I have avoided the Regency era as well because I am well endowed. I thought I couldn’t pull off that silhouette because of my top-heaviness…but I think you may have changed my mind! Your stays turned out beautifully!
I believe that you need the twin airbags for the silhouette - frankly, sailing forwards with a shelf and column looks glorious! For reference, I’m never smaller than a GG/H in regency and drafted my own short stays recently from two different patterns. It wasn’t that bad, though I’ll probably tweak it
Beautiful/. By the way, do NOT be embarrassed of what God has blessed you with. Lol, I was blessed from 6th grade on and I will be 61 on Sunday Feb 6th. And like you, height challenged at 4’11”. Someone once told me that we stop growing when God believes we are perfect. …You have encouraged me to try to make one too.
I did that a lot, but no more than when I ended up in a class with my ex 😱 he broke up with me for absurd reasons. It was a bad breakup that made me feel terrible about myself. I made sure I looked amazing during every class and when I had to pass him (which was a lot because we were in the same program)... I strut. It helped I got an A. He did not 😏 years later we actually ended up friends. He told me he regretted his actions already. By the end of the semester though, he REALLY regretted it. Shallow? Yes. But it made me feel better lol. He had no idea that internally I was freaking out. Still doesn't. But along the way a funny thing happened... I liked how I looked for once. Felt confident for real. No matter what I wore. It showed. Then I became a research assistant and had to deal with people a lot. I would put on my lab coat and pretend it was a costume and I was on stage. It worked. Eventually I became lab coat me even without the lab coat. It's an awesome feeling. I know confidence comes from within, but there is something to be said for faking it till you make it. It has its uses. And I agree, she did look beautiful.
I'm planning some historybounding regency stays with a zipper in the front (rather then lacing) to make putting them on easier for everyday use. Your video just got me excited to start the project!
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I’ve wanted to make short stays for ages because bras are both inadequate and uncomfortable even with a perfect fit. I have a small rib cage and big cup size so the band doesn’t go over my sternum, which maybe could handle the tightness necessary for support, but instead it cuts into the diaphragm area just underneath. The “better” the bra the worse it usually is so I wear cheap bras or bralettes that don’t restrict my breathing but they only provide enough support for walking and I’m too hyperactive to live like that! When you explained your mental block I realised why I’ve never made stays despite watching so many tutorials. Subconsciously I expected to put in all that work just to have red marks and maybe cuts everywhere, difficulty breathing, and still lack support. But now that I’ve seen you make them I have evidence to the contrary! I’ve only done mending and simple alterations before but I did get practice using pliers to help me sew when I insisted on altering my jeans without the proper tools 😂 All I need to do is tidy my room so I have floor space for a new project!
I thought I was the only one who couldn't breathe in bras. If they fit, they feel like hell. If they are bigger, they don't really have enough support. Then there is the side boob drama. A balconette worked on my shape best, but they do not make them in my size since I gained weight. Not supportive ones anyway. So.... issues galore. So, I want to try this. Just need to figure out what I need in a stay to get that side boob front and center. Idk. Extra side bones? 🤷♀️ Might practice on my mom. She told me she wants lift but without being squished together. I immediately thought of stays for that. Small back, large bust, but at least no side boob to contend with lol.
@@mitsycat2803 We don’t have all the same fit issues but I relate so much to your frustration!!!! I think side boning would be the right solution from my understanding but I haven’t tried making them yet (other stuff has got in the way) and I’m the opposite of an expert haha
@@mitsycat2803 If they fit they’re hell and if you make them more comfortable there’s no support is such a good summary of my experience too. Good luck with the stays!!!
I found this video from the Friendly Costube Newbs page and I loved it, totally sympathize with not being able to find things to shop to Canada (hi from another Canadian Costuber!) and they turned out totally fabulous!
This was such an informative, fun and beautiful example of working one's way through a worthwhile project! Thank you so very much for sharing the process and the ways in which you tweaked things too. I just love the cording and think this will be a must for me as I plan to tackle this project too. Eventually 😉
Girl you rock. They turned out beautiful.well done .l keep going back to that website but she isn’t selling the pattern anymore 😥.l have been wanting to try my hand at hand sewing short stays for some time now and don’t have the knowledge to draft them myself.
