What Sewing a Victorian Corset Taught Me About Fast Fashion (yeah, they're connected)

Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit betterhelp.com/abby and enjoy a special discount on your first month. If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are licensed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: www.betterhelp.com/your-quest...
If you'd like to make your own version of this corset (and if you do - tag me!!!) go here: store.dftba.com/collections/a...
If you were ever curious as to why I'm so passionate about fashion history, this video is a really great example as to why.
Sources:
Report of the Commission to Investigate Conditions of Wage-Earning Women and Minors, Appointed by the Governor, 1911. Published by the State, 1913. www.google.com/books/edition/...
A Trade School for Girls: A Preliminary Investigation In a Typical Manufacturing City. Worcester, Mass. 1913. www.google.com/books/edition/...
Fabricating Women: The Seamstresses of Old Regime France, 1675-1791. Clare Crowston. amzn.to/4b3ekPO
🥳Socials
Website: www.abbycoxcreates.com
Instagram: / iamabbycox
Patreon: / abbycox
Tiktok: / iamabbycox
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @abbycox
📚My books:
The American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Dressmaking: amzn.to/2GrkAIQ
The American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Beauty: amzn.to/2TTwJtq
💌Business Inquiries ONLY [e-mail]
(This email goes directly to my management and not to me.)
📪 Abby Cox
642 N. Madison Street
Bloomington, IN 47404
**I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. By purchasing items through the links listed above, I could earn a small commission for your purchase. Thank you.❤

[@AbbyCox]

If you'd like to make this corset for yourself... store.dftba.com/collections/abby-cox/products/1880-1890s-antique-victorian-corset-pattern-pdf (if you do make it, please tag me on IG or Tiktok or wherever you post about it!

[@ChelseaSteeb]

7:18 ummm, PERFECT time lapse moment!! 🔥🔥🔥 Well done, Abby!

[@keiththorpe9571]

I watched all the way to the end (I'M A RIDE OR DIE VIEWER!) and I was so happy to see that your opinion of your corset had modified. You worked so hard on that, and I thought you did a wonderful job! Keep up the great work, my friend!

[@Bluebelle51]

maybe it shows up later in the video than I am, but what did you use to stiffen the fabric?

[@danielacrucesperez6901]

It may have been cornstarch, there's a previous video where Abby stiffens the collar of a shirt with it

[@Bluebelle51]

@@danielacrucesperez6901 thanks!

[@melissashiels7838]

Perhaps the woman who bought the original also didn't like how it fit, and hence didn't wear it that much - thus its survival.

[@ah5721]

Aka the bra you hate

[@KelseyDrummer]

Good point!

[@lindastrout695]

So men slammed on women making corsets early on, because it was a man's job, then they slammed on women making corsets, because women shouldn't wear corsets? Insecure males can be indecipherable sometimes.

[@AbbyCox]

I’m currently writing this chapter for my book and I’m flipping tables over here I’m so mad lol

[@Velostigmat]

They said the same things about men being shop assistants and window dressers. I think men were secretly terrified that women could actually be good at something in a "man's world" and used every excuse to gate keep.

[@christinareynolds8179]

“And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you”. It’s just the curse of sin that causes these issues.

[@megb9700]

Well done! Yes I’d like to see the second corset. My aunt worked in the mills in Nashua NH in the 1940’s. She left school after 8th grade to support her family. She always loved and supported her family, but wanted the rest of us to get an education so we “would not have to sacrifice ourselves like that.”

[@AA-cf4es]

​@@christinareynolds8179religious cringe.

[@sianthesheep]

One of the saddest things about the Triangle Shirt Waist fire is that so died because because they were locked in by the management to prevent unscheduled breaks or garment theft - their lives literally less important to the owners than the risk of a minuscule hit in profits.

[@AbbyCox]

I started researching it a while ago, cause I was thinking about a video, and I was just so upset reading the news articles from the period that I had to put it aside. Just horrible

[@florindalucero3236]

So basically, they worked for Shein.

[@talosheeg]

It's such a tragedy

[@jackieknits61]

There is quite a bit of info on the triangle fire. Adding a couple 3 well researched links to your description should be enough. Unless you have something to add to the research, and you can do it without traumatizing yourself too much. It is an important part of our history, in so many ways, but you aren't the only historian who can do this. It's not being forgotten right now.

[@maryhamric]

Watching the New York City (Ric Burns) documentary section on the fire is really brutal. It's infuriating that the owners basically got away with what they did.

