How to make a corset - Foundations Revealed

Two questions and an embroidery library on the Letters page this month.

Danielle inquires about fitting stays Sherry shares an embroidery library Patricia asks about articles for the DPP

 

This month we feature Cristiane Tano, aka CrissyCatt, who makes breathtaking corsetry in leather. She reveals the secrets of her stunning, hand-tooled filigree leather corsets.

Marion shares a linen chemise circa 1879 from her collection.The chemise is simple in construction with delicate hand embroidered eyelet work around the neck, minute white threadwork buttons, and an eye-opening combination of machine sewing and delicate hand stitching.

If you're looking to get a head start on your Natural Form Era undies, you can't miss this!

In the Napoleonic period, what was once taboo came out from hiding, along with the natural female form. Suddenly, it became necessary to keep the world from glimpsing too much.

The sad truth is that people notice how a corset fits first, and the detail last. There is absolutely no point spending hours perfecting your stitching if the fit is wrong. 

In the first of a hotly-anticipated series of articles, Laura rolls up her sleeves and addresses the single most pressing frustration that FR readers tell us they face: just how do you fit a corset properly?

Continuing her study of the Skeleton Corset from last month, Amanda demonstrates how to make this very unique busk step by step at home.

While the original busk was probably made in a factory using power tools, Amanda reproduces it using with hand tools, which are easily acquired at your local hardware store if you don’t already have them at home.