How to make a paper people chain
Paper People Chain (Paper Doll Chain): try all 14 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
Accordion-fold six panels, then cut an original doll through the packet. Keep both side edges joined at the hands and feet. The cut outline repeats into six connected figures.
- You need
- Thin paper, a pencil, a ruler and scissors.
- Start
- Begin with one 36 × 6 cm strip of thin paper. Mark six equal 6 cm panels along its length.
Your model is ready
Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–5
- 1
Fold panel 1 over the next
Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet over the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.
- 2
Fold panel 2 behind the next
Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet under the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.
- 3
Fold panel 3 over the next
Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet over the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.
- 4
Fold panel 4 behind the next
Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet under the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.
- 5
Fold panel 5 over the next
Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet over the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.
Steps 6–10
- 6
Cut around the head and shoulders
Cut from one folded side around the shoulders and head to the other side, through all six layers. Keep the hands joined at both side edges, from 24 to 30 mm below the top.
- 7
Cut below the left arm
Cut inward just below the hand bridge, narrow the waist, then return above the foot bridge. Leave the side edge from 52.8 to 60 mm below the top uncut.
- 8
Cut below the right arm
Repeat the waist notch from the other folded edge. Keep its hand and foot bridges the same size as on the left.
- 9
Separate the legs
Cut a small triangle up from the open bottom edge between the legs. Stop below the body. Keep the outside edges of both feet joined to the next doll.
- 10
Open pleat 5
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
Steps 11–14
- 11
Open pleat 4
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 12
Open pleat 3
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 13
Open pleat 2
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 14
Open pleat 1
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- ✓
Finish
Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.
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