Meet Virgo. She is a dress made out of brown contractor’s paper and dried Baby’s Breath. The Virgo personality represents the transition from summer to fall and so, the name Virgo seemed like a perfect match for this “almost fall” look.
The process of creating this dress out of paper was like birthing a fictional character (not literally, of course [ew]…you know what I mean). As I pieced her together, I thought about what kind of woman she would be, how she would spend her days, and who would be her muse.
In congruence with the Virgo personality, she is loyal to her small group of friends, deeply interested in their lives yet naturally reserved. She finds no need to socialize with new companions. She knows her elegance and is confident in her personal style. Romance blossoms with suitors willing to keep up with her intellect, over a bottle of dry chardonnay.
How to Make a Dress Out of Paper
Furthermore, the Virgo personality may not be an easy one to figure out but making a dress out of paper was a breeze and truly, the delight of my week. Below are the materials you will need:
What You Will Need
Brown contractor’s paper (I found an entire reel at Lowe’s for $5.00)
Dried flowers (I save my flowers for drying on occasion and happened to have the dried Baby’s Breath on hand)
Pins ( I found mine at Michael’s in the sewing section)
A mannequin will help (my sister gifted me this one from Amazon)
Hot glue gun
To start, I began with the bodice. I measured the length and width from the waist to the chest area and cut the brown paper accordingly. You can probably use any type of paper or material but I liked the durability and thickness of the contractor’s paper. It’s sturdy which is great for creating structure but it’s also very lightweight!
Measure the bodice to evaluate how long and wide your top needs to be. Measure from high waist (true waist) vs. mid-waist. This gives a more flattering look by elongating the legs.
Fold the paper as if you were creating a fan (remember doing that as a kid?). Make sure to apply pressure to the creases.
Next, use the pins to adhere the paper to the mannequin. If you are wanting to wear the piece, try this project with needle and thread. Pin in selective areas, you do not need to pin every inch! I promise it will stay up.
Next, piece the back together with one pin. I liked the look of a slit or peek-a-boo effect between the top and skirt. Feel free to play with it and see what works for you! I love the structure of this dress. I can almost see it transformed into a building or morphed into a surreal painting.
In my opinion, the waist and collarbone are some of the most feminine parts of the female body so I love creating pieces that accentuate both of those areas. Personally, I’ve always really enjoyed my wrists :-p. There is something strong yet dainty about them. What body part are you most proud of?
How to Form the Skirt Out of Paper
To make the large ruffles, cut the paper in 3-4 foot sections and roll it over itself to create a ribbon like effect. Pin as you go, this will make the process a lot smoother. The paper is awkward to roll at first but keep trying until you get the hang of it. Keep creating layers of rolled paper until you find yourself where you started and the skirt is complete!
Lastly, find your dried flowers and cut them down to about 5 inches in length. Use a hot glue gun to adhere the flowers so they peak through the top of the bodice. If you are not planning to wear the dress, you can easily omit the hot glue gun and stick the flowers down the top until they stay in place.
It’s simple, that is how Virgo was born! The Virgo personality shines through her aura, deeming her the queen of August and September. Her hardworking spirit and rational mind will serve her well as she encounters the ultimate distraction this September…love.
Feeling inspired? See more dress design ideas for instructions on how to create a dress out of balloons!