I Hate Making Stays! // Attempting to make an 18th Century Corset

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

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[@sannabengtsson3044]

Specialized on this kind of problem yes companies not

[@jennaheleen6849]

I made my first pair of stays as my final project for my Advance Costume Design course as a college theatre major. The BEST advice my professor gave me regarding the mock-up process was to use Rigilene. Rigilene gives you the structure you need from boning, but because it is made of a warp of thin plastic "wires" woven together with a thread weft, you can sew through it on the machine. Which means you can sew the rigiline directly on to the mock-up and know exactly how the stays will fit with boning, but not worry about sewing boning chanels! I went through several mock-ups, each of which consisted of one layer of my strength fabric and rigilene. Best part is, when I needed to reposition a bone, I could just seam-rip the rigilene off, move it, and sew it back on without needing to faff with the fabric. I've used rigilene for all of my stays/corset mock-up ever since. Might be a bit late for this project, but I hope this helps in the future!

[@jennaheleen6849]

Oh! Another tip for less painful stays mock-ups is lacing strips! My professor had me diy a set of lacing strips in a spiral lacing pattern before I even cut out my first mock-up. That way, if I needed to do any work on the back panels, I could just rip off the lacing strip and sew it on to the new piece, saving me the trouble of having to redo the eyelets. I've kept that set in the back of my closet, and recently pulled them out to use on my mock-up of a pair of regency long-stays.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I've heard of doing the lacing strips before, but the rigilene idea is really good! Thank you!

[@shevaunhandley1543]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you for the tip. May I screen shot the tip?

[@jennaheleen6849]

@@shevaunhandley1543 Absolutely! Go right ahead.

[@susanharris-rohde1127]

Thank you for the tips. I am working up to making my first stays, beginning with the chamise & drawers. Stays have been my hold up. I will definitely try these!

[@historicallyfashioned]

Have you considered cardboard for a mock-up? It actually works quite well for stays. You just need to be sure to remove the seam allowance when assembling. It gives a pretty good first idea of fit before cutting into any fabric. You can even add eyelets. I typically reinforce the eyelet bits with a few layers of packing tape, punch the holes then lace up.

[@laurawilliams7782]

Perhaps if you had a playlist to inspire you? "Stay with Me" by Sam Smith + "Stayin' Alive" by Bee Gees + "Stay" by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs + "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash + "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

[@liddybird3608]

I love this idea! Some great music on this list, too.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Haha! I love it.

[@ReneePowell]

My go-to with mock-up stays or other boned garments is to just poke holes for temporary eyelets in my mock-up canvas and put in boning at key points only - along seams and closures and supporting the bust, and along the side under the arm if the pattern calls for it. First mock-up is just checking for appropriate length (does the bust sit properly, is the waist in the right place, etc.) and roughly whether the circumference needs to change drastically anywhere. That takes care of a lot of the biggest fit issues that would make something entirely unwearable. For something with tabs I’d slice them open less than I thought I needed, and then experiment with slicing them higher and higher until they fit the waist and hips, and checking where that ended up to identify whether I needed to make changes to the pattern for the next mock-up. The corded regency stays I made for my bestie took a lot of measurements and two mock-ups with minimal boning, before I bothered doing the final version with extensive cording. A bustier I made (which I wore to the poolside party at CoCo) took something like four mock-ups to get the bust and waist right. There’s no way they’d have fit without mock-ups.

[@DOSBoxMom]

You could try using highlighter to color-code where the boning strips should go, referring to the downloaded pattern as shown on your computer screen.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I wound up doing that in some places where it got really confusing!

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I ended up doing that on my corset project, multiple colours of watercolour pencils saved me some sanity points

[@elven1713]

Thank you for showing that even a seasoned sewer finds this difficult. I've cried over several mockups that I've attempted but I have to make a pair if I want to do the project I want to make. Fail forward!

