Wardrobe Tutorial

Wardrobe Tutorial

By Heather Maxwell

This tutorial goes with the free download from Catherine Moore which can be found HERE.  Please note her design is for personal use only.  The method used here only took about an hour, exclusive of drying time.  Try it!  It’s kind of addicting. J

Supplies needed:

•  Downloaded wardrobe design, patterned paper for the inside
• Glue 
• 8.5x11 chipboard
•  Scissors
• Hole punch, eyelets and applicator
• Ribbon
• Various images of choice for decorating the inside
• Heat gun
• Spray sealer

Once you have downloaded the wardrobe graphic, print it out on 8.5x11 paper.  I used sticker paper to make it easier to adhere in the next step but you could print it on good quality cardstock as well.  I also downloaded a design to use for the inside and printed that on sticker paper as well.

Next apply the two graphic images to either side of the chipboard.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly aligned since you will cut out the sections next.  This part reveals the beauty of using sticker paper.  No drying time, no bubbles or wet paper with sticker paper.  If you don’t have sticker paper, spray glue is the next best thing but plain glue, evenly applied, works too.  Once the glue is dry, cut out the three sections.

If you are going to alter the surface of the wardrobe, do that now.  At the very least I always smooth out and ink my edges.  For this tutorial, I stamped some faux texture to age the outsides.  I also sprayed with distress ink, then dried it with the heat gun.  When I was satisfied with the look, I sprayed it with clear sealer.  This is always a good idea if you are using images you printed yourself (keeps them from fading).

Starting with the front section, mark three hole positions down the left side, punch the holes.  With the insides together, use the holes you just punched as a template to mark the left side of the middle section.  Use same technique to mark and punch holes on the right side of the middle section inside and the left inside of the back section. You should end up with 12 holes.  Optional: insert and crimp eyelets into the holes.  This will strengthen and add a nice finish (pretty side of eyelet is on the outside of the section).

Cut six pieces of ribbon at about 6” per piece. Lay sections in order, insides down, and thread the ribbons through, uniting two sections.  Before you tie the ribbon, put a pencil or other long, skinny object between sections as a spacer, making sure you have a gap between the sections you are uniting.  Tie knots and trim ends.

dresses and shoes using Character Constructions stamps

Now you can decorate the inside!  Add shelves for shoes and accessories, birdcages, pictures of loved ones… Don’t forget to leave room for the dresses! Dresses can be attached with pop dots, glue, ribbon, tiny hangers or any other way you can figure out.  Play!

Heather