Creative Paper Doll Making
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Paper Doll Making: a Craft For All Ages
As a child, I loved paper dolls. Most of the dolls in my paper doll collection were store-bought -- but not all. Sometimes I whiled away hours coloring or creating my own. When I was nine, I received a giant paper doll with pages of black line outfits to color. With felt tip markers, I meticulously colored everything from the doll's school dress and jeans to the Pilgrim dress she wore in acting class. (And yes, that is her ballet outfit you see there in the picture!)
I also tried to make paper dolls to go with a story I created, about a little girl and her pet mouse. I drew matching outfits for the girl and mouse, but it was a struggle to cut them correctly. (Also, since I lacked an appropriate shade of marker, the girl was a wee bit on the orange side.) I don't think those attempts were saved... unfortunately. There's often a stage in our growing up years where we're mortified by our childhood artwork, but later it becomes interesting again.
As I grew older, I found new canvases, and paper doll making became more of a craft. Sometimes I made dolls for younger relatives. When I put up my first paper doll page on the Squidoo site, I discovered that I was hardly the only one to do this! And so this page is for little and not so little ones -- kids and parents alike -- who make paper dolls.
The page opens with the simplest paper dolls -- the "just color them in" ones -- and close on some of the fancier ones, the ones that can truly be called art. (Who would have thought of combining origami and paper dolls... or guessed that there was a Ning community for paper doll artists?)
I also tried to make paper dolls to go with a story I created, about a little girl and her pet mouse. I drew matching outfits for the girl and mouse, but it was a struggle to cut them correctly. (Also, since I lacked an appropriate shade of marker, the girl was a wee bit on the orange side.) I don't think those attempts were saved... unfortunately. There's often a stage in our growing up years where we're mortified by our childhood artwork, but later it becomes interesting again.
As I grew older, I found new canvases, and paper doll making became more of a craft. Sometimes I made dolls for younger relatives. When I put up my first paper doll page on the Squidoo site, I discovered that I was hardly the only one to do this! And so this page is for little and not so little ones -- kids and parents alike -- who make paper dolls.
The page opens with the simplest paper dolls -- the "just color them in" ones -- and close on some of the fancier ones, the ones that can truly be called art. (Who would have thought of combining origami and paper dolls... or guessed that there was a Ning community for paper doll artists?)
Paper Doll Crafts
On This Page
- Paper Dolls to Color
- Making Paper Dolls With Catalogs...
- Adding Hair and Textures
- Coloring Paper Dolls
- Heritage Paper Dolls to Color
- Paper Doll Making Directions
- Make Origami Paper Dolls
- Educational Applications
- Using a Photo to Make Your Doll
- Another Look at the Mini Me Doll
- Working With Photos...
- Artsy Paper Dolls
- Holiday Paper Dolls
- Paper Doll Making Kits
- Making Paper Dolls for Art Journal Pages
- The Paper Doll Artists Guild
- Images of Unique Paper Dolls
- Printing on Cardstock
- Cardstock for Printing Paper Dolls
- Paper Doll Making Community
- Blog: The Artful Paper Doll
- For Serious Paper Doll Artists
- More Paper Crafts
Paper Dolls to Color
Fantasy, Realism, and Character dolls
By the time a child is old enough to cut out paper dolls, s/he is usually old enough to color between the lines. There are many free paper dolls, both charming and simple, that you can print out for your little ones to color. (Different designs are suitable for different age groups, and I have shared my thoughts on which of these are for preschoolers and kindergartners and which are more suitable for older kids.)
- Billy Bear 4 Kids
- Here are very simple child and bear paper dolls to color and cut.
- Fairy Paper Dolls
- These fairy dolls can be printed for personal use.
- Family Crafts Paper Doll Template
- This is for little ones -- a simple to color paper doll template from About.com
- Color and Cut -- Woman and Little Girl
- These are from Funorama. this woman and little girl doll are suitable for the elementary school crowd.
