01 February 2014

Sew All 26: P

I have been waiting for this since day A when I was in Virginia at my sister's.  I was helping with her kids shortly after she gave birth to baby number 3 and I was brainstorming with Ann and her husband, Brendan when he said I ought to make something out of paper. I don't think he thought I'd take him seriously.  But, well, you know me.  Which is to say, you never know.  ;)
I went to Paper Source with my mom while I was there and we found these big sheets of paper that were already crinkled and very pliable, but they only had 2 white and 4 silver, so I bought them both.
The paper is pretty sturdy, the white more pliable than the sliver, but it is still paper, therefore I decided to make it for Divine.  Although I found myself wishing I had enough to make something to add to my own wardrobe.  
I used flocking and Mod Podge to make stripes across the bottom, but thought it needed something more, so I just zig-zagged yarn on either side of each stripe.
I knew the placket would need to be reenforced so I used ribbon on each side so she could actually wear it more than once before ripping occurred.  I also added bias along the darts on the bodice, around the sleeve holes and encased the seam of the skirt.
Sewing on paper is an awful lot of fun.  In fact it's a bit reminiscent of my very first time sitting at a sewing machine in junior high when we had to follow lines on a piece of paper.  There's absolutely no forgiveness, however.  You sew it incorrectly and you're left with holes!
So, how does one accessorize a paper dress?  With a paper brooch, of course!!
And then the clock struck midnight and my Paperella Doll turned back into...
a gerbil?  
I think we all should dress in paper at least once in our lifetimes, don't you?

57 comments:

  1. I am utterly amazed! This is an incredible work of art. But tragically beautiful too--how will you bear it if and when it tears? Will it last--do you think? Such artistry and bravery! You are an inspiration.

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    1. I'm not sure, quite frankly. I don't know, maybe we can patch it for a while, but we will just enjoy it while it lasts :)

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  2. This is amazing! I love every single thing about it.

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  3. A mí me parece incleíble, me dejas asombrada con tu creatividad! Una ropa de papel deshechable da que pensar! Amazing!

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  4. I love this - I hope she gets several wears out of it.

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    1. She wore it Sunday, walking to church and had threats of people writing on her and came out without a single rip! ;)

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  5. I am blown away by your creativity and how absolutely amazing this dress is! I kind of love that its existence is potentially fleeting. Like all the best moments in life are.

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    1. I love that way of looking at it, Danielle! It won't likely make it as a hand-me-down, but all the more reason it's special to her, right?

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  6. You are not just a sewist but an artist! I love it!

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  7. That dress is just amazing. And smartly done!

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  8. This is so awesome! If it tears just glue it back up. ;)

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  9. ACK!! That's amazing- and she is fantastic as a paper doll!!! haha- what a great little model! :D I love it!

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  10. This is definitely one of my top 5 things you've ever created. I can't begin to tell you how much I love this! Perfect! xo

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  11. wow Katy this is amazing. Stunning and prolific! you are fantastic!!

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  12. this is fantastic it reminds me of when i was in primary school and my mum made my sister and i paper dresses from crepe paper and cardboard so we could be the ugly sisters for the fancy dress party.

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  13. That is so much fun! I love the addition of the yarn stripes. Just make sure to not let her out of the house when it rains. ;-)

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  14. I am so in love with this. Great job Katy. This project reminds me of Katie, of Blue Eyed Freckle, I seem to remember that she made her wedding dress out of paper. Sadly, I can't find the post on her blog.

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  15. oh my!!! How fun is a paper dress!! Adorable... Would she actually wear it out of the house? Emily

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    1. She did! She wore it on Sunday to church, and she walked (she didn't want to attempt riding her bike), so we were glad it didn't rain.

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  16. I love the dress. It is simply amazing!

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  17. Wow! Amazing! I love the photoshoot, too. Your "paper doll" with her pretty heart lips is the perfect display for your artwork!

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  18. Seriously awesome. I can't speak. !! :D

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  19. This is simply lovely. I am in awe of your ingenuity.

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  20. Your work is ridiculously amazing! I am floored. Just great!!!

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  21. WOW! I love every detail of this paper dress.

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  22. This must be the most amazing piece of clothing I have ever seen. Amazing in both the "are you nuts???" kind of way and the "wow, this is stunning, I want to wear this" way. Love, love, love every bit of it.

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  23. Thank you for sharing another beautiful piece! I appreciate the inspiration and am so glad to be seeing your amazing work more often these days! Your blog is one of the few that I will always check the moment I know you have something new. Sherrri | sherri@threadridinghood.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Sherri. I enjoy it, so I try not to just let it go. :)

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  24. This is just gorgeous! GOHgeous! :D

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  25. That is just the most amazing thing ever - and Divine is just a "doll"!
    A tutorial for the flower - please?

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  26. My mouth is wide open with amazement...perfection.

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  27. Totally Beautiful! I have been anticipating this post since you shared the photo of you sewing the buttons on instagram!

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  28. Wow! What a creative example for P. Just amazingly gorgeous.

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  29. Wow! As much as part of me wonders how you can possibly bear to put so much work into something that probably won't last, another part of me thinks it's amazing just to create something so gorgeous and be able to enjoy it while it does last. And your girls are always such perfect models for your sewing, but this time I think you and Divine have outdone yourselves in that department too. I've linked up for the first time today as well, because for me 'P' has to be a Pillowcase dress, especially when made for the 'Dress a girl around the world' charity. And I've told everyone reading my blog to come and look at your amazing paper dress!

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  30. This is unbelievably cool! I can't believe you put all that work into paper! It's just gorgeous and you are amazing!

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  31. Katy, you are one of the most creative and talented people I know. Absolutely wonderful that you share the beautiful things you create. Precious Divine included.

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  32. This is amazing, Katy. You inspire me to stretch, grow, and elevate sewing to an art. It's an art for you, and every time I see your creations I'm immediately compelled to dream about trying new techniques and experimenting with new materials. Your work is just so exhilarating and refreshing!

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  33. This reminds me of the Habu yarns they make yarn out of paper and stainless steel and all sorts of things that you would never think of! I love this though tell me you have a cool closet somewhere where you are keeping all these cool clothes that you sew for them all.

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  34. katy this is really, really amazing. not only because it's paper but the green stripes and design of the dress are just awesome too! i want a paper dress!!!

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  35. Pretty, precious and perfect!

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  36. And now I return the 'artist and genius rolled into one' comment back to your lovely self...

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