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I found myself with about 45 mins of free time this afternoon, which means you all get corset pictures!

The bust gussets are wrinkly, because as I previously stated, I for some reason had lots of trouble with them - one of the problems included layers feeling too big or too small once I folded the edges to enclose in the seams. Oh well.

Overall, though, it fits great. I'm super proud of that even lacing gap, and I get a really nice waist reduction, too. In fact, unfortunately for my already finished skirt, it's way more waist reduction than I anticipated. I pleated my skirt to be 2" smaller than what my natural waist last was, but a) I have lost .5" from that natural measurement in the last couple months, and b), I get a 3.5" waist reduction with this corset! So basically, my pleats don't line up. I highly highly doubt I'll have time to fix that before the Victorian fest, but I have a feeling that will go on my todo list for before CoCo.





While I had the corset on, (despite forgetting and putting a long sleeve shirt underneath), I decided to try on some ballgown type bodices and see if any would work to use as a pattern for this one. I tried the Victorian Child first, but it was a little too big at the waist, and too high at the neckline, with no pointed waist, so I decided to try something better. I did the black silk next, which was (I thought) off the same pattern. I had the hardest time trying to figure out where the waist wanted to hit, because it was really strangely fitting me with this corset. And when I put the sleeves on, I couldn't move at all, so I gave up and moved to the next one. My green and cream ballgown bodice was very high-waisted in back, gappy over the top of the bust, and the sleeves are set too far on the shoulder. So I moved to my last option, which was my old (from 2012) black and gold ballgown bodice. I managed to mostly lace myself up in back, and it actually fit better over this corset than it possibly ever has. Success!

And wouldn't you know it, I found the pattern I had drafted for it all nicely in a ziploc, and it seems that it actually matches the existing bodice with no alterations. So scary as it feels, I think I'm ready to cut out the silk! That saves me a good chunk of playing with things on Friday morning, that's for sure, so that was a nice birthday present from the sewing gods.

Also, because that's just what you do on your birthday, I wore a tiara at work all day. :)

Date: 2017-03-23 02:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] reine-de-coudre.livejournal.com
I can't get over how amazing your corset looks! The shape is so perfect for the 1860s! I think too many costumers make 1860s corsets that are too long and look like 1880s corsets. Great job!

Date: 2017-03-24 12:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] theladyrebecca.livejournal.com
Thank you! I think what really helped with this was that the pattern needed so little alteration. I never thought a historical pattern could be so close before this.

Date: 2017-03-23 03:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jenthompson.livejournal.com
The corset is beautiful!

Date: 2017-03-24 12:48 am (UTC)

Date: 2017-03-23 03:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mala-14.livejournal.com
The new corset looks fab! The wrinkling might just partly be due to the fact that the bust gussets are longer than your actual bust. And I bet some of the wrinkling goes away when your arms aren't raised too. Yay for finding a pattern that works! I have my mock-up cut out and need to get it fitted today and maybe I can get my bodice cut out too. Gorgeous tiara! Hope you had a lovely birthday!

Date: 2017-03-24 12:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] theladyrebecca.livejournal.com
Unfortunately, the wrinkling isn't going anywhere - it's only in the outer layer (the canvas inside is nice and taut).

And thank you! :)

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