Have you been watching the Great British Sewing Bee this year? I suspect, like me, some of you sit there thinking equal parts "how do they do that?" & "well, I could do that!"
Well, week 4 was definitely an "I can do that" week for me as the contestants tackled structure. I love that they've included corsets (Squeeee!) this series but I'm torn when it comes to how they went about it.
Presumably because of the limited time available for each challenge they opted to create something less structured than most people imagine when thinking of corsets & in all honesty I'd refer to their creations as fashion corsets, built to maybe shape slightly but not to reduce the waist. I wasn't a fan of the pattern used but once I'd accepted that these were fashion corsets unlike most of my own creations I enjoyed & appreciated watching the process. The contestants mostly did a fairly good job & it was great to see the process on TV...maybe it'll even encourage more people to have a stab at making their own. :D
Well, week 4 was definitely an "I can do that" week for me as the contestants tackled structure. I love that they've included corsets (Squeeee!) this series but I'm torn when it comes to how they went about it.
Presumably because of the limited time available for each challenge they opted to create something less structured than most people imagine when thinking of corsets & in all honesty I'd refer to their creations as fashion corsets, built to maybe shape slightly but not to reduce the waist. I wasn't a fan of the pattern used but once I'd accepted that these were fashion corsets unlike most of my own creations I enjoyed & appreciated watching the process. The contestants mostly did a fairly good job & it was great to see the process on TV...maybe it'll even encourage more people to have a stab at making their own. :D
If you're wondering how my corsets differ, mine are tight lacing corsets, fully lined & made to reduce the waist by 4 - 10 inches with heavier boning. They have a busk to fasten the front & keep the tummy flat, further flat steel boning to reinforce the eyelets, interfacing to stiffen & reinforce the fabrics, lacing (not ribbon!) fastened at the waist & often, a modesty panel to cover the back underneath the lace. They take me a little more than the 4 hours allowed on Sewing Bee, but not a lot more after years of practice.
I guess my question to you, lovely readers (& subscribers now too ;) is: would you like to make your own corset, or do you still think it's beyond your sewing skills?
I guess my question to you, lovely readers (& subscribers now too ;) is: would you like to make your own corset, or do you still think it's beyond your sewing skills?
If you would, it's worth noting that in the very near future I'll be publishing a few of my own fairly basic patterns, as well as stocking the Corsetry Supplies section of my website. In fact you can already pick up wide busks (tricky to find in the UK for some reason) from Miss Red!
Also in my little book of plans is the intention to set up some workshops, where I can help small groups of people learn to make their own corsets (amongst other things), as well as possibly doing some short video tutorials - that last one depends how much courage I can muster & if I'm brave enough to be the other side of the camera than I'm used to ;)
Definitely watch this space though if you're interested in either making your own corset or having one made just for you though, there will be more of that coming up soon.
Also in my little book of plans is the intention to set up some workshops, where I can help small groups of people learn to make their own corsets (amongst other things), as well as possibly doing some short video tutorials - that last one depends how much courage I can muster & if I'm brave enough to be the other side of the camera than I'm used to ;)
Definitely watch this space though if you're interested in either making your own corset or having one made just for you though, there will be more of that coming up soon.
Miss Red x
P.S: Don't forget you can subscribe to this blog via email using the form at the side of this page, or through this link ;)
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