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A Speedy 18th Century Corset:

To speed up the making of a corset of 18th century cut, you may, instead of sewing casings for metal bones, sew in Rigeline boning. With the Rigeline, you simply sandwich the bones between the two layers of canvas & fabric, and sew a satin zig-zag stitch down the center of each bone. This makes putting in the horizontal breast bones simpler, and gives the corset a more decorative appearance on both sides of the garment. At UAF we used this decorative style to make the corsets reversible with two types of fabric covering, as shown above, one in cotton, the other in satin, with a built-in brocade stomacher. Afterwards, just trim the edges even, and bind the edges with bias tape. You can sew the bias tape on with a satin stitch as well. For a more detailed version of this process look up the October 1990 issue of Theatre Crafts for my article "Quicker Corsetry". ----Tara Maginnis

Click the Image above, to see Carl Kohler's 18th Century Corset Pattern

Fashion in Detail : From the 17th and 18th Centuries

Tile topped Pin Box

A pair of child's stays

Stays of 1770

A corset and side hoops of mid-century

18th century engraving showing the effects of tight lacing corsets on the ribcage