Paper Dolls: A Fun and Creative Craft for Kids and Adults
Paper dolls are figures cut out of paper or thin card, with separate clothes, also made of paper, that are usually held onto the dolls by paper folding tabs. They may be a figure of a person, animal or inanimate object. Paper dolls have been inexpensive children's toys for almost two hundred years. Today, many artists are turning paper dolls into an art form. Paper dolls have been used for advertising, appeared in magazines and newspapers, and covered a variety of subjects and time periods. Over the years, they have been used to reinforce cultural beliefs regarding the appearance of ideal women. Today, they have become highly sought-after collectibles, especially as vintage paper dolls become rarer due to the limited lifespan of paper objects. Paper dolls are still being created today. Some flat plastic figures are similar to paper dolls, like Colorforms figures and Flatsy dolls, but these are mere imitations and not considered true archetypal characteristics of the paper doll art form. Magnetized versions of paper dolls have also been produced over the years. Paper dolls have regained popularity with young children featuring popular characters and celebrities. Online and virtual paper dolls like KiSS, Stardoll and Doll makers also have a popular following, with users able to drag and drop images of clothes onto images of dolls or actual people.
What are paper dolls?
The definition and history of paper dolls
Paper dolls are figures cut out of paper or thin card, with separate clothes, also made of paper, that are usually held onto the dolls by paper folding tabs. They may be a figure of a person, animal or inanimate object.
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Paper dolls have been around as long as there has been paper, perhaps hundreds or even thousands of years by some estimates. Faces or other objects were applied to the paper and they were used during religious rituals and ceremonies in the Asian cultures many centuries ago. The Japanese used paper for origami, the art of paper folding, and dating back to 800 AD they folded paper figurines in the shape of kimono. Balinese people made paper and leather into puppets since before the Common Era. Other cultures around the world have had paper formations or paper art, including in Poland, where they were called Wycinanki. These early types of paper figures differ from typical paper dolls today, as no clothes were made to be used with the dolls.
The first manufactured paper doll was Little Fanny, produced by S&J Fuller, London, in 1810. In Europe, particularly France, the first paper dolls were popular since the mid-18th century. The oldest known paper doll card is hosted by Germanisches Nationalmuseum and was printed around 1650 in Southern Germany, showing two female figures with a number of dresses, pieces of headgear, hairstyles and accessories. The paper was jointed and they were called pantins meaning dancing or jumping jack puppet. They were intended to entertain adults and spread throughout high society. They were drawn or painted like people with fashions for each doll. These were more similar to contemporary Western paper dolls.
The types and styles of paper dolls
Paper dolls come in all varieties. Some need to be punched out. Some need to be cut out. Some even allow children to color them in, thus engaging even more creativity.
Some examples of different types and styles of paper dolls are:
Historical figures and costumes
Celebrities and movie stars
Cartoon characters and superheroes
Fairy tales and fantasy creatures
Fashion models and designers
Cultural diversity and ethnicities
Animals and pets
Family members and friends
Why play with paper dolls?
The benefits of paper dolls for children
Paper dolls are not only fun, but they also have many benefits for children's development and learning. Some of these benefits are:
Paper dolls can stimulate children's imagination and creativity, as they can create different stories and scenarios with their dolls and clothes.
Paper dolls can enhance children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as they need to cut, fold, and attach the clothes to the dolls.
Paper dolls can teach children about colors, shapes, patterns, and textures, as they can explore different combinations and styles of clothes.
Paper dolls can introduce children to different cultures, histories, and traditions, as they can learn about the costumes and lifestyles of different people and places.
Paper dolls can foster children's social and emotional skills, as they can share, cooperate, and communicate with others who play with paper dolls.
The benefits of paper dolls for adults
Paper dolls are not only for children. Adults can also enjoy playing with paper dolls, or collecting them as a hobby. Some of the benefits of paper dolls for adults are:
Paper dolls can provide a relaxing and therapeutic activity, as they can help reduce stress and anxiety by focusing on a creative task.
Paper dolls can offer a nostalgic and sentimental experience, as they can remind adults of their childhood memories and emotions.
Paper dolls can express one's personality and style, as they can reflect one's preferences and tastes in fashion and art.
Paper dolls can challenge one's artistic and intellectual skills, as they can inspire one to design, draw, or research new ideas for paper dolls.
Paper dolls can connect one with other enthusiasts, as they can join online or offline communities of paper doll collectors and artists.
How to make paper dolls?
Using a printable template
One of the easiest ways to make paper dolls is to use a printable template that you can find online or in a book. You can choose from a variety of templates that suit your interests and preferences. Some websites that offer free printable paper doll templates are:
To use a printable template, you will need the following materials:
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A printer and paper (preferably cardstock or heavy paper)
Scissors or a craft knife
Glue or tape
Coloring tools (optional)
The steps to use a printable template are:
Download or print the template of your choice.
Cut out the doll and the clothes along the dotted lines.
If the template is not colored, you can color it with your favorite colors.
Fold the tabs on the clothes and attach them to the doll.
Enjoy playing with your paper doll or display it as a decoration.
Drawing your own doll
If you want to make your own paper doll from scratch, you can draw it by yourself. You can use your imagination or base it on a real person or character. You can also customize the clothes and accessories to fit your style and mood.
