The Frugal Blog

This dress actually exists in several parts. The skirt was crazy enough on its own that instead of making it into one piece, I made it as a skirt and shirt ensemble. It's mostly based on Requiem Arts' Dolloween design, although after several window panel tests, I had to modify the "leaves" to accommodate the windows I was adding in the middle of them.



Each of the "stained glass" panels is made from clear acrylic that I took from my Wild Hearts crew boxes. I drew the designs on paper to start out with, and taped the acrylic over it. Then I traced over the designs with metallic black puff paint and let it dry. I tried going over this at first with both sharpie and paint, but the puff paint ended up looking the most realistic. I had also initially tried coloring the individual pieces of glass with alcohol ink, but it just wasn't vibrant enough for my liking. After making several test windows, I found that a half-inch puddle of clear Mod Podge mixed with several drops of acrylic paint created the perfect consistency, and looks the best when dried.



After the puff paint and acrylic/glue mixtures dried, I made the skirt panels from black fabric. I had created a pattern in the shape of the final window out of paper, and I traced these onto the inside of the skirt panel using chalk, then cut them out leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. I sewed the edges back basically using the same techniques you'd use for applique, just without the applique fabric added behind it.



In order to attach the acrylic windows to the fabric, I took the paper pattern again and placed it on top of the acrylic, so that I'd know which parts would be showing on the final dress. Then using my awl (basically a pointy metal stick), and working on top of some scrap cardboard that I didn't mind ruining, I punched holes around the edge of the pattern about 1/8" apart. I used these to sew the fabric and the windows together. Below is a pic of the underside of the skirt, and if you open it in its own tab and zoom in, you can probably see where I made these stitches.



Using hot glue, I attached a couple of layers of curved craft foam around the arch of the windows to mimic the arch that you usually find at the top of gothic windows (I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know what it is!), and decorated the sides with additional craft foam and plastic jewels that I painted to match the dress.



I had originally intended to flip those windows, and have the arched part towards the top, but I eventually realized that because of the shape of the skirt panels and the way skirts are constructed, that wasn't going to work. Fortunately, I think the silhouette of the final dress is very elegant.



The shirt she's wearing is pretty standard, but keeping it simple prevents it from distracting attention away from the rest of the outfit. It's a basic sleeveless tank top, dressed up with some gathered black lace. Probably the most difficult part of the shirt was getting the snap closures to fit around her wings



My googling has taught me that the chest/shoulder cover I made for her is called a "standard," and is a piece of armor that remains unattached from a helmet, and usually can remain stiff on its own. This one is made from cardboard, craft foam, hot glue, and extra findings I had in my supplies. I added it because she seemed incomplete without something around her neck, and I wanted to mimic those arches again on her shoulders. In the middle, below the gems that match her skirt, there's a little arch cut into the neckline. I put this on her shoes as well, because it reminds me of the "oculus" circular windows that you often find at the top of those beautiful large stained glass installations.



Her shoes may be the piece I'm most proud of-I've made lots of doll shoes, but getting that heel/foot angle on Monster High dolls is always SO HARD. This is the first time I've nailed it. They're made from cardboard, toothpicks, hot glue (of course), and card stock. I used the decorative tops of my toothpicks around the uppers to mimic the look of gothic towers with their ornamentation and extra columns.







Her crown is made with pretty much the same materials, plus some wooden beads, lace, and face rhinestones:



I didn't get a picture of it, but I left a very small pocket in the back of the crown for a straight pin. I pushed that pin through her head in order to secure the crown on her head.



Next I made her a lantern. You can't tell here, but I've painted the "flame" inside with glow in the dark paint. It's a soul lantern!





Each of the original Monster High girls usually came with a pet, and Rochelle's original pet was, of course, a gargoyle. Buying them used, however, means I usually don't get these extras (and I don't think the Zombie Shake girls came with pets anyway), so I decided to make my own! Cassius, as I've named him, is made from polymer clay on a tin foil base, and is brushed with a bit of shiny silver paint.



Don't they look cute together? I think the pictures of the two of them are my favorites!



Below is the only closeup I have of her staff, which is made from polymer clay, paper, cardboard, and a ton of paint. The face is meant to mimic the whimsical carvings that are often found at the tops of doors and windows in gothic architecture.



I'm really proud of all the separate elements that I put so much work into, but I think the full effect once it's all assembled is even better! What do you think? I'm super happy with her, and I think it suits her character pretty well.