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$ $ $ $ $
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• • • • •
Time
1h30

A dress made out of newspapers
When I imagined making a newspaper dress in my head, it sounded easy. When I started working, I realized it was difficult, because guess what! Newspaper rips. A lot. As soon as I finished this, I was frustrated with the dress as it tore again right as I finished taking the last photo, so I tossed it. Yes, all of it, but I don't mind so much. What would I do with it anyways? :)

Posted by thePretenders Published See thePretenders's 10 projects »
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  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 1
    Step 1

    First, you'll be making the upper part. Cut strips just wide enough to cover your chest area; cut two for the front and back.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 2
    Step 2

    Make sure to cover faces on the newspaper, because otherwise it would look very awkward. Tape two of the strips together, one strip overlapping the other, but still lengthy enough that in order to fit it over your chest, it would take more overlapping on the other untaped sides.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 3
    Step 3

    Turn the piece you just taped over and cut off excess newspaper.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 4
    Step 4

    Turn it right side up again, and take the unclosed sides and put it in front of you. Measure it around your chest and place a small piece of tape on it to hold it, but also so it can easily be removed.

    You don't want to wear it while working; trust me(riiiiiiiiiiiiiip).

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 5
    Step 5

    Pinch the bottom underneath your breasts so the piece fits better, also defining your chest and shaping it. Tape these pieces down, and don't worry about the tape on the outside. It's transparent anyways.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 6
    Step 6

    Remove it, remembering where you placed the tape to make it fit. This is what you should have so far.

    Onto the middle section!

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 7
    Step 7

    Copy steps 1, 2, 3 & 4, except this time, measure it around your stomach. Again, tape it down with a small piece of tape that won't rip the newspaper.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 8
    Step 8

    Now this is what you have. Time for straps.

    If you want, you can have it strapless. Straps were the things that ripped most often, so they were hard to work with when trying on the dress. If you prefer strapless, skip steps 9-10.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 9
    Step 9

    Cut two long and thin (about 1 1/2 inches) strips.

    I decided for straps and the skirt that I would use cartoon strips, but you can choose whatever you want.

  • Step 10

    Now, measure how long the straps need to be and tape it down.

  • Step 11

    Time to tape the chest piece with the stomach piece! This part gets messy, but just remember to follow the curve and tape STRAIGHT. Make the stomach piece fall slightly on top of the chest piece.

  • Step 12

    The skirt, you have a lot of freedom with this. It's much easier than the rest, basically taping down random pieces of large paper pieces. If you want a poofy dress, put down more layers of paper.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 13
    Step 13

    Add any additional tape to rips/potential rips. You're done, but be careful when putting it on. You may need help taping the back closed.

  • How to recycle a paper dress. Newspaper Dress - Step 14
    Step 14

    Now, if you were as frustrated as me, take some pictures for the memories and toss it.

    If you want, keep it. I don't suggest you wear it out; UNCALLED FOR RIPS.

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Comments

Sammi
Sammi · 6 projects
Great idea, but it'd be bad to wear it and go out on a rainy day XD
Reply
erica d.
erica d.
i seryosly love this! im doing an art prodject for school and this is what im making for it
Reply
Annalee G.
Annalee G.
You need to use at least three layers of paper and to make the straps more stable, fold them in to 1 inch pleats and braid them. As for tape. Duct tape all the way.
Reply
Humuhu
Humuhu · Dhaka, Dhaka Division, BD · 29 projects
what if you wear it outside and it starts to rain? :O
Reply
coco c.
coco c. · London, GB · 1 project
really pretty dress if you don't want it to rip layer some duck tape or even regular tape under the paper it'll make it stronger.
Reply
Kaylala
Kaylala
awesomeness!!!!!!!...
Reply
The Twins
The Twins · 9 projects
tis must me great for patternmaking...you just have to cut it carefully off your body e voila: perfect pattern!
Steph.
Steph. · Reading, England, GB · 212 projects
that's actually a really bright idea...why did nobody come up with that before? XD
Reply
skully6
skully6 · Belleville, Illinois, US · 25 projects
this is a really neat concept. i bet if you covered the pattern pieces in clear packing tape it would keep it from ripping and you may be able to wear something like that to a party or event of some sort. you could also do the "seams" in a colored duct tape or something of the like to make it pop.
Reply
The Twins
The Twins · 9 projects
wow... if it just always would be that easy and fit that snugly... and i didnt have to use pins for fitting it to my own body anymore...they hurt Tongue
Reply
C.T.
C.T. · New York, New York, US · 5 projects
super cute!
Reply
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