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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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DIY Wooden Paper Doll Tutorial

November 14, 2014 by Bethany Sy

As much as the girls love to dress up, I knew that making some sort of ‘paper doll’ would be right up their alley, AND likely provide hours without whining of entertainment for the littles! And based on the changing season, indoor entertainment ideas are becoming very important these days.

Make a wooden paper doll (with customizable wooden clothing) for the little girl in your life! {Reality Daydream}

 

I had purchased this wooden tray from Target awhile back to put cupcakes on at a baby shower I was hosting for a friend. And since then, it’s just been a project WAITING to happen. (I couldn’t find a link to the same exact tray, but here’s a similar one)

Wooden paper doll on a tray with velcro! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I started out by priming and painting my tray white.

Wooden paper doll on a tray using velcro {Sawdust and Embryos}

After doing some searching online, I found this darling paper doll download for just a few bucks. I didn’t need the clothing images, just the doll… and I love that she’s bright/cheerful, and her body isn’t overly sexed-up (if you know what I mean). I she just seems kinda retro. Let’s call her Ginger, shall we?

Paper Doll Download for Wooden Paper Doll Tutorial {Sawdust and Embryos}

I sized the image to be an inch or so smaller than the width of my tray, printed her out on cardstock, and carefully cut her out with scissors. (disclaimer! my secretary desk, just happens to be stenciled in the same colors (and retro feel) as the paper doll… complete coincidence that I didn’t even notice until right now!)

DIY Wooden Paper Doll {Sawdust and Embryos}

I brushed a layer of RustOleum water-based sealer onto the inside of the tray… and while it was still wet, I pressed Ginger into place, being sure she was centered, and all the bubbles were smoothed out.

DIY Wooden Paper Doll project... great entertainment for little girls! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I waited two hours between coats, and lightly sanded with 220 grit between each. I applied 4 coats total so that there wouldn’t be much of a ridge around Ginger.

GIFT IDEA! Make your todder a DIY Wooden Paper Doll... completely customizable! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Print a second Ginger (again on cardstock), cut her out, and use this as a template to trace her clothing! I used a 1/8th” piece of hardwood we had laying around in the garage. This part is so fun, because you can come up with so many fun little outfits in your mind! (technically you could also use felt for the clothing, but I liked being able to paint and customize mine!)

How to make a wooden Paper Doll with little wooden clothes... super cute! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I’m sure you already guessed the next step… I used my trusty scroll saw to cut these out! This is the scroll saw I use and it’s A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. But if you’re looking for a more mid-range (read: less expensive) then this one is also great quality and handles well! Whatever you do, don’t buy a scroll saw in the $100-$200 range. You’ll regret it for sure.

Make your own wooden paper doll with darling wooden clothing that you can paint and customize yourself! [Sawdust and Embryos}

Lightly sand your clothing items (never thought I’d say that) so there aren’t any rough edges, then prime!

8

I have a small collection of sample pots of paint, so I grabbed a handful that I liked and started playing fashion designer!

DIY Wooden Paper Doll with tiny wooden clothing! Totally customizable... and DARLING {Sawdust and Embryos}

It took a couple coats of paint on each article of clothing to get good coverage. And once my final coat was dry, I took a fine-point Sharpie and added some detail. I think this is what really brought these pieces to life!

Making your own Wooden Paper Doll clothing for this DIY Wooden Paper Doll project! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I used strips of velcro to line either side of Ginger on the tray, and also put small pieces on her body where the clothing would go. Then added some to the back of the clothing, being careful to put it in the same spot that would coordinate with the piece that’s on Ginger’s body.

DIY Wooden Paper Doll with Wooden clothing! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I love that this ‘paper doll’ wont get torn or wadded up by aggressive toddlers, AND it can be taken in the car for long car rides since the velcro holds everything in place!

DIY Paper Doll Tray with little wooden articles of clothing! ADORABLE! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I totally need to make more clothing for Ginger so she has more wardrobe options. Maybe I’ll let the girls decorate the next batch!

DIY Paper Doll Tray with customizable wooden clothing! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Paper Doll Tray Tutorial with little wooden clothing items... completely customizable! {Sawdust and Embryos}

This could be a super cute handmade gift idea for the holidays… and remember if you don’t have a scroll saw, you could totally use felt for the  clothes! Just make sure you use the scratchy side of the velcro on the tray to the felt will have something to grab onto. As always, if you try one of our projects, please send us pics! We love to see the creative twists you guys put on things!

Sawdust-Embryos_thumb5

Thanks for pinning!!

Make a wooden paper doll (with customizable wooden clothing) for the little girl in your life! {Reality Daydream}

*this post contains affiliate links

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Wood-Disk Table Lamps {& Wiring Tutorial}
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Comments

  1. 17

    robin says

    July 11, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    Is there a different link to the doll, it says not available

    Reply
    • 18

      Bethany Sy says

      July 12, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      Bummer! That’s frustrating. Maybe you could find another little image/vector to use that would work??

      Reply
  2. 19

    Suzanne says

    February 7, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    I need a scroll saw!!!!! This is definitely a favorite one for me. I can easily imagine the smile on your girls’ faces. Kudos to you for this idea. I LOVE IT!

    Reply
    • 20

      Bethany says

      February 8, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you Suzanne! This is a fairly old post, and my girls STILL pull out ‘Ginger’ to play with often! Makes me so happy! My favorite scroll saw is this one! >> http://amzn.to/1nT5iNU (Aff Link)

      Reply
  3. 21

    Mindy Friedlander-Schaper says

    November 17, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    Great idea, especially that they won’t fall off in the car. You should sell these.

    Reply
  4. 22

    Karen says

    November 17, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Very Clever!!

    Reply
  5. 23

    Stephanie, Sandpaper and Glue says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:24 am

    what a super cute idea!! i love it!!

    Reply
  6. 24

    Marie says

    November 17, 2014 at 8:42 am

    This is amazing. I am SO NOT crafty. Please sell these! I would love to buy for my nieces!

    Reply
  7. 25

    Kiana says

    November 15, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    That’s so awesome! I’m working on making one for my friend’s little sister, except I’m using a real picture of her I printed/cut out

    Reply
    • 26

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      November 16, 2014 at 7:00 am

      Umm that is SUCH a great idea!!!

      Reply
      • 27

        Kiana says

        November 18, 2014 at 10:10 pm

        Thank You!!

        Reply
    • 28

      Kara says

      December 3, 2014 at 11:48 am

      This is an awesome idea! I totally want to do that for my nieces!

      Reply
  8. 29

    Laura says

    November 15, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Felt will hold to other felt or flannel as well. In fact I think the scratch side of velcro may be a little tough on the fibers of felt.

    Reply
  9. 30

    Christy Compeau says

    November 14, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Super cute idea! I wish I had a girl for a project like this! But whose to say I couldn’t do this with a boy paper doll to dress as a firefighter, policeman, ghost buster, superhero or more!

    Reply
  10. 31

    Julie@followyourheartwood says

    November 14, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    That doll and clothes are just amazing! You could make some outfits that match your daughters’ own clothes, girls love that.

    Reply
  11. 32

    Jessica says

    November 14, 2014 at 9:40 am

    LOVE this idea!!! So so cute!!

    Reply
  12. 33

    Megan says

    November 14, 2014 at 8:25 am

    in a word…BRILLIANT!!!!!

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!

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