[@SakuraShadow59]

As a grown woman with a body like an unenthusiastic cylinder, seeing this corset was a joy. Seeing the two antique garments side by side at the end said far more, far better about body diversity than anything ever could.

[@annematusiewicz3712]

"Unenethusiastic cylinder" finally, a perfect description of my figure. Thanks!

[@MicheleKire]

@@annematusiewicz3712 Me too. This was a real breath of fresh air - a corset made for the "unenthusiastic cylinders" of the world.

[@mala3isity]

Nee "athletically built." My gram's and mom's description. 🙄

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

"unenthusiastic cylinder", ooh that may well replace my "dad-bod with boobs" self-description

[@Rumade]

The singer Pink is this shape, and it's not held her back one jot :) here's to all the cylinder ladies. You're the perfect shape for a kimono!

[@CaranthirLinwelin]

When you were saying that you don't want to risk destroying the corset for the sake of curiosity I was full braced for you to say some variant of "I'm not a Kardashian":P

[@sillyjellyfish2421]

Same! That Marilin Monroe dress fail was an embarassment and a big damn failure

[@2nouli]

I don't understand why no one stopped her and why she didn't just hire someone to make a copy that fits her and call it an homage, everyone would aplaude that

[@datBean]

​@2nouli the worst part is that she DID have an exact replica that she wore to the actual party. She decided to destroy the original for the red carpet

[@user-hp8zs8sk6u]

@@datBean это ужасно! Насколько эгоистичной и глупой надо быть, чтобы уничтожить музейный экспонат только ради собственного, излишне раздутого эго. Я не представляю как она оправдывалась перед хранителями музея. И я уверена что все хранители музея буквально рыдали над испорченным платьем. Я бы рыдала.

[@Sche-D]

But, the experiment DIDN'T fail, if anything, it was an overall success. You made as close as an exact replica as possible, which is AMAZING & you proved that fast fashion has NEVER been inclusive of varied bodies, hehehe, historical times weren't as romantic as we want to believe. Well done & thanx for taking us along

[@katieserra6492]

This! ❤

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Facts!

[@karowolkenschaufler7659]

absolutely right. didn't fail at all. yielded some nice data and insights. complete success.

[@AurelUrban]

Wasn't the whole point about it not fitting that this corset was likely made to accommodate a different body type though? And that this wasn't the only type they made and sold. Even though they were mass manufactured, these corsets still had a pretty large variety of different sizes and proportions. This experiment proved some stuff, but definitely not that fast fashion has never been inclusive of different bodies.

[@fancydeer]

you know this exact corset wasn't for every body but there were various types of corsets for various body types. it made me rethink my "I hate shopping" feeling. there *is* stuff out there that fits me and is made for me I just have to find it in a sea of stuff that *isn't* made for me. And that's the part that's hard and frustrating.

[@jinxleah]

As you know, things haven't gotten much better. My mother was blind and a seamstress for the state of Kansas from the 1970s through the 1990s. She was paid piece work. I can't ever remember her getting over $500 a month for her work. Not only was her work undervalued for being a seamstress, she was also paid much less than an able bodied worker would have been paid, because they were giving this poor woman who had no other options work, something that goes on to this day. But! She was an excellent seamstress, and I still haven't had clothes that fit better or looked better than what she made me. She also had a very rich life outside of work. She had many friends and she was an advocate for the handicapped and was instrumental in getting the ADA passed. She taught me how to fight and advocate. And she taught me that people don't have to be exactly alike to be friends.

[@m.maclellan7147]

Sounds like you should write a book about her. She sounds amazing!

[@margodphd]

​@@m.maclellan7147I second that. She sounds like the type of woman whose life history deserves a book - or a movie. We need more stories of wonderful ordinarily extraordinary women and of wonderful people who lived full, rich lives while having a disability and having to face all the additional challenges that came with it - as if sexism wasn't difficult enough.

[@songindarkness]

It’s terrible how little that skilled “women’s work” is valued to this day. Your mother sounds like she was an amazing woman.

[@fancydeer]

Dang what a badass.

[@kagitsune]

Thank you to your mother for getting us some rights! ❤❤

[@the_vvatch]

Better Health? You need better sponsors :/

[@kawaiidere1023]

Yeah, didn’t they do terrible things with their patients data? As well as other bad things (like pressure tactics)

[@AwesomelyAna]

Was gonna say, they are sketchy af

[@daalelli]

I'm surprised your comment made it through.

[@kirsiloponen6862]

Had to stop watching at that point :( Just saw a new video a couple days ago about more of their BS.

