How I made
my
corset

A corset is personal to the wearer and it may take several patterns and attempts to find the corset that is "just for you".  To make a corset just for show, by all means use Rigilene, this is plastic boning and very cheap to buy.  You will find this in shop bought items to give a garment a bit of shape, but no good if you want to shape your figure!!!!  In which case, ALWAYS use steel boning or spring boning.

After several attempts I found a pattern and adapted it to my needs, which is what you will have to do if you want to do some serious pulling!

The material I am using is called Broche (pronounced broosh).  It is reasonably stiff and thick to add to the support.  First I will overlock all the edges as it is prone to fraying, but it wouldn't hurt to overlock anything you decide to buy.

Although it is often required to line a bodice, I shalln't be lining the corset, but if you feel you need to, then "mount" your fabric first.  Basically, cut an outer piece and liner and treat them as ONE fabric.

Before buying your busk, remember that you will need to sit down in your corset, so whilst sitting down, measure from the top where you want your corset to finish, to the thigh, any longer and it will dig into your legs!

There are numerous tutorials on the internet, but I use a DVD called The Express Corsetry Course, which provides several corset patterns and how to put them together.

You will always start by putting together the two front pieces.

Once all the pieces have been sewn together, you will need to put in the eyelets.  Apart from the centre back, all the boning is spring boning.  To finish the corset top and bottom, sew on bias binding.

Use these instructions in conjunction with the video.