[@mikuhatsune184]

You’ve got this! Stays can be a monster of a project, but a beautifully fitting Brunswick afterwards will likely make all this hassle worth it. It’s your Brunswick at the end of the tunnel lol. Also, if you’re looking for another way to transfer curvy lines in the future, I would consider using a tracing wheel and transfer paper or the prick and pounce method. In case you are not familiar with it, the latter method involves making holes along the lines to transfer (like you can with a spikey tracing wheel) and then blotting some colored powder (like chalk or turmeric) in a cloth over those holes to leave dots on the fabric. You could also go over the holes/dots with a pen to help see the lines better if you’d like. Redrawing the lines works just fine, but I did find that those two methods have helped me a lot with my more precise sewing projects and just thought that they could maybe save you some time and frustration as well. Also, take time to rest if you need to since working a fifty-hour-a-week job is no joke and your well-being comes first. Compassionate deadlines, as Noelle says :)

[@DOSBoxMom]

I'm not attempting anything nearly as complicated as your stays project currently, but I do have a ton of small crochet projects queued up, mostly as part of the gifts I'm providing for my town's local Christmas charity. I've made 2 of 4 hats thus far, and will also be making 3 cowls, a phone sleeve and a tablet sleeve (that last to go with a gift for my adult daughter). All that plus a day job as a legal secretary, and making plans to visit my elderly mom in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving next week. The 4 children I'm making gifts for will also each be getting afghans, but I make those throughout the year, so they'll each get an afghan from my FO (finished object) stash.

[@rileyadams5389]

For my stays “mock up” I used 2 layers of med wt denim (stash fabric) and sewed them up quickly and messily and sewed about 1/2 - 3/4 of the boning channels and boned those with industrial zip ties to test the fit. It got me close enough to make some adjustments and get my head around the project without wasting fabric and boning. I did 0 hand sewing on the mock up & attached the panels together by laying them side by side and zig zag stitching them together. It’s hard to explain but it’s the same technique you would use with cut and sew bra foam cups. It wasn’t the strongest, but it worked for mock ups

[@DOSBoxMom]

I found a book at a library book sale (last year, I think), published in the late 1940s-sometime in the 1950s, which had instructions for making theatrical versions of historical costumes, by adapting then-modern garments and sewing patterns. It seemed to be geared towards high school/college/community theater productions of plays in historical settings. I tried selling it on eBay, but it might still be with my stash of unsold items. (Don't know if they attempted to provide instructions for period undergarments for the period-ish costumes, though.)

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

That sounds like an interesting book!

[@luanneedwards8846]

U r my hero....I tried to make these 8 yrs ago....they r still in my sewing room in unfinished projects...I am 67 and went out and bought some butttt I still want to make these...u gave me the drive to go and find them now...I want to see u do it as I am a regular sewing no training like u...so I will cheer u on cause I have been there and QUIT...I am a size 42

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

You’ve got this! We really need a list of fitting for all patterns! There are way too many variables to fitting. Bodies are hard!

[@Bexinmo]

Anxiety gives me nausea, and nausea gives me anxiety. It's a wonderful combination. You got this, girl! You are a creator. You have made some of the most stunning costumes where patterns don't exist. You have made beautiful hats and bonnets. You have made tiny doll outfits. Stays are your nemesis, but they will NOT beat you! Thank you for coming to my pep talk. Do they still make transfer pencils? I remember my mom had these red pencils she would trace a pattern and iron the lines on to fabric (for embroidery I think).

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you! And I haven't heard of those pencils, but they sound really cool!

[@leenb.7936]

I don’t really like the look of these sort of stays (for myself) but we have a similar built so I do hope to see a video of you making the sort of stays with gussets on the bust. Still loved the video but not much inspiration for my own stays so no harm in hoping for my preferred kind hey. But I do hope yours still look nice and will still hold up for long because it is indeed a tedious process

[@ColleenMarble]

There's just no way around making a fully-boned mockup. Use cheap boning material (zip ties or rigilene) and lacing strips (or just holes poked in the fabric). Just go through the process! You'll be much happier with the end result. I made a video about lessons learned from making my first pair of stays. I had to make several fit adjustments and it was a PROCESS. But the boned mockup is critical! You can do it!

[@TealCheetah]

Just started the vid. Wishing you luck!

[@asiabryant207]

If it helps, try thinking of this go through as a wearable mock up. Especially since what you want to make next is closer to an outerwear garment. Make the stays. Try your best and move on. If the stays don't quite fit the way you'd like, you're that much closer than you were before. And it is likely that the brunswick will fit over the next pair of stays you make from this altered pattern if you can gather the will to try again if these aren't exactly what you hoped for. My Augusta stays were technically a mock up and I've worn them for the past two years. Partly because I was (am) new to the 18th c and not quite sure how they should sit on me but mostly because I'm lazy and they're good enough.

