How to Make Paper Mâché Corsets

At last! The Mermaid Room is open for corset tutorial enrollment! Paper Corsets part I and II are available for purchase in my Le Charmed Life Etsy shop.  These two videos go over what you will need to make the basic corset in any size or shape you want. It also includes a template file for use as a guide to help you get the corset shape perfectly sized or you can modify it to reflect your own personal style and character.

This tutorial includes parts I and II video instruction along with an instantly downloadable PDF file containing a dress form guide and supply list. Price of this tutorial is only $15.00. Enjoy!

Yesterday's Courtier

She lived in the time of kings and queens and associated herself with society's elite. Mostly she led an inspired life filled with joy and optimism yet she often wondered if there would come a time when ladies would be allowed more freedom in their dress.

In the spirit of 18th century vintage, Miss May is aptly called Yesterday's Courtier. Sit for a moment and take yourself back to that time. Can you remember your life? Did you follow the rules or were you a rebel?

I like to imagine myself a courtier. Outwardly I followed the rules but I smiled a smirky smile as my calling card to the world that I kept many secrets. I inspired curiosity about the mystery and intrigue held within. Decadent pleasures await those who dare to reinvent themselves.

Corset Diaries VI: January Corset Template

Miss January absolutely came forth kicking and screaming like a petulant child! Whoa! So, looks like I'm pullin' double duty for February. Your template for January looks a little bit different this time. I think you'll really like it. I know I do.

template 7 1/2" w x 7" h - click to download at full size

The flap on the right can be folded over toward the opposite side of the page and glued at the bottom to make a pocket for storing paper bits and ephemeral inspiration for your corset or diary. You can also fold the flap to the left toward your template. I'll be providing at least one more of this type of page to help add some visual interest to your book.

January is a magnificent combination of the November and December corset. Feel free to alter it to suit your needs. The lacing is made by doubling a length of crochet thread. I think it gives the corset a more polished look which suits our Miss January perfectly. Enjoy!

A Sneak Peek Inside Alice's Paper Corset

Don't you just love the arty look of this paper corset?! I'm trying out a new and different approach to artfully handmade paper fashion that I think will open up more possibility for embellished detail

paper machè corset front view

Happily my perfectionistic inner critic with a penchant for symmetry seems to be embracing the small variations that give handmade items their charm. Have I have triumphantly beaten her into submission at last? Ha!

paper machè corset back view

These photos are a down and dirty sneak peek that don't really do this corset justice but at least you get an idea of what can be done with paper once thinking outside the flat paper box begins.

paper machè corset side view

So, what's next? I did write in an earlier post that adding fabric was too easy. I think I'ma have to eat a little crow on that one because that's exactly what I wanna do. Paper will still be the major design element with fabric added only as an accent so maybe this was the distinction I was originally trying to get across. We'll see how well that works out for me. (tee hee :)

Despoina's Incredible Paper Art

I cancelled my blog hop a little too soon because Despoina of Magnadi has put together a magnificent display of paper dresses to show off her use of the templates I provided over the past year. I am only featuring one of her dresses here in order to pique your curiosity into paying her a visit.

click image to see Despoina's line of paper couture

Despoina's paper dresses are not only creative, they are the perfect example of what it means to "borrow." It is possible to be inspired by others without the need to copy them. The result is the creation and development of your own, unique style. I applaud you my dear. Your art is truly incredible!

Image credit: Copyright Despoina of Magnadi

Fashion Week Blog Hop: CANCELLED

Due to lack of interest, mainly my own, the Fashion Week Blog Hop I had scheduled for this week is cancelled. I was hoping to see all of your lovely creations but alas, twas just not meant to be this time.

I heard from some of you over the past year and for that I thank you for sharing. I'm glad to know you enjoyed the tutorials. We still have a year of corsets ahead of us. Yaay! Be well! :)

Paper Couture: Lacy Paper Corset

Is this not scrumptious or what?! I loved the look of this pretty, lacy paper corset designed by Genevieve Valdes. It's simple, easy to put together and makes a perfect way to gently ease ourselves into the paper corset project this August.

corset template and instructions

Why not challenge yourself a little bit and see if you can come up with a different take on this tasty morsel of a corset. Let the idea ferment and act as a spring board for developing your own style.

Image Credit: Genevieve Valdes of Stampin' by Genny

ANNOUNCEMENT: Paper Couture Presents . . .

I am pleased to announce that the paper couture series will continue with . . . *drum roll* . . . Paper Corsets! Look for the Paper Corset Project to officially launch in August.

hourglass corset pattern and tutorial by Anna Hardman

Corsets are fun, flirty, feminine and just plain pretty even if they were designed to squeeze your lungs up through your nostrils. To start things off, here's a little freebie I found that's great for digital collage.

downloaded from Free Vintage Digital Stamps

I'll most likely start getting some size into my work to really focus on the details of these but I think this is really gonna be a fun project for all!

Paper Couture XXV - Ballerina Muse

The Paper Wardrobe Project is proud to present your paper dress template for July. This one is called Ballerina Muse in honor of my own muse who decided to do things her way this time.

ballerina paper dress template 5" x 7"

As always, the video below is provided to help you with a little inspiration for embellishing your girl. This is the final template for the paper couture project. I hope you have enjoyed the year in paper couture.

