Pretty in Paper...

Quite simply, I love paper and ink...and this week's 'Anything Goes' theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show opened a door to bring the two lovelies together and try out an idea that's been tugging at my mind for a while. There's always something rather endearing about a little girls dress and I wanted to try to 'capture' that feeling - but in paper.

I wondered about my potential 'fabric'. It needed to have translucency, softness, sew-ability and strength. I thought Tim's Tissue Wrap would fit the bill but I'd never seen it in the flesh. I found a Youtube video of someone frantically waving the stuff around telling me it was "Absolutely Faaaaabulous" so I went for it, and literally rustled up a dress!

I drew a simple pattern onto white paper and then cut out my pieces. The width of the Tissue Tape defined the skirt length so I based my sizing on that. How all the wording came out is purely coincidental so the collar was a real gift!

I swiped all my pieces with Vintage Photo Distress Ink which was quite a job but it gave that great aged effect and colour I wanted. I then randomly stamped the skirt with Papillon butterflies using Ranger Sepia Archival ink. Sometimes using the whole stamp and sometimes just sections for a varied effect.

I made the top half first and really had to think backwards about what came first. Well, that makes sense! Real fabric stretches, you can flip it inside out and play around. With paper you only get one shot! Pins and bad stitching were not options due to the holes you could make so I ended up using mini-pegs and acrobatics to hold it all in place during the sewing process!

The buttons are fixed as I didn't want to risk tearing the Tissue Wrap with an active opening! The Wrap stood up to quite a beating during the make, but I'm glad she picked up a few wrinkles along the way to add to the vintage look! It is, after all paper, and I didn't wanted to hide that. It also has a slight sheen which is very pretty and adds a little something...

The belt is made from a long stitched strip of wrap and is embellished with an Idea-ology Ornate Plate at the front which really is the perfect buckle! I glued the belt to the buckle and just let it fold and crease naturally.
Maybe a talented fashion student star could whizz up a full wedding dress or a whole new line...it is New York fashion week!

Here's a close-up of the ruffle sleeve which is just a pleated half circle. I also made a custom coat hanger from thick wire, coloured with Espresso Alcohol ink. Strong handed Hubby helped me twist that twiddly bit! No flowers this time! I restrained myself, allowing the beauty and simplicity of the paper to do it's thing! I just wanted to make a paper dress... I really enjoyed seeing her come to life which helped me get through the ultra fiddily-diddily moments. I hope you can love her as much as I do!

Embrace the freedom of "Anything Goes", discover your own creative journey and share it with us at the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge Blog. There you'll find more fabulous ideas from my Teamies and all the details too. I just want to wish you all a great week and say thanks for taking the time to be here! Until soon...Sarah.