Seryn , Kellys and Serenity's corset, Tshirt and costume talky thread

That stand was the one with the very best corsets. They were quite well made, and came in a variety of fabrics and leathers (they had more normal ones, too) and much more boning than the other places.

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny
President of the Juggled Gosling Chatroom

I have a live journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/callmeserenity/

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 8:49 AM

Fao Tristan - Pictures, what I was trying to do, and what mess i actually ended up with. Giggle away, but it is the hope that one day I can finish it PROPERLY.

What I was attempting was some kind of fairy costume where it looked like he's moulded armour out of beetle wing cases, so I decided to go with leahter with dimple patterns worked into it, and painted with an edge of bright duochrome(?) colour. Well, my tracking down of the paint died when I found that although industrial paintshops had them, the paints wern't easily available to the likes of me, and the one steady supply of leather I could find wanted £11 sqft. which I couldn't do.
So in the end, desperate to have something to show, and unable to wrestle enough space away from the pigs in the workshops to start banging some metal into shape, I ended up modling it in buckram and covering it in scraps and carpaints. It went WRONG. And don't even ask about the straps holding it on, they stretched, they snapped, it all went to hell. My machine would sew a double non stretchy layer, but only for about an inch before it gave up and the needle broke, the industrial, no matter how much paper tape and oil I used to try and stop it, just kept gathering the top layer and distorting the bottom. I screamed, I ranted, I tried to get back to the shop for real leather, it was closed, I ran out of time and ended up hand sewing single layers, the result of which you see before you.

Bah, but one day I will complete it, I hate the fact that I knew I could do it, I was just anable to find the right methods in the time I had. I think thats my issue, i've never liked experimenting, i need a preset goal and want to know the correct method of doing things. I much prefer to learn all of the 'rules' and then when I'm confident and producing quality stuff, then I feel better about breaking all of those rules and going crazy with the experimenting. Its the fight i've been having with my schools and tutors for my entire education, their attitude is always 'go of and work it out for your self' and mine is always 'no, you are paid to be a teacher, friggin' teach'. Ah well, but I will complete it, and add the belt, the boots and the other bits. I'll even work out a way of doing the wings. And then I'll probably just flog it all on ebay cause I have no room to store it.

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:27 AM

*Pokes head in thread, looks around, sees his name at the top of a post*
Must be for me!

The idea is fantastic! Even if you didn't get to do it the way you wanted, it still turned out looking good! The concept is cool; I especially like the wing roots. The colors are great, the actual constructed pieces look good, as well.
Straps do look like they are thin...I found early on to use thicker leather for straps, and punch the smallest hole possible in them. Stay away from suede for straps, as it stretches way out of shape when you put stress on it. (You may already know that.)
Judging by the pictures and the rest of this thread, you have had a few years experience costuming. So that we understand each other, and I don't come across talking at you rather than to you, how much experience do you have? To let you know a bit about my costuming(so we will be on the same page), I was a "professional" theatrical costumer for almost fifteen years (various outdoor dramas, university dinner theatres, and Ren faires as producer, actor, director, and fighter/choreographer), and spent all the spare time I could in the costume shop at the university (I started there in 1989...that makes me old). I also designed and built most of the costumes for my wedding, including my wife's fitted-bodice gown. I have not yet constructed a corset, but that will eventually happen (...ok, maybe it will happen...). My work in leather you know about...but I have never created something like you have planned here. I would love to see it built they way you have envisioned! I will guide in any way I can!
If you are interested, I will upload a few pictures of the stuff I have done and put them somewhere you can get to.

Thank you for sharing that with me, it is absolutely gorgeous.

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:50 AM

Thank you.

I have to admit, before I put it all together I didn't think it was going to gel, but it did, I was so pleased. I wanted dark, but I din't want black, and I wanted the colours to be deep with only the occaisional flash of brilliant green or blue or purple. The wings would have been beautiful, will be beautiful, I'm still working on ways to make the frames, the solder I could work with wasn't strong enough, so its finding a safe environment to set up a blow torch! What I intended to do was to make wire vein like frames, and then create smaller 'cells' with coloured latex or some kind of sealant type silicone (I need to play and find out which would work best) That way it would actually look like an insects wings, and it would be flexible so that they could fold down against the back. The prongy bits at the back where supposed to be the protecing bits for the wings (if your a flying creature in a tussle, I figured they'd be a magnet for sharp n pointy things, so they be best with some kind of protection) I didn't post the design of the wings, but they were very Brian Froud in style. Very cool.

but there you go.

