Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My Masterpiece, the newsapaper dress....

Yep, I did it, I made a real wearable dress out of newspaper and I am pretty darn pleased! I had the concept, but I wasn't sure I could back it up but I accomplished it....It is sized to fit my sister Julie. She thinks it is just the cutest and coolest thing and has promised to model it when she has her hair and make up done and "a spray tan so my whiteness doesn't show." In other words, it may be a while and I couldn't wait to show it off! It is pretty cute on too...In fact she wants me to make her one out of an Air Force parachute and do some kind of graffiti on it...Might be cool....Here is the front. (my brother in law is in the Air force....)


I made a stencil for the pattern around the bottom of a random type flower and did it in a vanilla paint...I think it pulls out the color of the ribbon I used around the neckline and for the halter tie....






This shows a close up of the paper flower..I did the same flower on the back with little green stems poking out artistically...At least they feel that way to me and it is my vision! The flowers are coffee filters dyed with vanilla and coffee and then painted with the same paint from the border...
Here is the back....








The skirt is a full circle skirt and to really show it off, I would probably put a petticoat or two under it...a starched one with ruffles for sure....It is hanging kind of with a pleat, but with a petticoat, it would just bell right out...
The back closes with a paper ribbon threaded thru grommets...it looks kind of corsetty'...I pinned it to fit the mannequin, but it all lays really nice on a real person.....
The only parts that were really hard, was figuring out how to do the back and turning it inside out after sewing it...The paper is tough but will still tear and I am not the most patient. I had a few tears so I mended and re dyed after it was turned...
Lisa (daughter) came over and wanted to see it. I think Julie told her she needs to be more supportive of the stuff I make. She said it is really cute..then she looked at me and said, "but I really have to ask what the point of making something like this is?" Olivia (grand daughter who is eight, the one I raised for two years...) said, " we are artists and we make art, it is what we do!" then she gave her mom a classic 'well, duh. look....I love this kid, I really do...She gets it, we get it...and that is all that matters!

35 comments:

Mandy said...

this is fantastic...what an achievement...xxx

Trudy said...

That's really cool. You did an awesome job.

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Hi Melinda!

It's me, Stefanie (quiltbuddy). I have a new blog at

http://littleladypatchwork.blogspot.com/

I am speecless in regards to your dres! Wow!WoW!Wow!

Pat said...

My goodness.....you are amazing......that was quite a project to tackle!!! You did a terrific job!

Unknown said...

that is beyond awesome! Kudos to you for bringing your concept to reality is such a creative and beautiful way.

Olivia sounds like a treasure! :)

Jody said...

That dress is fabulous!! (and I "get" it too!!!) Olivia is one smart kid!

Shawna said...

Congratulations! This is stunning! I love it!

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Melinda this is too cool!!!! You should send it in for the Green Craft magazine that Stampington has! Awesome!

Laurie said...

Unbelievable Melinda! It really is pretty! Yes, a true artist gets it!

Pam said...

Melinda, you did a great job. From the pictures, I would never guess that it was made from paper. It is a work of art and your grand daughter is a true "supporter of the arts". She had the perfect answer.

GardenOfDaisies said...

You finished it! And it's gorgeous! :-)

Tamerie Shriver Halliday said...

Great job! And it's really pretty! I, too, love your granddaughter. She obviously takes after you!

Hugs,
Tamerie

Julie Harward said...

You are seriously talented...shouldn't you be on Project Runway or something like that? It is really pretty...I am so impressed!!! Come say hi :D

My Creative House said...

Melinda, this is the most amazing dress I have ever seen, what a creative idea, I'm really impressed, love the colors.
Anni

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

OMGosh, Melinda. I love, love, love, love, love that dress. It is so "green" and I don't mean the color. I remember you talking about it when you posted your lovely March dress, but WOW, I never imagined it would turn out so beautiful. You are a real inspiration with this dress.

Steph said...

Way Cute! And Amazing!

cve said...

Great job!Amazing!

Maria said...

What an amazing dress, just beautiful

Michelle said...

How neat is that?!?!

Yarni Gras! said...

oh my gosh! That is exquisite. I cannot believe it is made out of paper...talk about going GREEN! You need to submit it to a local art museum. I'm sure someone has a 'recycle' exhibit that could use it. I am just blown away by this.

LINDA BYLSMA said...

AMAZING!!! I'd love to see it with a petticoat. And what a great grandaughter to "Know" what it's all about.

Needled Mom said...

Why do we do things???? Because we CAN!!!! It is absolutely gorgeous. Does it smell fabulous with those vanilla flowers too?

Lori said...

How creatively fantastic! And I love the colors!

Debby said...

Melinda, this is so awesome. Gosh, you are creative girl. I love it. Make sure to share a pic with us when your sister is wearing this beauty. Good for you.
debby

Helen in the UK said...

LOVE Olivia's comment - she so deserves a big hug!!
The dress is stunning - if anyone else asks 'why', just say 'why not?!' or 'because I can!'
Happy Easter :)

Lorraine said...

very clever and love the colours

Gini said...

Melinda it IS an artistic masterpiece!
Oh well done, you clever lady!
Olivia is such a star and so are you to make this absolute beauty.
I am so glad you told me to get over here or I might have missed it.
Thank you, and I wish you a very Happy Easter :-)
Gini
xx

Jen xo said...

This is just stunning melinda, its so pretty!
I followed this last year ...
http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/2008/09/weve-made-it-worktoday-is-the-day-to-see-it-all.html.
it was fun seeing all the paper dresses and calamity kim made a great dress form too....
how great is your gd , she gets it!

Joanne Lendaro said...

OMG!!!! That dress is FABULOUS!! It is cooler than cool!! YOU, my dear should be beaming!

And, the little one is right...it's art!! Great Art!!

Hugs!!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Very cool! I love Olivia's comment. My kids ask me the same thing over and over again. Not everyone gets it.

Unknown said...

Just need a picky with you in it now it's amazing

love Dawn xx

~*~Patty S said...

OH MY GOSH
Project Runway here she comes!
Fabulous, wonderful, beautiful ... I could on. This really is the bees knees .... you must be right pleased with yourself!
oxo

Jenny said...

Melinda, this is a work of art. I am shamed that all I can master is a watercolor printed wreath.

This technique would also make a lovely collage although it wouldn't be nearly as spectacular as the dress is.

Wow.

Your sister must be dancing with excitement.

Tell her to get a "tan" soon so we can see it on!

And somehow I missed this post so I never commented on it...but I'm glad you showed it to me cuz it is amazing.

You are really a wonder.

Patty said...

The dress Fantastic...The granddaughter even more so. Mothers and their daughters. You are awesome.

Leah said...

holy cow! i must say when i first read about this and saw the photo on the blog by altered book lover, i thought it was a mini dress like some people are doing for the dress up challenge, like the ones that fit in the cigar box. so when i came to your blog and saw how it is actually full size, i am THAT MUCH MORE impressed. so cool!@!@ and i LOVE the colors