom, who when I was describing the flower I was remembering from the garden as a child, recalled the name of it and spelled it correctly enough for me to goggle it. The formal name for bellflowers is Campanula, by the way, which is what she told me.
I just thought Campanula Princess didn’t roll off the tongue as well as Bellflower Princess, hence the name change.
In the order of this princess paper doll design, the dress came first. Once I had it drawn, I wanted a crown and I came up with the idea of the flowers coming out from a pair of buns.
Once I had that idea in my head, I had to figure out how to actually create in a way that would work for someone cutting out the paper doll. So, I drew the hair style and the crown pieces separately.
Than, I used Photoshop to create one version of Beatrix with out the crown and second version with the crown. So, the hair with the crown can be cut out and placed over the hair without the crown.
This also assures that this version of Beatrix can wear a hat without floral crown pieces getting in the way.
I don’t often share my process photos here, because I try to save them for my Patrons. So, if you want to see more images of the raw beginnings of paper doll sets, than donate and join Patreon. I try to post a few “behind the scenes” images every month. I also put them up on Instagram erratically.
In case you missed any of this week’s floral ball. The first dress was Monday’s lily ball gown, the second was Wednesday’s fiddlehead fern suit and then today, we have the bellflower princess.
Let me know what you think of today’s paper doll in a comment or which paper doll from the floral ball was your favorite? I confess I don’t have one this time and usually I do.
Need a clothing for today’s Doll? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing
The Lily Ball Gown For Paper Doll Princesses
It feels at this time of the year as though Spring will never come. The weather in Alabama has been unusually cold and while I try to look at the bright side (fewer bugs), it has been a long grey winter. So, let’s look at paper doll clothing inspired by flowers.
This whole week will be devoted to the floral fantasy ball. Today, we have a Lily ballgown for the A pose paper dolls. Wednesday will be a Fiddlehead Fern inspired suit for the C pose gents. Friday Beatrix will debut as the bellflower princess with her own paper doll princess dress.
I love lilies. There were a bunch of yellow and orange lilies that grew by the door of our house when I was child. My mother is a wonderful gardener, but nothing else would grow in that corner. Those lilies grew there when we bought the house. As far as I know they are still there.
I wanted this paper doll princess dress to be elegant. It was also a chance to practice drawing lillies. I didn’t want the paper doll dress to feel to bridal, so I chose a rich color. It started out as purple, but I changed it to teal once I realized I was going to end up with two purple dresses if I kept it purple.
Anyway, to talk about the paper doll gown, I wanted to design this gown for weeks. I originally doodled it out in my notebook and I knew I wanted to make it a huge skirted sort of ballgown. The crown was partly inspired by something sort of Art Nouveau. Hop over to the Patreon page to see the original thumbnail doodle I did of this gown and the subsquent sketchbook pages.
Also, just for Patrons, there is a super fun purple version.
I’m curious. What are some of your favorite flowers? I love lilies, pansies and poppies. How about you? Share in a comment! And maybe you’ll inspire another paper doll princess dress.
Need a Doll to wear today’s outfit? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing
Winter and Spring Sorceress Paper Doll Dresses
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Vintage Santa Claus Illustrations and Layers
After I finished my Autumn sorceress gown, I began working on designs for a winter version. I knew I wanted fur and heavier looking fabric. After a few drafts (and with some inspiration from old illustrations of St. Nick), I came up with this design. I wanted it to feel lavish, but also warm.
Like the other dresses in the Sorceress Gowns Project colors really mattered. Initially, I wanted to make her fur trimmed coat red, but that felt a little to Father Christmas for me. So, instead I chose colors that reminded me of my visit to Alaska in November. Blues and greys that evoked the cool peacefulness of a winter day.
I wanted some big statement jewelry for her to really stand out against the turtle neck of her dress. So, I had fun designing that big gold bib necklace.
