Corset
A good corset is an absolute must. It is equally
important to have a corset that is made especially for oneself. A
popular myth is that a corset should be so tight that breathing is difficult.
NO! Victorian corsets are made to force the body into a hourglass shape.
The Elizabethan corset creates a tube. It needs to be snug but not suffocating.
I based my corset on the pattern in
Arnold’s “Patterns of Fashion” Fortunately I have not been overly blessed
with "endowments”. I used wooden kebab skewers for boning to simulate the
reeds used in period corsets. I also decided against shoulder straps. Another
alteration I made was to have my corset lace up the sides. I have a bit
of Kordosis in my back (a result of the RA) so I did not put boning in
the back of the corset
Front view of my corset
|
Arnold, Patterns of Fashion pg. 45 |