Paper Doll Garlands & More {A Tutorial}

Don't you just love paper doll garlands?  I simply adore them.  They are so much fun to make and so easy.  They are one of those super fulfilling projects because you get a handful of joy, from one cutting...

 

The only thing is, they are one of those projects you probably learned in grade school, and then completely forgot how to make (ie: keeping the paper doll chain in one piece).  At least, that is what happened to me a few years ago.

Several years ago my sister reminded me about the crucial factor in making these.  And now, I teach everyone I know, especially the kids in my family.  We all sit around cutting like crazy, although it usually ends up just being me and my Grandma obsessing on it all day.

 

I keep all my paper cuts I make with my Grandma.  These are from the last 2 or 3 years...

Anyhow, I thought we should make some fun garlandy stuff today, what do you think?

You see, I save a lot (and re-use a lot) of the packaging paper that comes with things I order.  For instance, sometimes I order 6 cartridges of ink on-line, which gets shipped to me in a HUGE box, with tons of crumpled brown kraft paper surrounding it (silly).  So of course, I have to recycle it by using it in craft projects...

Keep in mind that, you can use any paper you want.  Even printer paper works for practice.  But for today, I am going to use a long rectangular piece of brown kraft paper...

After you choose your paper, fold it like an accordion, also known as folding it like a fan.  One fold towards you, one fold away from you.  Fold back and forth until your paper looks like this  ...

Now, here is the most important thing to remember about a paper doll garland, or any garland you would like to make using this technique. 

You must make sure that, four corners do not get cut through, to the edge.

For example, I am drawing a very simple girl, and I am extending her arms and her legs to the edges of the paper. 

 

And here is the crucial point, as I alluded to, you must make sure that no matter what you draw, there are four sides that do not get cut.  In this case, I will not cut out the hands, or the feet, through to the edge.

I have circled the four places on the drawing below, where you must not cut to the edges of.  In this case, it is the hands and the feet that you will not cut through. 

To make this even clearer, I have marked the exact places you will not cut through, in neon green.

 

Those points (hand and feet) will hold your garland together...

 

And voila, paper doll garland happiness!!

 

What fun, and so crazy easy.

 

Trust me, it can get addictive.  You might find yourself trying to make all sorts of things.  But remember, four corners can't be cut through to the edges, no matter what you are making.

 

One of my other favorite things to keep around, is that cardboard packaging used for things like popcorn, popsicles and crackers...

 

First of all, it is really sturdy, but thin enough that you can make garlands, and cut through lots of layers without that much difficulty.  Also, you can paint it and glitter it, and it stays sturdy...

 

Really good stuff.  Just cut it open and use the uncoated side...

Fold it up, draw, keep four corners in tact, and who knows what wonderful stuff you might make...

 

I drew a wonky little star, making sure to extend four corners, that I will not cut through, to the edges.  After I cut it, a little devilish grin came over me.

Why you ask?  Well, because all I could think of was some Princess of Power character, and how I just know, we all need a little Princess Power in our lives.  Don't you think?

So, I punched holes in the edges, and tied a piece of ribbon to each side...

 

Then I coated it with craft glue. 

 

 And, covered it in sparkles.

I did this with the ribbons on because I am impatient, and also, so I could hang it to dry from one ribboned side.

I think that is pretty nifty, don't you??  A little space age style ;)

 

Slap it on your head, and call yourself a Princess of Power.  Don't be shy, come on, try it, you might like it ;)

 

You can make any sort of garland crown.  The sky is the limit!

Make sure you practice not cutting those four crucial corners...

 

 

Don't worry if you mess up from time to time, and end up with all sorts of interesting creations...

Now, go over to your printer, pull out a piece of paper, and cut away.  Practicing on printer paper is the best...

Yippeee Yay, to easy fun!

I am in such a crafty mood.  I best be careful what I decide to paper cut.  I am eyeballing my rug right now.  But don't worry, I will show control ;)

 

♥,V

 

See You Super Soon!

ps:  To achieve the color on the Paper Doll Garland in the first image, I simply spray painted a light coat of hot pink onto the garland.  After it was almost dry, I sprayed on a thin coat of spray paint, below the heads, in Robin's Egg Blue.  The purple gradient happened on its own, Hooray ;)

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