As for experience, professional?

Er, not much at all really.

I did costume production as a bachelors degree, the piece above was my elective, the big final project. And yeah, If I can replace the straps and rivet them properly, then manage to get the armour going, i'll be showing everyone I possibly can, i'll probably carry them round in my purse like baby photos. Before college I helped out when I could in am dram groups, thpough the lack of standards (not to mention time and money) was a little frustrating, (and it only took about half an hour of being drenched in the panto dame's sweat to make me realise that dressing probably wasn't a good career choice for me!) I did several shows, a couple in londons west end, as part of the course, and then moved back up to liverpool. I'm still sending volunteering applications regularly, I've even managed to corner one of the wardrobe managers but to no avail.

One thing I hope to start doing very soon is working with a local samba school, helping make carnivale costumes (like Rio) so fingers crossed, they are bidding for contracts and sorting budgets and i'm waiting to hear back from them. So ask me again in a few months and i'll be able to tell you that I have some professional experience!

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:03 PM

Sounds like you know what you are doing! I should have kept up with it, but the real world ambushed me, and dragged me kicking and screaming into the 9-5 world...and unfortunately, I like it here. Do all you can do with what you love, but when it turns into a job, it might no longer be fun...
Yes, I want to see that when it is done. I had played with the idea of building wings, but never once thought to incorporate them into armor...brilliant idea. With ideas like those, you will be going places...thought about WETA?

When you do get the Samba contract (note, not if but when), keep me posted on your progress!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:11 PM

yes, once I have a skill to offer them (beyond the basics) I will be flying to NZ and turning up at the workshops, where I shall not leave until they give me something to do.

(and, um, then stay and do it. so basically not leave)

And thank you again, but you have to stop, you're making me blush.

As a note of interest, did you see the corsets from the ren faire further up? They are petty cool, they look moulded, I take it they are leather, have you any idea how they would have been done?

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 3:01 AM

Seryn, I think that looks awesome! I can picture in my head from your descriptions how you wanted it to turn out (and it looks AMAZING) but I think what you ended up with was very good! I'm quite impressed. Armour seems very very ambitious to me.

Girl's got talent!

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny
President of the Juggled Gosling Chatroom

I have a live journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/callmeserenity/

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 3:04 AM

Blushing is good. I remember seeing it mentioned above that only some men look good in red, but all women look good with a slight blush

I did look at the corsets. Yes, they do look molded, but I am not entirely sure. I do know that most leather can be soaked in water (or wax) and formed wet. When it dries, it retains the shape you put it in, but you do have to have forms to put it on while it dries. It works better on the mid-range thickness leathers (4-8oz). I have only done something like this once, and it was not all that successful. I did it without researching, and discovered why research is important; turns out the leather shrinks significantly when it dries. I do not remember the ratio off the top of my head, but it's out there somewhere. If you have time, look up something called "cuir bouli" (which is what the armor version of this is called), it might lead you to some helpful visuals. If you do decide to do this, let me know how it works for you!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 12:31 PM

aw shucks

yeah, i managed to find a site with some basic 'how-to's' on it, it mentioned shrinkage.

so embossing, you wet it, does that mean you have to account for shrinkage? do you need to stretch it once wet, or is there something you can treat it with? (the page was very basic)

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 2:17 PM

Seryn,
I have lots of shiny new leathery stuff you can check out at D*C.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Finding the answer It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness." -Estonia(This Strange Engine) -Marillion

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 2:21 PM

whoo hoo!

oh, betwwen the candy flingin trollbuchet, the hidy nook room parties, the funky peaple in their costumes to admire, oh, yeah, and Adam and Summer, I think its just possible that i'm gonna burst through sheer excitement.

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 2:48 AM

I have never tried to emboss wet leather, but I suppose it might work...
If you just plan on embossing the leather in it's flat, natural state, you do not need to wet it first. It's only when you want to shape it that you need to get it wet. But when you do wet it, yes, you need to account for shrinkage. Shrinkage will depend on the thickness of the leather, too...I will try to find a more comprehensive page for you to look at.

Jadehand, what type of leather-work do you do?

