| jist finished this merry Christmas themed corset, she is sweet and a little silly....

I really want an Edwardian longline corset for Christmas. Or, if that would be too soon, i could do mid-January - I don't know what the "expected wait time" would be and I'd be fine with a late present to myself. I'm just lusting after one.

I don't know that I want to try to make one for myself when I have my best friend/roommate's custom design to get finished by Christmas (shh, she doesn't know yet), with at least 70% handsewing entailed.

I'm actually lucky in that I'm expecting a large amount of money in the next ~1.5 weeks, which is why I'm treating myself.

I'm on the east coast in the US, specifically western North Carolina.

Is there anyone nearby who would consider taking the commission? Or, if not nearby, who's comfortable with fittings and/or measurements via correspondance?

I'd be happy to provide more details of my location/measurements/what I want the corset to be like. Just tell me what you want to know :)

I watch ebay ... bad habit yes... dont buy much really, but someone in China has posted a cute corset, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me which pattern that is generally available from corset pattern suppliers, this one could be close to? I really like the shape along the bottom, and what appears to be a high back, although I think it could have a few more pieces to make it a better fitting garment. I am tempted to buy this one and tear it appart, but if I can get a pattern similar enough will go that way instead. Here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360208223685&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Anna
in search of the best fitting everyday garment, with style

I am reading an article now about applying waist tape from FSO and wondering how you all go about it.
Which layer do you all apply the tape to?
I used to apply it to the fashion fabric and had someone tell me I should apply it to the lining. I didn't notice a difference but I don't wear my corsets that often.
I found when applied to the fashion fabric it could be seen over the busk. I used to get the bones under it so that wasn't an issue. I wonder if I was doing something wrong to have it show?
I've never brought the tape around either and think I will try that.
I hope how I described the 'showing through' part well enough to be understood. Why is it thatI feel I have the silliest questions? Hahaha.

Hi guys!

Soooo.. I'm making a pair of 18th century stays to go under an 18th century gown I've remade.
I've never made real stays before, mostly hybrids with smooth edges. I've tried to bind this bugger TWICE already and both times the binding looks like absolute crap.

I'm reluctant to hand-bind them because, well, a) I'm burnt out from this project already b) I'm flying out to do the gig that I'll be wearing it for on TUESDAY c) I REALLY need to get back to client orders before I head out across the country again. I've spent too much time ripping stitches as it is. MY EYES ARE BLEEDING.

I did the right thing and first, looked in the memories and check out site that has a pretty cool tutorial on mitring edges and stitching by hand.

Buut... I can't get my head around these methods by machine instead of by hand. I am now supplicating to YOU, fellow corsetmakers, on how you go about binding your stays neatly by machine. I love this corset, the shaping is amazing and I really like the stays, but they're really f**king pissing me off. The binding feels "baggy" but when I've tried to pull the binding tighter, it doesn't fit into the edges smoothly. I'm at my wits end. I'm just about ready to simply surge the raw edges and cover them with ribbon or something equally retarded.

And no, I'll NEVER offer stays as an option for order after this experience. They're pretty, but really bitchy to make.

Any ideas?

I have a problem. I went out and got nice new needles and some nice polyester thread in preparation for for fiddling with my thread tension (I really hate doing this). I got it all nice and perfect on zig-zag and straight stitches but when it came to sewing boning channels with the bone in the channel, the tension is all fux0red and doesn't look nice on the top OR underside. The problem is the boning is slightly too thick (tall) for my boning foot to accommodate.

I have a Husqvarna, it is an awesome machine and this is not it's fault. Unfortunately it does not have the capacity to minutely adjust the foot height which means I think I'll probably be sewing boning channels without the bones actually being in the channel (which is my normal method). The bones are heavy duty cable ties which, admittedly, are freaking thick.

Anyone have any advice? Tips? Funny diversions that are good for a laugh?

Greetings all.

I've look through the memories and didn't find anything (if there is feel free to just smack me upside the head). I'm looking for advice on pre washing fabrics.

Twill isn't as worrysome for me, but at hte moment I'm working with a yard of silk taffeta, and anyone who has bought it know it doesn't come cheap. I need to pre wash it to make sure it shrinks right and all that so I know it won't wrinkle later.

