I wrote in an earlier post that I wasn’t planning any new sewing resolutions this year, besides the usual sew more, blog more, have fun.
I do however have a bit of a sewing goal to complete in 2015 and that is to make a corset.
I see it as a technical challenge and an excuse to sew something fun that I wouldn’t normally sew. I intend to fit it in amongst my usual sewing and I thought I’d share my progress in a semi-regular (read: I’ll post when I do anything but there is no set timeline) blog series.
This idea has been floating around in my head for a while…maybe 4 years ago I bought The Basics of Corset Building by Linda Sparks and one of the two recommended patterns, Simplicity 9769.
All I really needed to get serious was some hardware so after Christmas I jumped online to check out several websites suggested by various sources and eventually settled on Aussie Corset Supplies.
They had what I needed in stock and being just over the ditch in the West Island (New Zealand joke) their shipping was very reasonable.
Based on the listed notions I bought the following:
- Spiral Steel Boning
- 4 x 25cm
- 4 x 26.5cm
- 2 x 27.5cm
- 6 x 28.75 cm
- 4 x 23.75cm
- 2 x 22.5cm
(Which seems like a lot more more boning pieces than I can count on the pattern outline!)
- 1 x 30cm DEU Standard Busk 30cm
- 5 meters white lacing
This all cost me about NZD$70.00 including shipping and handling.
I went for precut/finished spiral steel boning but I also priced up buying it by the meter and the tips separately. The pre-cut boning worked out cheaper because I suspect the by-the-meter stuff is of higher quality. If this experiment goes well and I decide to make a more advanced corset I might look at upping the hardware quality then.
I still need grommets and fabric, which I will buy locally.
I’ve traced my size, I’m starting with a straight 12, and my first step is to stitch up a quick muslin out of heavy calico to test the fit. I’ll also insert the boning and busk.
Then it’s fabric shopping time!
So that’s it for now. I’ll post future entries under The Curious Corset Experiment so if you are interested you can look them up.
the curious kiwi 
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Wicked! It’s going to be very interesting watching this process unfold 🙂 I made a rather dodge version of Butterick’s 4254 a few years back, but using cording instead of boning (as per the destructions). Haven’t had the courage to go the steel route yet.
Good luck with it! Once the corset is done you can make a pair of those fabulous frilled pants too 😉
I tried that pattern a few years back and didn’t have much luck with it, I’ve had way more success with Laughing Moon corset patterns.
Nevertheless, you’re not me so you might haver a better time with it, hope it goes well 🙂
That’s a good pattern to start with. Looking forward to the next installment .
I’ve only used the chemise from that pattern but it turned out beautifully. One day there will be a corset from that era as well, but I need to get the regency done first.
What a fantastic challenge! I absolutely love that it’s possible to make anything if you really want to and there are plenty of people willing to give it a shot. It will be so much fun to see how you progress with this – good luck!