For her magical staff, I wanted snowflakes and the north star. I also added a ski poll like pointy bottom for hiking through the snow and being safe while doing so. I couldn’t decide between gold and silver for the colors of the staff, so I used both.
Her boots are fur trimmed. The soles are meant to reflect ice skates.
I also had a lot of debate about what color to make her stand. I almost made it white, but then I felt like it looked “unfinished” somehow, so blue won.
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Crocuses and Melting Snow
When I think of spring I think of crocuses. Perhaps, because I grew up in a snowy place. I think of their little flower heads poking out through the melting snow, seeking light and warmth. So, when I set out to draw a Spring inspired Sorceress gown, I knew crocuses were going to be featured.
Beyond the crocus, I knew I wanted drape and layers. I wanted something that was soft and warm, the way I think of spring sun as being soft and warm.
The pattern on the dress is meant to invoke the melting snow. The white dripping down and off the grass and the slow emergence of color again. I love winter. I love the stillness and the peacefulness, but spring is a time of transformation.
Color wise, I returned to the crocus. I wanted greens and purples and rich yellow. I wanted things that were soft and sweet, but also vibrant. Spring is not peaceful to me (unlike winter).
Her corset features a crocus, of course, and so does her staff.
So, today’s two Sorceress Gowns Project paper doll dresses were about two very different seasons. I am deeply proud of both gowns, though there is a lot of diversity in them.
What do you think of today’s gowns? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in a comment.
Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.
Poppets Paper Dolls’ Tunic and Leggings for Spring
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Â Leggings and Tunics
Simple, cute, and spring-like, today’s Poppet’s outfit was largely inspired by what I see actual children wearing. I wanted simplicity and sweetness which are not traits I generally associate with my work. I tend towards the more complicated.
Also, I’ve done a lot of Poppets series paper doll clothing lately. I can always return to the Fairy Tales and Nursery Rythmes series and the 1920s Children’s Wardrobe Collection another day. Today is for something sweet and cute.
It’s hard to get cuter than ruffles and a heart, after all.
Originally, I had some plays for a more grey and yellow color scheme. Truth be told however, I really found that I liked the absurd sweetness of the pink and sea glass blue.
For some reason, this whole outfit just feels like spring to me. I’m not craving spring. It’s autumn and I love autumn, but this outfit doesn’t feel autumnal.
Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.
The Poppet’s Get a 1920s Spring-Time Dress and Matching Cloche
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:1920s Children’s Clothing- One of my True Loves
Today’s Poppet 1920s Children’s Wardrobe Collection contribution is a spring time dress. I sort of thought of it as an Easter dress when I designed it, but Easter was a few weeks ago. I chose a pale color scheme with soft blue and pink for the dress. With the dress is a matching cloche, because lord knows the 1920s loved a good looking cloche.
I know I’ve spoken before about how much I adore 1920s children’s clothing. There’s just something about clothing of that era that I adore. I have equal love for children’s clothing of the 1930s, but I haven’t had as many opportunities to draw that.
Maybe that’s a project for another time.
I openly confess that I don’t have a good record of what I used as reference when I drew today’s dress. I am pretty sure I used Children’s Fashions 1900-1950 As Pictured in Sears Catalogs, 1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company and/or Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs. All of these books are from Dover which is a great source of reasonably priced fashion history books. I think I own almost all their 1920s fashion books.
The realization that fashion history books are a justifiable business expense has made it a lot harder to talk myself out of buying them.
I do realize that recently most of what I have posted for the Poppet’s paper dolls to print have been either from the Fairy Tale project or the 1920s project. Never fear, there are also normal clothing on the horizon. I mean, even paper dolls need jeans.
So, what do you think of today’s 1920s paper doll dress? Love it? Hate it? Wish it was purple? 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 and tune in tomorrow for a paper doll outfit inspired by one of my favorite novels.
Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.
The Poppet’s Springtime 1920s Dress
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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 IÂ 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.
If you’d like to support the blog, then donate a little each month and become a Patron. It really helps.
