How to Cut a Chain of Paper Dolls

Cutting paper dolls is a favorite activity for children throughout the ages. Using basic materials, you can obtain a variety of differences quickly and easily. You can add another level of variety and creativity by altering the kind of paper and adding additional decorations to the paper dolls. Fill hours of time and imagination with this craft. You may remember cutting a chain of paper dolls from your childhood but may not remember the exact procedure. These directions will help stir your memory and get you crafting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper (8.5 x 11-inch or similar) Scissors Pencil or pen

1. Fold paper into an accordion or fan fold by first folding paper in half (8.5 to 8.5) and crease the fold. Open the paper.

2. Fold each side of the paper into the crease. Open the paper. You should now have three folds.

3. Fold the paper in half again.

4. Fold the folds to each other. All folds should be stacked on top of each other. Crease the new folds along the other edge.

5. Take the ends of the paper and fold them up to the original fold side of the paper. This will now make an accordion folded piece of paper. You will have eight accordion panels.

6. Draw a doll shape on to the top panel of paper. Make sure to touch side to side with arms/hands and additional points if desired, such as the skirt of a dress.

7. Cut along the drawn outline, making sure not to cut into the linking arms/hands.

8. Open the chain of paper dolls.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider drawing non-traditional forms, such as animals or aliens, for additional creativity. Color or decorate the dolls with markers, crayons, fabric or google eyes.