How to Make Paper Costumes

From the 'General Directions' section of the book: CREPE PAPER costumes are usually made over a foundation of cloth and are sewed or pasted as seems best. A muslin slip which fits the person and buttons in the back is the most satisfactory to use. Sometimes a slip which opens in front can be buttoned up and then the back cut open. When this is done turn the paper well back over the edges and paste down neatly. Instead of using the hooks or buttons sew narrow ribbons on both sides where needed and tie. Slips do not often have sleeves nor are they required. If sleeves are required they may be cut from muslin or net and sewed in before or after being covered with the paper. When sewing in paper sleeves always reinforce them with a double fold of crepe paper around the armhole. Regular dress patterns may. be used for cutting waists, sleeves, etc., but they are not often necessary. Crepe paper may be sewed on the sewing machine or by hand. When sewing by hand use silkateen or luster thread, and have the stitches quite long and not very close to the edge. The sewing machine can be used to good advantage for sewing two widths of crepe paper together, gathering ruffles, stitching up seams and sewing on bands. It is not always necessary to gather the paper with needle and thread; particularly when making hats, it can be gathered up with the fingers and a wire twisted tightly around to hold it. The ruffle at the bottom of a skirt should be sewed on so that the paper will hang about an inch below the slip. As the crepe paper is only twenty inches wide, and to hang well for a skirt it must be used with the grain of the crepe running up and down, often two widths must be sewed or pasted together. When joining two widths lap one piece flat over the other about one-half inch, and stitch on the sewing machine or paste. Measure the required length and cut off the unnecessary material on the bottom of the skirt so that the piecing will be on the lower part. Instead of fastening two widths of paper together for the skirt, two or more ruffles may be used. Sew the lower one in place first. The others are sewed on so that the lower edge will be at least three inches below gathers of lower ruffle. It will not be necessary to turn in raw edges and no hems need be made, although many times the edge is turned up, creased sharply, and fluted between the thumb and fingers. This is done by holding the edge of crepe paper between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, then push away from you with the left thumb, and pull forward with the right forefinger. Move the crepe a bit and repeat until the whole strip is fluted....