Thank you so much! I know RedThreaded has been working on a revamp of the patterns and kits, and they’re supposed to be up on the website fairly soon, so you should be able to get the pattern again and not have to worry about drafting. 😁
Thank you for persevering. I can totally relate. I always fluctuated, but was never big (although I thought I was). Then I had to get about 10 abdominal/pelvic surgeries in about 12 years. Was trying to avoid a radical hysterectomy at 22. Didn't work. Hormones and terrible fertility even with surrogacy were my ultimate downfall. Needless to say, all of that is hell on your body. I now am firmly plus size (for real this time, not just in my head). Because of all the inflammation and scar tissue, I got asked when I was expecting when I was 130 lbs. 😕 I'm tall. That was bad lol. So if that was then, I DEFINITELY look like I'm expecting now. Especially since my waist is small by comparison. I also really need some back/bust support. Bras do NOT feel like a hug, medical braces mentally are not great (I feel so ugly and sickly in them) and they feel terrible, and hot flashes make all of it more difficult. Plus, take a look at a good back brace. Structurally it will look mighty familiar. Coming from the medical world, I could go on about that topic. They need to catch up and start listening. I'd like to try corsets, but my fit and needs are unusual. Thinking of trying stays first, but usually don't see them plus sized. So... all of that is to say thank you! Still unsure about how to get the support where I need it for the bust shape I want. Wondering if there is a way to close in the front while keeping lacing in the back. I have trouble twisting. Plus, drafting is terrifying lol but I guess all I can do is try. Thank you for helping with that. Btw, love the mention of sensory issues. Did my thesis on sensory processing disorder and ADHD. Not studied nearly enough, but super interesting! Oh, and I'm sure you've seen, but Bernadette Banner made hand sewn stays. Her gusset technique might be helpful. The stitch she used seemed to be a bit easier for the seams. Thanks again!
Great Job, dear Lydia! Fantastic work of art and thank you for telling us some of your story! As I am also well endowed (and haven't asked for that, either) I'm shying away from the regency era (although the silhouette is very tempting)... Maybe I give it a shot (afrer the 1890s...), for comfort sake :) Happy sewing!
So glad you made these, and from the kit too. I've been looking into making the same stays but I sorry about lacing them up on your own. Do you lace up on your self? How easy is it to do? Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you so much! I did 99% of the lacing myself, but had my mom do a final fine tune adjustment. It can be a bit tricky lacing up yourself, but I found that leaving all the straps and lacing as loose as possible made it easy to get on. I also have a full length mirror, so there was a lot of craning my neck around trying to see the back. It does get somewhat easier the more times you do it.
Gorgeous! I started my first pair recently but then my body decided to gain weight so between my mock up and my final project, my girls are too large now! I have no idea what to do to change the cups but oh dear... It's a mess
Definitely! These ones are a different feel because the silhouette goal is like a super push-up bra, but my Victorian corset does a WAY better job of support than a modern bra.
I have the redthreaded pattern but unfortunately my mock up was much too small - I think I need to make the gussets much larger - and I haven't gone any further with them since then. I was wondering about the kit but I'm not certain what the fabric is made from, unless it is 100% natural - wool, linen, cotton, silk - then I wouldn't be able to wear them easily. [I even have to line a shop bought bra and then wear a shift underneath for comfort]. I was also put off by the sheer number of different types of boning the stays pattern used, especially as there are examples out there where the stays have boning in the side seams, some also have diagonal boning across the front of each piece and none in the back, but my pattern lists lots of different sizes and types which you seem to need. As stays are allegedly a much less restrictive form of support - which is what I want, I hate my stomach being squashed at all - this seems counter to the intent of the style to me. But I might try the kit seeing how good they look on you, once I go back and work out how to ensure the gussets actually fit me, even with a shift underneath for extra ''support'' [read stopping from falling out completely].