Is there any advice on washing and drying such precious material? As i said before if there is info already just let me know but be gentle, my head bruises easily :)

For those of you who would like to know it's a dark emerald green silk taf. *melts*

All right. I've spent the last couple of years happily using nice sturdy shoelace-looking stuff to lace my corsets. But my husband has increased the number of his wistful mentions of how much prettier ribbon lacing is of late, and since I'm about to order a batch of materials for sewing, I guess it's time to figure out how to bring ribbon lacing out of the realm of dreams for him. However, I don't really know much about what to use, or where to get it.

I know one wants to use double-faced satin ribbon, but is there a particular fabric content that's preferable? Will anything do, or are there preferred brands? And if it's a more esoteric type of ribbon, where does one get it? I'm in Baltimore (regrettably), so I do pretty much all my shopping for such things online, since nearly all we have is JoAnn up here.

Obviously I'm a bit clueless here, so any advice would be welcome. Thank you!

Skinny Puppy was awsome last night. I finally get to say that I saw them perform LIVE. Then finally went to neuTral after hearing about it for awhile. I think I found my new place to let off steam. (well Friday nights at least) Amazing night, now to do some grocery shopping. But first hook that iv of coffee to my vein

Ahhh...first thing is first. And that first thing seems like a LOT.
Ive been making corsets for almost 2 years. Only made 6 so far. Still having issues with making them really cause I cant seem to find a way of drafting a pattern that Wont turn out way smaller than I intended.
I want to make myself a waist training corset. I'm looking for about 2-3 inches reduction total when I'm finished. I finally feel like I'm ready for the commitment.
Although I keep running into the same problems over and over again.
1.)I ALWAYS get puckering and wrinkles no matter how hard I try to fix them they always come back!!
2.)It always turns out about an inch to 2 inches smaller than I intend it to for some reason.

I'm really looking to make an underbust waist training corset that goes all the way over my stomach and is durable.
I've also been wondering about construction methods for some time. I just never seem to understand in the other posts I read. What exactly is the seemingly best way (or I should say, cleanest looking way) to make a corset. All of mine always turn out frayed on the inside for one reason or the other (still trying to work on finding a way to stop that) and I really want this corset to look as clean and be as comfortable as possible. I think one of my main problems is my proportions. My waist is 32 (looking to get down to 29) and my hips are 39.5 inches I believe. It seems to make it extremely difficult to sew properly without wrinkles and especially when inserting boning channels and stuff.
I'm basically doing this for prom and for my own personal reasons. I really want my corset for prom to be smaller than my current waist size. (which that prom corset also brings up another huge problem with me. But that's for later I guess.)
Blah..I think my thoughts are trailing off a bit. Stupid Americas Funniest Videos lol.

Anyways...that's my first dilemma.

My second one happens to be my boyfriends christmas present. Also to help with prom.
He wants me to make him a corset vest to wear under every day clothing. He wants to help his posture and try to reduce his waist a bit.. This would also come along with exercise when he's not wearing it. He really really wants to make himself look as good as possible so he can "do me justice" with my dress design. (can be seen here: http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/xxRED__EMxx/l_561a9fd9d1ed451cbf1a569c3b3395-1.jpg)
He says he's fat, even though he really only has a little bit of baggage. But I really wanna make him feel as good as possible about himself.
How would I go about making this for him? How would I even begin to draft a pattern like that for him that brings in his lower half, goes over his stomach, but doesnt pull his ribs in too much? The main issue is below the ribs. His ribs are also pretty far out compared to his stomach.
I just need some general idea on how to even start this o.0
Yay trying new things? haha
Anyways, anyone who replies to this, thank you. I greatly appreciate any help.

Originally published at exoskeleton cabaret. You can comment here or there.

So much steampunk we’re bleedin’ oil!

I’ve started my fashion column over at Jake von Slatt’s Steampunk Workshop. Have a look-see if you’ve a moment! I may begin cross-posting some content from here to there and back again, but this time I’m gonna make ya go look.

Thank you!

I wanted to share images of this long line over-bust corset that I made for a lovely bride few months back.

( large photos )

this corset is made from a fantastic embroidered sage green silk taffeta backed with coutil. It is lined in brocade coutil. Steel boned throughout; a mixture of spring and steel depending on where it is placed on the body. It features a gold busk and eyelets, a front busk protective panel and a boned modesty panel. The trim is silk taffeta and matches the wedding skirt that I made to match. The pattern was drafted from scratch to her measurements.

The fabric was difficult to match because the pattern was placed in two narrow rows in the middle of the fabric and had a large repeat that did not mirror. The embroidery caused the fabric to warp and pull in places so it was challenging to create a smooth corset. I'm very pleased with this piece.

Thanks for having a look!