I'll be announcing a new project shortly so be sure to check back to find out what we'll be doing next! You won't want to miss this. ;)

My Audacious Ballerina Muse

Like the willful child who won't be told what to do by her parents, I have the most audacious ballerina muse boldly reminding me whose really in creative control here.

ballerina dress in yellow - front view

Originally July's paper couture dress was to be something in the neighborhood of Zorita burlesque in yellow and aqua but clearly my muse had other plans.

ballerina muse paper dress back view

Dressed in cheerful yellow with zero aqua accents, this lil ballerina girl is the cutest kid in the forest. She's kinda full of herself right now so I'll just let her pirouette around for awhile. *snicker*

How to Make Decorative Paper

I'm having a hell of a time coming up with a color theme for Miss July. Can you believe that? Ultimately these girls become exactly what they want to become and I'm afraid I'm just along for the ride. Creativity at its finest, eh?

make your own mixed media paper

The yellow was easy. Thankfully we both agreed on that. After a day spent perfecting a blue toile pattern, it became clear it wasn't going to happen. Back to the drawing board with me. What a drag!

Think outside the box! Make your own paper came the voice from within. So I got out a fresh sheet of paper, some paint, a rubber stamp and voila! All is right with the world again.

Life After the Paper Wardrobe Project Ends?

Some of you may be wondering if there is life after the paper wardrobe project ends in July, to which I will reply, but of course! I've enjoyed the year in paper dresses so much that I will continue along the paper couture path.

project bloopers - I know, you thought I was perfect!

Just what the new project will be, I haven't quite decided. The ideas I'm kicking around seem to be a natural evolution of the paper dresses so stay tuned as I will announce soon.

The Magic of the White Fairy

As ethereal as moon beams, White Fairy glows in flowing white skirts with touches of pale green that align her with the magical energies of nature.

white fairy paper tutu dress

With pale pink roses and oh so delicate touches of flourish, she is the picture of fairy perfection! I'll leave you to imagine the whisper of her fluttering wings!

white fairy paper dress back view

There's no template for this one, girls. She's all mine! The video below will show you how I put her together just to give you some inspiration about just how creative you can get with these.

If you have a project you would like to share, please do leave a link to your work in the comments. Hope you enjoyed this one!

Zorita Burlesque for July

Zorita burlesque doesn't exactly scream patriotism unless your patriotic to the free spirited, artistic Bohemian lifestyle. I think it's romantic in an 19th century kind of way.

Zorita burlesque from Lovechild Boudior

Zorita was a 1940's burlesque dancer famous for her erotic snake strip teases but the miss July dress promises to have a little more purity to her look.

shoppe Lovechild Boudoir on Etsy

Always on the lookout for something different for the paper couture projects, July's dress will be anything but boring as we head into Independence Day.

Paper Couture XXIV: Flirty Sailor Girl

Paper couture is proud to present your paper dress template for June. This flirty sailor dress template can be downloaded by clicking the image and saving to your desktop.

flirty sailor dress template

Need some ideas about how to add the collar and embellish your dress? Watch the instructional video below for help.

If you use this template, please leave a comment with a link where I can see your work! As always, I hope you enjoyed this one.

Miss June is a Flirty Sailor Girl

Miss June turned into a flirty caribbean sailor girl in aqua with her polka dot skirt freshly accented with white  details.

paper wardrobe: flirty sailor dress

I still can't believe how fast I managed to crank this one out. You know what that means. The June template and video are not far off!

Sneak Peak: Sailor Girl

I've noticed that the design of some of the paper couture dresses seems to come together more quickly and easily than others. Sailor girl would be one of them.

a sailor dress for june

I just adore the look of this dress style and she's going to make a most perfect Miss June. The only question now is what color paper I'll use and what pattern will work best. Do you love it?

Note: Dress design is based on the Hell Bunny La La dress which was altered for comp purposes only.

Paper Couture XXIII: Sweet Lolita

Paper Couture proudly presents your sweet Lolita template for May. The printed template measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Click the image to download it at full size.

sweet Lolita template 

Need some skirt and embellishing ideas? This video will demonstrate how I put the skirt on this little beauty as well as what I did for final embellishments.

The paper wardrobe project will soon be coming to the end of its first year. I hope you will join me this July for the Fashion Week blog hop party. Enjoy!

Sweet Lolita in Pink Floral

Lo-li-ta! I love how sweetly that just rolls off the tongue. This sweet Lolita with her pink floral and white skirts will give you diabetes just looking at it.

sweet lolita pink floral paper art dress

She was a bit of a challenge with the over skirt but oh, the satisfaction that comes when I finally get it right is positively euphoric.

see other views in the Kell Belle Boutique

Do you love it? Look for May's paper couture template and video for embellishing sweet Lolita to come out in the next few days. Enjoy! ;)

A Sailor Dress for June

Sailor just sounded like such a perfect subject as we head into boating season and this stylish Hell Bunny dress certainly caught my eye even if I do have to reach to make the sailor connection to it.

Hell Bunny Lala

Isn't it amazing what comes up in searches sometimes?! Double skirt + polka dots = total bliss.  I may need to "sailorize" this just a little but I'll keep the hows of that a surprise for now.

Hell Bunny Shylean

I love these dresses! These are fun, flirty and absolutely adorable save whatever that is wrapped around the bust line. Whatever, ya know? I'll make it work. (tee hee :)