My first mockup was a bit too small too - with supportive garments it can definitely be a pain to get the fit just right. The kit uses 100% cotton coutil, so all natural fibre. I found the boning to be fairly straightfoward - I've seen the diagonal boning/cording and it feels very intimidating, but this is just straight lines. And to some extent you can treat it like guidelines, rather than a hard & fast rule (I didn't use the bones that came with the kit, as they ended up too short to use with the modifications I made to the pattern). And there's no stomach squashing at all, which is nice - it kind of feels like a hug around the ribs and should end around the sternum. You can totally do it!
I think the number of bones have to do with support needed. More support=more bones. I'm trying to figure this out myself. Plus another video I saw explained how the gusset shape impacts the final shape. More rounded=more modern bra looking. More straight= more traditional stays looking. Don't quote me on that though! I haven't tried yet so this is all theory for me right now. But I hope this helps.
The gussets are the easiest place to adjust for bust size, my suggestion would be to start there. You could try making them smaller, doing one gusset instead of two, or leaving it out altogether, depending on what you need for your fit 😁
I have avoided the Regency era as well because I am well endowed. I thought I couldn’t pull off that silhouette because of my top-heaviness…but I think you may have changed my mind! Your stays turned out beautifully!
Thank you so much! That's so encouraging to hear! I may have gone 'squee' in the checkout line at the grocery store reading your comment 😀
I believe that you need the twin airbags for the silhouette - frankly, sailing forwards with a shelf and column looks glorious! For reference, I’m never smaller than a GG/H in regency and drafted my own short stays recently from two different patterns. It wasn’t that bad, though I’ll probably tweak it
Beautiful/. By the way, do NOT be embarrassed of what God has blessed you with. Lol, I was blessed from 6th grade on and I will be 61 on Sunday Feb 6th. And like you, height challenged at 4’11”. Someone once told me that we stop growing when God believes we are perfect. …You have encouraged me to try to make one too.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Oh, wow! These are lovely! Also, thanks for telling us about that kit; I’m going to have to look into that.
You are so welcome!
Embrace the shelf Lydia! Even if you're uncomfortable, my mom always said, "fake it 'til you make it", and the confidence will come!
Thank you! 😀
I did that a lot, but no more than when I ended up in a class with my ex 😱 he broke up with me for absurd reasons. It was a bad breakup that made me feel terrible about myself. I made sure I looked amazing during every class and when I had to pass him (which was a lot because we were in the same program)... I strut. It helped I got an A. He did not 😏 years later we actually ended up friends. He told me he regretted his actions already. By the end of the semester though, he REALLY regretted it. Shallow? Yes. But it made me feel better lol. He had no idea that internally I was freaking out. Still doesn't. But along the way a funny thing happened... I liked how I looked for once. Felt confident for real. No matter what I wore. It showed. Then I became a research assistant and had to deal with people a lot. I would put on my lab coat and pretend it was a costume and I was on stage. It worked. Eventually I became lab coat me even without the lab coat. It's an awesome feeling. I know confidence comes from within, but there is something to be said for faking it till you make it. It has its uses.
And I agree, she did look beautiful.
So proud of you for trying so many uncomfortable things!! I'm sorry you struggled and so glad you're embracing yourself
I'm planning some historybounding regency stays with a zipper in the front (rather then lacing) to make putting them on easier for everyday use. Your video just got me excited to start the project!
Yay! I’m so glad it could be encouraging! And I’m low-key loving the idea of zippered stays 🤩
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I’ve wanted to make short stays for ages because bras are both inadequate and uncomfortable even with a perfect fit. I have a small rib cage and big cup size so the band doesn’t go over my sternum, which maybe could handle the tightness necessary for support, but instead it cuts into the diaphragm area just underneath. The “better” the bra the worse it usually is so I wear cheap bras or bralettes that don’t restrict my breathing but they only provide enough support for walking and I’m too hyperactive to live like that! When you explained your mental block I realised why I’ve never made stays despite watching so many tutorials. Subconsciously I expected to put in all that work just to have red marks and maybe cuts everywhere, difficulty breathing, and still lack support. But now that I’ve seen you make them I have evidence to the contrary!
I’ve only done mending and simple alterations before but I did get practice using pliers to help me sew when I insisted on altering my jeans without the proper tools 😂 All I need to do is tidy my room so I have floor space for a new project!
Thank you so much, I'm so glad to hear it was so helpful!
