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Sarah A. Chrisman made a great point about actors wearing corsets and finding them uncomfortable. She suspected that it was down to the actor not being used to the garment, having it tight-laced (which she describes as being uncommon in the 19th C) and the garment being ill fitting. She rather pithily likened it to one having worn trainers their whole life, then wearing a pair of stiletto heels for hours on end.
The thing about costuming for film is that productions generally have tight deadlines, which mean multiple mock-ups for every single actor often times are not in the time or dollar budget. This means there’s always going to be fit and comfort sacrifices made, which is definitely part of it. A lot of premade costumes are also bought, sold, and swapped between productions (You see it a lot more in historical films where the costuming is niche.) meaning fit and comfort is sacrificed even further.
I really see it as a deeper root cause of how quickly entertainment generally runs, and like Beck says, sacrifices have to be made, even at the expense of peoples’ physical comfort, which is incredibly unfortunate. But like so many things in life, the surface stuff often gets blamed when in reality it is sometimes the deepest root that has created a domino effect. Not to mention the industry’s completely unreasonable beauty standards.
I've extra'd in movies and this is so true! In my normal life, I wear historical clothing about 75% of the time (obviously not in my pic) but I can take a whole year to sew one perfect dress, whereas movies have vicious time limits for everything. In one movie, after a sand storm had destroyed a two-story prop and a whole day's shooting, the director was understandably freaking out because the plane he'd rented, to fly the cast back, charged $10,000 for every HOUR we were late to depart! Needless to say, even the main cast had awful clothing problems with lack of comfort, and everyone just had to make do.
I totally agree! And I've told clients in the past "No, I will not make a corset to go under the gown I'm making for you, but you should definitely buy one from a professional corset maker. It would take me much longer to make than the person with more experience, so it would actually cost more but not be as high in quality."
I dove in feet first to stays and corsets because as someone who is plus-sized, the proper fit is even more important for my own comfort and it’s difficult to find makers who understand bodies like my own. Was it tough at first? Most definitely, but the results have been worth it and it gave me the confidence for more intensive projects.
I really appreciate how you address the economic and labor side of these things and how professionals 100% deserve to be paid the prices they charge. Sometimes that can get really skipped over in content creators whipping out expensive coutil, boning, tools, fabrics and such as a matter of course. And there is very much a high materials, time, and financial cost to the very journey of learning which is often ignored.
Thanks so much Jocelyn! I can never cover every nuance of course, but try to consider as many factors as possible when approaching these topics (or rants in this case lol)
indeed, i might want to play a musical instrument, but practicing daily or even becoming a professional musician wouldn't mean i would necessarily want to become good at making an instrument i'd want to play.
I 100% caved to the pressure to make stays. I hated it. The whole process made me feel miserable. Everyone seemed to be making corsets and stays at the time, and I felt like I was less of a costumer if I didn't. It's really not for everyone. Someday I may try my hand at corded stays, in part because I think they're a little more forgiving on the construction, but that's not something I plan to undertake for a long while, if at all. I appreciate hearing that I'm not alone here.
This popped up as I was sewing lacing tape to a waspie corset that's been months in the making. I started it because I couldn't quite find what I wanted online, but at this point I can't decide whether it's worth the hassle of fighting my ADHD for a garment I very much need. (I've been wearing the mockup every day.) Looking forward to your perspective! Edit: I actually suspect my decision to sew this damn thing was made by the ADHD, as I didn't want to wait till I could save up for something truly bespoke. It's not going to be the best corset ever but hopefully I can get it done and comfy to tide me over while I save for a better one!
Corset making was something I wanted to be able to do since getting custom made corsets (which I had bought before) is understandably really expensive and I had more time than I had money. I did my research first by reading a book named "the basics of corset building" and by watching some youtube videos on corset making. But it ended up surprisingly uncomplicated. I wrote down the plan for myself before I bought anything. I did the duct tape method to get my pattern, ordered boning and a busk online, bought some tools at the hardware store and at the sewing supply shop and within 5 or 6 nights of work I had a functional, well fitting (better than the custom ones I had) and neat looking corset. I ended up wearing it only 1 time because I decided I didn't want to wear underbust corsets anymore. BUT I am so happy and relieved that I have this skill now. I have a pattern for an early edwardian corset if I feel it's time for me to make one. I still have all of my notes from the first home made corset so I don't have to reread the whole book again.
hello so i wanted to ask some questions : 1.does the book covers 1860s corstery 2. do you think it can be doable for an absoloute beginner in sewing and is it easy to adjust if u fuck up ? and 3. how much was the cost of everything beside the book i don't need an exact number but like for a comfortable everyday and even for things like farming and sports how much will the materials have to be (what is the bare minimum for price and quality ) and maybe an extra question . do you think it's worth it? i've been wanting one for years but i can't pretend like i have neaither the energy or the reources :/ so ye hopefully you'll see this :3
@@qamarashkar1881 Hello, I hope I'll be able to adress all of your questions. So here we go; 1; the book does not cover 1860s corsetry but it does have some tips on how to use commercial corset patterns. 2 I think you need some sewing experience before you take up a corset project, but some people are probably able to do it with enough research 2.5; you should do a mockup first (a test garment made out of cheap materials) to adjust any fitting issues you may have 3; aside from the cost of the book I had to buy a busk, flat steel and spiral steel boning, boning caps, grommets, fabric (I bought pillow ticking) and some tools. I think everything together was no more than 75eu. However the specific materials that went into the corset were no more than 30eu. It's the tools, which are a one time expense until they wear out or you upgrade to better ones, that made the initial cost higher. I bought the busk, boning and grommets at Vena Cava design which is a webstore in the UK. I got the tools from the hardware store and sewing supply store. I bought the pillow ticking online. 4; yes, I think it's worth it. The custom corsets I bought started at 200eu, the more expensive one was 450eu. My home made corset cost me less out of pocket and fit better. 5; you will need time to research, do a test garment and make it. You might also have to wait for the supplies. You will probably need someone to help you with the fitting as well.
I appreciate that you made this video ❤. Although I do make all of my corsets, it is also valuable for people to understand that they don't have to. It takes a lot of time and patience, just as you have said. Corset making is not for everyone, and that is okay. Thank you for all that you do.
do you have any further suggestions or advice for someone to get started on corset making for themself, beyond to expect it to take immense amounts of time and patience, and that even so it might not be a "good fit" for a person, activity-wise? that is, this advice sounds wise; is there more? (sorry if it's presumptuous of me to request).
For me I didn't really have a choice when it came to making or buying because I have a scoliosis and lordosis of the spine so my body is very strangely shaped. Not being able to access in person fittings it was either go without or learn. Thankfully I do really love corset making but I definitely understand if some people wouldn't
Go to a specialist lingerie store if department stores don’t stock bras that fit you. They’ll not only have a much greater variety to choose from, but also expertise in helping you find something that actually fits. Although if you’re like me you might still end up wearing only unboned bras in your everyday life, but at least they fit correctly.
I had a breast reduction quite a few years ago. Afterwards, my doctor said I could wear any bra I wished.. Now wearing sports bras, but before surgery I did get custom ones. Very supportive, expensive and worth the money!!
My first corset was made in a class taught by an experienced corset-maker who customized the pattern to my exact measurements, and although there was no mockup, it was close enough to be quite comfortable. My size has fluctuated so much, since then, I'm not yet comfortable with making pattern alterations on that scale, so that's something I plan to probably outsource till I get confident enough to tackle my dream 17th century wardrobe.
I agree! I’ve made short stays which I never wear for many reasons and corset sewing is not for me. I would love to support corset makers in the future if there is a need. There is a pressure to sew your own if you are making your historical outfits but it’s not necessary or “best practice” even.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! I totally agree. And I think it’s important that there is space left in the community for people doing things any way they’d like to, whether that means sewing everything including the undergarments, or just sewing parts, or even just sewing none of it and hiring professionals instead. I think the less pressure that gets put on people the better, as then it allows us to enjoy this hobby more!
I've only been sewing for a year and a half and last month I decided to give a corset a try, it was quite an experience and I had to learn a lot of new techniques that I haven't done prior. It surprisingly only took me 2 mock-ups to get a comfortable fit, but that was partially luck because my measurements were very very close to the original corset. I haven't made the actual corset yet because I have to get some money to get all the supplies but I can definitely see why getting a custom made to measure corset is so "expensive". It requires a lot of different techniques that aren't regularly used in dressmaking.