So, some of the suggested "make your own corset patterns" I see have everything cut in a smooth curve while others use a straight line and sharp corners. Do you know what difference the two approaches give? Do the sharper corners make for more dramatic curves (like in the black corset posted right before this)?

Thanks for your advice.

This is another daft and simple question (from a daft and simple mind):

Does anyone know where the ruffle tutorial is? A while ago someone posted an awesome tutorial about how to add a row of ruffles (or possibly pleats, but the principle's the same) to the bound edge of a corset. It was awesome. So before I offer to do this for the lady I am making my *next* corset for, I need to check that I feel I can do it, so finding this awesome tutorial is a must.

A related question to this: is there anyway to search the community? I can search LJ but seemingly not posts within the community and I am always thinking of previous posts it would be useful to look at and not being able to find them.

Sorry if I'm being twp (welshism!) and thanks in advance for any help offered:-)

Hannah x

Hi all!

I'd like to show you a couple of my latest works. Hope you like it )
Patterns based on Muller's.

( Pics )

Any comments/suggestions/questions welcome!

We've got some new sellers on the Merchants' Guild, with some great stuff that's just PERFECT for Xmas gifts, crafting on the go, or special holiday occasions! Specifically, we've got some sellers with some beautiful custom Medieval-style garb and gowns, and several medieval-style small looms: very portable and useful for making trim, belts, and other accessories.

Also, if you have any crafting skill or old items lying around that someone else might want, now's the perfect time to make some money for the holidays! Post an auction: it's FREE! We don't take any portion of your profits, we're just here to serve!

http://www.merchants-guild.com

Originally published at inkyblack.net. You can comment here or there.

This is probably going to be the last post cross-referencing to LiveJournal. I never look at it anymore unless I’m going there to read a few specific journals, and those have been plugged into the previously-mentioned Google Reader/feedly aggregator. Thems who still want to read bloggy/journally-type things from me can do so on inkyblack.net. You’ll also find all my other stoopid social-networking crapola there (here).

I’m also going to the trouble of adding other things to feedly/google reader as a bit of an experiment.  I’ve mentioned before that the vast plethora of microblogging/web2.0 stuff out there is not only compelling, but really annoying to try and keep track of.  I fell behind on reading livejournal when I cluttered it up with different LJ groups.  I tend to fall behind on Twitter (even with only a few folks on the list!)  because I hate having to install software specifically for that one application.  It’s part of the reason why folks very rarely see me logged into any of the IM accounts I have.  I started trying to use FriendFeed, because it makes sense (you sign up for it, tell it what web apps & services you use and it aggregates everything for you), but it’s only really useful if your friends actually sign up.   Instead, I’ve wound up with a Firefox window dedicated to Facebook and the resultant continuous unsolicited requests to adopt virtual pets, plants, and various farm machinery.  I really don’t like Facebook, but it seems to be the one place that everyone seems to want to post all their crap.  Heck, even my mother uses Facebook!  The weird thing?  Facebook acquired FriendFeed.  I have mixed feelings as to whether I want them to blend the two.

Really, all I want to do is have everything located fairly centrally so that I can keep up with what my friends are doing & respond in a timely manner if needed.  I’d also like them to be able to access the things I’m willing to share with them.  Here’s hoping that turning everything into a newsfeed does the trick!

Hey everyone - just a quick question!

Instead of flossing by hand, is it just as good (practically, not aesthetically, obviously) to stitch across the boning channel very close to the ends of the bone? Basically I'm making a corset for underwear for a lady who likes things very plain. Also she is only paying for materials as we are doing a time-based trade. I want to floss in some way, but as she is really not bothered about the appearance and I am snowed under with other work, I was hoping this would be ok.

Many thanks,
Hannah x

Okay, I'm ready to make up a muslin - yikes! Two questions:

Do I cut out the lining from the same fabric? That seems like the easiest way to do it.

Do I put in grommets? I've looked for grommet tape but can't find it locally. One of the posts in memories described adding 2" to the pieces and sewing them together, but that seems like it would be less accurate.

Thanks.

Well, after four mock-ups, I think I've finally got my wedding dress corset pattern drafted and good-to-go. And now... the terrifying step of cutting into the fashion fabric! O.O

But before I do that, I'd like some advice about layers, if you please. Most of these are nagging questions that I should've answered long before this, but I've always faked it well enough that I haven't bothered. But I figure that this is a good time to ask for your collective wisdom! ( This got a bit long, so I'm going to put it behind a cut so as not to clutter your friends pages! )