Corset

This is a variation of an renaissans corset. One day in a shop I just run into a tablecloth, wich where made of a very coarse fabric.

My fantasy started, I thougt that this is free corsetcord ready made fabric! Wow!

My next project was to make something that looks like a renaissans corset out of a tablecloth.

Ok I cheated again. I know!

As you can see from the pictures above, I am talking of a very coarse fabric. Some of the fabric is infact made of something that very much looks like cord. Some renaissans corsets I have read about,where actually made with cord inside.

 

On internet at theElisabethan costume page you will find sights that has very good description on how to make a pattern, for a personal corset, and how to sew it.I found a corset sight and started to make my own pattern.

 

 

I choose 3 different sorts of fabric. One very smart made of silk for the face side, for the lining, a linen or cotton like side that is supposed to be worn next to my body, and my piece of tablecloth between those two fabrics.

The reason why I selected a cotton or linen like material as lining, is because it shall feel good to wear it next to the skin.

 

 

 

The pattern is layed on folded cloth. So you will have the front of the corset on the fold.The opening for the corset will then be at the back of the corsett, because the front will be smoth and if anythiung goes wrong when you sew you will be able to correct it at the back where it probably will not show as much. Theother reason is that the lacing won´t show if the garmant over is thin.

 

And if (god forbid) you will become fat, the gap between in the lacing won´t show so much at the backside.

 

 

The 3 different pieces of cloth layed together. I do almost anything not to have to tack, But in this case I soon found out that the best thing was to do that. During the sewing you have to turn the corset, several times and try and try again, and the last thing anyone want is the 3 pieces of cloth to seperate, and not stay put.

At the lining cloth I had made all marks for the tabs at the bottom. Along the the marks at the sides of the tabs I sewed up and then down very close ca 3 mm between. so that the edges won´t fray. Then it is time to cut the tabs free from each other, with the scissor, in the middle of what you have sewed.

This is done just, to be surtain that all pieces of cloth will follow, when you shall sew the trimming, thru all 3 layers of cloth.

The tabs was cut a little bit at the corners, just so it would look nicer in the end. And it is easier to sew the trim and turn it at the back.

Start to sew the trimming from the face side, around the whole corset,use the sewing machine. Then turn the trimming over and hand stich from the backside. In my case I sewed on a sunday, so I had to take whatever I had home, that is why I took a light purple trimming!

 

As this is moore like an experiment and not something that is really period I made holes for the lacing in metall.

The first try was a great disappointment!

I am thinner or have taken wrong mesurements. The corset was to big!

So I just cut of one side at the back.

But to my horror I realized that I didn´t have any more light purple trimming!.Well well light apricot is as good as nothing.

 

( This picture is more to show, that even if I sew and show my work at internet, don´t think that I never get it very wrong! Because that happeneds all the time. But usuallay no one never show that, sot I do that. And just take a look at the trimming colours! With this corset I can work at a saloon in an old western movie! But my release is that no one will probably ever see the corset, and that it is an experiment.)

I adjusted the holes for the lacing so at least they would bacome a little more period. the secret is not to put the holes exactly beside each other.

Well this is how my experiment looks like.

I am satisfied, but I realized that you can do the pattern a little smaller than you think. The corset will become bigger from the warmth from your body and you will probably lace it tighter than you think.