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I agree with all the things explained in this video. But I don't want any costumer who wants to sew their first pair of stays or their first corset to get scared off. I made my first ever corset (a 1900s straight front corset) very well and it fits me comfortably. It was such a fun process. When there's a will, there's a way. But make sure you do your research, make mockups and practice making samples for small parts of the corset beforehand. Don't just jump right into it. Or do, and learn from your mistakes (this is obviously a more expensive approach 😄)
I really enjoyed this video. I just finished making my first (wearable mockup) corset. I am currently working on a video showing the process. I was also making a Tik Tok indicating the costs involved. And for me, what you are saying matches up. I am so happy and pleased. Thank you the information you provide. 😊
I keep telling myself that I'm going to make myself that corset this year, starting next month, once I get these other projects off my table. As we have discussed before I'm guilty of procrastination. Other things come up. Other projects that need to be done. A dance dress for my daughter, Christmas vests for all the kids for Christmas pictures. The hand sewn skirt I made using historical sewing techniques, etc. Then I look at the other projects I want to do and put those as a priority over the corset 😳 After wearing out another bra after only 3 short months of wear and paying a small fortune for it, I have concluded that I need to save my money and just buy a corset. Problem is I don't have $400 laying around to put into a corset. When it comes down to it sometimes it's just easier to drop the $60 for a bra. But after dropping $60 for a bra that lasted only 3 months I realize that I'm just throwing my money away and only adding more fuel to the fast fashion industry. Instead of dropping $120 every three months on bras I can start putting some of that away until I have the money to drop on a corset. Then I will have at least one well fitted corset that I can wear regularly. Then if I ever do get around to making myself that corset, I will have an idea of how its supposed to fit. I have even considered seeing what corset making classes skillshare had to offer since I renewed my membership for another year.
I've had a go at making 18th century stays. With your skills you can do it. Victorian corsets look more demanding, if only because of the precision of their multiple curves. I'm currently making basic bras based on 1930s crossed over triangles in 100% woven cotton. Cheap and comfortable. Fanci rani has several videos on various styles. The triangle split down the centre resewn with the outer arch making a cup shape is good. Do mockups and be ready to go bigger for best fit. Elastic inside the underband can be useful. Not the support we get from stays or underwired bras but a good everyday option that doesn't break the bank.
@@michellebyrom6551 I did make myself a pair of stats from redheaded once. They didn't turn out a well as I had hoped they would. I think I struggled too much with trying to do the boning channels. It was a bigger project then I was mentally ready for at the time. I wanted a quick project and it was taking me too long. I couldn't appreciate what it would take to get them too fit properly. I was new to history bounding and the idea of wearing historical clothing. I've grown and matured a lot since Morgan Donner coined the phrase history bounding. Thanks to a lot of TH-cam videos and now Bernadette Banner's book I have a better idea of what to look for now. How to measure myself in order to get a proper fit and even the idea of a mock up before using my expensive fabric in my project. Problem is i'm top heavy on a narrow frame. My bras cut into my shoulders and the wires wear out way too fast. I wanted a corset to help my posture and I want to have at least one properly fitting corset so I know how it fits before I attempt to make my own. That way as I go through the various mock ups I know what needs to be adjusted where to get the right fit.
My corset was my 8th or 9th sewing project ever and the second time I worked with a pattern. It turned out surprisingly well, considering that I only made 2 mockups and sewed it while also studying for important exams. Really, I'm surprised at how comfortable it is. I don't think I'll be that lucky a second time, so I'd like to get a lot more experience before trying my hand at another one.
There’s a book titled something along the lines of “The Forty Dollar Tomato.” It details the adventures of someone who decided to start a home garden and how much money he spent creating the garden compared to the results. If you time and money are better spent doing another project, it makes sense to me.
I have hopes to take on wearing historical clothes in this coming year, apart from the time needed to sew them, the only thing holding me back is corsetry. I have a corset, which doesn't fit me quite right, but I cannot afford to purchase a custom made corset, which leaves me with the option of making my own. I am daunted by this, both by the time involved and the particular skill set required. At the same time I badly want to achieve that correct silhouette.
Hm, if the corset you already have is not fitting well, whats the harm in trying to alter it? For example I thrifted a beautiful handmade corset some years ago but the planche went to high and dug in the skin. Well, it's just a piece of steel, so I used a saw and files to shorten it. And boning is also not difficult to make shorter. Taking in panels or making the whole thing bigger a the hip by inserting triangles~ and in the end you have something better fitting that may be used just like a better idea of how they are constructed.
Redthreaded sells beginner-friendly patterns, and Aranea Black has the whole site dedicated to free patterns and instructions on how to make and to alter corsets. Corsetmaking is fiddly, but not impossible, you can do it for sure!
Glad you feel validated! The less pressure we can put on everyone in this community to do things “a certain way” the better, because there is no one way for everyone!
Being now on my seventh attempt at making a corset, I can totally confirm that dress-making and corset-making are totally different. I actually enjoy the challenge of trying to make a corset that is not an object of torture. I may never manage it, but it's a cheap activity because I use bits and pieces of fabric too small for anything else and I can usually reuse the boning from the failed attempts. However, I have been able to wear my latest attempt for a whole day so I decided to finish it - the boning was popping out of the top because I wasn't sure it'd fit - and it has been waiting to be finished for a couple of weeks. I made my first one for a doll I made to see how a corset should look (reduced 1860's pattern) and what shape it should have, and it fit her perfectly. She never complained, hahahahaha! It has boning (very thin pieces taken from the sewable boning). So, being so easily misled, I thought I'd attempt the real thing. After seven tries, and almost a year later, I think I'm close, very close. I think your video on why you may never make a corset is spot on. I can easily imagine many expert sewists (I'm a painter, not a sewist) finding it overly time-consuming and then discovering that it doesn't fit properly in spite of having all the correct measurements. It really is a personal kind of preference - some people enjoy making curtains, others fitted dresses and skirts, others toys, others all sorts of different types of projects - it's all good. We need it all. I love the variety in all of these historical costume and sewing videos. Great stuff!
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective! And I totally agree, there is space for all of it in the community and I think it’s important that we support people on whatever journeys they’re on themselves and reduce any pressure for it all to be done a “certain way” as there is really no one way.
thanks for including curtains in this list! i so want to make curtains, that it's a big part of why i bought the sewing machine that is now languishing in a corner after someone discouraged me from trying. thank you, really!
Your reasons make a lot of sense. I thought I wanted to make my own corset or stays, but the more I researched, the more discouraged I got. I am glad I found your video and now I need to think about my reasons for wanting a corset or stays and how long it will be before I can save up for a professionally made one. Lots to think about.🤔
Couldn't agree more. I'll never put myself through fitting mockups and sewing a corset. I've got other things I'm interested in spending my time doing!
I absolutely agree with your opinion here. I can sew but making any kind of corset is just a different thing. I don't have the time or patience for this and definitely not the skills either so I too would need to make multiple mock ups and in the end possibly still fail and have an ill fitting end product. I would much rather safe up money and pay someone with actual skills to do this for me. I also know that my hands could probably not handle this kind of work either.
Thank you for this! I started making historical clothing about a year ago, and started to feel pressured to make stays. I just got into Civil War fashion, but the corsetry topic always made me tense up. I don't feel like I would make them properly as an amateur seamstress.
I just found this channel the other day and I just want to tell you that I LOVE your content. I got drawn in because I am a new corset wearer and came across one of your corset videos. But then I got absolutely drawn in by your content, the history, your wonderful personality, and so much more from your channel. I didn't even know wearing historical clothing was a thing!! But now it makes me feel more comfortable about my own aesthetic: mixing Gothic/Victorian with modern pieces. Thank you for putting it out there that it's OK to wear "old fashioned" or historical clothing!!
Id actually love to make my own pair of linen stays by hand. I just love the beauty of stays and I really just enjoy crafting things. I think it helps that I just love making things that may be challenging to me though, and I’d hope to become as close to professional as possible if I can
I just finished my mock up of 18th century stays. I bought a pattern made to measure. Making of this took me 9 months because I was too busy from time to time. I have to adjust them a little bit so I am happy that they are probably fitting me with just a little bit of extra work. Then after that of course, I have to make the real deal...
If you ARE interested in making corsets check out the channel Katherine sewing. She makes them and has patterns and tips for that. I just love her channel. As I love V Birchwood!!❤
Great video and very important little cost breakdown. I've seen many DIY projects in various areas on YT where the people mostly/only do it because they claim it's cheaper. But in the end they had so many trips to the shops, spent so many days (maybe even over the course of weeks) working on it, maybe they had to redo part of it, there are bits and pieces they already plan to change - I doubt they ever included 'time/working hours' and 'stress' into their calculations 😅
First, thank you so much for addressing the issue of actors' comfort and well-being. I've found it a little insulting to professional costumers to hear hobbyists assuming they couldn't do their jobs. Modern clothes that are as structured as corsets get used for aggressive and restrictive body shaping by those from the ordinary to the insta-famous to top tier famous. So yeah, in the industry where a few seconds of nudity has men dehydrating themselves to the point of not producing sperm (according to one actor's account), where custom fit costumes have caused dancers or actors like Jeri Ryan to pass out multiple times, of course they're going to use even custom made and fitted corsets to reduce women's waists to the smallest size they possibly can without killing them. IMHO, saying the problem is professionals who lack the knowledge and skill to properly fit specific clothing is like saying the problem with models' diets is that their dieticians just aren't familiar with research on carbs. Second, as a beginner, I think you're hitting the main tension in choosing sewing projects in general. Patterns and tutorials can't get you out of needing practice to do something well. Sewing something ambitious even once takes time, effort, and relatively expensive materials. It's no big deal to give that first waffle or pancake to the dog. It's a lot harder to look at months of work and say, "That was a good first time learning experience. I think I'll begin to get the hang of this by the fourth or fifth one. That might even be good enough to wear outside." Deciding which projects are worth it means balancing personal needs, skills, interests, time, money, and temperament. I don't think anyone can judge all those for anyone else. What I absolutely love about the various sewing communities is how encouraging everyone is, no matter what someone's limitations are. You don't have to climb that mountain, but if you choose to, you can find a cheering squad, a booklist, tutorials, and tips for the best and/or the cheapest solutions.
