corsets...sexy

[WriterDom]

Why so expensive? 150 pounds is like 300 dollars isn't it?

 

[SweetGigi]

Why so expensive? 150 pounds is like 300 dollars isn't it?

because they are custom made.

quality is worth the price, IMHO

 

[TheleHun]

.....

 

[CutieMouse]

I have this one from Frederick's too. Its nice but like it was mentioned before, the boning is plastic. I would love to replace the boning in it (as well as in my others) with something more stiff, but not as stiff as steal. I know true bones where once used-- what else could be used to be more ridged than what it has now but not as constrictive as steal?

Most corsets currently use sprung steel bones- a medium gauge steel wire, coiled, then pressed flat. They are stiff, but still quite flexible.

I've heard that there are very very high end corsettiers who will still work with whale bone, but their work tends to run in the multiple thousands of dollars, and there is usually a 6 month - 3+ year waiting list.

Another reason custom work is so expensive, is the geometry involved in drafting the design. Being off by 1/4 inch in even one spot can throw the entire thing out of wack, and possibly cause the ends of the bones to push on pressure points around the hips and base of the spine (when sitting for extended periods of time, etc), which could cause nerve damage.

 

[the captians wench]

I have this one from Frederick's too. Its nice but like it was mentioned before, the boning is plastic. I would love to replace the boning in it (as well as in my others) with something more stiff, but not as stiff as steal. I know true bones where once used-- what else could be used to be more ridged than what it has now but not as constrictive as steal?

steal boning really isn't stiff, it just holds it's shape after time where plasic boning doesn't. I'm really surpized that the one there was made of plasic boning, the renisaince style they make is made with steel boning, and I'm about to recyle the boning because it's still good where the fabric hasn't held up as well over the corse of 5 years. Also the dream corset at fredrick's is made with steel I believe. Unless ofcouse they've changed it on me in the past 5 years which is possible.

As to what else you could use, to be honest I'm not real sure there is something other than plastic or steel. I do know that there are different weights of plastic boning, but I think you'll find that they all get misshapened after just a few uses. It's the combination of your body heat and the way you move that does it. One thing that I have found that works better than the boning that you find in a fabric store are those little plastic ties you use to hold electric cords together. The longer the tie, the stronger the plastic, so I only ever buy 20 inch lenghts or longer. The plastic is a lot stronger than any I've found in a fabric store, but it's still not as nice as steel.

 

[SweetGigi]

oh I had no idea that the steel bones are so malleable as far as comfort goes. I will most definitely be looking into this as a replacement. I am most sure that the bones in that corset are plastic. They are poking thru the satin and it feels like it loosing its shape. I wear it religiously so that might have a lot to do with it. (4-5x a week) But it sure looks like plastic to me. I have a sleeping corset that has steel bones in it and I sometimes wake up with 'numb' spots just above my hip bones. I suppose that could be what you were referring to earlier, CM. That is why I was originally opposed to steel as a replacement.

I stopped buying VS corsets when I stopped working there (loosing my discount) I refuse to buy such cheap products for such (moderately) expensive prices.

 

[coy_one]

Looking good! Was that your first corset project? Have you sewn clothes before? Corsets are very difficult from what I understand, and I wouldn't even consider making one myself, it's much too hard. (I don't sew at all!)

It looks like the laces were wrapped around front though - do be careful with that, it damages both the corset fabric and the laces themselves. It's fine to snap a picture but don't leave them like that.

Not my first corset project, but definitely proved to be the most difficult one since I ventured into silk - the dupioni was very fragile - I'd probably go with a heavier weight if I did that again - and I was being watched which made it even more annoying.

I wouldn't recommend it as an easy project, for sure. LOL

Thanks for the tip. No one was here to help me into it. Takes all the fun out of a corset when no one is there to help me into it.

I have talked with Costumers who do use whalebone but that's more for authenticity than anything.
Here is a merchant, if anyone is interested: http://www.farthingales.on.ca/

 

[callinectes]

I've heard that there are very very high end corsettiers who will still work with whale bone, but their work tends to run in the multiple thousands of dollars, and there is usually a 6 month - 3+ year waiting list.

