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TracieMacVean — Corset Tutorial.
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Published: 2009-08-23 11:42:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 66140; Favourites: 1273; Downloads: 328
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Description
I've always wanted to make a tutorial about something and a few people have asked me how I make my corsets, so here's my corset tutorial.I made this corset for my Pre-20th Century Masquerade, which was for my birthday last week. I spent alot of time on the corset, but it was the quickest one I've made. I also made a matching mask with the same blue. I think I spent 2 weeks on it, for a few hours each day. And yes, I took alot of shortcuts. I'm sorry if I skipped some major steps, Step 3, 4 and 5 are confusing.
If anyone would like a custom-made corset for themselves, I'd be glad to make some for a price. And also I usually put in alot more effort than the corset in this tutorial. I am ALWAYS open for commissions, if you're interested send me a note. And ofcourse it's not cheap as it may take weeks to make one. The price usually ranges between $140 and $200 depending on what materials you want, how many panels you want, what purpose it's for (tight-lacing usually has more boning), the size of your waist (I do all sizes) and most importantly, if you want overbust or underbust. Overbust is alot more complicated.
To give you a better idea of how much it will cost, send me a note with basic details on how you want one.
Thanks for viewing and please credit my tutorial if you use it, I'd also love to see what other make out of it. But please treat this like any stock you would use. A link to my page in your details and please send me a note or message if you have used this. Out of all the favourites, views and messages I have recieved, I have NOT had one person shown me a finished product from this tutorial. Please respect my efforts.
By the way, comments/criticism would be nice.
*edit*
So I have had many people ask me how to make a drafting pattern tutorial. I don't want to give away all my "secrets", yes, i know its selfish, but I would rather do commissions.
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Comments: 147
This is true, thankyou for your comment. I am not a seamstress and have had no training, all self-taught so I by no means have expected my corsets to be professional. This took me weeks as I had to figure it out via trial and error. This tutorial was made in seven years ago and I have not touched the sewing machine since, but the tutorial has had quite a lot of exposure on deviantart.
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You mention that you didn't add padding, but I was wondering if we wanted to where would the padding go? I am very eager to try this. Thank you so much for your detailed explanation!!
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When you make a corset, you will use several layers of fabric. Make sure these fabrics are sturdy and strong so you are a little protected from the boning.
It depends on what style of corset. I have used padding in my other corsets. It is a good idea to use a thin padding throughout the whole corset. The areas where you would it the most is on the hips and ribcage, especially if your corset is long.
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thank you for this tutorial. i'm making a steampunk! Aradia(homestuck) cosplay and this is really useful ^w^
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Thank you for this tutorial. it helps clear up a few of my issues!
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I'm glad to help!
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This is great for what I need. Thank you so much! I can't wait to show you the finished product (which I promise, I will!).
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I'm looking forward to it!!!
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I'm glad you found it useful!
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Very useful! I had no idea where to even start!
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This tutorial is wonderful! I'm going to buy some fabric today and try to make a corset of my own ;3 Thanks so much for posting!
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Hello! I was wondering how to draft a corset pattern.
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I dont see why not, as long as you're sewing machine can cope with it and the fabric isn't stretchy.
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i want to make one covering the breasts and with the idea that i can put a skirt with many layers under it. could you tel my how?
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I can't tell you how to make an overbust but if you follow the tutorial and add spacing at the top to make it an overbust - you can do this by adding room in the seams depending on your cup size. Possibly play around with a draft. You can wear any skirt with it, you just tuck it under. Just make sure that the corset is long enough or at least reach your hips to hold the skirt underneath. A shorter corset and the higher the skirt will have to tuck under.
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ok, thank uuuu! ill see what 'll work
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On avarage, how much coutil do you use on one corset? or rather, to make an underbust, how much of each fabric (strength layer, fashion, etc.) is needed?
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I would say allow at least a metre for each layer. You wouldn't need that much because it only needs to be enough to wrap around your body plus extra for seams, but if its your first especially get more just in case.
So if your using a layer of fabric for stregth you will need 3 metres - 1 metre of each fabric. Or get more just in case you make a mistake. Its such a pain when you've cut out the same peice twice and dont have enough fabric and have to go back to the fabric store!
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that last part is VERY true. XD
Thank you, muchly. =3 that is very helpful.
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Would it be possible for you to link me the actual size of the corset pattern that is in step one of this tutorial?
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All of the measurements for this corset were used to make the corset than the pattern was discarded, sorry.
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Oh it's no problem. Because the fabric I had in mind is too flimsy, I'm discarding the idea. Thank you anyway.
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What would be good way to do the corset from this [link]
I know it'll be strapless, and I can add the straps. However I have practice fabric my mom sent me. I also found boning by the yard at Joann's. I know it's plastic but it's the kind that is already cased and such and all I have to do is sew it into said corset.