[@somethingclever8916]

I really found the outlander simplicity corset really easy. Hack is I sew the bottom of all sides together on the wrong side, flip and sew my channels.

[@TiciaM]

Yes, those were super easy to make up.

[@Inconnuedelaseine]

American duchess has few videos on stays and blog posts on lengthening and shorting stays

[@skolljumper]

I'm also making my first stays and I'm making it with novelty Halloween 🎃 fabric for my "mock up"

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I love that!

[@Wee_Catalyst]

8:34 “That’s vague.” 😂 Very true

[@susanaperez3643]

Some times use cardboard,to make a tryout stay,

[@bonniecolleenpappin8807]

That's what I did with my obese, apple shaped body and they were great to ensure the final garment fit fine.

[@FantasticalFolliesCostuming]

Good luck with the rest of this. Never seen curved boning channels on 18th c stays before O.O It's moot for this project and I'm sure you've seen it before, but I made a set of boned front and back lacing strips for mockups and it was the best thing I ever did. Took me like 20 minutes. I leave 'em laced in my sewing box and just baste the suckers on for fitting.

[@teddy-3765]

When I made the Redthreaded stays earlier this year I made a mock up in drill jut for sizeing it - forget boing, cut the mock up, slit up to the top of the tabs and try the thing on. It at least gives an idea if it fits or is too big or too small. Those stays have a stomacher so it's easier to fine-tune the fitting by lacing looser or tighter over the stomacher (and we made it both front and back lacing for a belt-and-braces approach to allowing for size fluctuations) but we seem to have hit it pretty much spot-on with the fitting using the mock up.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I'm kind of wondering if I should have gone with redthreaded instead of these....

[@teddy-3765]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions Hard to say - you might have encounterewd the same issues. Just vbecause my experience with that pattern was good, is no guarantee anyone else's would be - same as with the Scrop pattern.

[@AnniCarlsson]

Unfortunately stays and corsets means mock ups. And bone them. Maybe not need all but most. It can be 1 layer of really stable fabric and just remember it going to have little less give with more layers. Not made my first yet due to not had it in me to do mockups and have other projects i need to dp first but seen so many been done. And one thing seem to be the less experience with making them the more you need to make the mockup completely as intended just in cheap fabrics thats sturdy enough. And with time you can start skip a few bones and still know what those skipped bones would do with fit And for transferring lines. carbon paper.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Yeah, it's so frustrating that you basically have to make the stays to know if they work.

[@catherineleslie-faye4302]

Sending good vibes. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with making stays...

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! I think I've figured them out now hopefully! 🤞

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Just listening to you trying to figure out how to lengthen the pattern was making me dizzy. I always have to shorten my patterns and I think I'll be leaving stays alone for awhile longer. Looking forward to seeing yours though.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

In hindsight, I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have lengthened the pattern after all, or at least not by so much. Or it's possible that this pattern is just not the right one for me, too.

[@kathrynmacgown6575]

Fabulous!

[@whimsicalmusedesign]

Omg I need to learn about a Brunswick now! I’m so excited about this overall project!!❤❤

[@alexiscarlton1355]

Fight on and concur the stays!

[@alinaruff6540]

I have done this pattern before. The problem with the "too small boning pattern piece" is there is seam allowance included in the other piece and there is a second line marked for the seam line. And the curved boning placement works out when it moulds around the body.

[@Roseismyboxer]

This may be a bit late, but the double line that goes across the pattern pieces (about 1/3 of the way down from what I can see) looks like the lengthen/shorten line.

[@auntiezann5146]

I gotta say: that pattern made my eyes cross! Good luck to you!

[@threerings13]

Only 10 minutes in so you may come to some conclusions, but from a frequent corsetmaker perspective (tho I also kinda hate stays), that pattern looks SO SHORT. I'm 5'11 and used to having to add 2-4" in length to corset patterns for myself but damn those are short. Also IMO you cannot tell how a pattern will fit by looking at the paper or measuring it against your body like you are trying in the beginning of the video, not with support garments. Only way to approach it is just to cut a mockup and bone it lightly and lace it on. The garment will act totally different from any flat piece. This is why fitting stays IN PARTICULAR in my experience takes like 3-4 mockups because you have to see how the first fits, make changes to the pattern, make another mockup, etc. Also I need to make my own stays as well. I'm considering the RedThreaded front lacing stays pattern. Cause I just hate the idea of trying to draft one from scratch.

