Beginners Workshop Aug 2007
Maggie's
corset; busk in place, starting to sew the panels together.
Machine
stitching panels. The busk is in place so we can get on with sewing
all the panels together. You must be familiar with a domestic sewing
machine but we don't do anything more than sew straight lines. There
are four layers of fabric in each panel (top fabric, two inner fabrics
and a lining).
Preparing
to place eyelets in the centre back panels. All the different processes
are demonstrated using readily available hand tools.
Usually
there are between 5 and 9 people in the class. The class is intended
for women - though there was one male fashion graduate on this years
beginners course.
Centre
front panels ready, busk in place. Fastened together to check they
match.
Jill decided to extend her corset by about 3 inches.
Maggie's
corset: quick fit to check. Maggie chose a soft furnishings fabric
for the outer (top) layer.
Rear
view Maggie's corset; quick fit to check
Jasmine's corset. Blue silk Dupion fabric. A nice fitting corset.
Jasmine was pretty fast at sewing so when she finished this corset she made up a waspie as well.
Maggie's corset. Final stages, boning in place, sewing on the bias binding.
Ann cutting and fitting spirals.
Lesleys corset, she got the black satin ribbon from Vena Cava.
Lesleys corset, trial fitting. She chose to extend the corset and now is the point we can make a decision about the final shape above the bust and whether a concealed hook and eye might be used.
Lesleys corset.
I think this was a Burberry fabric for Eilidh's corset.
You might notice that Eilidh's corset was not extended.
With 4 layers (sometimes 5 depending on weight of the lining) and 12 panels in each layer there are lots of pieces to mark out and cut. Carefull labeling is very very important!!
Seams pressed open ready for lining.
Jasmine made this waspie by shortening the standard pattern 
Jill's corset. When I first saw the fabric I thought it might be a bit of a challenge for a first corset - quite a slippy fabric. But it worked out well and Jill was pleased.
Jill's corset