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Hm tricky. I haven't done overbust corsets that have a bra type top included, so I can't really help you on that part. The boning channels are quite nice - you could make a plain corset like I have done then add ribbon to emphasise these channels. You could also have the front and back laced up, or just the back and have the front closed and add eyelets and lace up the front just for looks, this way may be easier.
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I looked around the internet, and thought maybe I could make an underbust and then take a bra and fit the corset to work with the bra to achieve that look. And would buying the boning by the yard (like this ->[link] ) be easier for making a corset for the first time?
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Yes definately you could attach the bra, that would be easy. Also buying the boning by the yard is best - I'm assuming the boning in the link is plastic. I used plastic on my first few corsets, which is great if you're learning you don't break as many needles but its not as supportive. I later took out the plastic and added steel.
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I can't wear steel, it always gives me problems, and thanks so much! This helped A LOT.
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My pleasure, I would love to see the finished product!
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This is by far the best tutorial I have seen on making a corset. Everywhere else just skirts around the details while you bang it on the head. Thank you so much for sharing! I've made a fake corset and hope to attempt at a more realistic one.
I have a design question though and I hope someone with your expertise could help me out. The corset I'm hoping to make is for a cosplay and the design is a little unique. To give you a better idea, I've added links to the character I want to cosplay.
[link]
[link]
The first time I did this, I made a laced front and a modesty panel behind it. That seemed awkward to me since it should be at the back lol. It doesn't seem like the corset has a busk at all, but I'm not sure what to do. I'd be forever thankful if you could give me your two cents. Thanks!
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Hey thanks so much, I really appreciate you asking for my opinion!!
The way I would approach this corset is to do four panels (like in the tutorial) or even three panels would be good, because it looks like the main focus on the corset is the colour, the lacing at the front and beading on the side, not to much the shape or boning channels. So do a plain brown corset, materials you could use suede and just something brown. I wouldnt bother with a busk and keep the front closed, like the one in the tutorial. I wouldn't worry about ribbon or anything over the boning chanels. Then when the corset is done I would put a panel over the front and do some face lacing with a few eyelets and cord, OR you could do the front panel of the corset in a different colour so that panel would be part of the corset. That would be better. Does that make sence? Then find some beading to embellish the side.
If you have any more questions, ask away.
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Totally makes sense, thanks! I like your idea of just closing it in the front and then doing a ribbon effect at the front like in the 2nd link (which is a more accurate version, forgot to mention that ><). And then in the back I'd have a modesty panel and somehow hide the laces? Have you done modesty panels and/or hide laces?
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I haven't actually because I like to show off the lacing area, and the corset is usually worn over something. The thought of hiding the lacing would be silly, but if you want it to look like the costume (I don't know what the back would look like) you can make a panel to go over the top. You could do the same with the back as you would with the front - perhaps have some press studs/velcro to clip a boned panel on.
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haha I've been holding on to this comment for when I started doing my corset. Thank you so much for your help. I decided to go with lacing in the front and a modesty panel behind it to emulate the drawing.
[link]
Thank you again!
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Oh wow, you've done such a great job!! I'm so happy you went through with it, and with great success!
I hope you make more corsets and costumes.
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Thank you!
I do plan on making more corsets
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i really have to thank you for this 
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Thats great!! Please remember, if you have used my tutorial I would greatly appreciate you linking back to my profile, also I'd love to see what you've done!
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Yes I did, don't worry! 
Here's the picture
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thank you this is so helpful ;A;
now to figure out how to do the overbust part...
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An overbust can be done using the same technique, you just add extra space... it really depends on how big your bust is, I'm quite small so it's not a massive problem for me.
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You should add a note to the corset pattern saying to check if the person has both hips of the same size. People that have scoliosis tend to have one hip larger than the other. I myself have scoliosis so my absolutely first corset I made years ago was quite the pain and when wearing it, it was very clear that one hip is in fact larger because when you looked at my waist one side was curvy and the other wasn't at all. Also it hurt quite a lot.
So yeah, people with scoliosis be aware!
BTW, I really like the final effect of the blue tape.
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does this apply to those with slight scoliosis? cuz mine causes me pain, but is considered slight
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Hard to say. I think the best way to figure out is to measure yourself - best if someone else helps. It's not hard. You just need to measure your waist - thinnest place on your torso - put the beginning of the meter on your spine and stop at the front - most people have waist on the same horizontal line as the bellybutton so stop there. Check the measure and then do the same on the other side.
The problem with the corset is that it must fit perfectly or else it causes trouble and pain.
I hope I helped you at least a little. If you need anything just ask.
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This is true! Although I haven't had to work with anyone who has scoliosis so severe that it may effect the pattern. When I'm making corsets for myself, I measure just one side as I know my body is reasonably symetrical, but with anyone who wasnt, you would have to design the corset to fit both sides insteads of measuring off one side and flipping it.
Thanks for your comment, something to think about!
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Where do the eyelets sell i wonder in fabric store so i need some of that so i can make some corset for my dollfie i have (meaning a doll).
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Yes in most fabric stores, Spotlight, Lincraft or some craft stores.
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