By George, I think I've got it!

[mala_14]

It took some really minor, miniscule changes to the bust to get this shape. Like seriously, we're talking 1/8" changes to the original pattern. Man corsets are weird. The wrinkles are still there, but they're much slighter and more evenly distributed and will definitely go away in the final product.

Thoughts:
- Corsets from this era tend to have a higher waist and lower bust, but I couldn't quite get that. My last corset had the higher waist and gave sort of a more period shape, but the waist realy was just a touch too high for comfort. This one sits where my waist actually is.
- My boobs just aren't big enough to get that sort of dramatic sweeping curve from bust to waist that you see in period illustrations and with a lot of period corsets.
- I think I'll get a better reduction when I make the real thing with more boning. That's what happened with my last corset.
- Now that I've finished this mocking up and after all my gusset woes, I've come to the ludicrous conclusion that I think the kind of corset with two main panels and all gussets for fitting would actually fit my body the best. My torso from the waist up is actually quite straight up and down, with the majority of the curve right where my boobs are, ie. right where gussets would accomodate them. While from the waist down, most of the curve is at the side and back, where the gussets would be most pronounced. So maybe my next corset will be that kind. Whenever I need another Victorian corset, which hopefully won't be for another few years.
- Multiple posts in a row with mock-up pictures are not very exciting, especially when the changes aren't very dramatic. Sorry for putting you guys through all that! ;p

Now to take this apart and use it as a pattern. Also, to order the busk and some hoopsteel.

Comments

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

Lookin' good!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Angela!

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

It looks like you've got a nice shape.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's also comfortable, so I'm pretty about it.

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Ooooo! Well done, Sabrina! That is a nice shape! I have given up trying to get much curve in Victorian, and you've done a nice job.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Gloria! It's tough getting curves sometimes. It really depends on what works for the individual body and some people are just going to be naturally curvier than others. Sometimes corset-making makes me wish I was about 10 pounds heavier, so that I'd have more fluff to squish around. ;p

[wanda-victorian.livejournal.com]

Looks great! I really need to take another stab at corset making! You made a comment about not having enough boob for the look you were going for. Well, as we do in modern times, Victorian ladies were not above adding a bit of padding to their corsets so it would be very period correct to go that route if you care to. I think you look perfect the way you are by the way!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I do pad my other corset to help fill it out, but it is with separate padding, so it is a bit of a hassle to put in when getting dressed. But I am thinking of padding some future dresses for when I really want a dramatic hourglass. I think it would be fun to have the option.

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

I like it :-) And interesting thoughts on the gusset and the period silhouette too. Makes me wonder if like you've got a Real Body and the period illustrations were the then-equivalent of photoshopped :-P

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The illustrations are likely "idealized", but the way that a lot of actual surviving corsets look really is pretty similar.

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

Oh right, interesting your corset looks similar to surviving ones.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I meant that a lot of surviving corsets look similar to the illustrations. Sorry, wasn't really clear. I think it comes from wearing a corset your whole life, sort of shapes the body to the fashionable shape of the corset. Unlike us modern non-corset wearing folk.

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

Oh right, yeah i got the wrong idea! That could be. I do think what we wear and how we stand make a huge difference to things like silhouettes and stuff.