Here are some pictures of my new corset. Actually, it is my first try at making one. The chemise I am wearing is also the first one I have made that is somewhat historically accurate. I used real linen, and a pattern from Period Patterns. It is a 15th century Italian Camisa, but I liked the design so much that I made it anyway. I am actually trying to put together a mostly, well, somewhat, allright a little bit accurate 1580's middle class English outfit. The linen is a little heavier weight than I might have wanted, but it still works pretty well. Besides, for my first time out I don't think I want to be too picky. Always leave room for improvement, right?
The corset pattern is a slightly modified verion of the one found here. The boning is 1/4" spring steel from Jas. Townsend and Sons. I used one layer of muslin to make the pattern and the interlining, a layer of flannel to make the lining, and a layer of sage green duck cloth for the outside. I think that next time, I will use a a fabric I found called diaper flannel for the lining. It seems to be a bit tighter weave with less stretch than regular flannel.
I fully boned the front, and have about fifteen bones in the back. The busk is oak, and I made that with the help of my wonderful father and his jigsaw. I found that at Lowes they carry peices of one to four inch wood in poplar, oak, and pine that is 1/4 to 3/4 inch thick and twenty-four to thirty-six inches long. I used the 1/4 inch I think. I then sanded it and drilled two holes for the ribbon tie. I still have to put the linseed oil on it. It's on my to do list.
I then spent a really, really, long time hand-binding the forty eyelets that run along the edges. (Tell me again, why did I wanted a front closing corset with four edges!?) Anway, a long time later I was still binding eyelets, and getting very bored. So I decided to whipstitch some trim on to the front peice. Maybe not accurate, but it looks very nice. The other edges are bound with a carmel-colored grosgrain ribbon, also hand stitched on. I finally finished the eyelets. All good things must come to an end, *sigh*. I spaced the eyelets for spiral lacing. The bottom edges aren't quite even due to my pattern. If I ever get the desire to, I have thought about adding another eyelet to either side of the bottom of the corset to tie farthingales, petticoats or skirts to. That will wait for another day though. (I should say it will wait until I forget how much I hated putting in all of the other eyelets.)
For the pictures I just grabbed some 1/4 inch ribbon. I will be replacing this later with actual cord. I just needed to see how it fit and use it to fit my bodice pattern for a kirtle I am putting together. |
