Corseting

[G Snap!]

I would like to start a thread regarding corsets & corseting. I would love to hear from anyone who practices corseting on a daily basis as well as those who wear them on special ocassions.

I would like to invest in a well made corset. I do not want an off the rack pre made corset, or particularly care to hear about yours, unless you consider it a well made garment and a worthy investment. I hate to be a little snippy about this, but I can buy a premade inexpensive corset today, but they are all made for smaller figures without any boobs. I need something for a curvier figure and the off the rack items aren't for us full-figured curvy gals.

I have done a little research on the internet (since I am not finding anyone here in centrtal TN who makes them) and there are a few options out there as far as measuring yourself and having one made. I admit I am hesitant to hand over several hundred dollars to make this happen so I would like to hear your experience if you have done this. And if it was a good experience, please do tell me where you got your corset!

[The_Lady_Snow]

Ms Martha


http://www.corset1.com/

[Sparkle]

You're very right not to buy something off the rack. It won't be cheap (even shite mass produced corsets are pricey) and it won't fit (no matter what body type you have).

You definitely want something bespoke.
You definitely want someone with a great reputation.
And ideally you'll find someone close enough that you can get to their studio/workshop/shop to have at least one fitting.

Oh and don't do your own measurements, when you do your own measurements you have to bend and move your body in ways which skew the measurement. Find someone to help you and then do each measurement 3x (write each time down so you can see how consistent you're being) OR just go to a local seamstress and have them measure you.

I'm rather fond of Stormy Leather's work in San Francisco.

/NOT work safe

http://www.stormyleather.com/subcatm...324&1=325&2=-1

Where ever you decide to go, it will be expensive, and deservedly so - making corsets is REALLY detailed and difficult work.

[thedivahrrrself]

I have a normal, traditional, "underwear" (wear as a bra) corset with the strings running down the back. However, I am short, and VERY short-waisted, with a small waist and big hips, so my corset does fine as long as I am standing. Once I sit, though, the hips try to pop up on me.

I have also been thinking about having one made for me. Does Ms. Martha make custom corsets? I saw "sizes" on her site.

Does anyone know about how much a custom runs? Are there any other short waisted people out there who might have some suggestions?

[The_Lady_Snow]

A custom made to size should run around $600.00 with good boning. I had Martha measure me that's how we picked my corsets after, I've another custom made it was $800.00.

It's not a cheap hobby.

[G Snap!]

Ms Martha looks perfect, plus she's in Atlanta, a reasonable drive for me. Thank you The Lady Snow!

I would rather pay $600 for something I could wear and love, rather than +- $100 for something I would wear one time and then it would find its way to the bottom of the closet. I learned this with bras and shoes.

I've oogled The Stockroom corsets for a little while now. *sigh* All the good stuff is in San Fransisco.

So far so good ladies! Thank you, keep the info coming...!

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by thedivahrrrself

I have a normal, traditional, "underwear" (wear as a bra) corset with the strings running down the back. However, I am short, and VERY short-waisted, with a small waist and big hips, so my corset does fine as long as I am standing. Once I sit, though, the hips try to pop up on me.

I have also been thinking about having one made for me. Does Ms. Martha make custom corsets? I saw "sizes" on her site.

Does anyone know about how much a custom runs? Are there any other short waisted people out there who might have some suggestions?

I have similar problems - I'm really short and really short-waisted too (I hate it). Bespoke corsets are really best for us, so that they are custom cut to visually lengthen our waist AND fall in the right place on the hip (so they don't turn up or inhibit movement).

Is your corset long-lined? (does it go over your hips?) or is it above the hips and just long on you? I prefer the look of a longer line corset on me because it balances out my short-waistedness, but I don't like that they inhibit my movement at my hips.

Custom corsets will range between $400 to well over $1000+ depending on what they are made of (leather on the high end of the spectrum) and just "how custom" they are. Most places will have standard patterns for different sizes which will then be modified slightly to your measurements. And this is a good option, it is customized and it is handmade and it is worth the $$$'s.

But if you want a truly custom corset, one that is built bespoke to your measurements, it will be on the higher end of the spectrum and it will SO be worth it. You'll be measured six ways to Sunday and the process should include a muslin mock-up of your corset and at least one fitting where the designer/craftspeople will further customize the pattern - adjusting seam lines, neckline, hems and panels so that they fall perfectly for YOUR shape.

If you take care of your corset very well - it is a piece that will be in your wardrobe for 20+years. <---justification.

I have enormous respect for the people that do this type of design and tailoring, it is incredibly fiddly, mathematical and minutely detailed work, it is high-art in the realm of garment construction.

I bloody HATED making corsets. I am neither precise nor patient.

[pajama]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Ms Martha


http://www.corset1.com/

OMG G! She has a camo one!!!!!!

[G Snap!]

Originally Posted by pajara

OMG G! She has a camo one!!!!!!

Oh yeah!

Check these out...

http://www.tacticalcorsets.com/

I emailed them, it looks like they went big 2 years ago then no activity. And this is right up my alley...

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by pajara

OMG G! She has a camo one!!!!!!

Ms Marthas corsets are great! They have nice boning and her material ones are just as sturdy as the leather.

[Lady_Di]

With my background of costuming and what not, I preferred to study up on all things historical when it comes to corsets. Making a custom dressmakers form, of exactly what your/my body is gives me many options to play with. Just need one person to help make the mold and there are several ways to do just that. I think I saw a you tube of two grrrls making one with duck tape and a few odd items. Like making two turtle shells and then combining the two into the permanent form. I suppose we are limited only by our imaginations, as usual.

My body also changes a lot, so making it adjustable is something important to me. My mother had an adjustable dress makers form for a perfect size twelve, which could be tweaked here and there. I am not 36-24-36 like she was, but she wasn't always exactly that all the time either, change is inevitable. One of the coolest things about a corset is you can tighten up as necessary. Undergarments of the ancient times, a true passion of mine. History of clothing, how they made em and what not.

My challenge in this next year is to make my own form, now that I am closing in on what I hope is my stable and healthy weight. This is a challenge I am up for and excited about. I am heading back to the theatre and SCA folks I know best and the costumers I know damned well. So a custom corset for me will be part of this fun new chapter of sewing fun. I always prefer custom, don't really cotton much to anything off the shelf much. One of the main reasons I hate shopping so damned much. Once you have custom anything, going back to store bought is hard.

[*Anya*]

Bump this thread!