@@HalflingSeamstress It was so so so helpful! I’m actually really looking forward to it now!
I thought I was the only one who couldn't breathe in bras. If they fit, they feel like hell. If they are bigger, they don't really have enough support. Then there is the side boob drama. A balconette worked on my shape best, but they do not make them in my size since I gained weight. Not supportive ones anyway. So.... issues galore. So, I want to try this. Just need to figure out what I need in a stay to get that side boob front and center. Idk. Extra side bones? 🤷♀️
Might practice on my mom. She told me she wants lift but without being squished together. I immediately thought of stays for that. Small back, large bust, but at least no side boob to contend with lol.
@@mitsycat2803 We don’t have all the same fit issues but I relate so much to your frustration!!!! I think side boning would be the right solution from my understanding but I haven’t tried making them yet (other stuff has got in the way) and I’m the opposite of an expert haha
@@mitsycat2803 If they fit they’re hell and if you make them more comfortable there’s no support is such a good summary of my experience too. Good luck with the stays!!!
I found this video from the Friendly Costube Newbs page and I loved it, totally sympathize with not being able to find things to shop to Canada (hi from another Canadian Costuber!) and they turned out totally fabulous!
Thank you! And Hi fellow Canadian costuber!
This was such an informative, fun and beautiful example of working one's way through a worthwhile project! Thank you so very much for sharing the process and the ways in which you tweaked things too. I just love the cording and think this will be a must for me as I plan to tackle this project too. Eventually 😉
Thank you so much! Cording has definitely become one of my favourite little details to add to a garment - I hope your stays go well! :D
Very lovely stays! You did a marvelous job, and pushed bravely through your qualms.
Excellent video.
Thank you so much!
This is amazing! I wish I could sew one of these one day. Thank you for sharing 🤍
Thank you! 😊 They seem intimidating at first, but they're actually fairly straightforward in the construction. You can totally do it!
Girl you rock. They turned out beautiful.well done .l keep going back to that website but she isn’t selling the pattern anymore 😥.l have been wanting to try my hand at hand sewing short stays for some time now and don’t have the knowledge to draft them myself.
Thank you so much! I know RedThreaded has been working on a revamp of the patterns and kits, and they’re supposed to be up on the website fairly soon, so you should be able to get the pattern again and not have to worry about drafting. 😁
@@HalflingSeamstress thanks l will keep checking back with them.Jusr finishing up my second hand sewn shames😊
I somehow missed you upload at the time so I'm late! But, yay! I'm glad to see your newest post ❤️
Hope you enjoyed it!
Love your binge watching choices. Farscape, firefly. Etc
If you ever need corseting supplies again farthingales is based in Ontario and has a huge selection of stuff
Ooh! I’ll have to check them out, thanks!
Once again beautiful work Lydia. You look lovely. 🩷
Thank you! 😊
Thank you for persevering. I can totally relate. I always fluctuated, but was never big (although I thought I was). Then I had to get about 10 abdominal/pelvic surgeries in about 12 years. Was trying to avoid a radical hysterectomy at 22. Didn't work. Hormones and terrible fertility even with surrogacy were my ultimate downfall. Needless to say, all of that is hell on your body. I now am firmly plus size (for real this time, not just in my head). Because of all the inflammation and scar tissue, I got asked when I was expecting when I was 130 lbs. 😕 I'm tall. That was bad lol. So if that was then, I DEFINITELY look like I'm expecting now. Especially since my waist is small by comparison. I also really need some back/bust support. Bras do NOT feel like a hug, medical braces mentally are not great (I feel so ugly and sickly in them) and they feel terrible, and hot flashes make all of it more difficult. Plus, take a look at a good back brace. Structurally it will look mighty familiar. Coming from the medical world, I could go on about that topic. They need to catch up and start listening. I'd like to try corsets, but my fit and needs are unusual. Thinking of trying stays first, but usually don't see them plus sized. So... all of that is to say thank you! Still unsure about how to get the support where I need it for the bust shape I want. Wondering if there is a way to close in the front while keeping lacing in the back. I have trouble twisting. Plus, drafting is terrifying lol but I guess all I can do is try. Thank you for helping with that.