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:39 AM

Sorry, I was unclear. I don't do leather work. I just admire, purchase and use the work of others. I have some bracers, a flogger, and newly aquired belt pouch, and flask holder, and an eyepatch, and a belt strap for my scabbard/cutlass. Arrrr!
So the extent of my leather work is tying people down and striking them with leathery bits. Works for them and for me.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Finding the answer It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness." -Estonia(This Strange Engine) -Marillion

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:45 AM

Remember the good old days when this thread was all about me and a corset? *sigh*

I jest, I am not so vain as to regret the subject change (with the possible exception of that last bit by JH. TMO!). I have no personal interest in leatherwork myself, I don't like the smell of leather. BUT, I do admire the craftsmanship that goes into making quality products. And armour is fantastic. My favourite room in the Philadelphia Museum of Art was the armour and weaponry room. FASCINATING stuff.

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny
President of the Juggled Gosling Chatroom

I have a live journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/callmeserenity/

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:47 AM

WILDIGSTART

Quote:
Originally posted by Jadehand:
So the extent of my leather work is tying people down and striking them with leathery bits. Works for them and for me.

You see? She's not a junkie or mentally ill, she's gifted!--Momma Roxy

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:59 AM

Oops! Did I type that out loud?

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Finding the answer It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness." -Estonia(This Strange Engine) -Marillion

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:59 AM

Oops! Double clicky.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Finding the answer It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness." -Estonia(This Strange Engine) -Marillion

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 4:12 AM

Ah, I understand. We will need to meet up at Dragon Con and compare leather stuff. I make most of the leather things I have (pouches, clothing, scabbards, etc), but I love looking at others' work.

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 4:42 AM

Sorry, Serenity!
*looking abashed*
We can talk about corsets again if you want to.

Yes, armor is fascinating! When I lived in Europe we managed to see almost all of the castles in France, several in Germany, England, etc., etc., but after awhile, I got bored of them (I was 10-13 years old a the time); I mean, how many castles can you see before saying, "oh, great, another castle"? I could kick myself now for not paying better attention. I did manage to see the armor display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC about ten years ago, and spent the whole day there taking notes and making drawings. I would love to go back to Europe now with a digital camera and a limitless bank account...

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Monday, May 15, 2006 3:02 PM

Seryn! I bought my fabric for my costume!!!

Check it out here:

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/61565.html

I am very excited, but I want to know what you think. Did I do a good job?

Now I have to hurry and finish Mai's costume so I can do Kelly's so I can start mine!

Only, Kelly hasn't sent me her fabric yet, so....

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Monday, May 15, 2006 7:34 PM

ah, I left a comment, but forgot to write my name!

It looks lovely, and like I said, I feel ashamed that I haven't started in ernest yet!

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 2:49 AM

I knew it was you!!

Well, I just now started on Mai's stuff. And I still have to make a costume for Kelly and myself. So don't feel too bad!

I brought my fabric swatch with me, along with the braiding and I dragged all the fabrics out onto the counter and laid them out with the swatch and tried to picture how it'd all look when it was finished. I think the blues match very well and I liked how the braiding looked with the brown in the print I bought. I was very proud of myself.

And I bought tonnes of stuff for Mai's costume. Corsets require so many little things.

Oh, let me ask you: do you have any idea what "middy braid" is? I have no clue and I need it for the skirts. It's supposed to hold the overskirt up in the front so the underskirt shows. I don't know if I want to do it on mine, but definitely on Kelly's skirt. It'll be held up on both sides in the front. I want mine to be tucked up just on one side, I think. But I'm not sure the best way to do that without adding extra bulk under the corset. Do you have any suggestions?

Can you tell I caught Costume Fever?

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:30 AM

Pardon me for butting back in, but I may have an answer to you, Serenity. Rather than tucking the overskirt into something (sounds like that may be your plan), try hooks and eyes. You can attach the eyes to the inside bottom of the corset front, and the hooks on the skirt where you want it tacked up. If I have misunderstood your intentions, I apologize, and I will quietly retreat. The above-mentioned trick is what we used at Ren Faire for our kissing wenches.

Oh, and Middy Braid:
http://www.wrights.com/products/sewing/pkgtapes/531.htm

Hoping all this helps.

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:41 AM

Tristan-genius! And so very obvious, I feel silly now.

Most bustled wedding gowns are done with cleverly hidden hook and eye closures. I can do that easily. Yay!! Thank you!

And thanks for pointing out the middy braid. Only, now that I know what it is, I know I don't want to use it. I'll have to find something else that will work.

