Some recent work

[pandaemonaeum]

http://www.whitbydraculasociety.org.uk/gallery/MasqueBall2006/DSCF2602

Corset and skirt by me. This is a Bohemia corset (mix and match panels of fabric on my standard underbust corset) worn with a custom fabric bustle skirt. The lovely lady wearing the outfit is Gabrielle, from Gothic Haven (www.gothichaven.com), who won 'Best Mask'.

http://www.whitbydraculasociety.org.uk/gallery/MasqueBall2006/DSCF2609

Joanne, the 'Queen of the Ball' (in silver and white) is wearing an underbust by me, made in metallic silver PVC. I'm still looking for a clear picture of this; hopefully the professional photos will show this to its best advantage!

EDITED TO ADD A CLOSE UP: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/CatBalou/wds%20ball/2006WDSMaskedBall009edit.jpg

http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u139/gillytheperkygoth/?action=view¤t=CIMG0019.jpg

Andrea (the lovely LittlePinkFaery, who makes beautiful wigs, www.littlepinkfaery.co.uk) wearing a custom underbust and bustle apron in green/ gold Chinese silk

http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u139/gillytheperkygoth/?action=view¤t=CIMG0018.jpg

Pat, wearing a burgundy R & G corset with contrast cream stitching, and a matching burgundy tafetta bustle skirt :)

http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u139/gillytheperkygoth/?action=view¤t=CIMG0001.jpg

And last but not least, Laura (ladylilith83) in a custom white and purple BonBon corset, with a matching shrug. I also made the net skirt and the matching white lace overskirt. The mask is Laura's own handiwork, as is the wig :)

Comments

[pandaemonaeum.livejournal.com]

Not yet, I have my eye on that and the Mantua Maker 1880 as my next purchases, as Vena Cava are stocking them these days :D Is there something not right with the MM one then? Every other TV pattern I have (mostly bustle aprons and a jacket) are excellent, so I am assuming the corset is going to be pretty good.

Yep, on the Simplicity, I add 5cm to the top of the seam between the two MF pieces, then (and this seems to be the key) I curve it inwards,usually by around 1cm on each seam, to cup the bust and hold it in place. Works a treat, as the pattern is intended to end mid-bust it seemed the obvious thing to do.

[the-bats-meow.livejournal.com]

Ooooo!! I can't wait to start working at it! I ordered some fabric today, and I think I will use it for this corset!
http://www.quiltzauberei.de/oxid.php/sid/89b71973d6fd82dd1643c6564a7a73ca/cl/details/cnid/1ee409a3ff318b8e3.83850981/anid/74e431c34833e6011.99362557/Midnight-Gardens-Rosen-kraeftig---191D/

The MM 1880 pattern.......it does not give a "curvy" look, rather a long, sleek torso look. It is......ok. It covers the "puppy noses", so if you want some bewb-coverage, this is a good pattern. You need to easestitch the curvy pieces. Panels 2 and 4 are total rectangles. Lots of straight lines which have to fit curvy lines. The seam allowance is 1/4 inch, which really helps with the easing. You definitely have to sandwich this one. I made it up in a red/orange/gold shot satin (with a little rose at the top, as usual). I will post photos as soon as I grind the bones and put on the bottom binding.

I have also completed the TV pattern (well, gotta grind the bones and put on binding). Definitely get this one! Lovely shape, and the pieces go together like a dream. I opted for the corset-sandwich method as opposed to *that method* and it worked great!

[pandaemonaeum.livejournal.com]

Oh, that fabric is beautiful!

The MM one will be quite good for some of my customers then, as I have a few who are 'willowy'. I adapted an old Vollers corset for one of them - it really wasn't shaped for her and I re-shaped it - and I even had to extend the LM pattern a little for her torso. That shot satin sounds stunning too, it's nice to see some creative use of colours!

Thanks for the heads-up on the TV pattern, I honestly wouldn't have expected anything less from them.

I use both methods, in fact I use 3 as I use flat-felled seams and binding on single layer corsets, I can see advantages and disadvantages in all of them. I use 'that method' on my cheap corsets as it's so quick, and sandwich on the historical ones, so I know what you mean. Some patterns just aren't meant for 'that method' at all :/

[the-bats-meow.livejournal.com]

If a client is thin, then the MM would work. On larger figures, you would end up with a "woman in a barrel" look. It reminds me of stays, actually. And it does have a wonderful push-up effect!!
The waistline is marked, as well as where to shorten/lengthen the pieces. I would say go for it - one can never have too many patterns, right?

I totally fell in love with that fabric and HAD to have it. Yikes - I have never spent that much on cotton fabric before! I can't wait until it gets delivered. I also ordered myself a new set of bias bars - have you ever used them? I find them better than bias tape makers - I get a more accurate strip with them.

Yes - definitely get the new TV pattern. For sure!

[pandaemonaeum.livejournal.com]

I've never tried a bias bar, I only bought my own bias makers about 8 months ago, and I really do not know how I managed before I had those. I may have to check out bias bars, as I sometimes have trouble with cutting the strips as straight as I would like.

Some of the quilting cottons make me go :O at the prices, but the thread counts are so hight, and they're so sturdy they are worth it. I got some Halloween novelty stuff and it was great to sew as it had such a nice 'hand'.