[@threerings13]

Quick and dirty mockup tips: make it from one layer of fabric: preferably canvas but anything is better than not doing one. Tape the bones in place iwth masking tape or just bone on the seams in the seam allowance. Poke raw holes for lacing or make a set of lacing panels that are just plain rectangles with a bone on each side and metal grommets set in the middle that you can reuse by basting onto each mockup.

[@victoriakelly5531]

I bought a light pad that I put my patterns on so I can transfer lines on the fabric/ or to copy patterns it makes it so much easier

[@suzzanahbessette6989]

I would highly recommend reaching out to a couple costubers who focus more on this Era and get some recommendations. They may have a more ideal pattern to use, and/or hacks to make it easier

[@emmar.r.955]

I started making a pair of stays in June (because I also wanted to make a Brunswick) but hit a wall and stopped. These sewing vlogs might get me back into it!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Hopefully we can both conquer our stays! 🤞

[@annettebroomhall8617]

You have enormous amounts of patience to mark your lines this way. Try a quilt shop for a type of carbon paper. This is great for transposing lines as you just put it under your pattern on top of the fabric and trace the lines with a pencil, or even an awl . I haven't used it for ages but remember it coming off easily when the marks were no longer required. Good luck

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Looking forward to seeing the next video!

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

12:01 dear gods I feel your pain. I used cotton twill from Ikea curtains for all 4 mockups (only had to recut once because apparently as with everything I have to take in the boobs and let out the waist, thank heavens I didn't have to worry about hips since I was only doing the top half) and marked each round of changes in a different colour of sharpie. The hem I cut off the curtain worked beautifully as temporary boning channels I could slide my zip ties into when I was sorting out how that would go and I ended up reversing the slant direction of one of the bones to keep my sideboob out of my armpit, and I still needed a handful of emails and a video chat from a friend to help me with the fitting. I temporarily sewed a long zipper into it so I could just try it on... all that work and I still need to pinch a bit more out of the boobs on the final piece (or maybe I'll just stuff a pushup cup in there) and let it out a bit at the lower back cause it squeezes my ribs a bit more than I'd like, though if it were laced instead of zippered that would probably be ok. But with all your lovely piping, you inspired me to try making my own bias binding and it worked beautifully, I had JUST enough of my outer fabric left. All that to say, using the zipper on the mockup and the rolled curtain hem as temporary boning channels saved what little sanity I had left. Oh, and I poked holes in my patterns at the top and bottom of each boning channel so I could make a dot through the hole then connect them with a ruler once I removed my pattern/template.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Oof, four mockups? 😥

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions When you're shaped like I am, you wear baggy or stretchy clothes, or you have a lot of mockups for anything fitted, I have vrey squishable boobs, narrow hips and a thick unsquishable waist, last time I tried to figure out what size to use for a Mood pattern, my bust said size 12, my hips said size 8 and my waist said size 18, I started with a size 12, let out the waist A LOT, took in the bust more than I'd expected, raised the waistline, and installed my pockets out of a heavier fabric than my lining so it would fill out the hips I don't have. I identify as body shape "brick with boobs"... so an out of the envelope stays pattern is never gonna be something I can expect to work for me so not being able to try it on would not be feasible at all. Fortunately for mine, I only cut the mockup fabric twice, I just re-drew my stitching lines in new and exciting sharpie colours with every re-do! ...and still made a few more changes once I started constructing the actual garment... and notes for two little changes should I make it again... And adding from the waist to the hips if I ever decide to make it a full corset shouldn't be too difficult, now that I have half a clue what I'm doing!! I'm also really short-waisted with a short rise so most of my pants come from the men's depoartment if they're not a knit fabric.

[@twertz]

It’s a bit late, but you can press everything like normal, then stick the fabric in the freezer for a few minutes. The frixion pen lines should come back :)

[@sandiemable]

Wow! I would have to phone a friend, but I would need a friend that could sew. I have seen all those beautiful garments you have made; you've got this! xoxo's Sandie

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you! 🤞

[@sandiemable]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions 😘

[@Downhomeherbwife]

I have a silk Brunswick cut out and waiting for (hand) quilting. Good luck with your stays!

