Readers, I'm thrilled to welcome Sew Curvy Corsetry! This very cool company, run by the warm and lovely Julia Bremble, is a treasure trove of special supplies for corset, corselet, and bustier construction. According to Julia:
Sew Curvy Corsetry is a UK based online shop selling complete corset kits for beginners and a full range of corsetry components for the more experienced including steel boning, busks, specialist fabrics, silks, ribbons, fastenings, patterns and haberdashery. The range is constantly expanding and will soon include bra making supplies. In addition to all the usual supplies, a Custom Corset Pattern Service is offered whereby customers send their measurements which are then translated into a personal corset pattern and supplied with instructions on how to use and fit the pattern.
I am the lucky owner of one of Sew Curvy's Underbust Corset kits, which has every single thing you need to make a "waspie" (very 50s!): a Laughing Moon pattern, pretty floral coutil fabric, metal boning, lacing cord, twill tape, metal eyelets, and a straight busk (closure) in the appropriate size. Added bonus: the kits are beautifully packaged.
Here's the exquisite bellflower coutil that Julia includes in her kits.
But my favorite thing about this company is Julia's passion for her subject. She writes House of Marmalade, a wonderful blog with tons of tips. I will let her thoughts on the craft speak for themselves:
Why make a corset? Simply - they are beautiful. As well as the opportunity to get deeply creative while making a beautiful bespoke item, the practical uses of a corset are many and varied. A well fitted corset is extremely comfortable and supportive - apart from giving super sexy uber curves by default, it's a bit like having an extra skeleton on the outside.
Now for the COUPON! Sew Curvy Corsetry is offering my readers 10% off all purchases until the end of June! Just use the code "sewGertie."
I've made a corset with that fabric before (I am 99% sure anyway), and it dies really well. I made mine a really nice rich red and I am working on another that is a Kelly green. It's good to know of another supply site!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... kept saying the coupon was wrong for me :( I'm not so sure I can pay 15 pounds in shipping outside of europe anyway. Sigh! So sad! I want me a kit! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't get the "Underbust Corset Kit" link to work. I want to see the one you use for vintage dresses. I need to get one of those!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the troubles, Stacey and Solange! Both should be fixed now. Stacey, please let me know if you continue to have problems with the code.
ReplyDeleteI'm just dying to make a corset - it's been on my wish list for years. Maybe now is the time!
ReplyDeleteFor people not wanting to pay international shipping, https://www.farthingalescorsetmakingsupplies.com/ sells kits for many different corset patterns, including patterns by Laughing Moon. They have a Canadian and US website. They are not as prettily packaged, but are another good resource.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, I've been a fan of House of Marmalade for ages, even before I found out about you and your helpful and quirky insights. I didn't expect to see the two of you together (except for having your blogs beside each other on my quick launch bar, haha).
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to get on with corset making for a while now. Actually, I'm about half way through a mock up for a self drafted under-bust, but it's taking so much unpicking and re-stitching that I had to put it down before I threw it across the room. Got myself about 150 yards of flat and spiral steel for x-mass last year though, and a spool each of black and white lacing, so once I get the hang of it, I'm set for life, haha. Can't wait to see your adventures in that arena.
I love corsets!!
ReplyDeleteI made almost 10 corsets and I find always beautiful ^_^
Thanks for this post!
http://alicecloset-sewing.blogspot.com/
I have been dreaming of buying one of these kits for so long! Now your coupon may have pushed me over the edge, it may be time to get corset-y...!
ReplyDeleteBut.....if it's a kit for an under-bust corset, why do you have a pattern for a mid-bust corset? I've used that Laughing Moon pattern, and it doesn't have an under-bust option. Obviously everything can be shortened, but it seems very strange to sell a kit for a particular type of corset - with a pattern for a different type of corset!
ReplyDeleteAnd as a note, the sizing for the Laughing Moon pattern is rather off (especially for the cup sizes), and I found the instructions for doing mock-ups quite unhelpful, so I ended up ignoring the directions last time I needed to mock up a Laughing Moon corset.
Nevertheless, yay corsets! Personally, I always vote for custom tape-draping, and patterning from there, but that's a little intimidating. I'm glad more people are making kits and patterns and materials available so more people can share in the fun of corsetry!
AvaTrimble, I have it and it's definitely an underbust pattern. It has two women's options and one men's version.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be awesome if she had a pattern for the longline bras that you've posted about before.
ReplyDeleteI've known House of Marmalade for a while and I think it's a great blog. And Sew Curvy seems like a great store (I haven't bought anything from it.. yet), so more power to them!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I absolutely agree with AvaTrimble: ALWAYS do a mock-up for a corset first. You can use canvas or denim, omit grommets and busk and only use some poly bones if necessary, but you have to find out about the quirks of the pattern. I've made a corset once using a Simplicity patten and I needed a lot of alterations. It was a half-bust pattern, so an underbust one should be easier but all pattern companies seem to be struggling with the concept of modern sizing v. the traditional shape of a corset. They seem uncomfortable with what was after all the main purpose of a corset: waist reduction. And yet, they want to offer an authentic silhouet.
For example: In my 'size according to the measuring chart', the Simplicity patten was huge in the bust and just fit, without cinching, in the waist. I know some people recommend to just make that pattern in two sizes smaller but I disagree. That doesn't take into account things like ribs and hips...
I have no experience with Laughing Moon corsets, but be prepared for alterations and decisions about them.
Oooohh! Fantastic discount and super happy they are in the UK! Thanks Gertie!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a sign! I was debating buying a kit from Sew Curvy, and you've just sealed the deal.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to have found your post and links. I was ogling *cough* viewing the most beautiful corset yesterday and wishing that I could sew such a thing. Voila! Thanks for all this corset goodness. I can't wait to get started!
ReplyDelete