https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/newspaper-dress • Posted by thePretenders
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? :)
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? :)
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.
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.
Turn the piece you just taped over and cut off excess newspaper.
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).
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.
Remove it, remembering where you placed the tape to make it fit. This is what you should have so far. Onto the middle section!
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.
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.
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.
Now, measure how long the straps need to be and tape it down.
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.
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.
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.
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.