I would be very surprised if anyone is actually using whale bone any longer..though I suppose it might be possible in whaling nations such as Japan and Norway. Even so, they could not be imported into the US and most other countries because it would be in violation of the Endangered Species Act and CITIES.

/end boring science-type input

 

[coy_one]

I would be very surprised if anyone is actually using whale bone any longer..though I suppose it might be possible in whaling nations such as Japan and Norway. Even so, they could not be imported into the US and most other countries because it would be in violation of the Endangered Species Act and CITIES.

/end boring science-type input

Maybe someone happened to bribe a Pacific Northwest Indian nation? I know that some have been granted their rites to hunt whales

 

[Blushing Bottom]

Then one can always be laced up like this...

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/dawneee_2007/peircedlacing.jpg

 

[the captians wench]

Maybe someone happened to bribe a Pacific Northwest Indian nation? I know that some have been granted their rites to hunt whales

I don't know, but I now have an urge to make one using whale bone. Lord only knows why, i'm sure it would be a lot more work and a lot more money, but my interest is deffinitly peaked.

I have been leaning towards making more period pieces....I've even thought about going back to hand stitching!

 

[coy_one]

I don't know, but I now have an urge to make one using whale bone. Lord only knows why, i'm sure it would be a lot more work and a lot more money, but my interest is deffinitly peaked.

I have been leaning towards making more period pieces....I've even thought about going back to hand stitching!

I did A LOT of hand stitching with the corset I presented in my previous post. All that pick-stitching and such...

I kind of like the fastenings. Easier to get in and out of....

 

[CutieMouse]

I would be very surprised if anyone is actually using whale bone any longer..though I suppose it might be possible in whaling nations such as Japan and Norway. Even so, they could not be imported into the US and most other countries because it would be in violation of the Endangered Species Act and CITIES.

/end boring science-type input

One reason boned corsets run into the $3,000 - $5,000 range, is because of the dfifficulty of obtaining the whale bone stays... you presume the corsettier is using *new* whalebone; my understanding is that part of the difficulty in creating a whalebone corset, is the recovery (as in recycling parts) of antique corsets which are no longer suitable for wear or display. You can still find whalebone stays if you know where to look.

 

[callinectes]

One reason boned corsets run into the $3,000 - $5,000 range, is because of the dfifficulty of obtaining the whale bone stays... you presume the corsettier is using *new* whalebone; my understanding is that part of the difficulty in creating a whalebone corset, is the recovery (as in recycling parts) of antique corsets which are no longer suitable for wear or display. You can still find whalebone stays if you know where to look.

I didn't even think about "old" whalebone. Thanks Cutie.

 

[the captians wench]

I did A LOT of hand stitching with the corset I presented in my previous post. All that pick-stitching and such...

I kind of like the fastenings. Easier to get in and out of....

right right.

But I think that's one of the reasons, especially when it comes to corsets, I just don't invest the time in making it myself unless I'm being paid for it. I usually do buy my corsets, and then make my bodices, but bodices are sooo much easier than corsets. They're also so much prettier with a corset underneath, I think anyway.

 

[gingermango]

My nicest one is from AbsoluteCorsets.com .

 

[Etoile]

gingermango - AbsoluteCorsets.com is exclusively a reseller, I don't believe they make any of their products. It would be good to find out who really made it; if this isn't on a label on the inside you can post a link to a picture and I might be able to tell you.

wench - None of Frederick's corsets have ever been made with steel. They have always used exclusively plastic boning. It's not worth replacing the plastic with steel unless you really love the design, because the fabric is still stretchy and not appropriate to a corset.

I don't want to come across as a corset snob, and CM can back me up on this, but I wouldn't call anything Frederick's or VS sells a corset. They're just not the same thing as a real corset made from non-stretchy fabric and with steel boning. They are good for deconstructing to learn how corsets are put together, but they're not worth wearing. Vollers is not so great either, but at least they use steel.

WD had mentioned $300 seeming high for a corset. For something that's properly made, custom fitted, and of high quality, you should expect it to be $250+. Timeless Trends and Alter Ego (both can be found on eBay) are the only ones I've seen who produce quality corsets on a regular basis at the $100 level. Meschantes has good pricing if you buy from them on eBay, I have gotten three Meschantes corsets that way and I was very happy with all of them.

