I purchased a magnetic sheet at the art supply store, and then we enlarged the Oliver + S paper doll (which she knows is modelled after her. She and Todd were looking at the website one day when she pointed to the Bubble Dress and said, "I have that dress. Size 3. Fits me now!") and glued it to the magnet. Using tracing paper, I drew the outlines of clothes and copied them to the magnetic sheet. Then Tsia selected fabrics and papers for the outfits, and we glued the patterns to the clothing outlines, cut them out, and decorated them with trims and hand-drawn details.
We discovered that tissue paper makes great pleats and gathers, and we used little scraps of paper from magazines and catalogs for many of the clothes. Tsia likes to look through the scrap bin at the studio for fabric pieces, so she enjoyed selecting her favorites for dresses.
Once the clothes are made, you can layer them to create fun effects as well. Tsia likes to put the purple skirt underneath the red dress for a petticoat appearance.
I think it would be fun to make magnet dolls using photographs instead of the illustration. You'd just need to take a full-length photograph in good light, probably against a solid backdrop so it would be easier to cut out once the photo is enlarged and mounted on the magnet.
Tsia has obviously played with this one a lot; maybe we'll use a photo for the next one. Which, since the original is losing her head from so much handling, may be quite soon.
My niece did the same thing to a paper doll set I had given her because she would "nap" with them. So I bought another set that was much bigger AND I LAMINIATED everything and then put velcro rounds on the clothing and the dolls. Her mother tells me its a favorite and is lasting MUCH LONGER, lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I also put the dolls and clothes on a magnetic strip. I can't wait to make more doll clothes!
ReplyDeleteThat's taking things into the next level! Magnetic paper dolls is a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely adorable!!!! How precious that you do so many sweet crafty things with your daughter. What memories she will have.
ReplyDeleteoh, that looks so fun!
ReplyDeletej'adore!!!!
ReplyDeletemanon
What a great idea to make your own magnet doll with a photograph, I m ight have to make my neice her very own set! She loves to make "projects", so she would love to help make clothes! Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteGosh, those outfits are so sweet. i'm gonna do this with my Emma.
ReplyDeleteAnna
I love this! I think I'll make one of my little 3 year old Ella and make her some clothes, laminate them, stick them to the magnetic backing, and give them to her for Christmas! thanks!
ReplyDelete