Name: Victorian Corset Making

Class Duration: Saturdays, August 9 and 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Fee: $100.00 for two sessions ($110.00 after August 2)

Registration can be done by e-mail, mail, phone (510) 843-7290 or in person at the Museum.
Printable Registration Form

Class Location:

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
LacisMuseum.org
2982 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-843-7290

General Workshop Description:
    In this two-part class you will learn the art and engineering of the Victorian corset, and make one of your own. We’ll use the pattern for “Ladies’ Victorian Underwear” (#100) by Laughing Moon Mercantile. You’ll alter the pattern to make a muslin mock-up fitted to your exact measurements, then you’ll use your adjusted muslin mock-up to make a single- or double-layer corset in coutil, with the option of covering it in your choice of fashion fabric. Depending on your sewing ability and choice of fabrics, it is possible to complete your corset if you work on your project both Saturdays as well as the week between. You’ll also receive a huge list of corsetry and reenactment suppliers, bibliography, and demo handouts.

Skill Level: Advanced
    Participation in this class requires that you have intermediate to advanced sewing skills (able to operate a sewing machine and to follow a multi-piece commercial pattern), and that you bring your own sewing machine.

Materials List:
    Tools and materials to bring with you to the first class:
        1. Sewing machine (incl. attachments, appropriate bobbins)
        2. Machine and hand sewing tools (incl. needles, straight pins, scissors, seam ripper)
        3. Drafting tools (incl. pencils, sharpener, clear 18” plastic ruler, red felt tip pen)
        4. Thread (at least black and white)
        5. Measuring tape
        6. Plain muslin: 1 yard for mock-up (do not prewash)
        7. Small and medium awl
        8. If you’re planning on covering your corset with fashion fabric, bring 1 - 1 1/3 yards fashion fabric, same amount in lining (if you line), and thread to match. Fashion fabric and lining fabric must be preshrunk and pressed.
        9. “Ladies’ Victorian Underwear” by Laughing Moon Mercantile (#100)
        10. 1 yard coutil or other sturdy twill. Preshrink and press your fabric before the class.
        11. Materials to purchase later include: corset boning, busk, and grommets, 8 yards corset lacing and lacing tips
    Most of the required materials can be purchased at Lacis.

Instructor:
    A professional tailor, milliner, and costumer, Carol Wood has been researching, recreating, and wearing historical garments for decades. Her work has been honored with awards, shown in galleries, worn to period events, appeared on the stage, and escorted down the wedding isle. “Fanny Grace” is the label under which she designs corsets, millinery, and bridal. She is a native of the East Bay, but lived much of her life in Europe where she studied first-hand and began collecting historical garments. Carol has studied corsetry under a number of instructors including Joann Peterson, author of Laughing Moon’s “Ladies’ Victorian Underwear” pattern!