So, yeah. Corsetry.

[featherynscale]

Corsetry. I popped open the pattern for the corset I'm allegedly going to make, and feel like I'm hitting a snag already. The corset front is about 12 3/4" long. My *underbust* corset is about 11 3/4" long. I'm not at all clear how that extra inch is going to cover my nipples. I'm guessing it isn't. So, mockup it is. Can you lengthen a corset pattern? I don't know. If you did, how much more length can you get out of it without using longer boning? This is a critically important question in my world right now, since I've already bought all the bones I was supposed to need. *sigh* Maybe I could make the corset as it is, and then add a little ruffle to the top. Or wear pasties. Actually, pasties are probably a good idea anyway.

Also, spiral steel boning - how can those things possibly be sturdy enough to make serious corsetry happen? Spiral bones aren't that much more stable than cable ties. Granted, I'm not looking for huge reduction, the character I'm doing is described variously as "plump" and "fleshy", but still, I'd like to be a tad less lumpy going into the experience. *more sigh*

Super-discouraged/intimidated, and I haven't even cut the pattern pieces yet.

Comments

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the worst of it is, I'm not even tall. I'm 5'4". This corset is just really short. It doesn't look that short on the package, it looks like it hits the model just over the centerline of her bust. But maybe she's a midget with an A-cup chest.

I think I can maybe get away with a set of un-boned panels on the top, just to get another inch or so out of it. I don't really need to pull in my boobs so much as support them on the bottom and cover them enough to be street-legal.

Or, your idea of making it fit at the top and wearing it higher may work, too. I was hoping to get a waist out of the deal, but maybe I won't. Or I could order in some longer flat bones and use the longest of the spiral ones I have for the shorter bits. (The pattern doesn't even tell you which bones go where - I hope it will be obvious.

Anyway, thank you for listening and giving advice.

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking you could either shift all the current bones around a bit, or poll your corset-making friends for leftover boning to make up the difference.

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

I put a bone on each seam, and that worked pretty well for me. I think I picked that up from nataliesee, who has made lots of corsets and is fairly brilliant at it, so you might hit her up for advice as well.

It's tough to tell without looking at the pattern how it's going to fit and where, so I think you're right to make a mock-up - even an unboned one will tell you a lot about where it needs changes and where it works.