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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
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From: blackie
Date: 07-30-2007, 02:07 AM (1 of 5)
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It makes me feel warm and fuzzy to know a few of you are enjoying these posts, because talking about sewing is almost as fun as DOING it, for me! (if anyone wants me to consolidate my corset posts into one long thread, please let me know by PM. I do find each "installment" kind of touches on different technique and sewing navel-gazing. Apologies if a daily post looks like being a forum hog).  Today I decided on a fit. Yesterday I took in the corset 1/8" on each seam (2" overall). These pinked seam allowances mean there's no going back! Of course, that isn't true - because the corset is still slightly too large, lacing comfortably with 1" of gap. However, I'm happy enough with it and besides: making it smaller or lacing it tighter makes it shorter on my torso and is disrupting the long look of the corset. Isn't that interesting? Makes sense, when you think about it. Right now, the length is perfect and my lacing is parallel - so, here we go! In order to keep the side seams very strong I started in about an inch and backstitched to the top of the corset. When I'd get to the bottom of the corset I would backstitch again a full inch. I can pull on those side seams pretty good without seeing any laddering.  After pressing the shell seams I stitched twill tape to the waist as reinforcement. Easy and fun! Apparently some have complained about horizontal stitching lines on the outside of the corset - but I like anything that adds texture!  As long as we're going retro; I bought needles in the thrift store in Oly yesterday. I broke the seal today (I am a believer in occasionally using useful, well-made, older goods!) and found the perfect needle for invisible-knotting through my stiff corset shell. These needles are Bell brand; ever heard of them? Finally: I could use some advice. I am going to use lace beading on the top of the corset. For those unfamiliar with this, it's simply lace with holes - you thread a ribbon through the holes and can draw up the lace (in this case, to snug up the top of the bust a bit. Here is the lace I chose (ignore the green fabric; it's irrelevant:  I don't think I want the bold off-white / natural up against what is otherwise a pink and olive green, muted, garment. I was thinking of dyeing the lace (it's all cotton) to either the dusty pink or the brownish / olive. The tiny ribbon threaded through the lace would be off-white. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Would cotton lace dyed to deep pink or brown look hideous? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-30-2007, 04:58 AM (2 of 5)
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I like the idea of deep pink - if you are going completely retro - you could always dye with walnut shells or onion skins to get a good brown. Tea can come out a medium sort of brown but you will need to set the dyes before applying obviously. Being SWN we have a thread here http://swn-archive.sew-whats-up.com/t-22402.html&highlight=vinegar+salt that might be interesting. I agree that the cream lace might stand out a bit much and a thin ribbon through it would be just a gentle highlight - would you dye your lacing cords the same colour? Are they both 100% cotton as the dyes will take differently? Hark at me - I am probably teaching my Grandma to suck eggs! Does the busk show much cream at the front? love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: MartySews2
Date: 07-30-2007, 10:27 AM (3 of 5)
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You are not a forum hog, Kelly, so take that notion out of your brain. Your tutorial and adventure in making a corset is very interesting. Thank you for going to so much trouble to share with the rest of us. Yes, vintage sewing items are fun to find in thrift shops. Your needles look like some that I have bought in the past for hand sewing. Marty 
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User: MartySews2
Member since: 05-03-2007 Total posts: 293 
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From: blackie
Date: 07-30-2007, 12:17 PM (4 of 5)
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Jan, Thanks so much for your thought-out reply. There is no white showing on the busk. I hadn't thought to dye the laces at all. One thing is: the laces will be over my chemise which will be also be an off-white natural. I thought the off-white laces would look good as they are. I'll have to chew on that for a bit... Using walnut shells etc. to dye sounds fun! I think I'm going to get Dharma's Procion though, for this round. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-30-2007, 05:02 PM (5 of 5)
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We have a wacky project at school we do with the year 7's on using household items to dye fabric in science. Beetroot is very disappointing, tumeric is fantastic as is curry - as anyone would know who spilt it on themselves. All sorts of red berries can be used. It is a great project to do with the littlies. All that mashing of fruit and dyeing fabric. We went to the Eden project on holiday one year and they had a fantastic exhibit of the natural plants you could use for dyeing - woad was amazing! And multiple uses of hemp - fabulous - you would have loved it - they collect all the water that falls on the place and use it for flushing the loos and so on ...http://www.edenproject.com/about/index.html they are working hard to be waste neutral but haven't made it yet. Back to the corset - the laces sound as though they will work perfectly well as they are - it would be a pig if you decided to dye them and they came out a different shade than the lace. Love your needle find - I love finding old notions in charity shops - sort of connects you to generations of woman who have done their thing for the family. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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