Corsets have been around for centuries, and while they have long been in fashion, their popularity has ebbed and flowed throughout recent decades. Now they are back in the spotlight making their way from the runway to the streets, and even into ready-to-wear!
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 1 yard Metallic White Crackle Luxury Brocade
- 1 yard White Cotton Buckram Stiffener
- 1 yard Stratton White Solid Organic Cotton Twill
- 3 pkg Dritz Nickel Grommets Size 3/8″ – 8ct
- 1 pair Foam Shoulder Pads Covered with White Polyester – 6″ x 3.5″ x .5″
- 5 yards White Rigilene – 12mm/0.5″
- MDF290 – The Cerise Corset Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Embellishments:
- 3 pc Vintage Pearl and White Iris Beaded and Sequins Applique with Crystal Rhinestone Center – 8.25″ x 4.875″
- 4 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones and Silver Metal Abstract Ornament – 1.75″ x 1.75″
- 3-6 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones and Silver Metal Floral Shank Back Button – 30L/19mm
- 2 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal and Silver Metal Pear Cut Sew-on Ornament – 2.25″ x 0.375″
- 3-6 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones and Silver Metal Circular Shank Back Button – 32L/20mm
- 2 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal and Silver Metal Marquis Cut Sew-on Ornament – 1.75″ x 0.375″
- 3-6 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal and Silver Aluminum Foiled Shank Back Button – 28L/18mm
- 3-6 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal Reverse Mirror Coated Unfoiled Self Back Button – 22L/14mm
- 3-6 pc Vintage Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones and Silver Metal Square Shank Back Button – 44L/28mm
Types of Corsets
There are a wide variety of different corset styles. The most popular ones are the waist cincher, hourglass, bodice style, and bustier. Each corset is made for a specific style. So depending on what you are going for in your look choose which style works for you.
How to make your corset unique?
There are multiple ways to create a unique corset and many are really simple. First, you can use a printed/patterned fabric like a brocade and make a bold statement. Hand sew beautiful Swarovski crystal embellishments all over the corset. If you want to be even more fun add feathers and or a boa. Expose your topstitching from the boning using a different color of thread, preferably a bright color. Add embroidered applique pieces or cut some beaded lace. The possibilities are endless!
What patterns to use?
Types of Fabrics for Corsets
You can probably use just about any fabric if you put your mind to it and feel comfortable sewing it. The main fabrics everyone uses are cotton, cotton twill, brocade, satin, and even velvet. If you are daring, you can also use leather, faux leather, and suede. For lighter-weight fabrics, use interfacing or buckram to stabilize!
Waist Cincher
It hugs your waist and makes it appear slimmer. These can be worn both on top of garments and below garments. To be on-trend, it’s worn over clothing or sewn into a dress.
Hourglass-Shaped Corset
Hourglass corsets are corsets that resemble the hourglass shape, hence the name. It works well with someone who has a big bust and wide hips.
Bodice Style
This corset starts from the neck and ends at the waistline. This is usually sleeveless or has straps at the top. This particular corset is supporting the bust, waist, and hips all at the same time.
Cupped Corset
Is a combination of a corset and a bra. The bra cups are the focus, supporting the bust and the waist at the same time.
The Bustier
Is a tight-fitting top, usually made without straps, but straps can be added. It’s also known for accentuating the bust.
2 comments
I am so thrilled to have happened across this site. I Have had sewing machines since I was about 17 and I grew up with my mother, step mother, and grandmother all being quite accomplished seamstresses, but I nevermade them teach me. Bonehead move. So, I have never used a pattern. I tend to sew utility stuff, like awnings, and canopies. Just geometry and trig.. I can hack a t-shirt, piece something together out of necessity (form over fashion 100%) as well as simple hems (short people problems), or faking my way through an alteration. Then I started to follow patternless tutorials and sewed a bunch of masks through this covid BS. But this last couple weeks, I have printed two patterns, and used one multiple times. The other one, I Have not yet used, but will be this evening. But my confidence has grown and your step by step tutorials and explanations are just the right amount of informative for a dumb dumb (NOT FOR LONG), like me. What would be considered intermediate and advanced stuff you make simple to understand. And I thank you for this with every atomic fiber of my being. Now for my next trick, I need to put my non sewing skills to use and build a dress form. Thank nerdom for 3d printing.
Absolutely love this entire article!