I would like to try making one someday, but I'm a beginner at sewing and I don't have the fundings, but it sounds interesting. I love 19th century fashion so I definitely want one one day, maybe I'll buy one or maybe I'll make one myself.
You definitely do have a point and honestly I would maybe buy one when I would know where. I could buy one online but if your measurements are not mainstream you are screwed and paying hundreds of Euros for something that doesnt fit at all, is also not an option. Making a new one for myself it actually pretty high on my sewing list. I made one years ago - and honestly - fitwise it's a mess, but still way better than anything I would be able to buy or have bought. And back than I had now idea how a corset has to fit or how to achieve the siluette I wanted - now I am better equiped.
Yes and no. It may not be as personal a choice for everyone as you think. I didn't *choose* to learn how to make a corset. I wanted a corset, but couldn't afford one. I am lucky enough to be moderately skilled at sewing, so the only way I was going to get a custom fit corset was if I made it myself. As for feeling *pressured* to make a corset, that's different. If you have the means, then absolutely! Purchase a custom fit corset! I honestly think everyone should buy at least one well made, well fitted corset if they are able to, that way if one chooses to make their own, they have a solid reference for how it should look and fit. No one should feel pressure to make a corset just because they sew.
I'm very much in the same financial boat, but trying to make custom fit stays made me want to cry. I had no help for fitting and no dress form, so trying to fit it on myself was a nightmare. It was constantly in the time out pile. I finally realized for all the time I was spending, I may as well be more careful, budget, and purchase. Mine is from Red Threaded, and while not custom fit, it does have areas that are easily modified to perfect the fit. It's not flawless. I'm very short waisted and I would certainly accommodate that if I made it myself, but it's comfortable and it works for what I need it for. At the price, it was worth saving for. I'm not saying that saving for it is the best option for everyone, but on an excessively tight budget, I was able to make it happen, because it was that or just not wear stays until I could afford it. I busied myself with a very time consuming hand quilting project so I wouldn't be able to justify buying fabric or yarn, then put that budget aside, and I think it was two years later that I bought my stays? Not trying to knock your choices at all. If you've got the skill and desire, awesome. I just don't want someone to read this and feel discouraged, like it's not a choice. It is, but it may mean making some sacrifices to make it happen.
I'm currently planning on sewing my own corset. Thus because I can not afford to pay the price of a custom sewn corset and because I believe I can learn a lot from making my own. I've bought a pretty housemaid pattern that is being drafted to my measurements to make the process easier (I have yet to learn how to draft my own patterns and make big adjustments). I'm probably getting the pattern around mid February. Until then I'm going to get all the materials I need and sew some clothes to wear. I'll also take this time to learn more about sewing as I am a beginner and will need all the help and knowledge I can get. I began getting interested in historical dress in the beginning of 2020 and now almost three years later I am finally starting this journey of sewing and wearing my own garments.
I made my first stays - Regency era stays - about a year or so ago. I used the Laughing Moon pattern & can say that I definitely learned a lot from the experience. I've been seeing off & on for about 3 decades, so I'm not a complete novice, but am definitely not an experienced dressmaker, either. I prefer to challenge myself rather than to save up the money to buy one, but that isn't for everyone. My 2023 list includes 1780s stays & dress, plus a purple velvet version of Nier Automata 2B's dress. We'll see what actually happens! 🤣 Sewing, not seeing. (edit)
Thank you for this actually. I’ve been wanting a corset for a bustle dress project I have in mind. I’ve not even started because the corset terrifies me. The expenses that go into it. All the notions I’d need plus the various mock-ups I’d definitely require really start to stack up. However, I guess after years in the sewing community buying one seemed like it was out of the question. Which is ridicules. I’ll still have to save up for a good quality period specific corset. But that’s better than what I’d spend doing one if I even had the motivation to start… If feels silly saying (typing) this, but I was so set in that way of thinking I didn’t even realize I was there.
I can definitely understand why it feels like you have to make one yourself! That’s why I was really really hoping this video would just serve as essentially a “I hear you and get where you’re coming from” type video so that people could ultimately give themselves the permission to save up and buy one 😊
Where I live I do not have the option to have one made for me( I live in remote Outback of Queensland), and to this end I will be making mine, one thing for me at least I have been dressmaking for for 40+ years both by machine and hand so it will be a challenge that I am looking forward to. Yes the cost can mount up but I am planing on making 4 different types of corset at the same time and so I have spent the time wise in calculating the fabrics to ensure I have them all when I am ready. I have scoliosis of the spine so it has to be custom made for me but it’s also the reason why I am wanting to make my own in the first place this will allow me to have the back support that is needed when standing just at the kitchen sink to wash dishes it’s the one thing I am not able to do, same with cooking meals I miss cooking because it causes so much pain just trying to stand straight and still in one spot for cooking, there is a lot to be said for the humble corset it has gave women the freedom to function even when there is a lot of pain.
I really enjoyed making my stays (despite a few break downs haha) and I'm so happy they fit! but I've made two corsets now, one better than the last and it was really frustrating when even after 3-4 mock ups each they still didn't fit how I wanted in the end 😭 one day I'll make another that hopefully actually fits!
Making my 18th century stays was my least favorite project ever. Ahhhh I do not enjoy sewing boning channels. I will say: they were my second ever attempt at stay-making and came out extremely well, so I do think skills related to sewing historical clothing, and just doing a lot of research and mockups, can mean you can make high-quality stays without needing years of experience. I also think the skills are somewhat transferrable. You are still sewing, and fitting a corset and doing mockups etc isn't entirely different from fitting a bodice. However, I think if I ever want a corset for another era, I will probably buy one (that didn't even occur to me before watching this video so I'm so glad I saw it! I also appreciate you mentioning price because that's what deterred me. I love making dresses, hate making historical undergarments lol).
I wholeheartedly agree that there's no need to make corsets if you're not interested in which case you really might as well save yourself the time! Just in case someone interested is scared off thoug, I slightly disagree that it's a very different skillset than dressmaking, there are loads of transferable skills! To be honest, I was terrified to start making corsets because people always talk about how hard it is and how it's a whole other beast to dressmaking. But when I finally dove in, I found it was not so bad and that I loved it! Yes, I've made some not so beautiful ones, it IS tricky, time consuming, and involves some hardware that normal clothing doesn't have, but if you're willing to take it one seam at a time the same way you would with any clothes, it's not sorcery! I honestly find installing busks and boning easier or at least comparable to normal clothes things like installing a zipper fly, or making welt pockets for example. By now I've made a few dozen corsets (for myself and others ) Fitting can be tricky, but there are many wonderful patterns to use as a base and adapt to measurements as needed, no need to start from scratch!
I wanted to embark on a corset-making project...and then I saw all the equipment I'd need (grommet setters, hammers, files to smooth down boning, boning, possibly a hole punch for flossing...) And then I said "I have way too much hobby supplies" 😅
these are the same reasons i will probably never make a corset either. I love sewing dresses, quilts and literally anything else, but I only wear corsets for costuming and I just don't find it appealing or practical for me to learn. 🙃
Right now I'm concentrating on making a vintage 1930's-50's wardrobe. Although climbing that hill that is turn of the last century corsets still calls. One day... - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
Pffff, I feel reliefd.😃Because I also tray to focus on dress other clothing making. I always had the feeling that if you sew in a little historical style, that you have to make a corset/stays as well. But I am a beginner and feel a little intimidated by that.
We in the Historical Sewing community need to also remember that our Foremothers did NOT make their own corsets. And that skill was mostly left to men. The poorer class of women might have received hand me downs or charitable contributions of Stays or Corsets from the more affluent ladies in church organizations. These are things I pondered in the hardest times of hand sewing my first EVER Stays. I comforted myself with the thought that SOMEWHERE...there had to have been a female forced by utter necessity to craft her own under support garment. Honestly, it wasn't horrible. And now the process intrigues me. Yes. I've made my Stays. I'm looking at a corset pattern. I'm mulling over drafting my own corset pattern. And one might say I'm just a glutton for punishment. 😉
Economically speaking, sometimes it actually does make sense to spend $300 on a corset. This past two months I've spent nearly $300 on supplies, just to update what I already own; and most of it is still being shipped from overseas. It would have been cheaper and faster to order a well made corset from a corset maker online. I knew this going in, and I'm still pushing forward because the design I have in mind is very particular and I've made a few corsets in the past and plan to make more in the future. That being said I've always been very thrifty when doing things like making mockups, like using zip ties as mockup boning, zips as temporary busks, a roll of eyelet tape that I've reused for multiple mockups, thrift store curtains for sturdy mockup fabric and strength layers in finished works, boning and busks from AliExpress including rolls of cheap cording for lacing up. Because of this I've been able to keep many of my mockups without needing to take them apart for parts so I can reuse the mockup itself as a mock-up for new sewing ideas.
