1890s Victorian Corset Cover || Historical Knitting & Sewing

[@AndreaGerstmann]

I recently learned that 'pressing' is different from 'ironing' and sometimes if you are really trying to get something flat you need to press down on the iron pretty hard, not just slide it around. Careful though, I've heard professionals say they've broken cheaper varieties of irons by pressing too hard. Also a tailors ham is handy for the parts that aren't flat, so you don't press in a crease where you don't want one.

[@mariahca240]

Wow! The corset cover really pulled together the silhouette. Really makes it look 1890's

[@EngineeringKnits]

Right? When I put on the corset cover the first time, I really felt the same way, like it really tied it all together!

[@EmsIsFab]

For ironing I have noticed that adding more water and high steam really helps wrinkles release from cotton. Something I don't have yet either but really need it a clapper which helps remove the heat and cool down the cloth before you move it to prevent adding new wrinkles.

[@harrietlucyblack6057]

one video per piece would be better i think, since it would allow each project to stand on their own and also let you release more videos

[@EngineeringKnits]

I would love to do that, I was worried since it'd be a lot of sewing without any knitting, there would be low interest. However, it seems there is a general interest in seeing each piece by itself!

[@cauldroncreations]

@@EngineeringKnits Doing one video at a time gives us a chance to chime in with input too :) That makes us feel like we are helping. I found this channel through the Costube community so I definitely don't mind the extra sewing videos and while I don't knit I have friends that do and the historical aspect fascinates me!

[@Fishfrenchfry]

Tip for ironing - lots and lots of steam! Less heat, but more steam. I’m not sure if this is what you tried, but that usually works for me. Also, try ironing using a pillow or cushion since your garment isn’t flat! Best of luck, the video was delightful

[@agypsycircle]

I’d personally love to watch videos of each project and I’m pretty sure you can slip a bit of lace in quite a few places! Don’t forget to add your pockets to the skirt and I love your little lace knit finger padding! So clever! Have fun!

[@EngineeringKnits]

Thank you! I would have actually completely forgotten pockets, what a tragedy that would have been, thank you for the reminder!

[@SockDrawerDemon]

I would be interested in seeing the separate videos, if you would like to make them!

[@poppybell87]

After watching your videos for CoCovid I am watching my way through your full process of creating an 1890's outfit. This corset cover is BEAUTIFUL! Everything from the lovely French seams to the delicate lace trim. It is such a joy to watch your progress and you learning as you go. Everything you have made so far is fabulous and I am looking forward to watching the rest of the series 😊

[@MxchiefMaykr]

I have the same problem with getting that dent/sore spot on my finger from how I hold my needles, and made a similar knitting thimble contraption out of some spare scrap leather! Glad to see other people came to the same solution I did to a problem I hadn't seen many other people discussing

[@daisanders82]

THAT SCANDALOUS BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO! lol. It looks so good and I love the lace. I feel like one video per piece would be better as we can all see the outfit grow as it's completed.

[@SwedishNonsense]

I love how you combine knitting and crochet with sewing. It's giving me ideas on adding knitted lace trims to dresses and other garments!

[@melissamybubbles6139]

It looks like it would make a cute blouse.

[@lacypears431]

Hey there! Well done! It´s so hard to fit things yourself, so don´t beat yourself up if there´s a tiny bit of gaping on the neck. For colourmatching: you could have dipped the lace in some black tea, that gives it a nice offwhite tone. Love from Germany!

[@laurabuche5191]

Hey there! Loved the video and, of course, the corset cover. First of all, you didn't "butcher" my name, 🤭, it's Laura Buché (sounds quite like "butcher" in Spanish by the way). In regards to the wrinkles in the fabric, we usually starch the whole garment, not just the trimmings, it was even common practice to starch the shirts and white duster/aprons we kids wore to school. Can't wait to see more of this project! What will be next?

[@lauraguglielmo]

I think you did a really good job with your first fitted garment!! I'm about to tackle the same thing, and I'm extra on edge!

[@AdelaideBeemanWhite]

It looks lovely! I can’t wait to see the dress! I vote for one video per piece.

[@grannysquared7140]

When it comes to pressing cotton, My mother used to (in the 60's) have a jar with holes punched in the lid that she would sprinkle the clothes with and then leave them in a basket covered up. after they were evenly damp they would iron out just fine. sometimes using spray starch.

