1844 Corset Finished...Last Year

[atherleisure]

It took me forever to get around to taking pictures of this again after the ones my son took turned out blurry. One of my daughters was willing to play photographer last week and took these for me.

I used the 1844 pattern from Corsets and Crinolines, and it fit very nicely. I narrowed the gussets but otherwise left it alone. I made it out of blue coutil and boned it with artificial whalebone except for the center front. I made a busk pocket, but I decided to put two pair of the thicker gauge 1/2" steel bones in channels at the center front.



It is not a compressing garment at all, though I suppose I could pull the laces tighter. It basically gives a snug fit that forms a reasonably solid foundation for a gown.





I tried on my mid-1830's dress over it, and it fit very nicely indeed. At least that tells me that I can use the pattern from that dress as a starting place for the bodice for an 1840's dress.

Comments

[marianme]

What a nice shape. Double bones instead of a busk looks like it works really well.

[atherleisure]

I really dislike the wooden busk in my 1820's/1830's corset, but I'm really happy with how the double thick steels are working out.

[mala_14]

Looks great! Gives you that nice long line in the torso that is so characteristic of the mid-1840s.

[atherleisure]

Thank you. I hope I can get a long line look with a dress. I am short-waisted so I don't have a lot of hope, but maybe a pointed waist will give the appropriate illusion.

[mala_14]

As a fellow short-waisted person, I feel you.

[atherleisure]

At least shortening the waist length is an easy modification. I'm glad I don't have to full bust adjustments or anything like that.

[hharris]

Perfect. Love the blue coutil too.

[atherleisure]

Thank you. I didn't need it, but when I saw it for sale at Costume College, I really wanted it. I gave into temptation.

[mandie_rw]

Love it! The blue is very pretty. I've also used that pattern, and I find it to be one of my most comfortable corsets! (Although also probably the most annoying to put on by myself, hahaha. )

[atherleisure]

Thank you. It seems like it will be quite comfortable, but it is definitely annoying to have to relace it every time you put it on.