I make corsets and stays for myself but not for others. I enjoy the challenge but I'm also not that big of a stickler for historical accuracy or perfection. I prefer much just try to make something that feels reasonably good and looks decent. Sometimes they are great and sometimes not because they are never exactly the same. I do the same thing with shoes that I make. In the end, it is less expensive for me to make them myself and I'm just too cheap to pay someone else to do it, even if it would be better quality!
Thank you for this video 💝 Tbh I also feel like its mendatory to make at least one corset. MY problem with it is: you have to do it as first garment of your historical outfit, to fit your other clothes to... I would love to sew first the skirt or something i think would bei easier for me... I havent done any reenactment or cosplay yet, but I would love to recreate the "chocolate girl" a painting that is shown in a museum in Dresden. Maybe I will consider getting the corset done to have this out of the way, now I have your permission to skip that step. 😘
I’m curious, how long do your daily wear corsets last you? Including repairs etc. I’m in the position where I’m much more likely to need a new corset because it’s been years and my body’s changed than because I wore it out, so I realised I don’t have a good idea of how long a corset actually lives for under regular use!
Very good question! I’ve had 2 corsets last me a few years and they still hadn’t worn down by the time my primary one became a different corset. The one I wear the most now (the pink one) has already lasted me over a year I believe, and I’ve only had to make one repair. I wear it super super frequently, however. I’m going to guess with regular repairs, a really well made corset could last a decade honestly. It depends too though on body changes.
You made very valid points. I really want a Victorian corset as does my daughter. I know it'll be years before I'm skilled enough to try. What companies do you buy from that make historical corsets?
i am a painter and it can take roughly a day for a normal sized painting and that really depends on what i paint. if i were to sell a painting and actually make money from it. it would be roughly 400. but nowadays people dont understand how this stuff works. so most people think 40 would already be too much.
This video popped up in my feed just as I was dreaming again of being able to sew a corset ^^ But I know my skills won't be there for a while (if ever!) I've considered sparing to buy one but the thing is that I don't want something truly historical but rather that will help achieve something closer than the silhouette I want as a trans guy so I'm not sure if that would be possible. I've seen someone selling custom fit "binder-corsets" but I'm not sure it was exactly what I wanted either 😅
I wore a corset the other day and lasted about three hours. This was a corset I purchased off the rack and was laced quite tight for someone who hadn’t ever worn a corset before. After being disappointed that I hadn’t lasted longer and that corsets are supposed to function as a bra, I remembered nuance- not all corsets will be comfortable in the same way that not all bras are comfortable. I had never worn a corset before, and it was made to fit standardized measurements that weren’t mine. So, it was okay that I didn’t last a whole day in it. I’m a very cheap sewist, and I can’t afford a bespoke corset, so I’ll be attempting my own efforts if only so I have a historical undergarment made to fit me.
I tried making a pair of stays for myself, as one of my first historical projects, and I disliked the whole process, and it wasn’t terribly comfortable, and stabbed into me so much that I have scarred from it. I am now saving up to buy one from someone who specializes in making them because BOY am I not doing that again 😅
I hand sewed my first pair of stays and I will never do that again. If you hand sew everything, making stays (or a corset, I assume) is very tedious, and rough on your hands because you're typically going through multiple layers of thick fabric. I'm sure there are ways to make it easier, but it's not worth the effort to me. Now, I do most of the seams and boning channels on the machine and just hand sew the binding and eyelets. That said, for some reason, people like to emphasize how difficult it is to make corsets and stays, but, in my opinion, it's not that hard. It's just time consuming. I have never made a corset, so maybe there's more to that, but stays are basically a lot of straight seams. If someone is interested in making their own stays, I would say they should not be intimidated and go for it. It's probably not a good project for an absolute beginner, but if you know the basics, you can do it.
I am sewing my dresses, but still don't own any corset for the reason it's so difficult. However, I also don't think I can buy them because I live in a rural town in Australia. Here is no one with those skills. Hm. 🤔
Hey, does anyone have tips on how to commission a corset when you have a (light) case of scoliosis? Are there even corset-makers who take commisions like that? Or am I doomed to try and learn to make them myself?
Some corsetieres in my experience will do commissions including for anyone that might have scoliosis! Obviously not to treat the scoliosis as they aren’t medical professionals, but just modifying the corset so that if it needs to be different shaped from the left to right side, it can be. The corsetiere that makes my corsets (TheBoudoirKey) always sends a wearable mock-up first too, which makes the fitting process much easier as adjustments can be made. She’s booked up though until next year I believe. There is also RedThreaded, Nemuro Corsets. Haven’t purchased from either but have heard good things.
Can you share the corset maker you use and trust? I bought one off the rack about a year and 1/2 ago and it’s not lasted as long as I would have liked for the almost $400 I invested. I would love to do a custom or made to measure for the same cost if that’s an option!
Hi I am making a corset. Way?. Because I workt as an extra in a costume movie and I was wearing an corset under my dress four 8h. Wen I potit on at first it fealt werd but wen I took it of after 8 h I mist it because it was wery comfortable it was well maid a real corset with boning victorian style.
Ps wold really like to have some one make me one but don't know any one doing It here in Sweden so I have to do it my self. If any one knows som one in Sweden doing corsets pleas let me know.sens I have outrites in my hands it's caind of painful to do the boning and other thing on the corset 🙏☺️🥰
Perhaps, one might begin by asking some local people who bought corsets "nearby", one? (Reviews) Unlikely, but, possible. One might look into various venues that do reenactments &/or historical teaching & see if corset wearing folks could/would recommend anyone In my opinion, anyone who doesn't measure one in person and have multiple fittings, cannot necessarily succeed at the most ideal fit... but, ai could be wrong.
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey and she also sends a wearable mock-up first, and then from there the final corset has adjustments made to it depending on what was going on with the mock-up. She is booked up, however, until next year I believe. I’ve also heard good things about RedThreaded and Nemuro Corsets, but have not purchased from either.
I do want to make a historical corset some day but they're a daunting task, so I agree 100%, especially from a financial view. Also, love your shawl~. (୨୧ ❛ᴗ❛)✧
If you’re willing to share, I’d love to know who you get your corsets from! I’m interested in trying out practical corsetry, and I’d want to order one from a trusted, skilled professional
Would you consider making a modern bra? Not me. The price of a good bra is not cheap. Go into Victoria Secret or any other better quality lingerie shop and see what there's costs. I have been sewing for almost 60 and some things are worth buying. Corsets need to fit properly and when they do they should not be uncomfortable. They will be different than what we are used to but then again a sweat suit fits different from a fitted evening dress.
Cathy Hay on her channel has several videos showing the process she went through to make a corset. Really brings home the point that corset making takes a lot of time and expertise. I enjoy following your channel.
Weird note, I did a DNA test because I'm a sperm donor baby, and I found one half sister so far. Both of us sew historical corsets! So random and specific of a hobby
![I was misdiagnosed [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xzBynfWHUMY/mqdefault.jpg)
A big thanks to Skillshare for sponsoring this video! ❤The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/vbirchwood12221
Do you mind sending a link to the corset maker's website?
@@CakeKitty135 I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey, but I believe she's booked up until next year.
@@VBirchwood oh, ok. Thanks for telling me though
Have you ever tried a corset or stays from Red Threaded?
Sarah A. Chrisman made a great point about actors wearing corsets and finding them uncomfortable. She suspected that it was down to the actor not being used to the garment, having it tight-laced (which she describes as being uncommon in the 19th C) and the garment being ill fitting. She rather pithily likened it to one having worn trainers their whole life, then wearing a pair of stiletto heels for hours on end.
The thing about costuming for film is that productions generally have tight deadlines, which mean multiple mock-ups for every single actor often times are not in the time or dollar budget. This means there’s always going to be fit and comfort sacrifices made, which is definitely part of it. A lot of premade costumes are also bought, sold, and swapped between productions (You see it a lot more in historical films where the costuming is niche.) meaning fit and comfort is sacrificed even further.
I really see it as a deeper root cause of how quickly entertainment generally runs, and like Beck says, sacrifices have to be made, even at the expense of peoples’ physical comfort, which is incredibly unfortunate. But like so many things in life, the surface stuff often gets blamed when in reality it is sometimes the deepest root that has created a domino effect. Not to mention the industry’s completely unreasonable beauty standards.
Plus the actors working extremely long days in those ill fitting corsets (possibly even without a shift beneath).
Stilettos are objectively bad for your feet, too.
I've extra'd in movies and this is so true! In my normal life, I wear historical clothing about 75% of the time (obviously not in my pic) but I can take a whole year to sew one perfect dress, whereas movies have vicious time limits for everything.
In one movie, after a sand storm had destroyed a two-story prop and a whole day's shooting, the director was understandably freaking out because the plane he'd rented, to fly the cast back, charged $10,000 for every HOUR we were late to depart!
Needless to say, even the main cast had awful clothing problems with lack of comfort, and everyone just had to make do.
I totally agree! And I've told clients in the past "No, I will not make a corset to go under the gown I'm making for you, but you should definitely buy one from a professional corset maker. It would take me much longer to make than the person with more experience, so it would actually cost more but not be as high in quality."
I dove in feet first to stays and corsets because as someone who is plus-sized, the proper fit is even more important for my own comfort and it’s difficult to find makers who understand bodies like my own. Was it tough at first? Most definitely, but the results have been worth it and it gave me the confidence for more intensive projects.
