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TracieMacVean — Corset Tutorial.
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Published: 2009-08-23 11:42:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 66154; 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
Thanks.
All my patterns I make myself... pretty much make it up as I go along using measurements of myself. Or I suggest other people could but a pattern and follow that.
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Get a better chest area look, good think I has plenty of pants that no longer fit me because they are for like shorter people. =[ but then =]
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I'm not sure if you're looking for any advice on how to improve, but the one thing that you could do that would make the corsets look even better is to use bias for your boning channels, and, most especially, for your top edging. Just using ribbon creates kind of icky curves, that you can *really* see in brighter lights - bias will actually curve with your seams a lot prettier, and avoid the puckering.
If you want any more tips or whatnot, there are a couple more, but I don't want to seem insulting or anything. Thank you for taking the time to put this tutorial together :3 Happy corseting!
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Thanks for the tip. Yeah I could use bias, this would probably be one of the things I'd learn if I've taken classes but I just use what I have around. I've never taken lessons and I just learn by my mistakes, but yeah more tips would be nice.
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i really want to make a fur corset do you have any advice?
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Thats very possible. You could do it a couple ways - make a corset and cover it in fur. So you make the whole corset first, not inculding the lacing and trim and you glue/stitch it on but you won't be able to see the boning and just the shape. Or what I would do is lay the fur over the corset and sew along the boning channels which with show that it is a corset. To do this you pin carefully along the boning channels (either side of where each piece of boning is) joining the fur to the corset and sewing along where the pins go. This way you don't cut up any of the fur, it's all one piece. This is really hard, but I've done it before.
OR you could make the corset with the fur. So if its strong enough, you cut up the fur for the panels and put the boning in the seams of the fur, but you'll need and lining.
The first way is probably the easiest, but I would do it the second way as you can see the boning channels and it might be a little stronger. BUT if the fur is thin then do the third way, which is the normal way to make a corset.
If you have any more questions please ask.
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thankyou so much! one more question how many yards would i have to get of the fur and what else would i need? or is their anything special than i need that isn't in the tutorial?
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Depends how big the corset is and what size you are. I get a metre by a metre for my corsets and I have left overs, you wouldn't need more than 2 yards. Get a little more than you think just in case, but you only need enough to wrap around your body, plus a little extra.
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thankyou so much! when i get it done ill make sure to send you a picture!
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Great! If you get stuck, I can help you!
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This is probably by far one of the clearest tutorials I've found yet. I was wondering what modifications I'd have to make to a simple underbust pattern so it would close in the front by large hook-and-eye closeurs...A makeshift busk if you will. Thank yoooou. : D
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Thankyou so much. It was simple to make.
Well I guess you wouldn't have to make any adjustments (unless they effect measurements) to the pattern but when you sew it together, don't sew the front panels together and when it comes to the edging, put the hooks in the front. This might also require you to put extra boning in the front where the busk would go as all busks are very stiff and stronger than regular boning so if you're using hook and eyes put boning in the seams.
I would love to see the finished product if you do make a corset, I'm always interested what people get out of my tutorial.
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Ahh that makes sense, thanks. : D and I will keep that in mind if I actually do follow through with it; I suppose I'm just kind of uneasy about drafting a pattern because I always screw up with that kind of stuff. Oh well, I hope I'll be able to figure out. XD
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Really its not too hard. My first corset I've made is one of my best. I made many mistakes, it doesn't fit perfectly but considering I had never had any help in sewing and made it all up myself with help from a friend, it was really good.
And the thing with the pattern, it's just a starting point (for me at least) because after you've cut the pieces out, you can change it as much as you like. If its too long or whatever, you can adjust it, so you don't have to follow the pattern exactly.
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Thank you so much for posting this.
I would also really like to know how to make a pattern, and would appreciate it very much if you would help me.
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I would love to know how you did the pattern.
I love this.
This will surely help when I finish my cosplay outfit.
c:
Oh and question, where would you find the boning?
<.<;;
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Thanks!
I order mine online, usually can't find any in stores. I get spiral steel boning 10mm just make sure you don't get plastic.
Look around at different sites for cheapest price depedning on where you live.
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Love the tutorial, you make it sound like a simple everyday garment. 
I think it would help a lot of people if you made another Tutorial about pattern drafting. Like getting a few measurements of mannequins off line and using them for an example. Like a standard-like small/medium size pattern example and a curvy pattern example, to help the masses.
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Well yes I have considered doing that but I don't have a mannequin or any models to work from. Plus i have not made a corset in over a year, hardly touched my machine because I'm just too busy.
But.. Maybe I will one day.
