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1840s Corset
Mar. 2nd, 2009 07:43 pmToday we woke up to a winter wonderland...everything has been coated by 5" of beautiful snow. Children in the neighborhood took to sledding and we enjoyed brisk walks around the neighborhood (that is, up until DH got an emergency call for work). Since all was quiet, I used the day to catch up on another UFO--my 1840s corset.
I am not going to win any workmanship awards for this corset. It isn't especially pretty. It is made with supplies on hand, completely machine sewn and I really didn't waste time trying to make it "period." Thanks to tension issues with my machine, several places where I sewed the binding on had to be oversewn. But it looks acceptable and it functions as it should: it gives me a flat front and curvy sides and back. It makes my 1840s bodice look great. ( Click for more details and pictures... )
I also am a big fan of bulk boning. In the long run it ends up cheaper--and it allows you the convenience of custom cutting boning to the desired length. On spiral and straight steel bones, I mark the metal with a Sharpie pen, then cut it with a set of tin snips. For years I would painstakingly grind the ends smooth and dip them in tool dipping solution, but lately I've taken to setting metal tips with epoxy, then crimping them in place. Here they are setting earlier this morning. 
All of that attracted attention from my cat, Muffy...who felt obliged to be exceedingly cute.
On other notes concerning my 1840s mourning dress...I called Thai Silk about the black crinkle crepe. It is soft, not crisp--so that was a disappointment. However, I did search online some more and found a dealer in India who indicates that his crepe has a "distinctly crisp and crimped form." It sounds perfect, so I wrote away to him to inquire if he'd sell a small quantity to me.
I am not going to win any workmanship awards for this corset. It isn't especially pretty. It is made with supplies on hand, completely machine sewn and I really didn't waste time trying to make it "period." Thanks to tension issues with my machine, several places where I sewed the binding on had to be oversewn. But it looks acceptable and it functions as it should: it gives me a flat front and curvy sides and back. It makes my 1840s bodice look great.
I also am a big fan of bulk boning. In the long run it ends up cheaper--and it allows you the convenience of custom cutting boning to the desired length. On spiral and straight steel bones, I mark the metal with a Sharpie pen, then cut it with a set of tin snips. For years I would painstakingly grind the ends smooth and dip them in tool dipping solution, but lately I've taken to setting metal tips with epoxy, then crimping them in place. Here they are setting earlier this morning.
All of that attracted attention from my cat, Muffy...who felt obliged to be exceedingly cute.
On other notes concerning my 1840s mourning dress...I called Thai Silk about the black crinkle crepe. It is soft, not crisp--so that was a disappointment. However, I did search online some more and found a dealer in India who indicates that his crepe has a "distinctly crisp and crimped form." It sounds perfect, so I wrote away to him to inquire if he'd sell a small quantity to me.
