For lacing up easily, I decided to use metal grommets for my corset. The metal grommet was patented in 1823 by Thomas Rogers.
Whether you decided to make hand-sewn eyelets or metal grommets now it is time to choose the way you lace up your corset. I wanted to try the self-lacing version from the link shown before.
All tunnels stiched? Now it is time to add the cording. The technique is called Trapunto, that means you add the cords after stitching the tunnels. This is a time-consuming and exhausting work, nobody told it would be easy. You can avoid this step with adding each piece of cord after you stitched one side of the tunnel, then make the second seam beside the cord. The result will be smoother with the Trapunto technique.
For adding the cord, I threaded a blunt point needle with a strong buttonhole thread, make a couple of stitches through the end of the cord. To harden the cord´s end I used glue and let it dry for some hours.
Widen the holes with an awl. If you have problems pulling through the cord you can widen the tunnel with the awl first.
Pull the cord through the tunnel, the end should just slip into. Cut off the cord close to the fabric and shove the end back into the tunnel with your awl.
When I decided to make a new 1830´s corset, I thought a lot about the lacing first. My old one had a back and front lacing; nevertheless, I had trouble to pull it over my hips or my head, struggling with all that mess of lacing cord. I asked my husband for help, but every closure more complex than a zipper causes him shaking and sweating hands. This year I´m going to join our summer ball alone, with no helping hand available. Searching the internet, I found this interesting self-lacing corset:
It´s quite a long time I didn´t write something, but I was working on the cosplay costumes my children asked for. My daughter always tries to choose simple looking costumes for me to sew. Nevertheless, every time I start research, that simple looking dresses turn themselves into some complicated pattern challenges. First one was Padme Amidala´s blue dress she wears on Tatooine, second was Daenerys Targaryen´s blue dress from season 4. Seems, she likes blue dresses!
Thanks to Michelle Carragher, who did most of the costume embroidery, I could manage the details
http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com/Daenerys-Dragonscale-Gallery(2880136).htm
Rose and tendril patterns where quite popular during the 1830´s, printed on cotton or as appliqués on dresses. I´ll show you how I made the trim for the 1830´s green silk ball gown. Continue reading
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