February 21, 2012

1911 - trim crisis



I think I've gone too far. Or not far enough. I don't know. Here's the top edge of my corset.



The trim is wide, 3 inches, and it eats up a lot of space. I fear I've visually chopped the the top off and when I wear it will look like a high waisted mini skirt. I only sewed on one half and I'm debating removing it and replacing it with the same aqua bias trim used for the bottom edge. Or maybe I should just push it further and add something more, like a bow.







Those bows looks like fireworks, or a chrysanthemum, or a cherry blossom. I don't normally put bows on the corsets, they just seem like something that will either break a smooth line, or get crushed, or both. But this corset feels like a folly with the bold black and white pattern and cheerful blue trim. The wide pleated eyelet at the top is already a little more than was needed, why not go all the way and add something purely decorative? I leave it to you, readers. Take the trim off and replace it with the blue bias, or add a giant bow? What do you think?
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18 comments:

  1. NusseFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    I'd say go for a bow, a pinkish red big one!

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  2. 41260February 21, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    I'd prefer to see it without this trim, but with that turquoise edge and with a tiny bow.

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  3. Jessica DeeringFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    I think that if you wear white under it, yes, it will look chopped off. But if you can pull the black or the aqua from the binding in to the trim, it will still say "this is part of the corset." If you're in love with the lace itself, you could attach it so that less shows in the front. I'm not normally much for bows, but I think it could be cute on this, no matter what you do with the edge trim.

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  4. Jennifer BristowFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    I also would like to see it with a turquoise trim possibly a little wider than the bottom. It seems from your research that I've only seen wide trim at the top of solid color corsets. I don't recall seeing any on printed corsets. I love the print so I would want more to show. Now that I think about it tiny little bows above each garter and at the busk would be adorable.

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  5. cathgraceFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    I would say that the aqua is not enough. I like the white, and a bow could look cute, but even without I like the white.

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  6. LaurieFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    I like Jen bristow' suggestion: aqua trim slightly wider than the bottom, and lttle bows above the busk and garters.

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  7. ELMOFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    Do you have any beading trim that you could add at the top, and thread the turquoise bias through? Or place the turquoise bias along the top leaving the ruffle in place and see how that looks.

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  8. GinnyFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    I'd be tempted to bind the top edge with the aqua over the top of the broderie trim and see how that looked. Or maybe a narrow insertion lace just below the top edge with aqua ribbon running through? I think it just needs something else at the top to stop the top edge disappearing- that trim has a fairly wide amount of plain white at the top that I don't think quite works against the fabric as it is.

    And definitely a bow, whatever you go for. It's amazing the difference they make- I generally do mine on a concealed hook and eye either side of the busk so they can be removed under clothing.

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  9. MrsC (Maryanne)February 21, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Big bow!! This is a maximalist era after all! :)

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  10. Kirsten MooreFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    I am usually all for crazy surface decoration, but in this case I think the bold print would look better with just the plain bias binding on the top.

    I too am going to forgo the trim at the top for a clean line, since the fabric is so busy:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/piperewan/6914132933/in/pool-1891612@N22/

    I do agree that there should be bows!

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  11. The Laced AngelFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    I'd add some of the aqua trim over the white, AND put an enormously over the top aqua flower or bow at the CF. Then again, I've never been known for restraint...

    I'll be joining y'all rather late on this project. I had planned to use the TV Edwardian corset I started last year as a "eh, close enough to 1912" base for my Titanic gown, but was thwarted by the fact that finishing a corset six months after you originally sized it does not take into account lasagna-induced expansion.

    I LOVE the amount of detail you've put into these posts, and am sure I'll have no difficulty whipping up a beautiful corset (that fits) using your guide.

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  12. SnowBlackCorsetsFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    i think it would be lovely with the same trim on top and bottom :-)
    the fabric is quite busy so the turquoise bias tape works great!

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  13. StephFebruary 21, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    It just needs an aqua bow or aqua ribbon running through the eyelet, to tie the top edge and bottom edge together. Why not go all out with trimming? It's technically underwear, anyway.

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  14. KimberlyFebruary 21, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    I think that some of the aqua trim over the white lace would be good. It would do two things, 1)tone down all the white of the lace at the top, and 2)help to balance out the entire project. I think that just having the aqua at the bottom probably makes the black and white of the rest of the corset stand out more to you then it might if you had chosen a black or white trim. Just my two cents worth!

    While I didn't get to participate in the sew along, I have enjoyed watching the steps how every-ones projects have progressed. I hope to be able to join in if you have another one.

    Blessings, Kimberly

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  15. RosemaryFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    I didn't get to take part( have some pounds to lose) but have been following along and enjoying the process. I think the problem with the white trim is it looks too heavy and kinda clunky with your fabric. Although your fabric has a fairly busy pattern, the lines of it are quite finely detailed whereas the trim is not. Possibly a more airy trim?

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  16. JewelFebruary 21, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I'm not a fan of the lace over that gorgeous fabric. I'd opt for the pretty aqua trim instead, personally.

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  17. glirrFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    I'm not too fond of the way the lace has been gathered. Most of the examples you show have the lace laying rather flat with some overlaps at the seams to ensure the right shape. And I also agree with a lot of the comments that you should try to include the aqua ribbon in some way.

    So,if you can find the right lace I will suggest attaching it to the outside of the corset (as opposed to the inside and folding it over). This way you can have a top edge of white lace as well as including the aqua ribbon like here:
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K01caOW4Sjg/S9yj6dr0HnI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7tqBpvFOaYM/s1600/MD001097.JPG

    I think this combines the ribbon and the lace in a way that is very decorative, but won't compromise any smooth lines.

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  18. JeanettecFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    I like the white lace trim, but if you can get some aqua in there some kind of way, that would be even nicer. :)

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