Remember playing with paper dolls? I loved it! Then the tabs would break or the clothes would fall off the dolls.

What kind of alternative for children today? Even the smallest fingers can manipulate these fabric dolls! I have made dolls with the embroidery machine using the same concept, so why not use a fabulous trade card?

I have a nice collection of Singer sewing machine trade cards and rather than sit in the box, or scanned into the computer, I wanted to do something else to enjoy them. I also thought it a nice activity for my grand daughters. I am in the process of making quite a few for them and putting into a sturdy little box they can pull out.

I pulled out my Singer trade card of the paper dolls - made sometime in the 1800's - and started to work.

I hope you enjoy!

Charlene

As always, feel free to print the instructions for your personal use - not for any resell. Let's share our ideas and some of our lovely items!

You are welcome to share this link with other sewing friends!

Fabric Paper Dolls

I enlarged the trade card to almost twice the size for easier manipulation.

I was able to fit two cards on one sheet.

You will find the pdf file link at the bottom of the page.

Feel free to download and use for your own sewing pleasure (please don't resell it - just share it).

Very easy for tiny fingers to play with. No tabs to fold over.

I cut the clothes from one of the photos, placing on the other to give you an idea.

I printed mine onto computer fabric. Do not pull the backing off, nor separate the fabric from the paper backing. That will cause weakness and some frayed ends. Just leave everything together and you will have the strength you need for continuous playing. You might experiment with other papers, maybe some heavy tagboard. The Tacky glue will also work on that. Let me know what other alternatives you might come up with! The less expensive, the better!

After cutting out your doll and clothes, cover the back of each piece with a re-positional tacky fabric glue. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue. You can usually find it at your local sewing or crafts store.  Let it dry until clear and you are ready to play! This glue allows you to take on and off, over and over quite a number of times.

The clothes can be put on over and over and over. When the tacky fabric glue loses 'stickibility', just put on a little more.

When not in use, keep the cloths & doll on a smooth surface. Freezer paper works great and very inexpensive.

Cut out your own clothes from fabric scraps for a modern Singer girl.

I also used some of my trade cards in quilt squares. Once they are printed onto the fabric computer paper, they are ready to sew into anything! Just follow the directions for the fabric paper, and this time you will pull the backing off. This leaves you with a fabulous fabric.

Maybe make a tote for sewing class!

Just have fun in an inexpensive way. One bottle of the tacky fabric glue will last for many, many projects. I am sure you will think of other uses.

Have some trade cards? A scanner? Printer?

Then start playing!

Happy Sewing & Quilting!

Charlene

Singer Paper doll Trade Card pdf file

Charlene Phillips