How to Design Your Own Paper Doll & Clothing

Use paper and imagination to design paper dolls and clothing.

Paper dolls have been popular with children since the Victorian era. Paper dolls are small cutouts of people with clothing that attaches to them via small tabs. Children can create their own paper doll people and then invent new paper fashions for their dolls as often as they desire. This craft is economical since it requires only paper and a few art supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Crayons and markers
• Glue
• Yarn
• Tape
• Paper

Instructions

1. Draw an outline of a person onto a piece of cardboard. Use thin, sturdy board like that found on a cereal box or the back of a notepad. Cut out your person using scissors, leaving the section between the person's feet uncut.

2. Cut a strip of cardboard approximately three inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Cut two slits in this strip, 1/2 inch in from either side and cutting almost through the whole width of the strip. Cut similar slits on the bottom of your paper doll. Bend the cardboard strip in half and form it like a triangle behind the doll, lining up the slits in the doll with the slits in the strip to attach the support to the doll. Now your doll can stand on its own.

3. Color the doll's face with crayons or markers and glue yarn to its head for hair. Tape the doll onto a window.

4. Hold a sheet of paper on top of the doll and trace around the doll's shape with a pencil. Use this basic shape to design clothing on the paper to fit the doll. Color the clothing items and cut them out, being sure to include a few paper tabs on each clothing item to secure it to the doll.

5. Place the clothing onto the doll, securing it with the tabs. Make as many outfits as you desire and change them out as you play.

References

• Care2: Make Paper Dolls from Recycled Materials