Notes: Corset

Research started on May 19, 2005

I want to make myself an Effigy-style corset. Most who have worn have praised how comfortable and how much support it has.

http://costume.dm.net/corsets/materials.html

Period fabrics:

• linen


• silk

Modern equivalents:

• "duck"/"drill" cotton canvas


• "bridal"/"baroque" satin looks closest to period but slippery to sew


• shot silk was used in Elizabethan times


• silk if used should have the same weight as the baroque satin or taffeta

Period boning:

• dried reeds


• stiff rope - http://www.sempstress.org/experiments/cordedeffigy.shtml


• broomstraw


• hemp - http://homepage.mac.com/festive_attyre/research/cording/cord.html

Modern boning:

• spring steel boning - expensive


• timber strapping - round ends with tin snips and file smooth. Use a tin punch to punch holes in them and sew them to the corsets to prevent working its way out. (Didn't do this with "Shakespeare in Love" bodice and have this issue.)
  
• cable ties - http://www.sempstress.org/patterns/drafting/corsets.shtml don't rust


• http://modehistorique.com/elizabethan/boningtypes.html Article on boning types

Grommets:

• Sew over regular grommets


• http://www.myladyswardrobe.com/04_sewing_chamber/16thcent_effigy_corset/effigycorset_part2.htm recommends jewelry jump rings sew in for metal reinforcement.


• http://www.sempstress.org/patterns/drafting/corsets.shtml does not recommend "Dritz" brand. She says use grommets from hardware that you have to hammer in.

http://costume.dm.net/corsets/howsew.html General sewing directions of three different styles. Recommends if outer material is flimsy, add another layer of studier fabric between outer and lining. Boning will go between two inner layers.

http://www.vertetsable.com/demos_corset.htm Building a German style and English style corset. English is based off Effigy corset. Talks about how to draft the pattern according to your measurements.

http://costume.dm.net/effigy.htm Article on recreating Effigy corset with broomstraw boning and leather trim. Recommends adjusting the point.

http://homepage.mac.com/festive_attyre/gallery/linens/undies.html A Festive Attyre's undies page, pretty much pretty pictures of things I want to make.

http://modehistorique.com/elizabethan/effigy.html Sarah Goodman's first Effigy corset.

http://modehistorique.com/elizabethan/secondeffigy.html Sarah Goodman's second Effigy corset, wash 'n wear.

http://costume.dm.net/ruffmake.html#easy Making ruffs.

http://homepage.mac.com/festive_attyre/research/lacing/lacing.html Spiral lacing.

http://www.myladyswardrobe.com/ Re-enactor's site.

http://www.sock-dreams.com/_shop/edit/index.php SOCKS! As long as I could want.

http://costume.dm.net/EffigyReconstruction.htm Effigy corset reconstruction article.

http://www.sempstress.org/experiments/curvedcorset.shtml Curved Front corset. A style I might want to try out.