Foundations Revealed

Luthien recreates this 1882 overbust, hourglass corset, designed to 'conform to the shape of the person more perfectly' than earlier Victorian corsets.

A study of three padded bustles in the Kentucky Historical Society Collection, showing how thrifty women stayed fashionable on a budget.

Luthien walks us through the construction, decoration and finishing of this beautiful overbust corset, including changes to the original Victorian pattern.

Trying to date a particular corset, track changes in lingerie fashion down to a few years, or just looking for new inspiration? Plenty here to keep you busy...

When I first looked at the patent for this 1882 Strauss corset I was incredibly intimidated. It has 26 pieces, 13 each side, and only six are just fabric...

Marion shares with us a knitted silk undervest with a crocheted yoke that could date anywhere from 1880 to 1910.

Andrea makes a final bridal-styled version of the 1882 Strauss patent corset, perfecting the technique and adding gorgeous lace and amazing flossing!

Marion walks you through all the different layer options of the nautural form era, starting from the skin out, with variations in necklines and politics.

The 1885 ad raised questions. What is a diagonal cut for? Function, decoration, or gimmick? Katarina has a go at making one to find out.

Andrea makes a second mockup in her size, and shows how spiral boning and plastic boning behave in this complex corset design.

Constructing a diagonally seamed corset: Katarina includes some useful tips for easier corset sewing and for making strong tightlacing corsets.

We look in detail at a rare antique shop find - a real, plus size Victorian corset - and then we give you the pattern.

This corset uses machine corded fabric instead of bones to stiffen the panels into an impressively curvaceous shape. It also has a sturdy spoon shaped busk. Here's how to make it.