The Corset Making Marathon!
On this months episode of “I suck at making corsets” I attempt to make three corsets in three days, following altered versions of patterns from Norah Waugh’s “Corsets and Crinolines”.
As per usual, they did not turn out quite as I had hoped. Nor did they actually take three days. In fact, it was closer to three months from beginning to end!
But the majority of the footage in this video was filmed months ago, over the course of a long weekend. I managed to get the trio mostly assembled, it was the finishing touches (mainly embroidered eyelets) that took me up until today to finish. Now they are all done - I’m not happy with them, but they are done!
This video is a mixture between a vlog and a making of video in terms of style. The narration is very casual and filmed in the moment, like a vlog, but there is a lot of sped up footage of the construction process too. Plus 20 minutes of talking about the final product. It’s a little bit of everything! And by little bit I mean lot-a-bit - this might be the longest video I’ve ever uploaded.
I hope it is enjoyable and thank you so much for the support & watching! I have a half dozen videos that are days away from being done, and I can’t wait to finally finish them so I can share them and try to get back on some semblance of a schedule.
Things I currently have fully filmed and edited down include:
Following a 1950’s Simplicity Pattern
Making the Charles Worth Peacock Bodice
+Making a corset to go underneath the peacock bodice
Brown and Silver Renaissance Gown Part 2
Making 5 pairs of vintage pajamas
I bought 80 vintage patterns on ebay
Sculpting a peacock headdress
….so, stay tuned!
Also, here are the pages/patterns in Waugh's book that I mentioned.
1901 corset:
1880's Corset:
1860s corset:
1844 corset:
Late 1820s stays:
Comments (23)
I dont know if you already have Mandy Barringtons books but they are EXCELLENT for corset making. She takes you through drafting a basic bodice block first then, using that block, takes you through drafting the corsets themselves. So at the end of it you wind up with a corset that fits pretty damn well because your drafting it to your measurements. Norahs are great also, but they are tricky to scale without losing some of the shaping I find.
Sounds like you might have a migraine. They suck.
I’d just like to point out briefly that the s-bend corset is pretty much designed to be padded at the hips to create that look.
Good to know! I knew they padded, but I wasn't entirely sure how the posture was supposed to look without it. I assumed it would be pretty exaggerated and the padding was just for extra oomf, but I haven't done much research on the period yet! Definitely something to play around with in the future!
Thank you for sharing your progress, I thought they were beautiful! I have a similar issue with a couple of my corsets, they don't sit straight! did you ever find out what the issue with yours was?
I think there is some truth to being crooked! Nobody is completely symmetrical and those issues become more apparent in such a structured garment. I'm sure fabric grainline could be a factor too, and even tiny inconsistencies in seaming. In the case of the 1860s one though, I definitely put it on wrong lol!
It always blows me away to see how much a corset changes the figure. I am very busty and have considered trying a corset for support instead of a bra. Still considering.
It could be worth a try! I don't find corsets to be super comfortable, but I LOVE longline bras and girdles from the 40s. Like, moreso than anything modern. They might be a better inbetween!
I think they are all gorgeous. I do see the fit on some are better then on others, but that is part of the process, I guess? I am always so happy to see a new video and your voice is so soothing. I started rewatching all your videos on patreon to feel at ease. It is so busy at work that I need some comfort.
Excellent video, 🙃
I loved this video! I always like your longer videos even if I have to break it up over a day or two. I have been battling with a waist cincher pattern, I've sewn it 3 times now and just don't like any of them! Your 1 out of 5 success makes me feel hope that maybe eventually I will make the one of my dreams. keep going Angie, you've got this!
I hate to expose potential terrible taste on my part, but I thought you were too hard on the 1880s corset. I thought it was so cute! Maybe nicer on camera than in person? I don't know...but I thought it was great, and the fit seemed solid.
Haha, I think I'm just sick of looking at it - especially compared to the other pastel ones. I feel like the fit is good too - like I can't say what I would change, but I'm not happy with it either!
Love the new hair!!! This color is so pretty. As usual I'm in awe of your productivity and perseverance. I actually really live the valentine's print corset, I think it's super cute. I also love the dramatic shape of the Edwardian one, I'll echo other comments to suggest to add padding to accentuate the silhouette even more. Thank you for sharing your process! I'm super looking forward to the pajama video and the rest of the peacock gown!
Thank you! It was an accident but I'm liking it so far, lol! I think maybe I've just looked at it so much that I'm sick of it - or just by comparison, it seems tacky when the purple and white are so elegant. But that makes me feel better. Hopefully it will grown on me!
Thank you Angela for sharing this journey with us. I really enjoyed this and learning about the construction of various types of corsets. There must be a special fairy dust needed when making a corset to get the fit right. Take care. Hope your Dad has fully recovered from his reno injuries. Stay safe. Warm regards from Down Under.
I think that fairy dust is called patience and I'm just lacking it, lol! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and yes, my dad has fully recovered. :)
Even though I really enjoy nearly every video you make, I would really appreciate if you could mix the video sequence a little bit and let us watch different things. I feel like I've been watching corset making (with short interruptions for peackock content) for months now. Don't get me wrong, I still want to see the corset videos but maybe not all in a sequence...
I feel you! Four videos about corsets in as many months is a lot. I'm pretty corseted out from making them, so I can understand people being sick of watching the process too. But this should be the last thing I film about them for a while!
You are an amazing young seamstress. I absolutely love watching your progress through the various stages. Even though the corsets didn't meet your expectations, please know that most wouldn't even make the attempt in the creation process, mostly because a fear of failure. Yet you...not only attempt it, plung in and follow through to the finish. Then..to our delight post the final project. It really becomes a true seamstress to use ones own disappointments, which is a great teaching tool to those who watch you. Successful projects "and" the not so happy with projects, both can be great teaching tools. I love that you post them anyways. I still learn.
Would a “corset cover” get you any closer to the silhouette you are looking for?
I'm not sure - that's sort of what I meant when I was rambling about bust pads. I don't have much experience with them so I'm not sure how much they would alter the silhouette!
I cannot wait to see the pajamas! I absolutely love the colorful prints you chose