Foundations Revealed

Practice + experience = better corsetmakers, but at FR we believe that we can help accelerate that process just a little.

Let's look at a challenge that'll get you thinking ahead and avoiding construction problems to come up with a fantastic corset on the first attempt.

It's all very well to know how to make a basic corset, but when you get a big, inspiring idea, it probably won't be a big, inspiring idea about a basic black underbust.

You want wings; you want to defy gravity; you want rows of tiny, deadly spikes down each boning channel. Whatever it is, you get the sinking feeling that this is going to be a tough call.

If you run your own business as a bespoke corsetmaker, you'll know how fragile a process you're getting into. How do you know that your client will pay? How do you know that they won't ruin and try to return what you've made them?

The answer to most concerns is to have a good contract. (And it works especially well if you're not in business, but making something for a friend or family member.)

This article appeared in its original form in Your Wardrobe Unlock'd some time ago; it appears here in an updated and reworked form, especially for corsetmakers. If you've read it before, read it again - are you doing all of these things to protect yourself?

It's the sixty-four million dollar question: how much should you charge for your work, without either selling yourself short or discouraging potential clients?

I'm going to give you a lot to think about here. I'm going to challenge you to think again; I'm going to tell you the biggest pricing mistakes that corsetieres make. Most importantly, I'll show you where to find the confidence to charge what you're worth. Take heart: success is out there waiting for you!