Last updated on April 3rd, 2021 at 07:14 pm
This entry is a summary of the review video “Case Study: My First Corset”. If you would like more complete information and side notes about the corset, you can watch the video on YouTube here:
| Fit, length | Made from Simplicity 9769 pattern. The pattern is larger than expected, so I recommend grading it in at the waist if you want an accurate reduction. Demibust, not longline. Has some slight curve – it was supposed to be a Victorian hourglass shape but it stretched in places. The center front is about 14”. |
| Material | Made out of a single layer of a bedsheet, which has stretched over the years. The fabric is now more transparent. One part of the material ripped when I was letting out the seams and I was a little too vigorous with my seam ripper.There are some pink marks stained on the fabric from using sidewalk chalk instead of tailor’s chalk to mark the seams. |
| Construction | This was my first time flat-felling seams. Internal boning channels made from 1-inch wide twill tape folded over double and sewn down. |
| Binding | The binding at top and bottom are white cotton bias tape. |
| Waist tape | None. |
| Modesty panel | None. |
| Busk | Standard flexible busk, about 12″ long. I didn’t double-stitch it so it started popping out. I had to repair it several times with an overcast stitch. One of the loops are now bent from too much stress. |
| Boning | 22 bones not inlcuding busk; I cannibalized a vintage corset it for its flat steel bones. Some of the steel bones were too short, and so I doubled up the boning with plastic featherweight boning along the full length of the channel, and then just the metal bit in the very centre of the bone at the waist. This is why you saw the corset buckling in places like in the demibust area when it was on. |
| Grommets | There are 30, 2-part size grommets (15 on each side), finished in nickel. The grommets are sturdy with small size lip around. One of the grommets popped out at the waistline. |
| Laces | White round nylon braided cord style. It has no spring, but tends to catch on grommet edges. Cuts into my hands when I’m tightening the corset. |
| Price | Cost me probably around $35 in materials. As an end product, I would probably have to pay you to take it. |
I just found this while browsing the internet for inspiration. I think I’ll need to dig out my supplies and pattern and try this again. I think I’ll attempt to season a sample before I judge the sizing, since the size was the major reason I gave up.
Personally I think it has aged well, considering it’s seven years old and made out of bed sheet! You’ve inspired me to make my own as soon as I can afford the bits.
Ooh I’m glad it could inspire you! Do show off your homemade corset once it’s completed. :)
My friends have said to gut the crap corset I have and reuse the bits. I will show you if it isn’t awful. XD
Thank you for sharing!
Alas, we are our own worst critic.
It’s my pleasure, Brian! I did this to inspire others to try to make a corset – we all have to begin somewhere. ;)