I looked in that same area of the store, where they keep the bias tape and all that, and I didn't see it there. Maybe my store just didn't carry it.

You are NOT butting in, at all! And thank you again.

Did you see my fabrics? Aren't they pretty?

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:53 AM

*breathes a sigh of relief*
Glad I could help. I spent a number of years tinkering with costuming, so I have a plethora of quick fixes and useless knowledge about this topic...if I can help in the future, let me know!

Yes, the fabrics are beautiful! I can't wait to see the finished product!
A question along the pirate lines...would the Dread Pirate Roberts be inappropriate (or has it already been claimed by a Browncoat)? The wife suggested I go that route, but only so she could steal my leather cavalier hat with the HUGE white feather in it!

Also, along the lines of corsets...did you see the armor I made yet? The breast and backplate were shaped to fit a female form...kinda counts as a corset!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006 12:20 PM

A dread Pirate Roberts would be more than welcom.

I'm afraid I couldn't help with the middy tape. The nearest thing i could have guessed it was was something like curtain gathers, something that you can sew on then pull a string tight to gather it up. We always used to do permanant pleating, running a string through a cotton tape channel or just sewing aotton tape ties in strategic places and tying things up.

Tristans idea is better! If you bunch stuff up under a corset the corset will hold it down, the only thing you have to worry about is past hem splurging - when it all spills out from under the corset edges in an unsightly way. Though if it helps, Historically the skirts wern't ruched, the women literally garbbed a handful around the knee area and pulled it up and secured it with the belt or sash - no sewing whatsoever, and bulges are accepted.

I suppose its all about learning to tie the sash right. Like the pirate version of the cravat.

I am very tired, had a wierd couple of days, work has been strange, and i've just completed the patterns for the parade costumes. I need to crash.

Sorry if I haven't answered questions, tomorrow i'm going to come back and read everything properly. :D

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4:18 AM

No DPR yet. We do have a Black Jack Rackham, though.

I want a cavalier hat with a big white feather!

*sigh*

Where was the armour? I want to see it!

Seryn: I thought about doing the curtain pull strings, like they do for Roman blindes. I figured if I did it on the seam and sewed up the seam edges on either side and then had string running through each side it would pleat up nicely, but really, I think I like the hook and eye method better. Easy peasy, less bulkiness under the corset and I can do it for both the over & underskirt.

And yeah to parade costumes! Can't wait to see pictures!

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4:39 AM

Serenity, link to the armor:
http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h250/tristan71/

And that's good news about DPR...that is a relatively easy one to do.

Pirates! Arrhh!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4:59 AM

SWEETSERENDIPITY

God, that's gorgeous! Never fit into one, or if I did, wouldn't be able to breathe. And I'm a might partial to breathin'.

Deb
Serendipityagain.com

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:54 AM

It is gorgeous isn't it (though i'm a little alarmed at the one where she appears to be trying to cut nose hairs with the big pointy thing)

Right, i'm here, im awake (mostly) I have a guy who looks a bit like David Boreanaz taking me on a myspace tour of the LA jazz scene (I don't know, its best if you don't enquire)so if i'm a little distracted, don't mind me, and basically, if I didn't answer a question that you asked, and if Tris hasn't already answered it better for me, then Fire Away!

**********************************************************
Hodgins: Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
FozzieWash, You know what I always say: sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!
KermieMal, I never Know what the heck you're talking about.
FozzieWash, Hey, look! They're sending us free lumber!
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Thursday, May 18, 2006 3:58 AM

Thought this might amuse you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeserenity/148725233/

I left Mai's skirt sitting on my sewing table (really a card table taking up what little floor space I have) and left the door open to my room for a few minutes and the gorram cat got in and decided to curl up on it. The Evil Beast.

But, if you look very closely, you can see the frayed hem of the purple skirt (not done playing with that yet), but I like the black lace over the purple, though. I haven't sewn the waistband on yet, so it's still raw edges at the top.

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Friday, July 14, 2006 12:14 AM

IAMZOE

hello Seryn, Serenity and everyone,

I hope you don't mind me resurrecting this old thread, but I have just tried on my corset for my wedding for the very first time! I was so worried it wouldn't be done in time, but they made it with a few weeks to spare...

