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Adventures in corsetry, revisited!
Sep. 10th, 2008 10:25 amIt occurs to me that I've never really detailed the construction process of a real corset here. So this morning, I took some pics and thought I'd post and explain them.
Let me start by saying that my favorite pattern for a Victorian corset is the Dorè corset from Laughing Moon's Pattern #100. It's a great pattern, versatile, and once you know what you're doing, pretty easy to alter and make for anyone, any body shape or size.
Now, I also use all the same techniques I learned making corsets when I make a bodice - a Ren bodice, a pirate bodice, or in the case of my Marie Antoinette dress, the bodice of an 18th century gown. (I don't think I'll be wearing stays underneath, so a fully boned bodice will be a must to get the right support and shape.) What do I mean when I say fully boned? I mean the corset or bodice is lined with lengths of steel "bones" that help it - and you - hold the right shape. This is not as uncomfortable as it sounds. While I couldn't imagine wearing one every day, forever, I find corsets quite comfortable when I do wear them. They certainly help improve one's posture!
( More, with helpful pictures, behind the cut )
So there you have it, the process so far. I like to tell people, making a corset isn't hard exactly, but it is a process - one that is easier if you view it as one step at a time, and each step takes some time to do. Well...okay, so making a corset is kind of hard, but the first time is the hardest, and after that it becomes more about the steps and the time.
I'll post more pics as the process continues, and there will probably be pics of my gown and wig construction as well.
Let me start by saying that my favorite pattern for a Victorian corset is the Dorè corset from Laughing Moon's Pattern #100. It's a great pattern, versatile, and once you know what you're doing, pretty easy to alter and make for anyone, any body shape or size.
Now, I also use all the same techniques I learned making corsets when I make a bodice - a Ren bodice, a pirate bodice, or in the case of my Marie Antoinette dress, the bodice of an 18th century gown. (I don't think I'll be wearing stays underneath, so a fully boned bodice will be a must to get the right support and shape.) What do I mean when I say fully boned? I mean the corset or bodice is lined with lengths of steel "bones" that help it - and you - hold the right shape. This is not as uncomfortable as it sounds. While I couldn't imagine wearing one every day, forever, I find corsets quite comfortable when I do wear them. They certainly help improve one's posture!
( More, with helpful pictures, behind the cut )
So there you have it, the process so far. I like to tell people, making a corset isn't hard exactly, but it is a process - one that is easier if you view it as one step at a time, and each step takes some time to do. Well...okay, so making a corset is kind of hard, but the first time is the hardest, and after that it becomes more about the steps and the time.
I'll post more pics as the process continues, and there will probably be pics of my gown and wig construction as well.
