Newspaper patterns are what you make when you don't have a preprinted one that you buy from the store. Instead of using up a lot of fabric on trial and error, you use newspaper or paper grocery bags because they're cheap and easily written on.
So basically, to get started on the skirt, open a newspaper and tape together two 2-page sections side by side. You end up with 4 pages in a row. Now decide how you want to space your pleats: every inch, every 1.5 inches, 2 inches? Fold a few pleats on your newspaper to see how it looks. Too close together? -unfold and try again. Too wide? --try again. When you get the spacing you want, measure & use your ruler to mark your newspaper so you can pleat the whole piece. Pin each fold near the top edge so you can pick up the paper when you're done. Once it's all folded, place the paper against your hip to see whether it's big enough for one half of your skirt. If it's too small, tape on another page(s). Too big, mark where the halfway point is to cut later.
You'll probably want a friend handy to help you with adjustments. With the paper on your hip, move the top edge up or down until it looks like V shape of the Scout skirts, and then you can mark where to cut for the hem. Remember to leave an extra 1.25 inch at the hem so you can fold it up to hide the raw edge of the fabric without making your skirt too short. Leave an extra 1/2 to 5/8 inch at the waist for adding the waist band.
That's the basic idea behind newspaper patterns. You mess around measuring, adjusting, and cutting until you get the look you want, then you use that paper as the guide for cutting your fabric.
For the Sailor Moon hair, it's up to you whether you want to use your own hair and add extensions or use a wig. If you have long hair, maybe you won't need extensions. If you choose a wig, try getting one like the 6th from the bottom on this page:
http://www.cosplaysupplies.com/specials ... tion=WIGS4
The picture shows a pink one, but you'd ask for a blonde one which would work well for Sailor Moon. The key is that the hair is already parted for ponytails so you wouldn't have to do that step. Style the buns and curl the ends, and you'd be all set.
I'm a quick learner and I can sow plushiez and anything else under the sun. 
