Join us for a two-day corset making course that will cover custom pattern adjustments and fitting, and construction and sewing tricks.
Lara Beckwith has been a professional seamstress and tailor for the better part of 20 years. She comes from a long line of professional seamstresses and quilters and has been sewing her entire life. She started making historical clothing at the age of 3 by sewing her own moccasins. She frequently presents on historical textiles and patterning at Whimsy Con and has been honored with many first prize places for her gowns and tailoring creations.
She is a librarian in her day to day life and enjoys finding resources and teaching people how to research.
We will be using Truly Victorian corset pattern (TV110) for our starting point and it is advisable to purchase your own copy for this endeavor. Digital is fine.
There are two options for attending the workshop; you can bring your own corsetry supplies and purchase the $50 membership, or we can provide all your corsetry supplies - the cost is $150. Sorry, we cannot refund registrations; they can be transferred to another person though. Attendees will be e-mailed the address. A light tea will be served.
Here are the sewing and corsetry supplies that are needed. The first list is for everyone, and the second list is for those who will be bringing their corsetry supplies.
Materials and Items everyone will need to bring with them:
Your sewing Machine (if you are not a confident sewer, that is okay. We will work with you where you are)
Measuring tape
Thread, needles (for your machine and handsewing)
Scissors for fabric and scissors for paper
Fabric marker or pencil for marking on corset
Pencil for pattern tracing
Ruler
Pins or clips to hold parts together
Pattern
If you are supplying your own materials (the $50 membership) you will also need:
Corset busk (10-12)
6 yards of corset lacing (similar to shoelaces)
Extra wide double fold bias tape (one package should be enough unless you have larger measurements)
00 grommets (24-30 ct) I like the ones with a washer back
12-28 (depending on size) steel or spiral steel stays wide. Make sure that at least 4 of your stays are white steel and not spiral for the back. They will need to be anywhere from 9" to 12".
1.5 yards of Twill, Coutil, Canvas, or Drill. If you are also using a fashion fabric you will need 1.5 yards of that as well.