Which Corset Pattern Should I Choose?
Which Corset Pattern Should I Choose?
This depends upon your level of sewing confidence and what sort of corset you wish to construct.
If you want to ‘try your hand’ at corsetry and see if you get bitten by the bug the Simplicity 9769 is the place to start. It uses the familiar Simplicity easy to follow pattern format and constructs a lovely simple unlined corset. This will not be suitable for tight lacing but makes a great steel boned, busk fronted corset for evening wear. This pattern is also good for stage wear. There are complete corset kits available for this pattern.
The Truly Victorian corselet pattern is another great starter corset, it has no busk and makes 2 designs of waist cincher.
The Reconstructing History French Style corset pattern is another good starter pattern. Slightly more complex with a full busk to make a beautiful historical corset.
If you are reasonably confident and want to try a fully lined ‘proper’ corset then either of the Laughing Moon corset patterns LM100 and LM113 are perfect. The instructions are comprehensive and clear and take you through process step by step including construction of the all important mock up. The video/DVD is the perfect accompaniment to LM100.
• Why we don’t offer kits for other patterns.
A properly fitting corset cannot be constructed without making a mock up first in scrap fabric. In 8 plus years of corset making we did not encounter a single customer whose body shape adhered to a specified size!
Rachel offers us this top tip
"...bull denim, which is absolutely fantastic stuff for making up a corset toile in. Its nice and cheap to get hold of, and makes up in to a really solid toile to give you the best idea possible of how the finished product will look. I know many corsetieres are against it, but if you allow in your drafting for the slight "give" of denim, I've found it makes up perfectly nicely in to a full corset too, with the obvious benefit of being ready to dye whatever colour you want. "
A mock up ensures that correct bone and busk lengths are used and that the correct style has been chosen. For example LM100 offers 2 Variations; the Silverado design includes bust gores which are often better for the ‘fuller’ bust.
We therefore offer a voucher with all of our other corset patterns giving 5% discount (the same as the kits). You can use this to purchase the components for your corset and anything else that you might need.
The other corset patterns in our range all have full instructions (except the Ageless patterns) and are good for the confident dressmaker.
We have tried to include corsets from all periods so that those involved with museums, re-enactment and historical costume can include the correct foundation garments for the period.
As always please do mail us if you have any queries, technical questions, strange requests etc...