How To Make A Corset
I recently decided to attend a corsetry course. Obviously, I wanted to learn how to make corsets from scratch, and how to alter them later if need be. The course also covered the history of corsets, giving an insight into their origins and future.
canada goose clearance As a relative sewing novice, I thought the best way to go about this was to go to a class, because simply following a pattern can get a little tricky, and it’s always handy to have someone at canada goose outlet store montreal hand when things go wrong. With this in mind, I decided to keep a note of my progress over the 10 week course, and post the results at the end. But why stop there? I thought it would be best to show my progress, step by step, so that other aspiring corseteers have canada goose outlet boston more than just a pattern to follow. Be aware that making a corset does take a lot of time and effort, so be prepared for sore fingers and wonky eyes! canada goose clearance
This hub will show you, step by step, how to make a corset. While I will be making a standard 6 panel (on each side) corset, the steps can be used along with any canada goose outlet england pattern, and I will share any issues I had along the way. The detailed photos will help along my explanation of how to put the corset together, from cutting the fabric out, to sewing it all together and sealing the steel bones, all the way through canada goose outlet in canada to finishing off the edges and inserting the strong eyelets.
cheap Canada Goose Prepare the PatternThe first step is to cut out all of the pieces of your pattern. Ensure that the pattern you are using is for the correct size, by measuring, just incase it has printed out wrongly. This is especially important for print at home versions. If canada goose outlet website legit not, scale up using a photocopier. There is a handy article here on how to do this, however bear in mind that corset measurements are very unique and you don’t want to change the lengths, so it will be better to redraw (baking paper is a great resource to use for patterns, and cheap, too!) If you are between sizes, it is better to go for the size larger, because it is easier to take in than to let out. cheap Canada Goose
canada goose coats on sale Once you have cut out the pieces, lay them out onto your Calico fabric, and secure with plenty of pins. We used 2m of calico fabric, and folded it in half, so that there were enough layers to strengthen the corset. Once folded, the fabric was ironed to ensure that canada goose outlet in chicago the canada goose factory outlet pattern transferred onto a flat surface. canada goose coats on sale
When laying out your pieces onto the fabric, make canada goose outlet uk sure that you allow extra room for your seam allowance. This should be 2cm around the sides, and 1cm around the top and bottom.
Canada Goose sale Draw around each piece, and then draw round roughly for your seam allowances 2cm at canada goose outlet mississauga the sides, and 1cm top and bottom. A nice dark pencil is best for this, and remember that these layers will not be seen! Canada Goose sale
Like many corset patterns, the pattern I used only had one side on it, so to get the other side, I flipped each piece over. This ensures that all of the corresponding pieces for each panel are the exact same size. A2, B2, C2, so that you can easily tell which pieces are which and know that they are the correct side up.
The photo below shows how it should all look once it has been drawn out.
Pin Cut CalicoNow, begin pinning each section together to prevent the fabric moving when it is being cut. This can lead to irregular cuts, and a waste of canada goose outlet canada fabric. Use plenty of pins!
Canada Goose Outlet When all sections are individually pinned, cut them out using sharp fabric scissors, following the outer line, which should include your seam allowance. Canada Goose Outlet
Canada Goose Jackets You should now have 12 separate panels, which are 2 layers thick and pinned together. On each panel, stitch along the bottom of each channel, about 1cm from the bottom line. This is to stop the boning coming out, so back tack across the stitches a few times on your sewing machine, to make sure they are strong. This will now permanently hold your calico layers together, but keep the pins in, for now. Canada Goose Jackets
canada goose clearance sale back tacking is where you use the reverse function on canada goose outlet store new york your sewing machine to go backwards and forwards over the same line of stitching, for future use. canada goose clearance sale
buy canada goose jacket cheap Pin Cut Outer FabricLay out your outside fabric onto a table, in a single layer, selvedge to the bottom. If this is patterned, or textured, remember that the part that you want to see, should be facing downwards, onto the canada goose outlet us table. buy canada goose https://www.canadagoose-outlet.co.uk jacket cheap
canada goose deals The panels should now be laid out onto the fabric. Make sure canada goose parka outlet that the fabric is the correct way!!! The part that you want displayed on your corset should be facing the table! Pin the calico to the outer fabric with plenty of pins. ( I just used the pins that were already used, pulled them out and reinserted through all pieces.) canada goose deals
If you are using a pattern that you want to “join” up, you will need to plan ahead for this, and cut the pieces so that they link according to the little notches that have been drawn on. Also be aware that you will not see the seam allowance, so do not consider this to be part of the pattern. To be on the safe side, I would suggest using plain satin or something similar, particularly for a first attempt.
Using the calico pieces as a guide, cut out the corset’s outer fabric using your fabric scissors. canada goose factory outlet vancouver Be careful not to stab yourself with the pins. I found myself getting a little overconfident at this stage, and constantly stabbed my fingers!
Canada Goose Parka Hand Tack The Fabric TogetherBegin hand tacking each of the panels, using a contrasting colour of thread. I chose pink, because none of my layers were pink, so it was easy to see. Don’t be overcautious with your stitching because they will be removed later. However, try to be neat and follow the lines accurately, as some of the stitches could prevent boning from going into the channels later, particularly canada goose jacket uk when testing that the channels are the correct size! Canada Goose Parka
I used a double threaded needle, done by folding the thread over on itself once through the needle, and canada goose outlet toronto factory tying the ends at the bottom. This allows for a nice strong tack that wont snap canada goose factory outlet toronto location easily.
canadian goose jacket Be sure to work slowly, and don’t be tempted to do multiple stitches at once, then Cheap Canada Goose UK pull the thread through. this distorts the fabric, and can crumple it, as well as tangles the thread. canadian goose jacket
Large stitches (about 1cm each) are best for this, and easier to pull out later. Don’t worry about stopping and restarting, or even about changing the colour of thread because you’ve ran out. Remember that these are for your use, and no one else will see them.
Canada Goose online Be aware that this stage is one of the most laborious, particularly if, like me, you do it sitting in bed, hunched over. You should, however, be quite used to the needle pricks by now! Canada Goose online
buy canada goose jacket Pin Cut LiningThe lining fabric should be folded in half, and laid so that the grain is parallel to the table edge. This makes it easier to remember which way the fabric grain is running. buy canada goose jacket
canada goose Lay out one side of your nicely tacked canada goose outlet niagara falls panels over the lining fabric. (Just A,B,C,D,E,F one set of panels) Lay them in such a way that the flat edges run along the grain of the fabric, left to right, all in the same direction. The fabric should not stretch. Because the fabric is folded, we will be able to cut the lining required for all panels in half the time! canada goose
canada goose store This time, put the right side facing up on the table. The side that you want to be in contact with your body should be facing upwards, then place the calico pieces on top, as a guide to cut around. canada goose store
Try to be economical with your fabric, canada goose jacket outlet store but do not change the direction of the pieces. They should all be lying, horizontally like a ladder, parallel with the grain of the fabric. Do not cut until you are sure that it is the right way, canada goose jacket outlet uk because you will distort the final results.
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canada goose black friday sale While all of the layers are together, use scissors to cut in the notches that are marked at the side of each pattern piece. This will help in identifying which pieces go together later canada goose black friday sale.