Paper Dolls Step by Step

Hi, here is another picture and text run through, just a few helpful tips please do add your own helpful tips in the comments if you have any, Linda :) These paper dolls were printed out on a good quality bright white card, with a thickness of 275mic or 225gsm. Cut out all the pieces from your printed sheet with scissors, leaving a small amount of white waste around the edges.Picture A. This will protect your pieces till you are ready to cut out and use them, or wish to store them. A good pair of small curved scissors really helps with detailed cutting, as does holding the card piece you are cutting, and moving it through the curves and small variations, rather than just moving the scissors as you cut. I usually trim away the arm parts left on the body shape up to the vest camisole straps or rose neck border and then attach the arms behind the main body. The cutting is indicated with an arrow in picture A and shown during cutting on three different main bodies in Picture B. The skirt on the waisted Main bodices can be cut away into different pantie corset shapes.Picture B & Finished in C. The basic Bodice (shown in picture A, a striped Bodice) can be embellished with crepe paper added or used as an undergarment to further alterations, punch holes or piece where indicated on limbs, or to own preference on bodice and head and shoulders.

Most dolls usually have alternative options of different coloured Arms, Legs, Gloves, Shoes and Boots in different colourways, some are shown in Picture D. As well as the ready to use posable parts for the arms and legs, you can easily create your own by cutting two identical limbs into the separate component parts, shown in picture E & F. Limbs can be cut into 2 or 3 sections, three can be very useful on Arms.Picture E. Arms being cut as; Shoulder joint to and including the Elbow joint, and from the same piece you can cut the Hand up to and including the Wrist joint. From the second limb, you will cut the middle forearm section, cut as; Elbow joint down to and including the Wrist joint.Picture E. Legs only usually need two pieces, being cut as; Thigh down to and including the Knee joint, and then Foot up to and including the Knee joint. Picture F2. You can just make a one cut legs , but these are best stuck into position as there is no room for jointing. Picture F1. Punch holes or pierce where indicated on limbs, or to own preference on bodice and head and shoulders. Back view of paper dolls positioning of limbs in picture G1. Picture G2 don't forget to check all your white waste paper, you may be throwing away your little embellishments. Picture H, finished jointed Ballerina Dolls

Little Dog, and Inking edges

Little Dog. Cut out little dog, Picture 1, Crease where indicated along arrows, Picture 2, Fold Picture 3, Glue added to tab, Picture 4,Stick together and hold, Picture 5, Finished stand up Picture 6. Inking edges I usually ink the edges of hair, black, and brightly coloured edges.Pictures 7,8,&9 I never ink edges of face arms or legs where a bleed through will definately show up. I made up the double parasol back to back cutting away the paper handles and inserting a cocktail stick stuck between the two images as a handle.Picture 8. The double ticket in the 'Theatre/circus' girls was also folded in half and stuck together. Steampunk girls,I would recommend attaching the balloon to wire, to appear as a floating ballon toy. Wings can be added to anything. Layout your dolls and rearrange before deciding on your doll's style, see below pictures.

Lovely Surprise

I had a wonderful present pop through the letterbox today. It had had a long journey all the way from the US, and probably held up in our customs too no doubt. Dale Ann is an amazing artist who posted a beautiful Pegasus foal print on her blog that was up for grabs, and I was a lucky winner, Thank you Dale Ann, its gorgeous, here are the pics, it was so beautifully packaged too. Dale Ann's Blog Chronicles of Whimsy http://delarenaissance.blogspot.co.uk/ She has a wonderful Etsy shop too Linda :)