 What are the correct tools for corsetry, when some swear by tools that others avoid? I'll share what's in my toolbox, what has been relegated to the scrapheap, and why.  This month we have three questions and lots of great answers! Tilia asks for help in creating a corset pattern for an asymmetrical figure, and receives lots of great advice! Alessandra asks for advice with dealing with models, corsets and photoshoots Suzannah wonders how to clean everyday corsets Have you ever found yourself repeating a past mistake, but not realising until it's too late? Got carried away and had to unpick your hard work? Miscalculated how long something will take and ended up stitching into the wee hours? Worst of all - ever tried to recreate a previous success, only to find you've forgotten exactly how you did it? Laura shares her foolproof system for preventing wasted time and effort with some simple organizational tools.  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?  Those of you who know Your Wardrobe Unlock'd will already know about the "Letters, Questions and Advice" page, which we'll be doing here at Foundations Revealed too. On this page you can ask questions about any aspect of corsetmaking or historical underwear, however basic, advanced, general or technical, and receive answers both from our contributors and from other readers. Additionally, we'd also love to publish your own tips and techniques and stories. Email the Editor with your questions, letters and advice for next month's coloumn. This month we have two questions, supplied by those readers who subscribed early - one on copyright-free patterns for corsets made for retail and on proper length of bones. Plus, we share a 1910's silent corset commercial with you.  Turning your “hobby” into your career can be a very frightening endeavor. Before you give your boss and your spouse the big speech, take the quiz to find out if you are ready to make a living as a corsetmaker!  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! |