[@DavidCruickshank]

Yeah, How could she not have seen all the controversies surrounding them.

[@ChrisFixedKitty]

You've demonstrated that the "I hate jeans shopping" problem has existed since the start of "off the rack" fashion. This gives me a fellow feeling with not only the women who made the corsets but also those who went shopping for them, spent a chunk of their cash on this expensive-compared-to-wages garment, and then disappointedly had to find some way to deal with it until the next time they could afford a new one. Just like when we buy the jeans we can find and afford that come the closest to fitting.

[@SunnyMorningPancakes]

I think that the failure highlights something we all know from fast fashion - off the rack garments - I can buy it to fit my waist or I can buy it to fit my hips I can't buy it to fit both. And that's before we try to add boobs to the equation.

[@bellablue5285]

Or height... I know I need to start making my own clothes (or heavily altering purchased stuff) but that's a bit outside my capacity rn

[@MicheleKire]

Oh yes, this. I'm three "sizes" in one body.

[@michellemackay6684]

This. If I buy stuff to fit my boobs, then I will look like I'm wearing a sack. If I buy it to fit the rest, then my boobs are popping out like superman.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

​@@MicheleKire Because of an accident my right leg is an inch & a half shorter than my left. Which makes getting pants that fit a ain't in the ass! Everything I buy has to be shortened to fit me properly.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

​@@bellablue5285 Because of an accident my right leg is an inch & a half shorter than my left. Which makes getting pants that fit a ain't in the ass! Everything I buy has to be shortened to fit me properly.

[@bernadettebanner]

THIS IS CINEMA

[@SilverLikeStarlight]

This video really feels like it's in conversation with yours about the Regency overgrown and having the artisans stitch their names into it! We value people's labor!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

If this video was featured on Disney+, Abby would have a corset that affects her breathing and then with one song, she tears it apart ‘coz patriarchy is when you burn bras and corsets which ‘constrict’ women.

[@AbbyCox]

💀😂

[@karowolkenschaufler7659]

the bras in question didn't even burn well. too much plastic.

[@jaded_gerManic]

At the famous rally, ONE bra was burned along with a lot of other articles representing oppression to those in attendance.

[@NerdsTravels]

I wish current designers recognized that different torso lengths exists, and women are different heights. The fact that most women’s size charts don’t even include length information is just ridiculous.

[@m.maclellan7147]

My younger sister and I were very close in height. I have a LONG torso and short legs, she had long legs and a very short torso ! Back in the day, her "3/4 length" jeans were full length on me. We also carry our weight differently. I am more pear shape, she more apple. We stopped sharing clothes when she hit puberty as the differences were extreme.

[@bellablue5285]

Length would be an awesome addition... I have to size up multiple sizes usually just to be able to raise my arms without flashing anyone when I wear women's tops, and while I can get away with ringer tees outside work (such as while shopping), those don't fly at work. I finally found a source for 36 in inseam trousers, but the long torso on top not yet, unless I shop the men's dept.

[@galiyaismakova4249]

Burda sizing has petite ( 160 cm height), average (168 cm ) and tall ( 174 cm) sizing

[@NerdsTravels]

⁠@@galiyaismakova4249That’s a nice start, but 174cm isn’t tall. And a 14cm difference between petite and tall is laughable.

[@Terahnee]

When I was a teenager in the 90s it was almost impossible to find a one piece swimsuit that was long enough on my body. And this was before tankinis were a thing really, so it was have a one piece that digs into shoulders or rides up..... there, or a bikini. My mom actually made a couple of my swimsuits for that exact reason. I was in ballet and leotard makers got it, why couldn't swimsuit makers get it?

[@liav4102]

Holy production value Batman! Am I watching PBS or something? In fact this is nicer than most of what’s on the Create channel

[@AbbyCox]

Thank you! I really pushed myself for this video and I had a lot of fun making it ❤️

[@lydia1634]

I thought it felt like PBS too! Which, as someone raised on PBS, gives me a cozy feeling.

[@annematusiewicz3712]

Why television channels are not grabbing up youtube creators to make quality programs is beyond me. Videos like these are as good as BBC history programs- just with a lower budget.

[@lydia1634]

@annematusiewicz3712 I mean, PBS does sponsor some KZbin channels.

[@inkenhafner7187]

​@@annematusiewicz3712 I'm glad they don't do it as often anymore. Kills the YT-channel and the TV productions are usually subpar.

[@itssteph263]

Your reaction to trying on the replica reminded me of every time I have gone to a store and tried on clothes that clearly were not made with my body proportions in mind.