[@alcarinweisturlimiell4438]

Great project, turned out so nice!! One tip that really helped me when learning to draft patterns/fitting them was that those folds/ pull lines mean you need to add fabric to the ends of those lines - they always point to the tightest point. In your case, especially in the mockup after the alteration, they point clearly from the top point of the front seam, where it meets the neckline, to the armhole - so putting in a little space at the top of the front seam might have also made the armhole less tight. Just as a concept explanation, I'm sure as a fellow engineer you get the principle ;) And as a second tip, I've had great success pretty permanently staining pure white cotton lace with a mild black tea into an off-white to match the fabric :) I'd love to see individual videos for each of the pieces! Looking forward to seeing them!

[@24Washington]

Firstly, huge respect for trying the new sewing techniques ... and alterations!! The cover as a whole is beautiful - especially for a first-time endeavor!! Crochet size 10. Yup. Makes perfect sense :) I have a ball of size 20 (finer) cotton on my table right now. What size needles did you use? Or did I miss that part? (if so, I apologize). In my experience, the best results with ironing cotton is to do it while the fabric is still quite damp - the creases from laundering seem to set while it dries. If it dries too quickly, use a spray bottle to get it well-dampened. You can also wrap in a towel to delay drying. Have a go at making a leather tube for your finger - you might find that it stops the needles slipping around, too (or maybe that would be a bad thing? lol I'll await your judgement on that). For your upcoming projects, I think that continuing with individual components should be in separate videos. It will be easier for people to find in searches down the line. And finally - with your cornstarch cookery ... you're well on the way to making Turkish Delight. Just sayin' ;)

[@EngineeringKnits]

Thank you so much!! I used US needles sized 0000 (1.25mm), though I think for some of my future items I'll need even smaller sizes, and smaller yarn! Thank you for the cotton ironing tips, I'm going to try to dampen the fabric and re-iron it! I've been thinking about a leather thimble, it'd be useful for the hand-sewing bits too! Thank you again for all the suggestions and information, it makes me feel like I'm working on my projects together with you all! ☺️ Also, I never knew that's how you make Turkish delight!

[@mostly_minerals]

Amazing work! As others are saying, thank you gor sharing your fabulous work! All I'm daring to sew is a needle case right now... For the ironing: have the item be moist or use a moist cloth between the fabric and the iron, and use a tailors ham. Please do videos of each item.

[@tettivestberg2989]

You have to iron when the cotton is damp then you have a good result with no wrinkles

[@christinegallo4983]

I really enjoyed this, and I think the smoothing effect will do wonders for the finished look. I think separate videos for each piece would be nice. I do wonder if you might consider making an 1890s sweater/ jumper after your originally planned outfit is complete, just to mix and match a bit.

[@EngineeringKnits]

Thank you so much! You said exactly what I've been thinking about! I found the perfect pattern in an 1890s delineator book, and I can't wait to knit it up, but it will take some time, the authentic gauge is always so intimidatingly small!

[@lacyminoux9177]

I am enjoying this journey so thoroughly. I would love to see each piece of the ensemble given its proper day in the sun; a video of each would be lovely!

[@flickerwizz233]

This looks really nice! Your videos actually made me learn how to knit lace. In my opinion, one video per piece would be best, as I'm already really excited to see what comes next and you wouldn't have to compress it into one video.

[@anniefasching4405]

I really love your videos, they've inspired me to take up knitting again and try some historical patterns myself ❤️ Also the way you frame your mistakes as sth to improve on in the future really helps me with tackling my own perfectionism and encourages me to do things even though they might turn out imperfect! Thank you!!

[@Sincyn241]

Silicone finger cots! I’m use it to cushion my finger when using very small gauge knitting needles. Just trim the tip and it fits any finger.

[@trojanette8345]

The subject matter of your video is very interesting. I vaguely remember seeing or hearing on some PBS TV program from years ago about a "covering for a corset". My gr-grandmother who was born in the 1880's and live 2 B, (104 1/2); I remembered asking her about a covering. All she said to me was that, "I don't remember tell of such......". I took from that, that perhaps it was TV fantasy......not that it actually existed. Thank you for the lesson and edification.

[@katarinaeconomou7274]

Thank for videos love your pieces you able to do a video Victorian knitted long coat jacket please love style

[@christinehicks7868]

OMG, how did youtube only now recommend me to your channel? Your work is AMAZING.

[@FirebirdPhoen1x]

The problem with ironing cotton lies in the fiber. Due to its low elasticity, it tends to get really wrinkly and those wrinkles stay. In vocational school (to become a dressmaker), we had one assignment where we had to sew a small sample skirt. The fabric was 100% cotton and I spend a good ten minutes to try and get the last wrinkles out. In the end, my teacher had to tell me that I should stop and that the wrinkles would not be bad for by grade. After that, I was very happy whenever we had fabric with 1-3% elastane in it. That gave it elasticity and thus, less wrinkles.

[@ruthmeow4262]

I have to say, the corset cover 1:22 also looks like it would make a nice summer blouse...