- Jan Brett's Hedgehogs
- Here are delightful, detailed hedgehogs with costumes to print. They are based on the storybook characters. Official -- from Jan Bret.com.
- Princess Dolls
- These princess dolls are little girls (as opposed to Disney-type princesses.)
- Caillou
- Here is a charming little girl with six outfits, ideal for kindergarten and the primary grades.
- Princess Paper Doll
- This one's from Disney family fun.
- Baby Doll
- Here is a baby doll with 12 outfits.
- Boy Paper Doll
- Here's a realistic little boy with three outfits.
Making Paper Dolls With Catalogs...
And Rubber Stamps
When I was little, I also made paper dolls with the Sears catalog. Those dolls had great accessories, but they couldn't change outfits. The technique shown in this video never occurred to me -- cut out just the face from the catalog and glue it on a simple handmade doll.
This tutorial uses some materials you may need to purchase: rubber stamps. The final product is great, though. It can turn into a piece of artwork or a plaything for older kids. (Watch the video for inspiration, even if you don't follow it step by step.)
This tutorial uses some materials you may need to purchase: rubber stamps. The final product is great, though. It can turn into a piece of artwork or a plaything for older kids. (Watch the video for inspiration, even if you don't follow it step by step.)
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Adding Hair and Textures
To paper dolls
These projects are a bit more elaborate, adding 3-D elements or textures, but they are still ideal for kids of varying ages. Some are also suitable for adult crafters.
- Making Friends Paper Dolls
- Children explore similarities and difference by assembling these dolls.
- Family Fun Paper Dolls
- Here are fashion paper dolls with textures -- suitable for children in the elementary and middle grades.
- Art Projects for Making Friends
- Incorporate 'making friends' dolls in various kid crafts.
- Fabric Paper Dolls
- Incorporate sewing scraps in paper doll making.
- Paper Dolls to Decorate
- Decorate these little girl dolls with ribbons and bows -- suitable project for the elementary school crowd.
- Paper Doll Templates
- You draw the face (or paste it on). These are basic templates for kids -- make them plain or fancy.
Coloring Paper Dolls
This is my eight-year-old niece making look-alike paper dolls of her and her younger sister. She described the outfits (peace signs, hearts) while I sketched. We cut the dolls out of tag, the clothing out of typing paper.
Ready-Made Paper Dolls
My other paper doll page features ready-made paper dolls, including some I loved in my own childhood.
Heritage Paper Dolls to Color
This blog features a black line pattern each week -- an outfit representing some decade in history.
Paper Doll Making Directions
The Basics
Need step by step instructions for simple paper dolls?
- Wikihow: Make Paper Dolls
- A wiki on the basic of paper doll creation. (Also view some ready-made paper dolls here.)
- Imagination Soup
- Simple directions for making paper dolls with children. (See some cute examples made by a seven-year-old, too.)
Make Origami Paper Dolls
Origami Paper Doll Making Kit, make 8 Dolls
Amazon Price: $15.65 (as of 06/02/2012)
This craft kit combines paper doll making with the ancient art of origami. You and your children can make dolls clad in little kimonos. The kit includes beautiful assorted papers as well as black hair. Note: This isn't a craft for little children. The company recommends the craft for ages eight and up, but I suspect the average eight-year-old would need assistance from a parent or teacher.
Educational Applications
Enacting Social Studies Themes
Using a Photo to Make Your Doll
This vintage Shirley Temple is hardly handmade, but it does illustrate how a photo can enliven an otherwise very simple doll.
Another Look at the Mini Me Doll
- Personalized Paper Dolls
- From Salsa Pie.
Working With Photos...
Your child might want to design a paper doll with her own face -- and the following page may give you some inspiration about how to do that.
Artsy Paper Dolls
Here are some decorative dolls made by artists with a flair for the unusual.
- Mirkwood Designs
- Marionette-style paper doll to decorate.
- Marionette-style Paper Mermaid
- Artsy marionette-style mermaid doll.