Btw, love the mention of sensory issues. Did my thesis on sensory processing disorder and ADHD. Not studied nearly enough, but super interesting!
Oh, and I'm sure you've seen, but Bernadette Banner made hand sewn stays. Her gusset technique might be helpful. The stitch she used seemed to be a bit easier for the seams.
Thanks again!
Great Job, dear Lydia!
Fantastic work of art and thank you for telling us some of your story!
As I am also well endowed (and haven't asked for that, either) I'm shying away from the regency era (although the silhouette is very tempting)...
Maybe I give it a shot (afrer the 1890s...), for comfort sake :)
Happy sewing!
Thank you! It's definitely a challenging silhouette, but there must have been well endowed ladies in the regency era, so why not rock the look?
Your hand-sewing skills are lovely!
Thank you! 😁
The introduction was on point with the time period your working on.
great job!
Beautiful, you did a great job. I looked for the pattern and kit (May 2024) and neither one is available, unfortunately.
Awesome, very rad video!
Glad you liked it!
My girls be running around on my chest
So glad you made these, and from the kit too. I've been looking into making the same stays but I sorry about lacing them up on your own. Do you lace up on your self? How easy is it to do? Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you so much! I did 99% of the lacing myself, but had my mom do a final fine tune adjustment. It can be a bit tricky lacing up yourself, but I found that leaving all the straps and lacing as loose as possible made it easy to get on. I also have a full length mirror, so there was a lot of craning my neck around trying to see the back. It does get somewhat easier the more times you do it.
Gorgeous! I started my first pair recently but then my body decided to gain weight so between my mock up and my final project, my girls are too large now! I have no idea what to do to change the cups but oh dear... It's a mess
Try making the gussets bigger or adjustable-ish. Corded if you need support, think I've seen that. Saw a video about that, I think. Hope this helps!
I bet you had better support from your stays than from any modern bra, too! They look really good.
Definitely! These ones are a different feel because the silhouette goal is like a super push-up bra, but my Victorian corset does a WAY better job of support than a modern bra.
Video 2:34 pm your video is beautiful and love you comment thank you Margaret from Denver
I have the redthreaded pattern but unfortunately my mock up was much too small - I think I need to make the gussets much larger - and I haven't gone any further with them since then. I was wondering about the kit but I'm not certain what the fabric is made from, unless it is 100% natural - wool, linen, cotton, silk - then I wouldn't be able to wear them easily. [I even have to line a shop bought bra and then wear a shift underneath for comfort]. I was also put off by the sheer number of different types of boning the stays pattern used, especially as there are examples out there where the stays have boning in the side seams, some also have diagonal boning across the front of each piece and none in the back, but my pattern lists lots of different sizes and types which you seem to need. As stays are allegedly a much less restrictive form of support - which is what I want, I hate my stomach being squashed at all - this seems counter to the intent of the style to me. But I might try the kit seeing how good they look on you, once I go back and work out how to ensure the gussets actually fit me, even with a shift underneath for extra ''support'' [read stopping from falling out completely].
My first mockup was a bit too small too - with supportive garments it can definitely be a pain to get the fit just right. The kit uses 100% cotton coutil, so all natural fibre. I found the boning to be fairly straightfoward - I've seen the diagonal boning/cording and it feels very intimidating, but this is just straight lines. And to some extent you can treat it like guidelines, rather than a hard & fast rule (I didn't use the bones that came with the kit, as they ended up too short to use with the modifications I made to the pattern). And there's no stomach squashing at all, which is nice - it kind of feels like a hug around the ribs and should end around the sternum. You can totally do it!
I think the number of bones have to do with support needed. More support=more bones. I'm trying to figure this out myself. Plus another video I saw explained how the gusset shape impacts the final shape. More rounded=more modern bra looking. More straight= more traditional stays looking. Don't quote me on that though! I haven't tried yet so this is all theory for me right now. But I hope this helps.
Does anyone know of any tips to make short stays for smaller busts? 😊
The gussets are the easiest place to adjust for bust size, my suggestion would be to start there. You could try making them smaller, doing one gusset instead of two, or leaving it out altogether, depending on what you need for your fit 😁