Paper Fashion Dolls

Lesson Summary

This lesson introduces students to the basics of fashion design through the creative process of making paper dolls with removable clothing. Students will draw human figures in natural poses, design different articles of clothing, and learn about how fabrics rest and wrinkle on the human form. By designing and illustrating their paper dolls and clothing, students will gain insight into fashion illustration, textile design, and rendering techniques.

Lesson Objectives

Students will draw human figures in natural poses.
Explore the fundamentals of fashion illustration and textile design.
Learn about the structure of clothing and how fabrics drape and wrinkle on the body.
Study various fashion styles, seasonal clothing, and traditional attire from around the world.
Practice drawing and coloring techniques using markers and pencil crayons.

Discussion Questions

What are you wearing today? What’s your favorite piece of clothing and why?
Which style do you prefer—casual, hip-hop, formal, traditional, or something else?
What’s the strangest or most unique outfit you’ve ever seen?
Which celebrity or public figure do you think has the best fashion sense?
What types of clothes do people wear in different seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter)?
Which colors for clothing are most common for each of the four season, spring, summer, fall and winter?
Which country’s traditional clothing do you find most interesting or beautiful?

Materials Needed

Thick White Paper (for the figure)
Colored Paper (for clothing)
Markers
Pencil Crayons
Paint
Scissors or Cutter Knife

Steps for Drawing the Human Figure

Follow these steps to create a well-proportioned and dynamic human figure:

Sketch the Torso – Begin with the largest part of the body, the torso. This serves as the foundation for the figure’s overall structure.
Add the Head and Limbs – Roughly outline the legs, arms, and head, focusing on their placement and general shape. Keep the lines loose and gestural.
Refine Proportions – While proportions vary, aim for balance and natural symmetry. Use basic guidelines, such as the head-to-body ratio, to maintain accuracy.
Detail the Hands and Feet – Start with simple shapes, then refine them by adding fingers, toes, and defining contours.
Define Facial Features – Add eyes, nose, mouth, and ears to bring your figure to life. Pay attention to alignment and expression.
Explore Different Poses – Experiment with various poses to understand movement, balance, and flexibility, making your figures more dynamic.

Human Center of Gravity

In humans, when standing upright, the center of gravity is typically located in the body midline, in front of the lower spine, and behind the navel. Various factors can affect a person's center of balance, including the posture and various external forces.

What to Do

Step 1: Draw the Base Figure

Sketch your ideal figure wearing only underwear.
The figure can be inspired by a celebrity, animation character, or yourself.
Focus on creating natural poses that will make clothing design easier.
Ink the figure and color it using markers or pencil crayons.

Step 2: Cut Out the Figure

Carefully cut out your figure using scissors or a cutter knife. Ensure the edges are smooth and clean.

Step 3: Trace the Figure for Clothing

Place your figure on a sheet of colored paper and trace around it.
Use this outline to design articles of clothing that fit your figure perfectly.

Step 4: Design Clothing

Think about different styles, colors, and fabrics.
Consider how the clothing fits on the body and how it drapes or wrinkles.
Use markers, pencil crayons, or paint to add patterns and textures to your designs.

Step 5: Create Hinges for Clothing

Add small hinges or tabs to the clothing pieces so they can attach to the figure.
Ink, color, and cut out the clothing designs.

Step 6: Test the Fit

Attach the clothing to your figure using the hinges. Adjust the designs as needed for a perfect fit.

Step 7: Create More Clothing

Continue designing additional articles of clothing, such as tops, pants, dresses, jackets, and accessories.
Experiment with different styles and colors.

Step 8: Mix and Match

Once all the clothing is complete, mix and match different outfits on your figure.

Terminology

Proportions: The relative size of body parts compared to each other, helping make a drawing look realistic.
Joint: A point where two bones meet, allowing movement, like the elbow, knee, or shoulder.
Center of Balance: The point where gravity pulls down on the human body the strongest.
Fashion Illustration: The art of drawing and illustrating clothing and accessories.
Textile Design: The creation of patterns and designs for fabrics.
Wrinkle: Creases or folds that occur in fabric.
Rendering: The process of adding color, texture, and detail to a drawing.
Tab: A small extension on paper clothing that allows it to be attached to the paper figure.

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