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective Beck!
Plus-sized 😂
You must be really talented
I really appreciate how you address the economic and labor side of these things and how professionals 100% deserve to be paid the prices they charge. Sometimes that can get really skipped over in content creators whipping out expensive coutil, boning, tools, fabrics and such as a matter of course. And there is very much a high materials, time, and financial cost to the very journey of learning which is often ignored.
Thanks so much Jocelyn! I can never cover every nuance of course, but try to consider as many factors as possible when approaching these topics (or rants in this case lol)
indeed, i might want to play a musical instrument, but practicing daily or even becoming a professional musician wouldn't mean i would necessarily want to become good at making an instrument i'd want to play.
Thank you for mentioning all the time, effort and material that goes into a profession until you are able to master the craft. Too many forget this.
I 100% caved to the pressure to make stays. I hated it. The whole process made me feel miserable. Everyone seemed to be making corsets and stays at the time, and I felt like I was less of a costumer if I didn't. It's really not for everyone. Someday I may try my hand at corded stays, in part because I think they're a little more forgiving on the construction, but that's not something I plan to undertake for a long while, if at all. I appreciate hearing that I'm not alone here.
This popped up as I was sewing lacing tape to a waspie corset that's been months in the making. I started it because I couldn't quite find what I wanted online, but at this point I can't decide whether it's worth the hassle of fighting my ADHD for a garment I very much need. (I've been wearing the mockup every day.) Looking forward to your perspective!
Edit: I actually suspect my decision to sew this damn thing was made by the ADHD, as I didn't want to wait till I could save up for something truly bespoke. It's not going to be the best corset ever but hopefully I can get it done and comfy to tide me over while I save for a better one!
ADHD gives you so much unwarranted confidence in completing tasks and hobbies you hadn't even heard of a week prior 😭
It'll be worth it!
It took an awful long time to finally make one I like, but it's been such a blessing ever since.
Corset making was something I wanted to be able to do since getting custom made corsets (which I had bought before) is understandably really expensive and I had more time than I had money.
I did my research first by reading a book named "the basics of corset building" and by watching some youtube videos on corset making. But it ended up surprisingly uncomplicated. I wrote down the plan for myself before I bought anything.
I did the duct tape method to get my pattern, ordered boning and a busk online, bought some tools at the hardware store and at the sewing supply shop and within 5 or 6 nights of work I had a functional, well fitting (better than the custom ones I had) and neat looking corset. I ended up wearing it only 1 time because I decided I didn't want to wear underbust corsets anymore.
BUT I am so happy and relieved that I have this skill now. I have a pattern for an early edwardian corset if I feel it's time for me to make one. I still have all of my notes from the first home made corset so I don't have to reread the whole book again.
hello so i wanted to ask some questions : 1.does the book covers 1860s corstery 2. do you think it can be doable for an absoloute beginner in sewing and is it easy to adjust if u fuck up ? and 3. how much was the cost of everything beside the book i don't need an exact number but like for a comfortable everyday and even for things like farming and sports how much will the materials have to be (what is the bare minimum for price and quality ) and maybe an extra question . do you think it's worth it? i've been wanting one for years but i can't pretend like i have neaither the energy or the reources :/ so ye hopefully you'll see this :3
@@qamarashkar1881 Hello, I hope I'll be able to adress all of your questions. So here we go;
1; the book does not cover 1860s corsetry but it does have some tips on how to use commercial corset patterns.
2 I think you need some sewing experience before you take up a corset project, but some people are probably able to do it with enough research
2.5; you should do a mockup first (a test garment made out of cheap materials) to adjust any fitting issues you may have
3; aside from the cost of the book I had to buy a busk, flat steel and spiral steel boning, boning caps, grommets, fabric (I bought pillow ticking) and some tools. I think everything together was no more than 75eu. However the specific materials that went into the corset were no more than 30eu. It's the tools, which are a one time expense until they wear out or you upgrade to better ones, that made the initial cost higher. I bought the busk, boning and grommets at Vena Cava design which is a webstore in the UK. I got the tools from the hardware store and sewing supply store. I bought the pillow ticking online.
4; yes, I think it's worth it. The custom corsets I bought started at 200eu, the more expensive one was 450eu. My home made corset cost me less out of pocket and fit better.
5; you will need time to research, do a test garment and make it. You might also have to wait for the supplies. You will probably need someone to help you with the fitting as well.
I appreciate that you made this video ❤. Although I do make all of my corsets, it is also valuable for people to understand that they don't have to. It takes a lot of time and patience, just as you have said. Corset making is not for everyone, and that is okay. Thank you for all that you do.
Thanks so much Mayamoona! ❤️
do you have any further suggestions or advice for someone to get started on corset making for themself, beyond to expect it to take immense amounts of time and patience, and that even so it might not be a "good fit" for a person, activity-wise? that is, this advice sounds wise; is there more? (sorry if it's presumptuous of me to request).
For me I didn't really have a choice when it came to making or buying because I have a scoliosis and lordosis of the spine so my body is very strangely shaped. Not being able to access in person fittings it was either go without or learn. Thankfully I do really love corset making but I definitely understand if some people wouldn't
the same complaints are today too....bras! I never had one that was comfortable all day...few women have I guess!
I’ve never worn a custom fit bra, but I wonder if custom fit bras are more comfortable? (As custom fit corsets often are for people)
Go to a specialist lingerie store if department stores don’t stock bras that fit you. They’ll not only have a much greater variety to choose from, but also expertise in helping you find something that actually fits. Although if you’re like me you might still end up wearing only unboned bras in your everyday life, but at least they fit correctly.
I had a breast reduction quite a few years ago. Afterwards, my doctor said I could wear any bra I wished.. Now wearing sports bras, but before surgery I did get custom ones. Very supportive, expensive and worth the money!!
My first corset was made in a class taught by an experienced corset-maker who customized the pattern to my exact measurements, and although there was no mockup, it was close enough to be quite comfortable. My size has fluctuated so much, since then, I'm not yet comfortable with making pattern alterations on that scale, so that's something I plan to probably outsource till I get confident enough to tackle my dream 17th century wardrobe.
That’s an awesome way to get a really well corset!
wow. that sounds amazing. what an opportunity!
I agree! I’ve made short stays which I never wear for many reasons and corset sewing is not for me. I would love to support corset makers in the future if there is a need. There is a pressure to sew your own if you are making your historical outfits but it’s not necessary or “best practice” even.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! I totally agree. And I think it’s important that there is space left in the community for people doing things any way they’d like to, whether that means sewing everything including the undergarments, or just sewing parts, or even just sewing none of it and hiring professionals instead. I think the less pressure that gets put on people the better, as then it allows us to enjoy this hobby more!
I've only been sewing for a year and a half and last month I decided to give a corset a try, it was quite an experience and I had to learn a lot of new techniques that I haven't done prior. It surprisingly only took me 2 mock-ups to get a comfortable fit, but that was partially luck because my measurements were very very close to the original corset. I haven't made the actual corset yet because I have to get some money to get all the supplies but I can definitely see why getting a custom made to measure corset is so "expensive". It requires a lot of different techniques that aren't regularly used in dressmaking.
I agree with all the things explained in this video. But I don't want any costumer who wants to sew their first pair of stays or their first corset to get scared off. I made my first ever corset (a 1900s straight front corset) very well and it fits me comfortably. It was such a fun process. When there's a will, there's a way. But make sure you do your research, make mockups and practice making samples for small parts of the corset beforehand. Don't just jump right into it. Or do, and learn from your mistakes (this is obviously a more expensive approach 😄)
I really enjoyed this video. I just finished making my first (wearable mockup) corset. I am currently working on a video showing the process. I was also making a Tik Tok indicating the costs involved. And for me, what you are saying matches up. I am so happy and pleased. Thank you the information you provide. 😊
So glad you enjoyed the video! 🥰 what’s your TikTok?
I keep telling myself that I'm going to make myself that corset this year, starting next month, once I get these other projects off my table. As we have discussed before I'm guilty of procrastination. Other things come up. Other projects that need to be done. A dance dress for my daughter, Christmas vests for all the kids for Christmas pictures. The hand sewn skirt I made using historical sewing techniques, etc. Then I look at the other projects I want to do and put those as a priority over the corset 😳 After wearing out another bra after only 3 short months of wear and paying a small fortune for it, I have concluded that I need to save my money and just buy a corset. Problem is I don't have $400 laying around to put into a corset. When it comes down to it sometimes it's just easier to drop the $60 for a bra. But after dropping $60 for a bra that lasted only 3 months I realize that I'm just throwing my money away and only adding more fuel to the fast fashion industry. Instead of dropping $120 every three months on bras I can start putting some of that away until I have the money to drop on a corset. Then I will have at least one well fitted corset that I can wear regularly. Then if I ever do get around to making myself that corset, I will have an idea of how its supposed to fit. I have even considered seeing what corset making classes skillshare had to offer since I renewed my membership for another year.
I've had a go at making 18th century stays. With your skills you can do it. Victorian corsets look more demanding, if only because of the precision of their multiple curves.
