I have not been able to even touch the surface of my collected files so my first post was about following a single lead that had the potential to be an all in one go to source. Der Bazar had several corsetry articles, and it looks like they appear the week before they do in Harper’s Bazar.
And that makes sense, translating and setting up type to print a new edition takes time.
But I haven’t had a chance to do so, and I am a bit too sore to update from my archives.
I do though have a couple of links for study and might be able to make this short enough to do some work on my own projects 🙂
These links are all from Antique-Gown.com as they are so perfectly illustrative.
Embroidered Corset, ca. 1878
Piping. This has piping! And a full separate lining layer. It makes me feel better about my earlier corsets as there are some seams that drift a bit 🙂
DR. WARNER’s Bridal Corset, ca. 1880
Stunning! The seams are pressed so well and you can see the seam allowances change direction in the shell layers. They are very precise too. The lining is less so, but great views of the direction of the seam allowance and thickness of lining here.
Tempting Red Victorian Corset, ca. 1880
This has some awesome construction details! It appears to have a single layer lining, except the shell and lining are turned out in the seam that follows the bust and a strip of shell fabric is applied over the cording and seam allowances and sewn to hold three strips of boning. This may make for one of the less fiddly construction method- aside from the whole sewing through the cording thing 😉
Black Front Busk Corset, ca. 1880
A lined corset again, this time with a shell facing across the inside back lacing panel. There is also a waist tape and a tape used to support the inner seam of the bust gores.
Prototype Corset, Paris International Exposition 1889
Seriously beautiful lined corset. The lace would ad a very light support to skirts and bodices, a bit of padding without looking like padding.
Again, great views on the lining. The bust gores are treated the was Der Bazar shows- with overhanded/cast stitches at the base of the gore.
Victorian Corset, ca. 1890
This corset is a single layer, with self casing on the outside and a self facing over the back lacing holes (face of fabric outer.)
Victorian French Underbust Corset, ca. 1890
That is peach plush velvet yes 🙂
Shell and lining, the lining appears to have SA opened.
R & G Silk Jacquard Corset, ca. 1895
This is a single shell layer corset with casings of a different material on the inside. I think this is the most easily replicated construction for at home as the seam allowances are left raw. There is no attempt to fully welt them.
Also has a waist tape.
This website has several more corsets to look at, this is just a start but should be a springboard for anyone who wasn’t sure what construction method to use as there are several options 🙂