I'm still dealing with hand issues (Why won't the swelling go down? Or rather, why does it go down, but reappear as soon as I use my hand?) so I thought I'd share this corset I have. So pretty. This is a circa 1890's corset. It appears to never have been worn. Made of a single layer of cotton, with whalebone boning except for the busk, underbusk, steels along the center back, and one at each side. So it is indeed very light. And this corset is tiny. The waist is only 20 inches laced closed. Tiny!
It has the original lacing too. Things like this are nothing but fun to study. A friend once called me a corset nerd, but I'm not the only one who finds these pieces fascinating. Right?
I love it! You are so lucky to have an antique model to pick apart in person (not literally of course!)
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful! You're not the only corset nerd, I promise :) Oh, this would be so gorgeous to wear. Can you tell us some good places to look for antique corsets?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing - and so beautifully photographed too! I love the shaped waist tape!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!!!!
(from another 'corset nerd', who doesn't actually own a real one...yet....)
Corsets are beautiful pieces of engineering and this one is a fine example. Truly stunning.
ReplyDeleteRight! I would love to have a real corset in my collection. I mostly have a fascination with any kind of undergarment. I love it but I do think I am kinda weird sometimes. I think this is my first time commenting. I love your project. I hope your hand is better soon.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't alone- studying these beautiful old pieces is a great way to learn.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your hand's speedy recovery.
From my understanding, corset salesmen would have samples to view for you to examine before ordering. Yours is probably one of those if it was never worn. Does it have a maker stamp on it? Of course it could also be smaller, if no one would actually wear it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm really sorry to hear your hand is still bothering you. :( Be good to it and give it some real rest, and I hope you'll see improvement soon!
From yet another corset nerd to another. :)
That corset's really gorgeous, I'd be nervous touching it! I hope your hand improves soon too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the well wishes!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to post some more information about the corset, but there are no markings so I don't know the maker. It is such and interesting pattern though, when I get around to patterning it I'll be sure to share it.
I wish had a list of places to find antique corsets. I only have a couple that I've been lucky enough to stumbled across so I don't have a reliable corset source. I see them all the time on listed on ebay and even if they end up being too expensive for me they are still fun to look at.
that's gorgeous ... and once upon a time would have been just right for me.
ReplyDeletethat's gorgeous ... and once upon a time would have been just right for me.
ReplyDeleteOoh, gorgeous :-D
ReplyDeleteDo you think this piece was starched and steamed on a copper maiden, hence the crispness? I often wonder if that's where us modern corsetmakers are falling short, by not considering starch and steam as useful options frequently enough... I remember when you shaped that damp overbust "on the body", that seemed to have a brilliant affect on the finished piece.
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ReplyDeleteÇok güzel ve özel bir çalışma. zevkle takip ediyorum sizi. Türkiyeden kucak dolusu sevgiler yolluyorum...
ReplyDeleteHallo mine! Teşekkürler ziyaret ediyor! (I hope I got that right.)
ReplyDeleteHi Sparklewren! The fabric does feel like there was some sort of finishing, but it doesn't feel molded if that makes sense. But I don't know, it may very well have been tossed on a copper maiden and years of being folded in an envelope have crushed the starching job. The fabric is very light though. And it really is an interesting pattern. I'll have to share it with you.
Aw Jo, you're really kind. It'd be like Christmas to see this corset's patterning! Maybe for FR or corsetmakers?
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on your studies, I'm sure they'll go brilliantly :-D
HELLO MY NAME IS MAURICIO BERNAL. AND I'M LOOKING AT YOUR BLOG. AND IT IS WONDERFUL. HAPPINESS IS WONDERFUL. ALL. IMAGES EXPLANATIONS. EN IMPRECIONANTE THE PLEDGE OF CORSET, I almost died SEEING THINGS AS WONDERFUL AS YOU WORK, YOU INVITE YOU TO VISIT MY BLOG. WHAT ARE NOT IN THERE, BUT HE WOULD LIKE ME TO KNOW AND LOVE YOUR OPINION AND I HAVE THINGS FOR SHARING. And I want to share with YOU, YOU SAY THAT?
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