To draw your own paper doll, you will need the following materials:
Paper (preferably cardstock or heavy paper)
Pencil and eraser
Ruler and compass (optional)
Scissors or a craft knife
Glue or tape
Coloring tools (optional)
The steps to draw your own paper doll are:
Draw the outline of the doll on a piece of paper. You can use a ruler and a compass to help you draw symmetrical shapes. You can also trace an existing doll or use a stencil.
Add details to the doll, such as the face, hair, and shoes. You can also draw some accessories, such as hats, glasses, or jewelry.
Cut out the doll carefully along the outline.
If you want to color the doll, you can do it before or after cutting it out.
Draw the clothes for the doll on another piece of paper. You can use the same method as drawing the doll, or you can use a template as a guide. Make sure to draw tabs on the edges of the clothes so that they can be attached to the doll.
Cut out the clothes along the outline and fold the tabs.
If you want to color the clothes, you can do it before or after cutting them out.
Attach the clothes to the doll by gluing or taping the tabs to the doll's body.
Enjoy playing with your paper doll or display it as a decoration.
Completing your paper doll
Once you have made your paper doll and its clothes, you can add some finishing touches to make it more attractive and durable. Some of the things you can do are:
Laminate your paper doll and its clothes with clear contact paper or self-adhesive sheets. This will make them more resistant to tearing and water damage.
Use magnets or Velcro instead of tabs to attach the clothes to the doll. This will make them easier to change and more secure.
Decorate your paper doll and its clothes with stickers, glitter, sequins, beads, ribbons, or other embellishments. This will make them more colorful and sparkly.
Make a background or a scene for your paper doll. You can use another piece of paper or cardboard and draw or glue some images or objects that relate to your paper doll's theme or personality.
Make a storage box or a folder for your paper doll and its clothes. You can use an old shoe box or a file folder and decorate it with paper, stickers, or paint. This will help you keep your paper doll and its clothes organized and safe.
Conclusion
Paper dolls are a fun and creative craft for kids and adults. They are figures cut out of paper or thin card, with separate clothes, also made of paper, that are usually held onto the dolls by paper folding tabs. They may be a figure of a person, animal or inanimate object. Paper dolls have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times and spanning across different cultures and regions. Paper dolls come in various types and styles, featuring historical figures, celebrities, cartoon characters, fashion models, and more. Paper dolls have many benefits for children's and adults' development and learning, such as stimulating imagination, enhancing motor skills, teaching about colors and shapes, introducing different cultures and histories, fostering social and emotional skills, providing relaxation and therapy, offering nostalgia and sentimentality, expressing personality and style, challenging artistic and intellectual skills, and connecting with other enthusiasts. Paper dolls can be made easily by using a printable template or drawing your own doll. Paper dolls can also be completed by laminating them, using magnets or Velcro, decorating them with embellishments, making a background or a scene, and making a storage box or a folder.
FAQs
What are some examples of paper dolls?
Some examples of paper dolls are:
Betty Bonnet: A series of paper dolls created by Sheila Young in the early 20th century that featured a young girl and her family wearing fashionable outfits.
Tommie Tiptoe: A series of paper dolls created by Grace Drayton in the 1910s that featured a mischievous boy who wore different costumes.
Dolly Dingle: A series of paper dolls created by Grace Drayton in the 1910s that featured a chubby-cheeked girl who wore colorful dresses.
Betsy McCall: A series of paper dolls created by McCall's magazine in the 1950s that featured a young girl who wore modern clothes and had various adventures.
Barbie: A series of paper dolls created by Mattel in the 1960s that featured the famous fashion doll and her friends wearing trendy outfits.
How do you preserve paper dolls?
Paper dolls are fragile and susceptible to damage from light, moisture, insects, dust, and handling. To preserve paper dolls, you should:
Store them in acid-free boxes or folders away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.
Avoid folding, bending, or cutting them.
Handle them with clean hands or gloves.
Use archival materials such as plastic sleeves or tissue paper to protect them.
Avoid using tape, glue, staples, or pins on them.
How do you play with paper dolls?
Paper dolls are versatile toys that can be played with in many ways. Some of the ways you can play with paper dolls are:
Dress them up in different outfits and accessories.
Create stories and scenarios with them.
Make them talk to each other or to you.
Act out scenes from books, movies, or TV shows with them.
Make them dance or sing along to music.
Where can you buy paper dolls?
Paper dolls can be bought from various sources such as:
Online stores such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or Paperdoll Review Bookstores or libraries that sell or lend paper doll books or magazines.
Craft stores or hobby shops that sell paper doll kits or supplies.
Antique stores or flea markets that sell vintage or collectible paper dolls.
How do you make paper doll clothes?
Paper doll clothes can be made by using various methods such as:
Using a printable template that matches the size and shape of your paper doll. You can find many templates online or in books, or you can make your own by tracing the outline of your paper doll on a piece of paper and drawing the clothes on it.
Drawing your own clothes on a piece of paper or cardstock. You can use your imagination or base them on real clothes or costumes. You can also use stickers, stamps, or stencils to add details and patterns.
Cutting out clothes from magazines, catalogs, or wrapping paper. You can look for images of clothes that fit your paper doll's theme or personality, and cut them out carefully. You can also mix and match different pieces to create new outfits.
Using fabric scraps, lace, ribbon, or other materials to make clothes. You can glue or sew them together to form clothes, or you can wrap them around your paper doll like a sarong or a scarf.
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