I did a test with the back half using Newspaper. It is usable, but I don’t love it.
If you’d like to do the same, this is an overview of the process:
- Cover the inside of the mold with vaseline.
- Tear up newspapers into 4″x4″ square swatches with no cut edges. Cut edges do not look smooth and seamless when overlapped.
- Dip the newspaper into wallpaper paste and cover the inside of the vaseline-covered mold, generously overlapping the prior pieces. I covered it with four layers of newspaper strips and it was still a tad bit flimsy. I recommend at least eight layers if you want a stronger dress form.
- Leave the paper-mache to dry completely inside the mold (about 2 days).
- Separate the paper mache from the plaster mold.