Well, as soon as MyWash was out the house this morning, I tried it all on - it was most strange to walk around our house in the full outfit! I hadn't quite realised just how full-on it was going to be... I hope his relatives appreciate that I'm going for Vivienne-Westwood style over-the-top tartanry and don't just think I'm crazy... well, actually, they already think that.

Hope your corset-making is also going well - I just had to share my excitement with others!

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Friday, July 14, 2006 12:25 AM

EMMARIGBY

Well I've been casting an occassional wistful glance over this thread, wishing I could be this talented (Or be friends with someone this talented!)

I think Serenity got the best deal ever here. I paid £150 (um about $300) for my corseet, which is a plain black satin one which I love to bits but is nothing like as fancy as the ones on here!

I have a corset question for Seryn. My corset (being about 5 years old now and well worn) has developed a crease at the waist where I've bent it by sitting down. I think the (plastic? not sure) stays have kinked. Is there any secret method for straightening them or am I doomed?!

___________________

Hissssssssss!

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Friday, July 14, 2006 2:06 AM

Zoe-fantastic! I'm so glad they got it done in plenty of time.

Did it turn out as well as you hoped? Better?

Really, I can't wait to see the pictures. You're going to look amaaaaaaaaaazing!

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Friday, July 14, 2006 7:18 AM

ooooh, toughie. problem is sooner or later, all corsets with any amount of 'give' will do this.

if they are plastic, you can try pressing them - if your lining fabric can take it, put a piece of cotton or calico over it, and with the hottest iron your fabric can take, try and press them out. It not really a great idea, as technically you are just damaging the bones further, but...

the problem is, it is more than likely that (for the price you payed) they are sprung steal bones, in which case, theres no opotion but to replace them - trying to bend them back will snap them. Owie!

I should imagine that your corset has a bias binding finish running along the top and bottom. It is possible to unpick the inside of the edging, and the stitching trapping the bones and replace them.

I'll post the addresses for some sites where you canbuy individual bones with reasonable p&p - are you in england or elswaere? spend a little more on the super strong ones - thicker the better, and but them centre front and back if possible, these will lend support to to bones around them, expecially when sitting.

the other thing i have to say is look at your posture -(i'm sorry to be rude) many women nowadays do lean forward more, make sure when you wear it, your back is as straight and upright as possible - if it helps, sit one the edge of the seat - like Austen heroines do, as the slight unsteadiness makes you sit up and pay attention to your posture. It also makes you look more gracefull and elegant, so can't be bad.

wearing a corset is something of an art, but it can be done.

the problem with this fix it is that not all of the damaged bones will be accessible from the top or bottom, and its very very fiddly, especially if you're not a confident sewer.

the final option, but only if you have the cash, is to contact the original maker and see if they can refurbish it for you. It will cost, but should not cost anyway near as much as buying a new one would?

finally how do you store it? the best way it iether to hang it by the straps, if it has them, or roll it up and keep it in a bag. never fold it - over time it damages the fabric.

instand fix its would be to sew on temporary bone channels over the lining to support the internal ones, or to sew on thick canvas or any really stiff fabric, as stiff as you can get, to do the same. i hope this helped!

*removes expert mask*

though hand around, tristan works with metal, so he may have an idea.

Yes, zoe! we demand photo's of you looking gorgous and tartan zany.

and Emma, i do think you are a friend by now. After september, ask me again, and if i cant make you a new one, i'll have a go at fixing your old.

Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, July 14, 2006 7:26 AM

EMMARIGBY

Thanks so much for the advice! I really appreciate it as this is my favorite item of clothing (I tell a lie, the newer corset I got for Christmas the year before last is now my favorite. It's a black leather and red satin striped half corset that looks wonderfully pirate's wenchey!).

I shall try the ironing. I think if that doesn't work I may try the reinforcing from behind. That sounds like the limit of my sewing skills! I am in the UK, but would be willing to buy extra stays from anywhere. Do you have any sites to recommend?

Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes!

___________________

Hissssssssss!

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Friday, July 14, 2006 7:39 AM

Glad to see this thread resurrected! Missed it much.
Seryn, I'm going to stick with your explanation. Sprung steel bones can't be repaired; once bent, that's it. You can straighten them if you are careful, but they won't support like they used to. I have had to replace bones in corsets before, and it's not all that bad. If you are careful with the removing of stiches, you can hand-stitch the bias binding channels closed again. And no, I can't make corset bones

which is unfortunate...

