This is a two-day class, Saturday July 11 and Saturday July 18, 10 AM – 5 PM.
Time to shape up!
The corset gets a bad rap, but it was the accepted support garment for centuries… and our foremothers weren’t stupid! Together, we will create mid-bust corsets suitable for nearly all of the Victorian era, and for modern bridal/formal/costume use as well. We will cover measurements, sizing, alterations, construction, and how to build some adjustability into our corsets to deal with life’s little fluctuations.
PREREQUISITE: Intermediate to advanced sewing skills. You must have basic sewing skills, have made a garment from a pattern in the past, be able to follow pattern instructions, and have a portable sewing machine. This class requires materials, supplies, and preparation well in advance!
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
THE PATTERN:
- Truly Victorian 110: 1880 Late Victorian Corset Corset.
If using a PDF pattern, please have the pattern printed and/or taped together before the first class.
FOR UNDER YOUR CORSET:
- You’ll need a chemise or other garment to be worn under the corset. A tank top will do fine!
- A bra: Please wear a well-fitted, supportive, non-padded bra to both class sessions.
MATERIALS: ( Many items are available at Lacis!)
- Fabric: cotton coutil or heavy twill. No stretch or spandex content! 1 yard works for most sizes
- Corset lacing: 6 yards
- 1-2 packages extra-wide bias binding to match fabric
- German plastic boning/artificial whalebone: 6-14 yards, or buy metal boning at Lacis during class
- Size 00 grommets
- Metal corset busk, which you can purchase at Lacis during class after we fit mock-ups
- Thread to match fabric
- Lace/trim as desired
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:
- Sewing machine with bobbins and needles for medium-weight fabric (size 80)
- Scissors: different ones for fabric, paper, thread snips, and craft scissors, if using German plastic boning
- Pattern paper for tracing your pattern (optional); Catherine uses medical exam table paper from Amazon
- Hand sewing supplies, including needles, thread, beeswax, thimble
- Pins
- Fabric marking pen
- Ruler and/or measuring tape
- Bodkin or safety pin
- Tracing wheel/dressmaker’s carbon paper
- Scotch tape