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

Well done for attempting such a daunting task! It's impressive however it turns out, I'd have given up after just struggling to decide between straight or curvy!!! I'm not really one for maths, I'd probably try a ton of mock ups and go from there, but all that boning and canvas would be a lot of hassle.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Right? I wish you could do mockups of stays without making basically the whole thing.

[@teddy-3765]

Thanks

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you so much for your support! You are so wonderful! ❤️

[@joannebrown4073]

Congratulations on 30,000 subscribers. Xx

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you! ❤️

[@lindagoesel3815]

Stay with it, it will get there.(no pun intended, lol)If you need one it has to be done. I'm sure you're capable just second guessing yourself. Prayers coming your way.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

These stays are proving even more frustrating now than they were in this first video! I'm trying so hard to keep going and not abandon them.

[@liddybird3608]

What a nightmare! I'm sending positive vibrations in your direction. Hope they help.😘

[@johannageisel5390]

That is a super cute top! :D

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks!

[@adedow1333]

I used on of the redthreaded patterns on Etsy. I've only gotten through the working mock-up but for being made of canvas of questionable fiber content, zip ties, and bias tape, they worked really well. I do need better than zip ties for the bust support, but the pattern fit like it was made for me (except a bit added right at the front, and even that was just and extra 1.5" all the way down in a straight line!) Highly recommend! I'm actually excited to make the real things. Next spring

[@lajoyous1568]

I have a stays pattern that I dream of making some day. Currently, all the boning channels appear indistinguishable from what is not boning channels. 😕 Good luck. I look forward to watching your progress.

[@rebeccafluffypace1766]

I went though the same issues before I gave up and bought some from Samson historical. My head was about to explode!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Oh dear! 😥

[@saritshull3909]

I saw someone stick cardboard down their mockup when they tried it on. I think it was Nicole Rudolph

[@Erin-ts7ul]

Reconstructing history patterns suggests making a mock up with poster board.

[@dancooper-jones]

give me a Victorian corset anyday!! you're a better woman than me. I've made a few and hated them. you have ALL of my prayers, hopes and wishes. quick edit: if I didn't love your videos, I wouldn't of even started watching this. I avoid stay making tutorials at all cost, cos they make my panic and cry as if I'm the one making the drafted things. you got loads furtherthan I would, before considering the bin!!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you! And I'm glad you watched anyway!

[@EilonwyG]

That dress you want to make looks gorgeous! This is probably one of the biggest reasons I haven't made anything that needed bone supports - I've never made stays or a corset and I'm terrified to try. One reason Inlike Medieval garments. But if I ever want to make my outlander inspired outfits... So far your stays look great, so maybe I just need to jump into it and prepare to fail and maybe it'll actually be better than I fear.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Honestly, Victorian corsets are sooo much less scary, and way less tedious to make than stays. You can totally do it if you want to!

[@amyjones2490]

You should take a look at Dior spring collection for 2023. It has echoes of the 18th century. What is old comes new again.

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Cardboard can give you some idea of the length.

[@ooppii1]

I made short stays.. i made three mock ups. I'm thinking I'm gonna buy my corsets and stays from now on....

[@RianShafer]

If I ever get a corset/stays, someone else will be making them. I think you did a good job on the little eyelets as well, NO ONE is ever going to see them as close up as the camera did. lol Looking forward to the next vid.

[@lornas-w4661]

I was nervous of stays too and have made ONE pair from Simplicity 8162. I had to size them up but it seemed to work really well (and was I surprised!). Yes: a mock-up is going to be necessary- I used mine to be one (or some) of the layers. I have not tried making any more corsetry. The Simplicity pattern is WAY simpler than the stays you are making here....

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Good to know. If I can't get these to work, maybe I'll look at those.

[@katebowers8107]

Bon courage!

[@tasanijanus7092]

I just finished my 4th mockup of 18th century handsewn stays from Larkin and Smith. And this mockup honestly I think is an inch too big and maybe 3/4 too short. The bright side of it is that I finially understand the unquestionable value of thimbles and that I have more practice 🤗😫stays are hard though, man....

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

4th mockup?! 😥

[@tasanijanus7092]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions 1st one was a complete mistake in fabric choice. 2nd was a mistake cutting seam allowances. 3rd was scraped because I was sewing kinda jagged. I didnt pin or baste the boning which was dumb and painful and took a long time to look real bad. 😁 good learning experience though

[@TealCheetah]

I feel less crazy for all the trouble I had with this pattern too. Things like, how to transfer the boning channel lines. I thought I was just inept. It's on the UFO pile

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Uhoh. Did yours have fit issues too?

