Adventures in Corsetry

[rhienelleth]

Ok, so I'm posting these behind a cut because, well, pictures.  Keep in mind these aren't perfect.  I put the corset on a pillow to take the pics, and it fits the pillow better than it does me!  But it looks a lot better on L than it does the pillow, so take that for what it's worth.  I also didn't cinch it up as tightly as I could - I wanted you all to see the lacing and modesty panel in the back.  Commentary with pics.

First up, a couple of front pics:



There are ten total panels, and each panel has at least one, possibly two flat or spiral steel bones in it.  L says it feels really comfortable and supportive on.  I didn't want the seams visible in and of themselves, so added decorative trim to each seam - it's velvet ribbon through braided trim, which adds a three dimensional 'texture' to the overall look of the corset.  The trim down the front is different, because I needed it wide enough to cover the busk. 



The back of the corset - as mentioned in previous posts, I drafted the modesty panel and added it myself, so you wouldn't see this strip of skin beneath the lacing.  Ok, so skin might look sexy on some people.  It also might not, ans the modesty panel looks good on everyone. :)  FYI, you want a 2-3 inch gap beneath the lacing on corsets.  If, as it does on me, the two grommeted edges touch when the corset is completely laced, your corset is too big for you. 



A close-up of the front, so you can better see the trim:



And there you have it.  When L finishes the skirt she's making to go with it, I promise to get pics of her wearing it.  In the meantime, I've purchased everything I need to start another for my very own (provided it fits when I'm done!)  I just have to get the enthusiasm to make it, now.  Here's my new fabric:

Comments

[kistha.livejournal.com]

The first corset is lovely, but I actually like the second fabric better. *shrug* I prefer dramatic colors though. :)

The first looks like it would have gone really well with your coloring, but the second looks like it will set it off. I think you will look fabulous. Also, will look good with jeans - the oriental flash is in this year.

You impress the hell out of me. :) That is an excellent first corset. Ridiculously so, actually.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

I, too, prefer more dramatic colors. The brocade's going to be a real bitch, though. The edges fray like nothing I've ever seen. I'm going to have to flatline it to twill and then zigzag every single edge on every single panel. Cripes, that's a lot of sewing, and a lot of thread.

And finding the right trim to go with it is proving problematic. the velvet stuff I used on the other one doesn't look quite right with the shiny look of the brocade.

[kistha.livejournal.com]

See if you can find satin trim - or even piping if it's wide enough. Black to match, red to stand out. Or as they say these days "pop".

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

The red is going to be hella hard to match, if my attempts at the fabric store were any indication. So probably black. that's a good idea. I'll look for some jacquard ribbon online in black, maybe with a flower motif?

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Just make sure the flower pattern matches - which can be v. tough. I did have the thought of for the middle larger piece using red and then stitching a string of jet (or other black shiny) beads up the middle. Hmmmm.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is a good idea...again, if I can find a red that matches. This may necessitate a trip to the fabric store again tonight. Oh gee, darn.

[celli]

Wow, that's awesome!

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[carmen-sandiego.livejournal.com]

WOW! That is one gorgeous corset. You have every reason to be proud, and I say also every reason to be jealous that someone else gets to wear it ;)

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am jealous. But at least I know her, and she's a friend, and I would make her a corset if she asked me to, so I guess I just made her one a little sooner, without her asking. :D

[snowdrifted.livejournal.com]

That is one stunning piece of work. Great job!

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Thank-you. I'm eager to see how the second one will turn out. Just not all that eager to do the work. LOL.

[shadawyn.livejournal.com]

Your skill at making pretty things never ceases to amaze me.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Honestly, I think it just takes patience and a mildly obsessive/compulsive nature. LOL.

[rez-lo.livejournal.com]

Utterly, utterly gorgeous. And the new fabric is really something. Do you buy it locally? (I'm curious about this because I collect/reclaim vintage fabric; I was in the fabric store the other day for the first time in a long time and was sort of shocked that they had absolutely no silk, except for silk thread. Weird?)

Anyway, that's beautiful work. Can't wait to see the next one.

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sounds so interesting - the vintage fabric. How do you go about that?

My fabric store carries exactly one kind of silk in a very few (plain) colors. Everything else is satin or varieties of faux silk. Maybe people aren't willing to spend for it, so stores are carrying it less?

[rez-lo.livejournal.com]

You're probably right about the cost being prohibitive. It's such beautiful stuff, though.

How I go about it: When I have a shopping attack I comb the thrift stores. There's a disabled veteran's store in the area here that for some reason always has a big pile of beautiful old silk scarves, for example. In some cases I don't care about the age, just the material, and will buy thrift-store dresses, skirts, and so on if the cloth is really fine. I rip out the seams and hand-wash it at home.

[morwen_peredhil]

Ooh, pretty!

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) It's even prettier on - well, on L at least. On me it gaps and stuff.

[kismeteve.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful. Wow.

[venulia.livejournal.com]

um, WOW. you made that. huh.