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TracieMacVean — Corset Tutorial. by-nc-nd

Published: 2009-08-23 11:42:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 66155; 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

whiteroseswrath In reply to ??? [2012-04-04 05:26:04 +0000 UTC]

I try my next door fabric place they told me they don't sell theres i was like wtf.

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TracieMacVean In reply to whiteroseswrath [2012-04-05 01:20:21 +0000 UTC]

Hmm well places like Spotlight, I dont know if you have it there, where they sell things from crafts, materials and house wares. Other than that I'm not too sure, last resort could be to order it online.

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whiteroseswrath In reply to TracieMacVean [2012-04-05 04:01:21 +0000 UTC]

Yes i have other store they told me other places it sells which is weird i go to Michael's arts and craft and the closer fabric store also which i find it annoying they don't sell those materials.Yup order is better i her d the store i call they told me that too so i know a place she told me to locate sells them in saved on in 3rd ave and 103 street.

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Sewcrazylady [2012-03-16 03:04:09 +0000 UTC]

perfect tutorial~ I want to do an over bust one....(can't let the girls out like that!) do you have a similar tutorial for that?

Connie

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TracieMacVean In reply to Sewcrazylady [2012-03-19 06:21:10 +0000 UTC]

Overbust, no I havent done a tutorial for that. If you know how to sew, you could extend the corset upwards and instead of subtracting space for the waist reduction, add space, if that makes sence... I dont know just experiment.

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vitaminanime [2012-03-06 02:00:57 +0000 UTC]

Awesome tutorial! *faves*
Couple o' questions:
a) what type of material do you recomend for the lining and padding?
b) Where can I get eyelets?
c) I don't have a sewing machine, so is it possible to sew it by hand and still turn out ok?
d) is there any way to give the corset extra support for if the person wearing it is well endowed?
e) if the corset is going to be the bodice of a dress, how do you sew it onto the skirt?

thanks so much srry that ended up long I'm a noob

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TracieMacVean In reply to vitaminanime [2012-03-19 06:19:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!!
a) Lining, could use a plain black cotton or something... doesnt really matter, as long as its not stretchy. Padding, anything thats thick and got some strength, i sometimes use left over material, or you can buy proper padding from spotlight or somewhere like that.
b) Spotlight, sewing stores or order online at corset specialty stores
c) I wouldnt reccomend sewing by hand as well, you'll be there for a long time and also it may not be as strong
d) By 10mm steel boning, spiral steel is good but straight is better. also a good wide busk will give it strength at front
e) you could attach the skirt after the corset is done using push clips... no sewing and should stay. You can stitch them on by hand on the inside of the skirt and corset and no one will see them.

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Zombietox [2012-01-18 01:58:16 +0000 UTC]

Could you tell me what Fabric you used for this, and How would I be able to measure around my body for this corset since we all are different shapes

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TracieMacVean In reply to Zombietox [2012-01-29 11:23:22 +0000 UTC]

The black is black brocade, you can't go wrong with it. The blue is satin ribbons, I recommend bios tape.
Best way to measure, tie a ribbon around your waist so its nice and snug, not too tight. Use this ribbon as your waist line measurement and you can measure from there. Do you have much understanding about pattern measuring and drafting?

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UnicornReality [2012-01-09 21:21:25 +0000 UTC]

This has a feature in Awesome Artisan Crafts X !

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TracieMacVean In reply to UnicornReality [2012-01-11 03:47:49 +0000 UTC]

Again, many thanks!!

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DevilsDynamite666 In reply to ??? [2011-12-07 13:27:49 +0000 UTC]

thank you so much for this! I started mine a few days ago and can't wait to see how it turns out! (unfortunately my sewing box of doom is broken again and have had to sew every thing by hand.....my hands hurt from that but i hope it is worth it!!) thanks again!

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TracieMacVean In reply to DevilsDynamite666 [2012-01-05 03:29:01 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure.

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Lolilith [2011-08-23 19:38:16 +0000 UTC]

I love you for this

I started with the pattern of a corset today, and now I know how to proceed.

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TracieMacVean In reply to Lolilith [2011-08-27 04:48:15 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad I can help!

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Lolilith In reply to TracieMacVean [2012-07-23 21:57:19 +0000 UTC]

wow.. I now realize I started last year xD that's so long ago..

but here is my corset [link]
thank you very much for the help

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TracieMacVean In reply to Lolilith [2012-08-01 05:22:16 +0000 UTC]

It looks great!

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Lolilith In reply to TracieMacVean [2012-08-12 18:09:56 +0000 UTC]

thank you! ^^

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WandererAtHeart In reply to ??? [2011-08-06 20:19:30 +0000 UTC]

I really liked it cause I can never find details on corset making! I just sort of wanted to know if you could add in tips on how to decide how much boning to use and where to put it specifically. great tutorial!