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Friday, July 14, 2006 7:41 AM

yep there one site that does them and postage in the uk is quite cheap, so as soon as i gat back to my own computer, i'll find the link and post.

sewing new channels on would be best, you can just whip stitch cotton tape over the original, but make sure you check it every time you wear it to make sure that the bones ain't sticking out. (again, owie!)

i edited my last post, make sure you read it again.

Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, July 14, 2006 8:05 AM

*is now sitting up very straight*

I used to have such wonderful posture, but I've gotten lazy of late.

I am sooo happy this thread is being resurrected!!

Seryn, would it be okay for me to ask as to the state of my corset? I am very curious and am dying to know. It would thrill me to no end if you were to tell me "Today I stitched the side seams together" or "Today I adding boning to the front" or whatever. Seriously.

Did I tell you Tristan convinced me to hand sew all the grommets on Mai's corset? I keep forgetting to take pictures of it. If I do, I'll post them here so everyone can see and enjoy my labour! All my pricked fingers!

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Friday, July 14, 2006 10:25 AM

EMMARIGBY

Thanks very much I would appreciate that! You're quite right, the problem is caused by terrible posture. I am always slumped so much that every picture I see of myself looks like I'm a cro-magnon woman! That's one of the reasons I love corsets, They FORCE me to sit up straight, which looks so much nicer. Unfortunately if I relax my concentration for even a minute there's that ominous creaking as the corset fights a loosing battle!

Thanks for your help. Iwill definately follow your advice. I think I can manage that level of repair!

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Hissssssssss!

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Friday, July 14, 2006 3:26 PM

I feel terribly ashamed now! I'm not that far along. Today I altered the original pattern to your measurements and started cutting the fabrics. after that its lots of basting and tacking, then i can start sewing them together. (yey!)(its taken me so long to proove that damn pattern) but no need to worry, pretty soon the Fear will kick in, and i'll hopefully have a post a day for you.

oh, yes, one question i needed to ask, do you want matching or contrasting binding? (on the one above, its conrasting, blue on red) I was thinking a soft tan or antiqu-y gold. maybe? or do you want me to attempt to colourmatch your fabric?

and would you forgive me if i didn't hand sew the eyelets?

please?

Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, July 14, 2006 3:30 PM

Emma, thats why i love the sitting on the edge of your seat thing - my brother calls it 'the buttock fear' sitting - you are not wholly esconced, there's that element of teetering, so you automatically clench the butt, straighten the back and use your legs to support you, which gives all the muscles something to do as well.

Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, July 14, 2006 4:30 PM

Serenity...sorry about that!

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Friday, July 14, 2006 4:49 PM

Seryn-don't be crazy! Handsewing eyelets is madness, only loonies like Tristan and I do things like that!

Um, do you want to try to match the brownish fabric? Or do I have time to mail you a sample? Cuz I could airmail you a sample tomorrow and it would take, what 4-10 days to get to you? I would mail it off first thing tomorrow morning before the PO closes at noon. err. replace "mail" with "post" and then I've translated that into English. :P

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Friday, July 14, 2006 4:55 PM

yes, Tristan, it's all your fault!

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Saturday, July 15, 2006 12:26 AM

yes, sure, if you want to do that, if its not going to cost hundreds of dollars!

thank you! yikes, i thought i was going to be there doing them on the plane ofver if you'd said you'd liked it. ah, sigh of relief! I have metal eyelets aplenty and a whizzy new tool for inserting them, not messing with hammers and moulds for me! yey!

Your robot reminds me of you. You tell it to turn it stops. You tell it to stop it turns. You ask it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of Firefly.
http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Saturday, July 15, 2006 1:50 AM

OOh, but Seryn, I can't find your address in my book. I probably have it written down at home, but can you PM or email it to me? If you get this in time? Like, before 5pm, your time.

When I run home to snag fabric, I'll try to dig it up. I know I still have the fabric sample card you sent me, hopefully it's still there.

And no, not hundreds of dollars, just a couple. No sweat.

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Saturday, July 15, 2006 1:58 AM

woah, that was quick.

Yeah, I'll get that mailed out today if I possibly can. I have a busy morning. If not, first thing Monday, I swear!!!!

But I'm really gonna shoot for today.

Now, must go be a busy bee!

Serenity,
First Officer of Destiny
President of The Juggled Gosling Chatroom
Bride8

http://callmeserenity.livejournal.com/

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Sunday, July 16, 2006 5:34 AM