I'm currently making basic bras based on 1930s crossed over triangles in 100% woven cotton. Cheap and comfortable. Fanci rani has several videos on various styles. The triangle split down the centre resewn with the outer arch making a cup shape is good. Do mockups and be ready to go bigger for best fit. Elastic inside the underband can be useful.
Not the support we get from stays or underwired bras but a good everyday option that doesn't break the bank.
@@michellebyrom6551 I did make myself a pair of stats from redheaded once. They didn't turn out a well as I had hoped they would. I think I struggled too much with trying to do the boning channels. It was a bigger project then I was mentally ready for at the time. I wanted a quick project and it was taking me too long. I couldn't appreciate what it would take to get them too fit properly. I was new to history bounding and the idea of wearing historical clothing. I've grown and matured a lot since Morgan Donner coined the phrase history bounding. Thanks to a lot of TH-cam videos and now Bernadette Banner's book I have a better idea of what to look for now. How to measure myself in order to get a proper fit and even the idea of a mock up before using my expensive fabric in my project. Problem is i'm top heavy on a narrow frame. My bras cut into my shoulders and the wires wear out way too fast. I wanted a corset to help my posture and I want to have at least one properly fitting corset so I know how it fits before I attempt to make my own. That way as I go through the various mock ups I know what needs to be adjusted where to get the right fit.
My corset was my 8th or 9th sewing project ever and the second time I worked with a pattern. It turned out surprisingly well, considering that I only made 2 mockups and sewed it while also studying for important exams. Really, I'm surprised at how comfortable it is. I don't think I'll be that lucky a second time, so I'd like to get a lot more experience before trying my hand at another one.
There’s a book titled something along the lines of “The Forty Dollar Tomato.” It details the adventures of someone who decided to start a home garden and how much money he spent creating the garden compared to the results. If you time and money are better spent doing another project, it makes sense to me.
I have hopes to take on wearing historical clothes in this coming year, apart from the time needed to sew them, the only thing holding me back is corsetry. I have a corset, which doesn't fit me quite right, but I cannot afford to purchase a custom made corset, which leaves me with the option of making my own. I am daunted by this, both by the time involved and the particular skill set required. At the same time I badly want to achieve that correct silhouette.
Hm, if the corset you already have is not fitting well, whats the harm in trying to alter it? For example I thrifted a beautiful handmade corset some years ago but the planche went to high and dug in the skin. Well, it's just a piece of steel, so I used a saw and files to shorten it. And boning is also not difficult to make shorter. Taking in panels or making the whole thing bigger a the hip by inserting triangles~ and in the end you have something better fitting that may be used just like a better idea of how they are constructed.
Redthreaded sells beginner-friendly patterns, and Aranea Black has the whole site dedicated to free patterns and instructions on how to make and to alter corsets. Corsetmaking is fiddly, but not impossible, you can do it for sure!
@@LixiaWinter oh! thank for the references!
So glad to learn that you're a sewist like me who'll probably never make a corset...and for pretty much the same reasons! I feel validated!
Glad you feel validated! The less pressure we can put on everyone in this community to do things “a certain way” the better, because there is no one way for everyone!
Being now on my seventh attempt at making a corset, I can totally confirm that dress-making and corset-making are totally different. I actually enjoy the challenge of trying to make a corset that is not an object of torture. I may never manage it, but it's a cheap activity because I use bits and pieces of fabric too small for anything else and I can usually reuse the boning from the failed attempts. However, I have been able to wear my latest attempt for a whole day so I decided to finish it - the boning was popping out of the top because I wasn't sure it'd fit - and it has been waiting to be finished for a couple of weeks. I made my first one for a doll I made to see how a corset should look (reduced 1860's pattern) and what shape it should have, and it fit her perfectly. She never complained, hahahahaha! It has boning (very thin pieces taken from the sewable boning). So, being so easily misled, I thought I'd attempt the real thing. After seven tries, and almost a year later, I think I'm close, very close.
I think your video on why you may never make a corset is spot on. I can easily imagine many expert sewists (I'm a painter, not a sewist) finding it overly time-consuming and then discovering that it doesn't fit properly in spite of having all the correct measurements. It really is a personal kind of preference - some people enjoy making curtains, others fitted dresses and skirts, others toys, others all sorts of different types of projects - it's all good. We need it all. I love the variety in all of these historical costume and sewing videos. Great stuff!
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective! And I totally agree, there is space for all of it in the community and I think it’s important that we support people on whatever journeys they’re on themselves and reduce any pressure for it all to be done a “certain way” as there is really no one way.
thanks for including curtains in this list! i so want to make curtains, that it's a big part of why i bought the sewing machine that is now languishing in a corner after someone discouraged me from trying. thank you, really!
Your reasons make a lot of sense. I thought I wanted to make my own corset or stays, but the more I researched, the more discouraged I got. I am glad I found your video and now I need to think about my reasons for wanting a corset or stays and how long it will be before I can save up for a professionally made one. Lots to think about.🤔
Couldn't agree more. I'll never put myself through fitting mockups and sewing a corset. I've got other things I'm interested in spending my time doing!
You and me both. Corsetry is exactly the point where the Neo of my Neo Edwardian kicks in.
I absolutely agree with your opinion here. I can sew but making any kind of corset is just a different thing.
I don't have the time or patience for this and definitely not the skills either so I too would need to make multiple mock ups and in the end possibly still fail and have an ill fitting end product.
I would much rather safe up money and pay someone with actual skills to do this for me.
I also know that my hands could probably not handle this kind of work either.
Thank you for this! I started making historical clothing about a year ago, and started to feel pressured to make stays. I just got into Civil War fashion, but the corsetry topic always made me tense up. I don't feel like I would make them properly as an amateur seamstress.
I just found this channel the other day and I just want to tell you that I LOVE your content. I got drawn in because I am a new corset wearer and came across one of your corset videos. But then I got absolutely drawn in by your content, the history, your wonderful personality, and so much more from your channel. I didn't even know wearing historical clothing was a thing!! But now it makes me feel more comfortable about my own aesthetic: mixing Gothic/Victorian with modern pieces. Thank you for putting it out there that it's OK to wear "old fashioned" or historical clothing!!
Thank you so so much Lani! 🥰
Id actually love to make my own pair of linen stays by hand. I just love the beauty of stays and I really just enjoy crafting things. I think it helps that I just love making things that may be challenging to me though, and I’d hope to become as close to professional as possible if I can
I just finished my mock up of 18th century stays. I bought a pattern made to measure. Making of this took me 9 months because I was too busy from time to time. I have to adjust them a little bit so I am happy that they are probably fitting me with just a little bit of extra work. Then after that of course, I have to make the real deal...
If you ARE interested in making corsets check out the channel Katherine sewing. She makes them and has patterns and tips for that. I just love her channel.
As I love V Birchwood!!❤
Thank you for the tip. 👍
Katherine Sewing is awesome!! And she’s a super wonderful and kind person as well 🥰
Great video and very important little cost breakdown.
I've seen many DIY projects in various areas on YT where the people mostly/only do it because they claim it's cheaper.
But in the end they had so many trips to the shops, spent so many days (maybe even over the course of weeks) working on it, maybe they had to redo part of it, there are bits and pieces they already plan to change - I doubt they ever included 'time/working hours' and 'stress' into their calculations 😅
First, thank you so much for addressing the issue of actors' comfort and well-being. I've found it a little insulting to professional costumers to hear hobbyists assuming they couldn't do their jobs. Modern clothes that are as structured as corsets get used for aggressive and restrictive body shaping by those from the ordinary to the insta-famous to top tier famous. So yeah, in the industry where a few seconds of nudity has men dehydrating themselves to the point of not producing sperm (according to one actor's account), where custom fit costumes have caused dancers or actors like Jeri Ryan to pass out multiple times, of course they're going to use even custom made and fitted corsets to reduce women's waists to the smallest size they possibly can without killing them. IMHO, saying the problem is professionals who lack the knowledge and skill to properly fit specific clothing is like saying the problem with models' diets is that their dieticians just aren't familiar with research on carbs.
Second, as a beginner, I think you're hitting the main tension in choosing sewing projects in general. Patterns and tutorials can't get you out of needing practice to do something well. Sewing something ambitious even once takes time, effort, and relatively expensive materials. It's no big deal to give that first waffle or pancake to the dog. It's a lot harder to look at months of work and say, "That was a good first time learning experience. I think I'll begin to get the hang of this by the fourth or fifth one. That might even be good enough to wear outside." Deciding which projects are worth it means balancing personal needs, skills, interests, time, money, and temperament. I don't think anyone can judge all those for anyone else.
What I absolutely love about the various sewing communities is how encouraging everyone is, no matter what someone's limitations are. You don't have to climb that mountain, but if you choose to, you can find a cheering squad, a booklist, tutorials, and tips for the best and/or the cheapest solutions.
I would like to try making one someday, but I'm a beginner at sewing and I don't have the fundings, but it sounds interesting. I love 19th century fashion so I definitely want one one day, maybe I'll buy one or maybe I'll make one myself.
You definitely do have a point and honestly I would maybe buy one when I would know where. I could buy one online but if your measurements are not mainstream you are screwed and paying hundreds of Euros for something that doesnt fit at all, is also not an option.
