Creating the laced closure 1

Okay, let's start working on the laced or corset closure,
Traditionally this is located on the back. howerver you can also place them anywhere you want.
(I made them with front closures when I costumed The Rocky Horror Show, specifically the floorshow corsets are gorgeous in my opinion)

The pieces we'll be working on are all pattern pieces of the centre back.
(2 outer layers, 2 lining, as in the picture below.)


The beginning is actually a lot similar to the busk insertion process.
First start by sewing the corresponding outer layers and lining together along the back seam.
(in most cases, along the straight lined edge of the fabric pieces)
The like before, press open en flat starting on the inside.

After you have done this, you can fold the pieces and press them in the final position.
Do not press it exactly on the seam, but but press it a 1/8 inch (or 2mm) to the side of the seam. This will result in a small piece of the outer layer to turn to the inside of the garment.
(as in the picture below)


When you do this, you can be certain that no lining will show when laced up.

When you have done all this it is also important to trim the seam allowance like we did before.
(See my earlier post Inserting the busk 1 if you need more explanation)

Okay now like before, we need to sew a seam along the pressed border. Topstitch just 1/8 inch or 2 mm from the edge, as seen in the picture below.


Now it is time to start cutting a few pieces of boning. use flat steel boning for this type of closure.
Spiral steel boning is not advised for this.

I personally like to cut my bones, so they have enough room to slightly move up and down in the boning channel. If you cut them to long they will come tearing through the corset.

Use a pair of wire cutters (or anything that works) and cut the bones.
Don't try and cut them through at once, since this is impossible on a hand cutter.
Try to cut them a couple of times, and very gently try bending it on the place where you've made a cut. Don't use excessive force for this, cause to much bending will result in a curved ending to your bone, which is undesired. If it won't snap immediatly, try cutting it again.



Okay now that we've got the bones cut, it is important to create nice rounded edges to them.
This makes them easier to insert, makes for nicer wear, and protects the final corset from damage.

Either use a sanding stone, or if you don't have one, you can also cut the sharp corners off with the wire cutters and sand them down by hand.


Both my spiral and steel bones are 7 mm. this creates a nice and even effect.
Notice in the picture below, that I have place the bone under the sewing machine foot.
This is just so I can see that the left side of my foot matches up with the width of the bones.
You'll probably find something similar on most machines.

Okay now it's time to start sewing our first boning channel. Don't start with the actual bone placed under your foot like the picture above. remove the bone and start sewing following the earlier made stitching.

Once you've sewn one boning channel, test it's width by partially inserting one of the bones.
If it fits nice and snug continue sewing the other channel.
You should end up with something like the picture below.


Now we need to sew two more boning channels running parallel to the first.
However but since our eyelets are going to be placed in between these pieces of boning, we'll need to leave a space for them.

Now the eyelets I'm using on the corset are 4mm in diameter. I think you also call them size 0 in other countries.
Now the width of the space between the boning channels will depend on your eyelets and your personal taste. However don't make it to wide.

Once you've decided the placing of the second boning channel. start sewing.
You can take your last made seam as a gauge. however it is probably better to stick down a piece of tape on your machine at the desired distance, and simply follow that.
(See Cutting pattern pieces and preparing your machine)



After sewing the first seams you should have something that looks like this:

Okay now sew the last seams and create the boning channels.

Insert the four pieces of boning.


As in the picture below, the bones should sit nice and snug in their channels.

For now we are finished with the back closure. Inserting the eyelets and the lacing will come at final end of assembly.

Let's se what we've achieved..


Beautifull.

Let's continue...

Corset making 101: Pattern and materials

I adore corsets, ever since working on 'The Rocky Horror Show' I got really into them. And from what I found out over the years, just about everyone loves them. Now corset making is a great skill to have, and they are not all that difficult to make. I personally love making them for my friends. (see last post about Julia's corset)
So when Marieken, a good friend of mine asked me to make her a corset for her upcoming trip to the US, I naturally obliged.
And of course a very good reason to teach you all about the production of corsets.
Lets begin!

The Pattern.


For this corset I used the Laughin Moon, Dore Corset pattern which you can order on-line.
I highly recomend this pattern, it has easy to use instructions and it's beautifull.
In this case I personally altered the pattern to inlude shoulder straps.
Before I started assembling the final corset I made a mockup (toile) of the corset out of muslin fabric. and tried this on my friend Marieken. This way you can see the alterations you need to make to the pattern before you start cutting your expensive fabric.

(note: cup sice is to small on pattern, causing deformation of the breast)

Materials.

(note: the black lace is an optional decoration on this corset)

You will need:

- A stiff cotton fabric.
Preferably coutil which is specially designed for corset making. but any stiff and thick cotton will do. (In the picture this is the black fabric)
-A top fabric.
This will be the fabric and color of the outer layer, this can be every sort of fabric you want it to be. In this case, it is old pink silk.
-Eyelets.
For making the lacing holes at the back of the corset.
-Bones.

(From left to right, flat boning, busk, spiral boning + end caps)

I always use flat steel bones and spiral steel bones.
Flat steel is used for straight bone line (usually centre front or centre back)
Spiral steel is bendable and used for all non-straight bone lines
All these bone types are available in different pre cut lengths, but I like to cut it to my own specific lengths and use boning on a roll, which is sold by the meter or the yard.
In this case I will also be inserting a busk, which is a piece of boning with hooks attached. This is a closure which makes it easier for the wearer to put the corset on his or herself.

Let's continue...