Again, I worry that I'm sounding like a corset snob. After studying this for several years, it is an important topic to me even though I am not a corsetmaker myself.

 

[coy_one]

Again, I worry that I'm sounding like a corset snob. After studying this for several years, it is an important topic to me even though I am not a corsetmaker myself.

Head into the land of historical corsets, and I"ll give you a good run for your money, Etoile. That's where my expertise is....

 

[Etoile]

Head into the land of historical corsets, and I"ll give you a good run for your money, Etoile. That's where my expertise is....

I will bow to your knowledge in that department - I don't know a whole lot about historical corsets! But I can recommend LaraCorsets.com to anyone who wants a good historical corset.

 

[the captians wench]

gingermango - AbsoluteCorsets.com is exclusively a reseller, I don't believe they make any of their products. It would be good to find out who really made it; if this isn't on a label on the inside you can post a link to a picture and I might be able to tell you.

wench - None of Frederick's corsets have ever been made with steel. They have always used exclusively plastic boning. It's not worth replacing the plastic with steel unless you really love the design, because the fabric is still stretchy and not appropriate to a corset.

I don't want to come across as a corset snob, and CM can back me up on this, but I wouldn't call anything Frederick's or VS sells a corset. They're just not the same thing as a real corset made from non-stretchy fabric and with steel boning. They are good for deconstructing to learn how corsets are put together, but they're not worth wearing. Vollers is not so great either, but at least they use steel.

WD had mentioned $300 seeming high for a corset. For something that's properly made, custom fitted, and of high quality, you should expect it to be $250+. Timeless Trends and Alter Ego (both can be found on eBay) are the only ones I've seen who produce quality corsets on a regular basis at the $100 level. Meschantes has good pricing if you buy from them on eBay, I have gotten three Meschantes corsets that way and I was very happy with all of them.

Again, I worry that I'm sounding like a corset snob. After studying this for several years, it is an important topic to me even though I am not a corsetmaker myself.

Then maybe I got a mistake one, because the one I bought 5 years ago has metal boning in it. Or maybe they quickly changed it. Also the new black dream corset is made with a very thick, very heavy brocade. I was rather surprized when I tried that one on, and I didn't rip it apart, but it felt like metal boning rather than plastic. I could be mistaken on the dream corset, but the one I bought 5 years ago, the boning has been poking out of it, and it is metal, that's why I've been thinking about just recyling it.

the one I bought 5 years ago is a reniassince style one.

 

[Etoile]

Then maybe I got a mistake one, because the one I bought 5 years ago has metal boning in it. Or maybe they quickly changed it. Also the new black dream corset is made with a very thick, very heavy brocade. I was rather surprized when I tried that one on, and I didn't rip it apart, but it felt like metal boning rather than plastic. I could be mistaken on the dream corset, but the one I bought 5 years ago, the boning has been poking out of it, and it is metal, that's why I've been thinking about just recyling it.

the one I bought 5 years ago is a reniassince style one.

Without seeing it, I can't be absolutely sure, but I am pretty confident that Frederick's hasn't offered steel boned corsets in a long, long time - if ever. Perhaps it was metal-tipped plastic, that is very possible. They don't use busks, either - I would bet that yours has a hook and eye front, yes? If not, well, are you sure you got it at Frederick's? *LOL*

Again, I recommend Meschantes for good-quality starter corsets. You can get one from them for $99 on eBay, they use three measurements (bust-waist-hip) for those so they are not fully custom, but their fully custom starts around $130-150 on eBay. And they have a million fabrics! (I don't work for them, I'm just a happy customer three times over.)

 

[callinectes]

I was just looking at the Meschantes site..they have a corset called Etoile!

 

[callinectes]

I have a really dumb corset question. When wearing an underbust corset, what do you do about breast support? Or are the underbust styles only for small perky breast girls? I would love to try one out but I can't go out of the house without a bra.

 

[petes478]

Corsets are so sexy

I love them! Love to see a women restricted and controlled in a sexy corset-sorry for the redundancy.

 

[SweetGigi]

No worries, Pete. Scorpios tend to be a bit repetitive.

*giggles as she ducks swat*

do you have your sub dress in corsets? Do you buy them as gifts for her?