Victorian Corset Making 2/4 - 1890s Symington Pretty Housemaid Corded Corset - Phase Two detail

[@hakudoushinumbernine]

where did you get your cording needle?

[@24Washington]

Both were antiques given to me, but the name of the needle type is a "bodkin". I hope that helps you to find one!

[@dariaorme1282]

"...an apprentice having to make executive-level decisions." YES! That's exactly how I feel trying to sew.

[@24Washington]

Those decisions (right or wrong) create experience, and experience will eventually give an apprentice a status upgrade :)

[@astridpiepschyk8899]

Are you familiar with Foundations Revealed? There is so much corsetry information regarding modern and historical sewing techniques, both for corsets and historical clothing. They have a number of free articles that you may or may not have already explored. It's worth joining as a member if you're keen on historical clothing.

[@24Washington]

Yes, thank you :) I've read many of their articles. Some of the reference/research photos I found on Google Images were from their site!

[@fernlintner65]

Yes I have seen several people doing cording and they had to have the piece of fashion fabric on the top side of the cording has to be a lot longer than the piece to be corded onto weird phenomenon when it does not do this with boning

[@24Washington]

Do you think perhaps it's because with cording, you generally have so many side-by-side, whereas with boning, usually there's just one or two?

[@fernlintner65]

24Washington I think it is because with cording for some reason perhaps because we are using the stable material on the bottom and the fashion material on top that the bottom lies flat and the top conforms over the cord rather than both the top and bottom conforming. But i do know you always have to add a fair amount to the top layer when doing the cording to prevent the shrinkage because for whatever reason it does it lol wierd

[@alice4491]

I am a little obsessed with your monster scissors. How might I get some of those? Also, really lovely, careful work. Kudos!

[@24Washington]

Sorry for the delay in replying to your message, but thank you so much for leaving it! The giant shears were given to me, but I can tell you that they are stamped "Wm Enders Mfg Co. St Louis", and on the reverse, "14" (they're 14-inches from end to end). It took a bit of work to get them cleaned and sharpened (I sharpened my own knives and scissors), but they do a delightful job through fabric now :)