Making a new one for myself it actually pretty high on my sewing list. I made one years ago - and honestly - fitwise it's a mess, but still way better than anything I would be able to buy or have bought. And back than I had now idea how a corset has to fit or how to achieve the siluette I wanted - now I am better equiped.
I definitely understand not liking modern-day bust support. I recently bought a Cottonique bra and it is amazing!
Interesting video.
You are clearly someone who has thought this through.
Time value is something I as a lower-class clerk have a hard time calculating. Thanks for the reminder that labor-hours are to be valued.
Yes and no. It may not be as personal a choice for everyone as you think. I didn't *choose* to learn how to make a corset. I wanted a corset, but couldn't afford one. I am lucky enough to be moderately skilled at sewing, so the only way I was going to get a custom fit corset was if I made it myself.
As for feeling *pressured* to make a corset, that's different. If you have the means, then absolutely! Purchase a custom fit corset! I honestly think everyone should buy at least one well made, well fitted corset if they are able to, that way if one chooses to make their own, they have a solid reference for how it should look and fit. No one should feel pressure to make a corset just because they sew.
I'm very much in the same financial boat, but trying to make custom fit stays made me want to cry. I had no help for fitting and no dress form, so trying to fit it on myself was a nightmare. It was constantly in the time out pile. I finally realized for all the time I was spending, I may as well be more careful, budget, and purchase. Mine is from Red Threaded, and while not custom fit, it does have areas that are easily modified to perfect the fit. It's not flawless. I'm very short waisted and I would certainly accommodate that if I made it myself, but it's comfortable and it works for what I need it for. At the price, it was worth saving for. I'm not saying that saving for it is the best option for everyone, but on an excessively tight budget, I was able to make it happen, because it was that or just not wear stays until I could afford it. I busied myself with a very time consuming hand quilting project so I wouldn't be able to justify buying fabric or yarn, then put that budget aside, and I think it was two years later that I bought my stays?
Not trying to knock your choices at all. If you've got the skill and desire, awesome. I just don't want someone to read this and feel discouraged, like it's not a choice. It is, but it may mean making some sacrifices to make it happen.
Thank you for sharing your perspective Cindy! 🥰
I'm currently planning on sewing my own corset. Thus because I can not afford to pay the price of a custom sewn corset and because I believe I can learn a lot from making my own.
I've bought a pretty housemaid pattern that is being drafted to my measurements to make the process easier (I have yet to learn how to draft my own patterns and make big adjustments). I'm probably getting the pattern around mid February. Until then I'm going to get all the materials I need and sew some clothes to wear. I'll also take this time to learn more about sewing as I am a beginner and will need all the help and knowledge I can get. I began getting interested in historical dress in the beginning of 2020 and now almost three years later I am finally starting this journey of sewing and wearing my own garments.
I made my first stays - Regency era stays - about a year or so ago. I used the Laughing Moon pattern & can say that I definitely learned a lot from the experience. I've been seeing off & on for about 3 decades, so I'm not a complete novice, but am definitely not an experienced dressmaker, either. I prefer to challenge myself rather than to save up the money to buy one, but that isn't for everyone. My 2023 list includes 1780s stays & dress, plus a purple velvet version of Nier Automata 2B's dress. We'll see what actually happens! 🤣
Sewing, not seeing. (edit)
Thank you for this actually. I’ve been wanting a corset for a bustle dress project I have in mind. I’ve not even started because the corset terrifies me. The expenses that go into it. All the notions I’d need plus the various mock-ups I’d definitely require really start to stack up. However, I guess after years in the sewing community buying one seemed like it was out of the question. Which is ridicules. I’ll still have to save up for a good quality period specific corset. But that’s better than what I’d spend doing one if I even had the motivation to start…
If feels silly saying (typing) this, but I was so set in that way of thinking I didn’t even realize I was there.
I can definitely understand why it feels like you have to make one yourself! That’s why I was really really hoping this video would just serve as essentially a “I hear you and get where you’re coming from” type video so that people could ultimately give themselves the permission to save up and buy one 😊
Where I live I do not have the option to have one made for me( I live in remote Outback of Queensland), and to this end I will be making mine, one thing for me at least I have been dressmaking for for 40+ years both by machine and hand so it will be a challenge that I am looking forward to. Yes the cost can mount up but I am planing on making 4 different types of corset at the same time and so I have spent the time wise in calculating the fabrics to ensure I have them all when I am ready. I have scoliosis of the spine so it has to be custom made for me but it’s also the reason why I am wanting to make my own in the first place this will allow me to have the back support that is needed when standing just at the kitchen sink to wash dishes it’s the one thing I am not able to do, same with cooking meals I miss cooking because it causes so much pain just trying to stand straight and still in one spot for cooking, there is a lot to be said for the humble corset it has gave women the freedom to function even when there is a lot of pain.
I really enjoyed making my stays (despite a few break downs haha) and I'm so happy they fit! but I've made two corsets now, one better than the last and it was really frustrating when even after 3-4 mock ups each they still didn't fit how I wanted in the end 😭 one day I'll make another that hopefully actually fits!
Making my 18th century stays was my least favorite project ever. Ahhhh I do not enjoy sewing boning channels. I will say: they were my second ever attempt at stay-making and came out extremely well, so I do think skills related to sewing historical clothing, and just doing a lot of research and mockups, can mean you can make high-quality stays without needing years of experience. I also think the skills are somewhat transferrable. You are still sewing, and fitting a corset and doing mockups etc isn't entirely different from fitting a bodice. However, I think if I ever want a corset for another era, I will probably buy one (that didn't even occur to me before watching this video so I'm so glad I saw it! I also appreciate you mentioning price because that's what deterred me. I love making dresses, hate making historical undergarments lol).
I wholeheartedly agree that there's no need to make corsets if you're not interested in which case you really might as well save yourself the time! Just in case someone interested is scared off thoug, I slightly disagree that it's a very different skillset than dressmaking, there are loads of transferable skills! To be honest, I was terrified to start making corsets because people always talk about how hard it is and how it's a whole other beast to dressmaking. But when I finally dove in, I found it was not so bad and that I loved it! Yes, I've made some not so beautiful ones, it IS tricky, time consuming, and involves some hardware that normal clothing doesn't have, but if you're willing to take it one seam at a time the same way you would with any clothes, it's not sorcery! I honestly find installing busks and boning easier or at least comparable to normal clothes things like installing a zipper fly, or making welt pockets for example. By now I've made a few dozen corsets (for myself and others ) Fitting can be tricky, but there are many wonderful patterns to use as a base and adapt to measurements as needed, no need to start from scratch!
Lovely video , thank you
YES!! Worth the wait!
I wanted to embark on a corset-making project...and then I saw all the equipment I'd need (grommet setters, hammers, files to smooth down boning, boning, possibly a hole punch for flossing...)
And then I said "I have way too much hobby supplies" 😅
Very good points, all of them!
Thank you 🥰 I hope you’re well!
@@VBirchwood you are welcome
I'm doing fairly well, thank you.
I hope you and your loved ones are well too!
these are the same reasons i will probably never make a corset either. I love sewing dresses, quilts and literally anything else, but I only wear corsets for costuming and I just don't find it appealing or practical for me to learn. 🙃
Right now I'm concentrating on making a vintage 1930's-50's wardrobe. Although climbing that hill that is turn of the last century corsets still calls. One day...
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
I needed this 🥰
Pffff, I feel reliefd.😃Because I also tray to focus on dress other clothing making. I always had the feeling that if you sew in a little historical style, that you have to make a corset/stays as well. But I am a beginner and feel a little intimidated by that.
We in the Historical Sewing community need to also remember that our Foremothers did NOT make their own corsets. And that skill was mostly left to men. The poorer class of women might have received hand me downs or charitable contributions of Stays or Corsets from the more affluent ladies in church organizations. These are things I pondered in the hardest times of hand sewing my first EVER Stays. I comforted myself with the thought that SOMEWHERE...there had to have been a female forced by utter necessity to craft her own under support garment. Honestly, it wasn't horrible. And now the process intrigues me. Yes. I've made my Stays. I'm looking at a corset pattern. I'm mulling over drafting my own corset pattern. And one might say I'm just a glutton for punishment. 😉
Economically speaking, sometimes it actually does make sense to spend $300 on a corset. This past two months I've spent nearly $300 on supplies, just to update what I already own; and most of it is still being shipped from overseas. It would have been cheaper and faster to order a well made corset from a corset maker online.
I knew this going in, and I'm still pushing forward because the design I have in mind is very particular and I've made a few corsets in the past and plan to make more in the future.
That being said I've always been very thrifty when doing things like making mockups, like using zip ties as mockup boning, zips as temporary busks, a roll of eyelet tape that I've reused for multiple mockups, thrift store curtains for sturdy mockup fabric and strength layers in finished works, boning and busks from AliExpress including rolls of cheap cording for lacing up. Because of this I've been able to keep many of my mockups without needing to take them apart for parts so I can reuse the mockup itself as a mock-up for new sewing ideas.
I was hoping you’d make that wise decision!
Oh, if only I had access to professional services. Good thing I am interested in trying at least once!
