How Do I Make A Corset With Boning?
1. Gather materials needed: fabric, measuring tape, scissors, boning material (preferably plastic), thread and needles, and hook-and-eye closure.
2. Measure the circumference of your waist and hips to determine how large your corset should be. Cut the fabric according to measurements and cut two more pieces for lacing strips. Cut a piece of boning slightly shorter than your pattern's length but long enough to go around the curves of your body.
3. Sew boning onto wrong side of fabric at seam allowance lines using a zigzag stitch; this will help secure it in place while allowing you to adjust or replace it easily if needed. Sew right sides together along seams leaving an opening for inserting lacing strips on either end of corset as well as an opening near the bottom for inserting hook-and-eye closure. Insert lacing strips and hook-and-eye closure into openings left from sewing process, then sew all openings closed by hand with small stitches.
Contents:
Gather Supplies
Constructing a corset is no small feat, requiring dedication and the right materials. Gathering your supplies should be one of the first steps in any boned corset project. You will need to choose from among fabric, lacing, spring steel and spiral steel bones, thread, plus notions such as needles and clasps for closure.
Fabric selection plays an important role in how your finished garment looks and feels - while heavier fabrics are durable and provide support structure for your corset’s foundation, lighter or stretch fabrics enable you to craft a comfortable piece with enough flexibility that it won’t pinch or dig into the skin when worn over long periods of time. Cotton twill, denim, silk brocades or taffeta can all work well as long as they have good drape and do not fray excessively during use.
The type of boning used determines whether your corset remains stiffly structured or retains some movability without losing its intended shape. Spring steel bones are sturdy but still allow some flexibility since they bend both ways; on the other hand spiral steel bones are extremely strong yet lightweight enabling them to follow curves easily which makes them ideal for tightlacing applications.
Pattern and Fabric Preparation
Before beginning to make a corset with boning, it is important to prepare the pattern and fabric that will be used. To begin with, gather all necessary supplies including the selected fabric, thread, cotton batting or lining material, boning for each seam allowance and other necessary supplies such as grommets or eyelets for lacing the corset. To create the pattern pieces for the outer layer of fabric, first draw out lines on paper which represent panels that are 3 inches wide per side of a 7 inch circumference at chest level. Then cut these pieces from an old sheet or light weight fabric and test fit them on you. Once fitted correctly mark each piece so they can be traced onto your main fabric easily.
Next ensure that your chosen fabrics have been prewashed and dried before cutting in order to keep any shrinking from occurring later on after assembly has taken place. Double check any details outlined on the specific pattern such as hem widths before cutting into your final choice of materials. When cutting from this point forward use sharp scissors in order to get clean edges when sewing everything together; another helpful tip is to also clip all seam allowances during cutting and grade down any curved edges. Finally do not forget about adding interfacing if needed - especially around waistline edges where more support may be required due to boning being added later.
Insert Boning
Inserting boning into a corset can be a daunting task for those who have never done it before. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to make the process smoother and easier. The first step is to mark where the boning will go on your corset fabric. The markings should run in parallel lines along the body of the corset. Next, cut slots into each line, making sure they are long enough to insert the boning comfortably. If desired, tailor's chalk can also be used as a guide for sewing straight lines along each slot, creating reinforcement around each bone.
Once all slots have been marked and sewn accordingly, it’s time to get down to inserting the bones one by one. There are various techniques out there that could be tried such as using an awl or quilting needle with thread attached if precision is needed when placing the bones into their respective slots. Alternatively, buttons or snaps could be added on both sides of every boned area so that after putting them in place they can easily be snapped together like puzzle pieces. Finally - but certainly not least - once all bones have been inserted and secured appropriately, sew over them again at every seamline for extra protection and stability against wear-and-tear while wearing your new corset.
Assemble Corset
Assembling a corset with boning requires careful consideration and skillful stitching. To begin, you'll need to cut the pieces of the corset from your chosen fabric: these should include two front panels (in either one or two pieces depending on your desired look) as well as back panel, gusset panel for armholes, and neckline facing. Next, it's important to decide where you will place the boning - traditionally placed along seams or darts in order to maintain an even silhouette - before securely sewing them into the garment.
The next step is to attach bias binding along each seam allowance that you've pre-cut and then sew together all the panels; while some may choose to do this by hand in order to create intricate details such as drapes or decorative elements like piping. Once that's done be sure to make a test fit of your corset on a dress form so that any necessary adjustments can be made before finishing off with hooks & eyes or zipper at centre back closure. Don't forget about embellishing with buttons, laces & ribbons.
Add Closures and Embellishments
Once the boning is sewn into place, it's time to move on to the next step of making a corset with boning - adding closures and embellishments. Depending on what type of look you are going for, there are several different types of closures that can be used such as lacing, zippers, or hooks and eyes. For a more formal look on your corset, consider using buttons or ribbons for embellishments.
When it comes to choosing the type of closure you use for your corset with boning, there are some factors to take into account. Decide what kind of look you want - something light and airy or heavy-duty and snug? Think about how much flexibility you need in the closure so that it can work for different body shapes and sizes. Consider also how easily people should be able to put on and remove the corset from themselves.
If you'd like to add an extra flair to your design consider including trims or lace onto your garment – these come in all sorts of colors, lengths, widths and styles so choose one that fits with the overall aesthetic of your corset design. With all these considerations in mind when making a decision about which closures and embellishments will work best for your project – get creative have fun.
Final Inspections and Fitting
When it comes to crafting a corset, the last step is perhaps the most critical. Before you don your corset for the first time, there are some essential checks that need to be performed in order to ensure optimal results. One must carefully examine all boning channels and make sure that they have been stitched up correctly – any gaping or misalignment should not be ignored. Double check if each piece of boning has been inserted evenly into its respective channel; this will give structure and support to the finished garment.
After properly inspecting your craftsmanship, it's time to fit on your corset. Pay close attention when tightening the laces – both sides should be even and symmetrical throughout until you reach desired tightness. It may take some trial-and-error before getting a perfect fit but rest assured that once achieved, you'll look stunning in your handmade corset. Consider wearing a slip or undershirt while putting on the corset as this will help protect from damaging its delicate fabrics with buttons and jewelry like necklaces or rings.
In conclusion: whether you're sewing up a new design or simply altering an existing item, performing regular inspections throughout the entire process can make all the difference between an average finish versus spectacular results.
Want to learn more? See: How do I make a corset shirt?