Examining Our Extant Corsets - Part One: Intro & 1890's

PART ONE: intro and 1890's corset
We're having a look at our extant corsets, to show you some of the details and surprising features common to corsetry at the turn of the last century. How do you tell if your corset is baleen or steel? Were Victorian corsets thick, or thin? Were fine finishings always the norm?
Watch PART TWO here: • Examining Our Extant C...
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[@MorganDonner]

I AM SO HYPE FOR THIS! My next project is an 1890's corset, so this is ten kinds of perfect :D

[@lilybloome1601]

Watching this in preparation to make an 1890's corset of my own, a year later!

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Though I'll never make a corset, I still enjoy the artistry. I also appreciate people who care for, preserve, and share their extant garments. Thank you!

[@juliakatarina8262]

Thanks for sharing all the small details.

[@erinjackson6243]

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Unfortunately for me my sizing for a corset is...difficult, and I'm trying to learn more about sewing (historic and otherwise) so I can make my own. Off the rack corsets just aren't made for me, so I'm very grateful for your videos, and those of others who have made historically accurate corsets. I'll definitely be taking notes :)

[@reformvideos4303]

Love this look at history! Thank you for sharing, I'm looking forward to the next installments!! I'm most surprised at the shortcuts they took in the construction. I usually think of goods from this time period being made with higher standards!

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

These were the early days of mass manufactured garments. There are actually a lot of shortcuts in the more affordable clothing from this period :)

[@elizabethharber9448]

Can’t wait to see the others.

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Tomorrow!

[@terriannswallow4948]

Ooof that really hit me at 9:48 - thank you for the beautiful, educational and thoughtful tour of this lovely piece!

[@estelledesigns]

So interesting! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@t-catmakes9905]

So excited to see this channel and these videos! My next project is an early 1900's corset so part two is an amazing resource. Thank you!

[@fanaticalseamstress]

Thank you so much for doing this video!! ❤

[@mariajones4202]

Very interesting, I'd love to see what the flat pattern for this looked like. How can you tell if a corset in boned with baleen rather than cane/reed? Is it just by the feel and flexibility?

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Cane and reed are almost never seen in corsets from the era shown here For earlier stays, it’s sometimes a matter of feel, but often you need to look for a worn spot where you can see the boning.

[@mariajones4202]

​@@RedthreadedCorsets Thanks for the answer! I had always associated cane with earlier stays and corsets but recently read that some of the later 1890's-1900s corsets in the Symington collection were boned with cane or a combination. Part of the reason was because the machine flossing could be done more easily through the cane without breaking the needle so I didn't know whether this was common or not

[@nizarahdragon3973]

My next project is you front Lassing stays

[@Jagdtoq]

One thing I've never heard any commentator say about these old corsets is that the lining is linen and most often so is the inner waist tape. Also you have to remember that corsets were made to fit all budgets and cost cutting was common. The typical modern woman is like the Incredible Hulk compared to her ancestors and the delicacy of those originals reflect that fact.

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Jagdtoq these corsets are not lined-they are all single layer.

[@Jagdtoq]

That corset is unusual, a cross between Victorian style and yet Edwardian construction method where no lining is used. Typical corsets of that curved busk design invariably had a linen lining which gave it its strength, ability to wick moisture away and dissipate heat, such are the superior qualities of linen.

[@suzyhendrix2]

@Jacdtoq: "This video about antique corsets is the perfect place to make rude comments about women!"