Becky: 8 hours and First Fitting

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and for those who went to school too!

Last week I almost completed the corset! I spent ALL day working on it! I was so happy to have it almost finished!

Look at this back! That's a sweet back.

I began working on the hip inserts, on one side, although the instructions said to begin with the bust gussets first. I found out why later on....

Here is the proof of why I need to learn to follow instructions. It was a little difficult to finish the bust edges when half of the corset was already sewn together.

This is what the other side looked like, and it was so much easier to flatten and finish the edges, than it was on the other side. Like I said earlier, this pattern asked to sandwich the gussets between the layers, but the edges around the gusset needs to be finished first.

And so, I worked 8 hours working on this corset with the enthusiasm and hope to get the corset done, I had my first fitting!:

The front looks great! The sides may need another fitting, but the back.....

OH! The back. UGH!

I knew I would need help, therefore I called in the experts. If you every need advice, Facebook has a "group" just for reenactors: "The Civilian Closet". They are great and they will tell you the truth straight up, even if you dont want to know.

And they told me the truth....

I need to do the corset all over!

I was hoping to have it done by Ft. Wayne, but I dont want to get too stressed over it. Plus Im in no need of a maternity corset just yet. I decided not to work on this corset for sometime, but to place my focus elsewhere.

 

I have made this 40's housedress some years ago. I have some wonderful lightweight wool for this dress. I figure if Im lounging around the house or working and using it as it was intended...lol, wool would be perfect!

The wonderful boyfriend also surprised me with this bracelet! I love this emergency bracelet! It has the boyfriend's emergency number engraved on the back too! I thought it was perfect for work, in case anything happens at the hospital, and/or driving. What if I got into an accident? However, when I do start showing, it would be a little more obvious that I am pregnant!

Becky: Maternity Corset Update

Hey ya'll! Im happily back into my sewing grove! Last week I attended a well needed visit to the sewing party that is hosted every week. I was selling my fabrics and had linen left over. I decided to start my corset then!

Im using Past Patterns 705, like Ive said before, which has three corsets in one pattern! View C is dated at 1890ish, but the author has stated that The Workwoman's Guide of 1830-40's has similar instructions as this corset.

This corset is different from any other corset Ive made before and if you can believe it, it stumped me! There is no lining because the fabric is folded already. This makes the bust gussets in the fold and makes finishing the edges a little more difficult. I've added some pictures on the hip gussets and how they are created.  

From other corsets patterns, such as Simplicity 9769, the pattern asks to interlock the gusset on top of the corset. For a visual, lay your fingers on top of each other, having your nails towards the palm of the other hand. Now make a "C" to both of your hands and then pull the opposite direction. This is the technology that I am used to.

However, this pattern in particular asks to fold the edges in, base stitch, then sandwich the gusset piece between the two layers.

But beware of this process. Take your time in sewing the sandwich together. As you can see here, theres a pocket made when the two layers are not aligned exactly. Just go back over the places you missed!

And as a little extra, I added floss to the corner of the facing. The reason that most corsets have this flossing is more to stop the fraying.

I hope next time I will have the corset done! Then I can start on the project that I really want to really work on! 

Civil War Maternity Corsets and Wrappers

Ive been told that women in the middle Victorian-era would coop themselves up at home when they where VERY pregnant, but historymyths.wordpress.com says otherwise. I have also seen CDVs (victorian photographs) of women, fully dressed, hoop and all, with a bump!

Whether women did or not, their belly's grew! I plan to make a nursing corset before I get too big, but I will not really know how BIG Ill get. Its a tough situation to be in because I have the need to cut into my post-birth dress wool!

I have Past Patterns #705 which has 1820 and 1860 soft stays as well as 1860-90's nursing corset. This pattern has the option of flaps for nursing such as this original:

I will most likely be making this for longer use.

Sarah made hers as soft stays

Maternity wrappers are a great alternative to fitted dresses.

Wrappers, in general, were loose fitting dresses, and were used such as a robe today. Some had draw strings placed in them to be fitted with a corset. They are great for going to the restroom at night, cooking/ eating breakfast in the morning, getting ready for the ball, or when youre sick with heat stroke or need a good cool down. 

Those who wore a wrapper had the choice to wear as much or as little underpinnings as they wanted! Some could fit over a hoop and some were open all the way down to "show off" the eyelet laced petticoat.

Here are some original maternity wrappers from Google, Pinterest and such:

I believe this is the back of a wrapper. Notice the seam line in the center.

I was given a lovely silk dress a few years back. I didnt know what to do with it. It was a good size, yet it was a little too short. I wouldnt give it away because it was silk! My first silk dress! I was happy to find a purpose for it.

I sewn the front opening together, made hand sewn eyes, and moved the hooks accordingly.

I then added a drawstring, like the originals above, to the waistline. I used scrap fabric, 1 1/2" wide X 12" long. Then I added 1/2" cotton tape to the end of the casing. The most difficult part was figuring out how to turn the casing inside out with the tape in the casing. -.-

I placed the end of the casing at the side seams, which makes the gathers look great. I have to adjust the gathers, but the function looks great!

I see a belly, but the babe is not that big. I just put on some weight! :)

Updated sewing list

1. Fix Dinner dress belt
2. Stephanie's travel bag
3. Sophia's Travel bag
4. Finish Susie's bonnet
5. Margaret's wool dress
6. My travel bag
7. Michelle's corset
8. Finish my bonnet
9. Baby clothes