I make corsets and stays for myself but not for others. I enjoy the challenge but I'm also not that big of a stickler for historical accuracy or perfection. I prefer much just try to make something that feels reasonably good and looks decent. Sometimes they are great and sometimes not because they are never exactly the same. I do the same thing with shoes that I make. In the end, it is less expensive for me to make them myself and I'm just too cheap to pay someone else to do it, even if it would be better quality!
Hi Vasi! Where do you get your corsets, if I might ask? I'll still my own research, but I'd love to know!
I get mine made generally by TheBoudoirKey on Etsy, but she currently has a waitlist I believe 😊
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this video 💝 Tbh I also feel like its mendatory to make at least one corset. MY problem with it is: you have to do it as first garment of your historical outfit, to fit your other clothes to... I would love to sew first the skirt or something i think would bei easier for me... I havent done any reenactment or cosplay yet, but I would love to recreate the "chocolate girl" a painting that is shown in a museum in Dresden. Maybe I will consider getting the corset done to have this out of the way, now I have your permission to skip that step. 😘
Where do you buy your corsets?
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey but she’s booked up until next year!
I’m curious, how long do your daily wear corsets last you? Including repairs etc. I’m in the position where I’m much more likely to need a new corset because it’s been years and my body’s changed than because I wore it out, so I realised I don’t have a good idea of how long a corset actually lives for under regular use!
Very good question! I’ve had 2 corsets last me a few years and they still hadn’t worn down by the time my primary one became a different corset. The one I wear the most now (the pink one) has already lasted me over a year I believe, and I’ve only had to make one repair. I wear it super super frequently, however. I’m going to guess with regular repairs, a really well made corset could last a decade honestly. It depends too though on body changes.
You made very valid points. I really want a Victorian corset as does my daughter. I know it'll be years before I'm skilled enough to try. What companies do you buy from that make historical corsets?
Period Corsets is a great if you're looking for good historical shaping! I'm personally a big fan of their 1890's Theodora corset for daily wear.
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey but I believe she’s booked up until next year! She sends a mock-up as well first 😊
Thank you both for these suggestions. I will definitely check them out after the holidays
i am a painter and it can take roughly a day for a normal sized painting and that really depends on what i paint. if i were to sell a painting and actually make money from it. it would be roughly 400. but nowadays people dont understand how this stuff works. so most people think 40 would already be too much.
Love corsets
This video popped up in my feed just as I was dreaming again of being able to sew a corset ^^ But I know my skills won't be there for a while (if ever!) I've considered sparing to buy one but the thing is that I don't want something truly historical but rather that will help achieve something closer than the silhouette I want as a trans guy so I'm not sure if that would be possible. I've seen someone selling custom fit "binder-corsets" but I'm not sure it was exactly what I wanted either 😅
Do you have any suggestions on where to commission quality corsets?
I wore a corset the other day and lasted about three hours. This was a corset I purchased off the rack and was laced quite tight for someone who hadn’t ever worn a corset before. After being disappointed that I hadn’t lasted longer and that corsets are supposed to function as a bra, I remembered nuance- not all corsets will be comfortable in the same way that not all bras are comfortable. I had never worn a corset before, and it was made to fit standardized measurements that weren’t mine. So, it was okay that I didn’t last a whole day in it. I’m a very cheap sewist, and I can’t afford a bespoke corset, so I’ll be attempting my own efforts if only so I have a historical undergarment made to fit me.
I tried making a pair of stays for myself, as one of my first historical projects, and I disliked the whole process, and it wasn’t terribly comfortable, and stabbed into me so much that I have scarred from it. I am now saving up to buy one from someone who specializes in making them because BOY am I not doing that again 😅
I would make stays but not corsets yet!! :)
Where do you buy your corsets from? Do they also make stays? Do you buy them in person or online?
I hand sewed my first pair of stays and I will never do that again. If you hand sew everything, making stays (or a corset, I assume) is very tedious, and rough on your hands because you're typically going through multiple layers of thick fabric. I'm sure there are ways to make it easier, but it's not worth the effort to me. Now, I do most of the seams and boning channels on the machine and just hand sew the binding and eyelets.
That said, for some reason, people like to emphasize how difficult it is to make corsets and stays, but, in my opinion, it's not that hard. It's just time consuming. I have never made a corset, so maybe there's more to that, but stays are basically a lot of straight seams. If someone is interested in making their own stays, I would say they should not be intimidated and go for it. It's probably not a good project for an absolute beginner, but if you know the basics, you can do it.
I am sewing my dresses, but still don't own any corset for the reason it's so difficult. However, I also don't think I can buy them because I live in a rural town in Australia. Here is no one with those skills. Hm. 🤔
Hey, does anyone have tips on how to commission a corset when you have a (light) case of scoliosis?
Are there even corset-makers who take commisions like that?
Or am I doomed to try and learn to make them myself?
Some corsetieres in my experience will do commissions including for anyone that might have scoliosis! Obviously not to treat the scoliosis as they aren’t medical professionals, but just modifying the corset so that if it needs to be different shaped from the left to right side, it can be. The corsetiere that makes my corsets (TheBoudoirKey) always sends a wearable mock-up first too, which makes the fitting process much easier as adjustments can be made. She’s booked up though until next year I believe. There is also RedThreaded, Nemuro Corsets. Haven’t purchased from either but have heard good things.
@@VBirchwood Thank you so much for your answer!
Can you share the corset maker you use and trust? I bought one off the rack about a year and 1/2 ago and it’s not lasted as long as I would have liked for the almost $400 I invested. I would love to do a custom or made to measure for the same cost if that’s an option!
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey, but I believe she's booked up until next year!
I hope I can afford one eventually. Where do you get yours from??
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey but she has a waitlist at the moment I believe 😊
Hi I am making a corset. Way?. Because I workt as an extra in a costume movie and I was wearing an corset under my dress four 8h. Wen I potit on at first it fealt werd but wen I took it of after 8 h I mist it because it was wery comfortable it was well maid a real corset with boning victorian style.
Ps wold really like to have some one make me one but don't know any one doing It here in Sweden so I have to do it my self. If any one knows som one in Sweden doing corsets pleas let me know.sens I have outrites in my hands it's caind of painful to do the boning and other thing on the corset 🙏☺️🥰
I've yet to dip my toes in historical costuming but in the event that I finally do I probably wouldn't make my own corset either 😅😂
You mentioned you have your corsets custom made. Do you have a link to them?
TheBoudoirKey on Etsy makes my corsets, though she has a waitlist at the moment I believe 😊
@V. Birchwood - Historical Fashion oh wow thank you so much!! I don't mind waiting. I need to save anyway.
Where would one even go to get a well fitting corset made?
Perhaps, one might begin by asking some local people who bought corsets "nearby", one? (Reviews)
Unlikely, but, possible.
One might look into various venues that do reenactments &/or historical teaching & see if corset wearing folks could/would recommend anyone
In my opinion, anyone who doesn't measure one in person and have multiple fittings, cannot necessarily succeed at the most ideal fit... but, ai could be wrong.
When I was reenacting, I just started asking women when I first went to events. Go to the booths and shops and ask lots of questions!
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey and she also sends a wearable mock-up first, and then from there the final corset has adjustments made to it depending on what was going on with the mock-up. She is booked up, however, until next year I believe. I’ve also heard good things about RedThreaded and Nemuro Corsets, but have not purchased from either.
I do want to make a historical corset some day but they're a daunting task, so I agree 100%, especially from a financial view.
Also, love your shawl~. (୨୧ ❛ᴗ❛)✧
Thank you 🥰
Where do you buy your corsets? I'm trying to find a good person, so I know they will do good work! :)
Most of mine are from TheBoudoirKey but she has a waitlist at the moment I believe!
Where do you like to buy historical corsets from?
I get mine mostly made by TheBoudoirKey (but as a heads up I believe she may have a waitlist at the moment)
If you’re willing to share, I’d love to know who you get your corsets from! I’m interested in trying out practical corsetry, and I’d want to order one from a trusted, skilled professional
Dabbing in animation👍
Would you consider making a modern bra? Not me. The price of a good bra is not cheap. Go into Victoria Secret or any other better quality lingerie shop and see what there's costs. I have been sewing for almost 60 and some things are worth buying. Corsets need to fit properly and when they do they should not be uncomfortable. They will be different than what we are used to but then again a sweat suit fits different from a fitted evening dress.
Cathy Hay on her channel has several videos showing the process she went through to make a corset. Really brings home the point that corset making takes a lot of time and expertise. I enjoy following your channel.
Are there any people you recommend that are great individuals if you want to purchase a custom fit?
I get mine made by TheBoudoirKey but she’s booked up until next year I believe!
Please don't mistake my stubborn spite for courage. I worked real hard on it. 😂
As a professional corsetmaker, I fully endorse not making your own corsets ;)
Hahaha 🤣
Do you have any idea if Orchard Corsets are a good option? Looking for something supportive, not waist training.
Haven’t ever shopped with them! I get most of my corsets made by TheBoudoirKey
Weird note, I did a DNA test because I'm a sperm donor baby, and I found one half sister so far. Both of us sew historical corsets! So random and specific of a hobby
Please Sister You Make a Rajasthani Lehnga ( Skirt ) With Big Flair I Request You Dear I Know You Make It Very Beautiful 😍🤗
They look really uncomfortable lol