Holiday Paper Dolls
Paper Doll Making Kits
I am amazed at the variety of paper doll making kits that have been created -- many of which are no longer in print. There's even one where your child attaches photos to make the doll's faces, then colors in their wardrobes. It's the 1996 Design a Paper Doll (from The Learning Works). I think it's my personal favorite -- I am so tempted to buy it for my nieces!
There are also some Betsy McCall themed paper doll making kits out there. And of course there are a lot of kits with blackline clothing to color.
Everything pictured here is hand-selected.
There are also some Betsy McCall themed paper doll making kits out there. And of course there are a lot of kits with blackline clothing to color.
Everything pictured here is hand-selected.
Making Paper Dolls for Art Journal Pages
A Craft for Older Children and Adults
Use colored pencils and watercolor to create doll parts and clothing, then assemble them on hand-painted backgrounds to decorate a journal.
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The Paper Doll Artists Guild
For the serious paper doll artist
- OPDAG
- Resources from OPDAG (the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild).
Printing on Cardstock
I recommend cardstock for the dolls, so they can withstand a good deal of play. A high quality heavy-duty paper may suffice for the outfits.
- How to Print on Cardstock
- You'll probably want to print your dolls on cardstock. Here on some tips.
Cardstock for Printing Paper Dolls
Wausau Exact Index Cardstock, 92 Brightness, 110 lb, 8.5 x 11 Inches, White, 250 Sheets (48508)
Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)
This is an economical cardstock that can be used for printing paper dolls.
Paper Doll Making Community
- The Artful Paper Doll Ning
- Join this Ning community to learn from other paper doll artists.
Blog: The Artful Paper Doll
For Serious Paper Doll Artists
- Publishing Tips
- From OPTAG
More Paper Crafts
What Do You Think of Paper Dolls?
Share your thoughts.
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LittleLindaPinda May 29, 2012 @ 8:23 pm | delete
- Wow, 9 years old. What beautiful job you did even back then. Such Memories. I am so happy you are bringing paper dolls back.
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BuckHawk
May 1, 2012 @ 3:15 pm | delete
- Great page. You have really done a wonderful job of teaching how-to make paper dolls. It'll be featured on Organize Craft Supplies in our June post.
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AlexiaLynn Mar 24, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
- My daughter loves magnetic dolls. I think I will have to introduce this to her when she gets older! Thanks for sharing.
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Tolovaj
Jan 28, 2012 @ 9:52 am | delete
- Paper doll are so cute and entertaining... Thumbs up!
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artbyrodriguez
Jan 20, 2012 @ 12:05 pm | delete
- I used the cataloges to actually cut out the clothes they were selling (sometimes I would have to cut off the sleeves, or alter the shape), and fit my smallest paper dolls. Oh, the memories!
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LornsA178
Jan 13, 2012 @ 1:27 pm | delete
- I remember cutting paper dolls and making paper dresses when I was a child. This brings back memories. Thanks for sharing.
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Aquavel
Jan 6, 2012 @ 12:42 am | delete
- Beautiful lens! Loved playing with paper dolls as a kid! Great activities presented here! Enjoy the idea of working with origami and making kimonas for the dolls! ~ I'm an old "kid" now and I still love coloring, cutting, folding and playing with shapes on paper!
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CircusRunaway
Dec 31, 2011 @ 10:20 pm | delete
- Lovely lens! What a treat :)
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kathysart
Dec 25, 2011 @ 11:21 am | delete
- I absolutely adore paper dolls.. such a lovely fantasy. THUMBS UP ANGEL BLESSED
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lilymom24
Nov 21, 2011 @ 5:26 pm | delete
- I used to love paper dolls as well. Thank you for bringing back some good memories as I had forgotten about them. Also, thank you for blessing my hemispherectomy lens. =)
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by KarenTBTEN
Hi. I'm a teacher and a writer. One of my passions is stringing words together -- and another is reading them out loud! I enjoy recording audio (publi... more »
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Paper Doll Making Kit for Kids
From American Girl
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Amazon Price: $11.61 (as of 06/02/2012)
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