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TracieMacVean In reply to WandererAtHeart [2011-08-07 06:21:30 +0000 UTC]

Yes I could've added heaps more info but thought I'd keep it short.
You can add as much boning as you want. If you want it to be nice and strong, keeping it's shape, add lots. I'm actually making a corset right now using the same spiral steel boning and it has something like 24 boning channels and a busk which is very strong.
If you want a corset that I really strong and supportive then add most of the extra channels near the front, and ofcourse maybe one or two extra on each individual panel for more support and shape. It also depends on what boning you're using. The spiral steel is very flexible so you would add more, but flat steel isn't as flexible, plus it depends on how wide it is.
But in general, the more the better.
Hope that helps!

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WandererAtHeart In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-08-07 15:55:27 +0000 UTC]

It does! Thanks!!

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the3rdplanet In reply to ??? [2011-08-04 04:40:01 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! Thanks for this....

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TracieMacVean In reply to the3rdplanet [2011-08-05 04:32:48 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure!

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NotaSouthernGirl In reply to ??? [2011-08-01 17:57:28 +0000 UTC]

ohhh thank you ... i am always looking for additional tutorials and information on the different ways to construct a lovely corset. Well done.

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TracieMacVean In reply to NotaSouthernGirl [2011-08-05 04:32:37 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad to be of help.

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savcash [2011-07-31 12:49:45 +0000 UTC]

sorry, wrong link- [link]

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savcash In reply to ??? [2011-07-31 12:48:35 +0000 UTC]

How does this pattern differ from one with an open back, such as the back from [link] ?

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TracieMacVean In reply to savcash [2011-07-31 23:56:35 +0000 UTC]

They are exactly the same. I just don't have a picture of this one at the back.
The width at the back in this one is a tiny bit tighter, but you can change that when you draft the pattern.

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uvita In reply to ??? [2011-07-17 05:34:24 +0000 UTC]

Amazing tut!
I won't be sewing corsets any time soon (sadly) but this is an epic tutorial!

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N1kki625 In reply to ??? [2011-06-21 21:17:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much~! I've needed a good tutorial for corsets. I'm doing a steampunk thing so I needed this rly badlyy

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TracieMacVean In reply to N1kki625 [2011-06-23 04:58:10 +0000 UTC]

Hey thats cool!
My next corset is going to be steampunk!
I would love to see it when you're finished!!

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N1kki625 In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-06-23 17:28:28 +0000 UTC]

Of course ^^ I'll post pix as soon as I'm done

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shadowcat-666 In reply to ??? [2011-05-30 07:29:44 +0000 UTC]

I love it!! This will b a good alternative to the pattern i just finished makeing myself of the more traditional type corset that actually cinches in the waist area.

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TracieMacVean In reply to shadowcat-666 [2011-06-01 06:42:29 +0000 UTC]

Yes you can use this tutorial and modify it to suit your pattern.

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shadowcat-666 In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-06-01 20:32:44 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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BellaDogliotti In reply to ??? [2011-05-20 07:10:20 +0000 UTC]

This is one of the most amazing and useful tutorials in deviant xD!! thank u !!

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TracieMacVean In reply to BellaDogliotti [2011-05-29 02:08:28 +0000 UTC]

Aww, thanks that means alot to me.

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BellaDogliotti In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-05-31 16:07:11 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome <3

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hikashikano [2011-05-05 01:03:29 +0000 UTC]

I think I will use this on my Esmeralda costume for a Disney-themed event. Thank you for sharing this!

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TracieMacVean In reply to hikashikano [2011-05-13 06:53:50 +0000 UTC]

Sure!
Just PLEASE remember to credit me in the details and also let me know if you do use it as I would LOVE to see!!

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hikashikano In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-05-14 14:57:53 +0000 UTC]

Of course! It might not be made for a while since I'm really busy with school right now. But the minute school get's out, I'm going to the fabric store.

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TracieMacVean In reply to hikashikano [2011-05-16 11:37:46 +0000 UTC]

Good to hear.

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ByakuRaii [2011-03-10 18:10:19 +0000 UTC]

So, you would take commissions?
May I ask for how much and for money or points?

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TracieMacVean In reply to ByakuRaii [2011-03-11 00:09:25 +0000 UTC]

Yes I am always taking commissions.
I prefer cash and it really depends on how you want it, but it'll cost somewhere between $140 and $200.
If you're still interested let me know what you want and I can give you a better idea of how much it may be?

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ByakuRaii In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-03-11 00:23:01 +0000 UTC]

Sweet!
I just have to come up with the money first. xD

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TracieMacVean In reply to ByakuRaii [2011-03-11 00:54:00 +0000 UTC]

Sure.

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ByakuRaii In reply to TracieMacVean [2011-03-11 01:09:15 +0000 UTC]

It's going to be a good while due to the fact that I have prom coming up.

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thelittletoybox In reply to ??? [2011-01-28 17:48:06 +0000 UTC]

awesome

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mxlady [2011-01-15 15:38:52 +0000 UTC]

tnx!!!!!

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DevilsDynamite666 In reply to ??? [2011-01-05 16:37:21 +0000 UTC]

I really like your corset. the black and blue is very nice. How do you make a pattern?

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