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wow, awesome corset! XD perfect time for me to find this tutorial, too, since something like this could go nicely into my Halloween costume i'm starting to make.
i just have a few questions
how would the pattern change depending on body type? would one have to measure them self so they can get the right proportions? and is that boning plastic/metal sold at most fabric stores? about how much fabric would be needed in total for something like this, roughly?
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Okay so the pattern would change alot depending on body type, just like any type of clothing. But it depends alot on your height and size of the waist but having lacing allows you to change the tightness. You could measure someone else thats the same size as you, but I recommend measuring yourself. If its going to be tight-laced with steel boning you could bruise and it may be uncomfortable if it's the wrong size, but if it's not going to be tight and not fully boned it's okay if it's not exact I suppose. I have made corsets for others that are my size and they fit okay, but I wouldn't do it if they're taller/larger etc.
You can usually get plastic boning from Spotlight or material stores but I dont recommend getting plastic. It's very flimsy. I haven't found steel boning at any stores, I order mine online, it's not too expensive - look around and you can get cheap stuff. (Get continuos boning and cut it yourself - it's heaps cheaper) You can kinda guess how much boning you need by measuring your body (From bra to undies line or where ever the corset will go) then multiplying it by how many panels you need (Probably 8 or 10) then add extra just incase. I buy in bulk to save money.
You dont really need much material but you will need lining, padding (optional but I recommend) and top layer, plus maybe some trim. I usually get 2 metres of each but I always have heaps left over - enough to make another corset - but if you make a mistake then its okay.
Hope that helps. Please credit me if you do make a corset. Love to see how it turns out!
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Hi
Love the tut...would you please be able to explain to me how you draft the pattern? i have experience in pattern drafting so dont worry about dumbing it down at all...would you be able to explain to me how to make both under and over-busts?
thanx in advance >.<
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How do you make a pattern? I've searched all over the internet and back again from videos to hand drawn tutorials. I'd highly appreciate it if you could help me.
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Sure I can help you!
It can be quite complicated so I'll send it in a note.
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Ok. Thank you very much.
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how much would a custom made corset cost??
(just out of curiosity, i *unfortunately* have no money to spend>.< but when i get enough, i definitely want to buy a good quality corset)
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You're looking at around $120 - $160 depending on style/size/extras. But I dont make corsets as a profession, its just a hobby so dont expect the top-of-the-range quality but Im more than happy to make you one for a price if you want?
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i'm looking to make a costume...>__> this is very helpful...i like the blue....*fave*
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I have just the same problem as bloodthirstyDimitrix xD! I have just no clue how to make a pattern, or how to resize a pattern.
Yours here is just perfect. That blue is stunning *_*!
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Thankyou so much.
If you think you're up to it, I could try to explain the pattern drafting part to you in detail.
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Wow, it's a great tutorial. I like it, as have some time I will encourage me to make me one. Thank you very much for sharing!
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My pleasure, thanks for the lovely comment.
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You seem very knowledgeable! I've been wanting to get into making clothing, especially corsets.
But, I've never made a pattern before, and I'm a little unsure of how to go about even making one. If you wouldn't mind, and you have the time, do you think you could try to explain how to make your own patterns? I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks for your time!
Dimitrix
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This is amazing! Is there any way you would share how to make the pattern with me as well? I've been searching for a good underbust tut for years... I love your design!
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Lovely tutorial! Thank you for directing me.
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Hello. ^^
I have all of the measurements required for the corset, but I dunno how to draw out the pattern. Would you mind helping me out?
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very helpful tutorial...now the spiral steel that you used, how much does that cost? and where can you get it? as well with the eyelets?
i'm trying to get one made for my Aqua from kingdom hearts: birth by sleep cosplay for halloween...
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Thankyou.
Depends where you're from really. I'm from Australia, so I use [link] because its the cheapest, and theyre Australian. You usually can't buy boning in stores. Just look on the internet for local corsetry supplies.
I recommend getting continues boning and cutting it yourself but most sites sell pre-cut so it might be hard to find. You will need good pliers though.
I got my eyelets, cord and material from my local Spotlight store, but every corset site should have eyelets. Get the large ones.
Hope your costume turns out well.
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hmm....you seem really good a making ocrest....do you think yo ucan muster up a rough sketch of a patern(easy one though) for a costume it has a base of corset but it would be nice....it kinda looks like playboy bunny cosutme, butit has a zipper and you can see references if you type 'haruhi bunny' on photobucket. well if you can that is thank you though if you even consider it.
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I could try if you want. Is this for you to make? If it is, I'll probably need some quick measurements (waist, hips, bust). Also, if its an overbust, its a bit more complicated. But other than that, Im pretty sure I could.
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oh lol i was just wondering if you can just sketch a quick easy pattern becaue i was suppose to make alot of those costumes but for like other people so i was thinking maybe you can draw a quick easy one because im not too good with patterns lol.
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