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.
Trendy Summer Paper Doll Clothing with Crop Tops and Paper Bag Pants
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Â Spring Fashion Trends 2017
Back when Ms. Mannequin started, they were all about contemporary fashion. Not really runway fashion (though if you want that Boots of Pop Culture and Paper Dolls is doing a great catwalk series right now, just sayin…), but the latest thing from the boutiques.
In essence, I wanted to draw trendy stuff right from the fashion magazines.
So, one of the things I drew a few weeks ago were some pages of trendy clothing for the Ms. Mannequin girls.
Today, they have a pair of cropped “paper bag pants” and I have to say, that is a really dumb name. However, these pants are very much in vogue at the moment. To go with them, I drew a wrapped crop top and then I added an scalloped edged pencil skirt, because I like to draw at least three pieces when I do contemporary paper doll clothing.
These pieces can mix and match with any of the Ms. Mannequin clothing you already have printed out.
So, when you are about to get the paper dolls ready for summer, they now have some on tread cropped “paper bag” pants.
Want to see things from the archives without having to go through the archives yourself? Follow the facebook page where I post paper dolls from PTP’s archives regularly.
More interested in what happens behind the scenes, my process, seeing sketchbook pages, and helping cover my server costs? Then join Patreon.
Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here
Sprites: Some Springtime Paper Doll Clothing in December
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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Â Â Springtime Colors, Striped Pockets, and Bucket Bags
Okay, so this does seem a little bit of a Spring-Like outfit choice considering that it is December 8th, but I created these outfits months and months ago and I really like the color scheme, so we are getting some Spring in December for the Sprites printable paper doll series.
One of the challenges of these modern sets has been to find color schemes that could go masculine or feminine. Pastels can be dangerous, but I think aqua is a color that can go either way.
I also had way more fun designing the purse to go with this set than I should probably admit to people.
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Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.
Yumiko’s Spring Styles: A Paper Doll to Print
I have been thinking about spring, but it feels a long away off. Even here in Alabama where the winters are so mild compared to what I have experienced in Alaska and the Midwest. Still, today’s paper doll to print is celebrating the possibility of warm spring fashions.
As I mentioned back when I first introduced the Sprite paper dolls, I want to establish a limited collection of dolls who will get outfits much like the Marisole Monday & Friends and the Mini-Maidens. So, this is the second Yumiko paper doll to print.
I figured after her foray into cyberpunk, the she deserved a chance to be a little more casual. I think her casual wardrobe is a little disconnected. I love all the pieces by themselves, but together they feel less the cohesive. I am getting over my mixed feelings by reminding myself that eventually there will be other Sprite paper dolls with casual clothes she can share with.
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I struggled a bit to select colors for today’s paper doll to print. I am, personally, a lover of color. In the end, I settled on black as the neutral (though I worry with this paper doll’s black curls does that make too much black?) and pale blue as the other neutral. Â The patterned blouse over the striped skirt caused some problems since the complicated patterned needed a lot of colors to look right, but I think maybe the chose to many different colors for this collection? I think that’s adding to the lack of cohesion that is bothering me so much.
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So, clearly, in case you couldn’t notice, I’ve got mixed feelings about today’s Sprite paper doll. Don’t get me wrong. There are things I love about her- those blouses, that darling purse with the tassel, her cute red shorts. But she feels… a tiny bit discombobulated.
Oh well, not every paper doll is perfect and if I only posted the paper dolls I was “totally in love with”, than I rather suspect I wouldn’t ever post anything at all.
More Yumiko paper dolls live here and there are also more Sprite paper dolls– in case you want Yumiko to get to dress up like an elf for a while or want to print out some friends.
Also, if you love the blog and want to help it keep going-Â support it through Patreon. There’s a special behind the scenes blog, perviews of sets, and I am way more likely to make patron requests, because… well, they are giving me money. So, consider joining up– it’s a fun group.
What do you think of Yumiko? Let me know in a comment.