[@eminemma]

I love all of these videos so much and you are so quick at knitting! I agree with the other commenters that one video per piece would be best. It lets us see more videos and I enjoy the frequent updates! I like the sewing content just as much as the knitting.

[@albionwolfblaze2754]

If you're still having trouble pressing the cover mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water in a spray bottle, spray the cover until it is just barely damp and use a tailor's ham or cushion instead of a flat ironing board (neck pillows work quite well). We use this technique in theatre a lot.

[@kleinerroterpunkt7808]

You have a Räuchermann that is so cool. Greetings from Saxony.

[@dawnsheridan4274]

Love watching your construction of Victorian garments. Wondering if the knitted combinations were a thing? And, probably required an under-bloomers of some sort? Your garments fit amazingly well for a new sewer. The neck gaping on the cover might be improved by adding more width/fabric across the shoulder blades, as in the photos it is a little snug there. But just a suggestion as the cover is absolutely wearable.

[@michelestout9438]

The lace looks beautiful ❣️

[@juanitamccaslin6184]

To iron the cotton try what my mother taught me, again cornstarch and water ! Ewe used to put it in a shaker bottle, but I bet a spray bottle would work . Just spray and iron!

[@unicornsinmybelfry2685]

I use bandaids. I also like to knit things with tiny thread, and I find bandages work nicely for a cushion.

[@kleinerroterpunkt7808]

Yay! You did it underclothes fibished. 👍

[@lydialinn7938]

I'm loving following the progress of your project!

[@SirCaseyoftheLea]

Thanks so much for making this video. I really needed it for a project I'm working on

[@vnickcolvin4971]

One video per piece! ❤

[@janekokoszko7525]

I think that this is another good piece of work, well made and neat finishing. I'm happy that you chose to do French seams rather than lapped, as i think that it is a more delicate look. I do like the lace that you knitted and I wondered if you have considered learning/using irish crochet which can be made as a finer lace? I also thought about needle rattling, I think it's easier than using a shuttle and you can find lots of tutorials on You Tube. Do you have a tailors ham? I find them very useful when ironing or pressing curved seams. Please accept my apologies if you think I'm interfering, but you seem to really want advice and/or suggestions about your work. I'm looking forward to seeing your next vlog.

[@MsKatastrophenBarbie]

I bought this corset cover pattern too, knowing it would be dated earlier than my time period of the interest. But... I intend to use It for history bounding purposes as a top. Thank you for this video!

[@penelope-oe2vr]

I always spray starch any cotton or linen when I iron it. It gives it. Half a chance at not being horribly wrinkled all day

[@EdwardianTailor]

It turned out so lovely! It's so fun watching your sewing and knitting journey!

[@chanellyon]

Beautiful

[@kitty-pm2md]

I've only just started watching your videos, but i love them! personally I watch sewing videos when i'm sewing myself, so the longer the content, the better --- make videos about each piece of the outfit! you've got me interested in starting knitting now, haha.

[@cosplaygoosevlogs]

Kudos to you! And also, separate videos please!!

[@creafrea]

Just love the way you incorporate your knitting in your historical garments!!! Turned out lovely! I have just printed out the same pattern en want to make a start; however, i find that the seam between the back and side back (pattern parts 4 and 5) do match up below the wait, but above the waits the Side Back is about an inch too long. Did you have that samen problem?? I have no idea how to correct it. Als at the top of the curved seam, this pattern piece has a sort of flat top of about half an inch which makes for a funny corner in the otherwise round armpit. Would love your advice on this......

[@AgentPedestrian]

Gosh I never iron cotton without a spray bottle of water nearby. I love me some nearly pressed bed sheets but they're a painnnn to get the wrinkles out of

[@ElfExGirlfriend]

my suggestion is to use moleskin as a cushion when you are knitting with tiny needles :)

[@1990Phillip]

when I iron cotton I use steam and I iron both sides

[@rahheddinger1469]

WOW.

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

Just looks prettier and prettier

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

14:30 oof, brave!!

[@mistyroller3470]

Were corset covers always used? I'm so new to corset making i don't even know what questions i should ask.

[@LindaUrsin]

One video per piece please :)

[@1nerdyknitter]

What size needles are you using?

[@beelinekhan460]

do not use the spin cycle, hang up dripping wet, to avoid wrinkles. or a very low spin cycle.

[@murrvvmurr]

Don't iron 100% cotton when it's bone dry. It needs to be wet to the touch but not drippy. It should feel like you sweated through it. Think florida. Do not put your iron too hot or you will cook the fabric.

[@elizabethbush-hoh9904]

Travel steamer

[@mrpickles9429]

It’s ok the creases are historically accurate 😂