Loose threads

Or "The gap makes the corset."

 

This challenge was meant to be something else, but I never got round to it, and then I found myself signed up for the November run of Fairweather Manor and other projects were due. Since I was to play the same character again, I didn't necessarily have to make a new outfit. However, last time I borrowed a corset, which was handed back after the event and was a tad to big to start with. I took the pattern from it beforehand, adjusting the pieces a bit to fit me better, and then tried the pattern for the white party outfit. I should therefore be good to go, but this time I wanted a busk and steel boning. A busk more than anything. If you were supposed to be up until late at night and then be the most awake for morning service at 7.30 the next morning, you'd want to be able to dress as quickly as possible, too. I promise.

 

I ordered from Vena Cava Design and was very pleased, both with the supplies and the service - I managed to order the wrong colour of coutil, and they even sorted that out for me before sending my package. That's actually kinder than they'd had to be!

 

Nevertheless, this was a somewhat frustrating project. Coutil was harder to work with than I expected, and I ended up doing far more machine-sewing than I normally do. I also failed the 3D geometry twice when inserting the busk and the metal eyelets acted up, so in the end I cut a new back panel and added a ready-made lacing strip. I much prefer hand-sewn eyelets, but it's not the thing for 19th century, and to work eyelets in the coutil... I shudder to think of it.

 

In the end, the corset worked if not great, so alright.