The Costumer's Manifesto is written by Tara Maginnis, and proudly hosted by William Baker.

THE MANIFESTO IS MUTATING!  IT IS TURNING INTO A WIKI THAT CAN BECOME THE HIVE MIND OF ALL COSTUMERS, FINALLY LIVING UP TO IT'S SLOGAN: "COSTUMERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!" YOU CAN HELP IN THIS PROCESS BY MOVING PAGES TO THE NEW SITE AT THECOSTUMERSMANIFESTO.COM, HELPING TO EDIT THE PAGES THAT ARE THERE ALREADY, AND ADDING YOUR OWN ORIGINAL INPUT.

 

Note:  This workbook was made in 1984-85 as part of my my MA Project at California State University Fresno.  It was intended as a text workbook for the Advanced Costume Construction class to use in the costume properties portion of the class. Certain portions of the text now border on the antique because of the date at which it was written, for example under "Materials" in 1985 a hot glue gun was an unusual craft supply, only obtainable at hardware stores.  I hope you will bear with these small oddities and look to the basics of this work, intended as an introduction to several basic costume crafts processes. --TM

PROJECT 12

SHOPMADE CORSET BONES
Steel corset bones are not only used in corsets but in bustles, hoops, panniers, helmets, bodices, and armor. They  are used wherever small flexible supports are needed. While commercially-made corset bones tend to be superior to shop made ones, commercial bones are not available at short notice in many areas, and are not usually available in lengths longer than 18". Shop made corset bones of steel strapping can be substituted for most occasions when commercial bones are not available.

2003 NOTE: WE AT UAF NOW USE SUPER-HEAVY CABLE TIES IN PLACE OF CORSET BONES.  THEY ARE EASILY AVAILABLE IN HARDWARE STORES, CAN BE CUT SAFELY WITH CRAFT SCISSORS, WON'T CUT THROUGH CORSETS, ARE LIGHT, CHEAP AND WASHABLE TOO.

SHOPMADE CORSET BONES

Purpose:

Materials:


Procedure:
 A. PUT ON GOGGLES. With the tin snips cut and trim the steel strapping to length, and round the corners. Round the corners more cleanly with the grinder. (Ask the Shop Foreman for instruction and permission to use the grinder for safety reasons.)

B. PUT ON THE RESPIRATOR. In a ventilated area, dip the ends of the bones in "Plasticoat" as shown. Then paint a thin coat of plasticoat down the length of the bone on both sides. Dry for 2 to 4 hours in ventilated area.

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This Page is part of The Costumer's Manifesto by Tara Maginnis, Ph.D.  Copyright 1996-2010.   You may print out any of these pages for non-profit educational use such as school papers, teacher handouts, or wall displays.  You may link to any page in my site.