[@TealCheetah]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions I never tried them on. Got distracted by a new project.

[@marywest2896]

gosh girl that jacket is so pretty you can wear it today on a regular basis! am excited!! are you using a mattlesse bedspread? i think i spelled that wrong but you know what i mean.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I'm using pre-quilted silk, so I'm hoping it will go together relatively easily! 🤞

[@2020Dumpsterfire]

Ive used cardboard or cardstock to guess a bit how the shape of the stays will be.....but that's as far as I got lmao I didn't actually make the stays.

[@marywest2896]

pardon the stupid question ....why do you need stays to wear that knee length coat jacket?

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Because stays were the foundation of all 18th c outfits. It would be like going out now and not wearing a bra.

[@marywest2896]

@@LadyRebeccaFashions big sigh, oh for the days were cave women didn't even know what a bra was ...lol

[@kaylaball7647]

Of course you are down. But Could you cut them out of foam as a test. Since it is more structured.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I think that would be too flexible.

[@michellecornum5856]

I find corsets emotionally overwhelming to make. I don't know how so many people can just seem to whip them out. Praying for you.

[@angelaross1]

So far I’ve made two pair and both are technically to big. The frustration is real 😝

[@stache1954]

Best to do a heavy canvas sloppy mockup with limited boning and have someone fit ti on you.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I finally finished my half-corset, I completely understand why you hate making stays. I hated making mine too, but now I want to do it again only better. I suspect a lot of us sewists are a titch masochistic... :P

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Oh friend! I’m sorry it’s so stressful! Remember what Noelle says; compassionate deadlines.

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

This was a great vlog!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks! The main problem with deadlines is that I really want to move onto the Brunswick! 🤞

[@anieth]

Did you ever find work? I may be looking for someone to do social media.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I'm in a production of Cinderella right now, but I'll be looking for work for after that!

[@cdeg1964]

Have you considered that the instructions may be a little arbitrary? Maybe you can contant Morgan Donner or some one of the other ladies who do this kind of sewing????

[@TheLaughingPanda]

Oh boy, I want to do 18th century someday but that means stays, and stays scary.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Yep, exactly! 😥

[@melissashiels7838]

Try making a mock-up out of cardboard first, it will give you some of the stiffness of boning without going through the effort of doing boning channels in the mock-up.

[@Raayvhen]

I came here to say this! I like using old cereal boxes

[@savannahbrewer6161]

Stays are NOT stupid, and for all the new costumers coming here to get an idea of the project, it's really not that bad. it's tedious and not fast, so people whine a bit, but seriously don't be discouraged! it's honestly not as bad as youtube makes it out to be, just go slow and take your time, it'll be worth it.

[@holliegoode4109]

10 mins in to the vid and i feel like the pattern to too vague and confusing , maybe the issue is the the pattern xx

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Yeah, I'm honestly thinking that, too.

[@hazeluzzell]

It seems like there’s a good chance for a rant!

[@SabinaTak]

I hate, hate, hate, fitting stays. It feels like a waste. What changed how I feel about making them was Mandy Barrington's books. You draft the pattern yourself based on your own measurements. It hasn't failed me once!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thanks, I'll have to look into them!

[@mikeymullins5305]

Starting this video when you follow the Instagram 🙃

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Lol yep, Instagram is a week ahead. 😉

[@qienna6677]

Anyone else picturing a chibi version of Rebecca throwing a little girl tanty over stays?

[@SuperNovaSirius]

Genuine question!! If you struggle so much with these patterns, why don't you draft your own pattern on your pretty mannequin? Wrap it up tightly with pieced pattern paper and draw the appropriate seamlines and tabs according to historical examples. ♡ Hated to see you struggle.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Unfortunately neither of my dress forms are close enough to my shape to be able to do that.

[@theglitterballlifestyle675]

You look like you could use a hug 😭 stays are a pain 😭 i hope you get it figured out ❤

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Thank you! 🤞

[@trudicole3520]

My guess is you will never do 18th century again poor you I feel for you

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

I really want the dresses, though - I just hate the stays.

[@p.nathanial8314]

𝓅𝓇o𝓂o𝓈𝓂 🙏

[@HoneyBear36]

Note to self… don’t do stays… 😅 I’ll just be inaccurate in my hobby