Corsetry 101

So, my hook and I took a stab at crocheting an undergarment (or outergarment depending upon my mood) that has been on my "to design" list for some time. I give you the first and definitely not the last iteration of the under bust corset!

The front...



And the back...



Now let me tell you all that I haven't taken my measurements for over a month and clearly, I need to break out my handy tape measure because this waist-cincher is less cinch and more wade. Yeah, the finished garment is about three inches too wide. I mean, I know my body is changing due to my exercise program, but jeez, who knew???

Anyway, I stepped on the footpath to designing this item with a purchase. Yep, I bought a sewing pattern containing several corset styles. Having never made a corset before, I needed a reference to work from. Hell, even Lily Chin does this (as she explained to us in class). So, if the process is good enough for her, then it is good enough for me.

Sewing pattern pieces separated, hook and yarn at the ready, I started working on panels for a corset that I was sure would fit 'round my middle. Oh well, it was an excellent exercise despite the bad fit. I now know that for my next corset I need to use a yarn with little to no elasticity (think cotton) and that I need to keep my tape measure handy. Once I have one of these diddies the way I like it, I can embellish it, design it in a range of sizes so that the rest of you can make one if you so choose and take the entire undergarment extraordinaire to the next level (think over bust). Oh, and I really want to work this pattern up using Tunisian crochet once I've perfected the single crochet version. Hell, I may even invest in some boning...

However, before I get too deep into the process I know I need to downsize first and foremost and I am definitely okay with that! I'm going for something more like this...



Next stop Corsetry 201!

Copyright 2007 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.