[@annahackman2539]

I had the exact same feeling seeing her react like that.

[@emilysha418]

Sigh. I was so excited about the Soprano brand because most of their pieces fit me like a glove (small bust, smallish waist, wide hips)! Now they're out of business and a lot of my clothes have holes.

[@PLKinka]

@@emilysha418maybe you could try to have your favourite pieces reproduced? I sometimes do it with easier patterns if my favourite one falls apart.

[@fredericapanon207]

​@PLKinka, mind you, finding a seamstress or tailor who can do a project from scratch like this is not easy. But that is a good idea!

[@emilysha418]

@@PLKinka I did do that! It was a bit of a bumpy ride because it took 6, 6 months to get them, but well worth it I think. The dress I had remade was one of those lucky fast fashion finds, a simple long sleeve A-line that lasted close to 10 years even with a ton of wear (I kept it out of the dryer for the most part). Now I'm thinking I should just learn to sew because shopping makes me so hekkin mad. My mom was a seamstress, but I can only to the very basics and never figured out sewing machines.

[@MossyMozart]

Meanwhile, that off-the-rack corset was made for people like me, with all the curvy charm of a telephone pole.

[@AbbyCox]

💀

[@adelinawarriner6259]

padding, it's easier to fit you than my daughter who's super curvy.... 14" difference between bust and underbust (30.5" underbust, 27" waist then flaring to wide hips that are 17" wider than her waist...

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

@@adelinawarriner6259 Fellow phone pole her, and all the padding in the world won't keep my pants from sliding off my lack of hips. I want to make a corset and see if it will even stay up without shoulder straps, I'm guessing not... Bodies are a challenge whether they're extreme or not. "averages" fit almost nobody.

[@fredericapanon207]

@MossyMozart, When my SIL was shopping with me for her wedding dress, she wanted to get a dress from a local Vancouver, BC, designer. She tried on a number of beautiful cocktail dresses that were obviously designed for people like you, but fit horribly on her. Fortunately she was able to find a beautiful, simple, embroidered cocktail dress that fit her curves beautifully. I was very happy for her.

[@blueberry_lemon]

It's great seeing others with bodies like mine in the comments! I affectionately describe my body shape as a soft brick 💖🧱💖

[@nidomhnail2849]

Informative video. Beautiful corset. As a professional nerd, I checked out the Connecticut study discussed around timestamp 16:00. The report does not report wages that meet or exceed a "Living Wage," but $7.00 a day was considered "barely a living wage." Of all women, 48% made less than $7.00. 50% of corset workers made less than $7.00 (pages 16-17). As your video indicates, corset workers were also charged for the material. If 1/3 was docked from their wages, they would need at least $10-11/day to barely make a living wage. 2% to 4% of women in the corset industry made $10 to $11/day.

[@CommentGirl12]

Reminds me of how you only have to pay servers around $2.50/hr. Bosses have always gotten away with highway robbery if they could. Join/form a union!

[@obliviouscandybar]

Thanks for sharing your research results!

[@hannahcollins1816]

"I didn't do anything wrong; I just have anxiety" - mood

[@kikidevine694]

So many people go with the 'of course, all corsets were custom made'. Errr no.

[@blueberry_lemon]

I wonder how long it will take for there to be different undergarment trends, and for people to discover old sewing patterns and say "oh course, everyone made their own bras back then!

[@KelseyJohanna1016]

This experience you had trying on this corset is so similar to almost every bra-trying-on (or pants) experience I’ve ever had. You pick something out thinking it might fit given the labelled size, and you realize it was made for a body type that is totally not yours, which is so demoralizing. This says a lot about mass-manufactured garments-it’s such an insight to see how little has really changed after 120 years. Women have been likely dealing with that feeling of their bodies not being “right” for a long time.

[@TheEconWoman]

So glad you added the ending. I don’t want to say the video was a Debbie downer, but I could tell that you weren’t happy with the work. You seem so much happier and more - shall I say your old self? I hope you continue toget JOY from this process. You have a gift and I think that it is important to do things for the love of that gift. Spoken like a true grandmother of 63! 😄

[@AVisionInFur]

“That’s embarrassing for them” is the healthiest response to dealing with jerks. ❤

[@Celebrinthal]

The way you turned this video into a tribute to the nameless corset makers was so profoundly beautiful. Great job both on the experiment and narration ❤

[@lydiakies9053]

Your experiment didn't fail. Your results weren't what you were expecting. You followed the pattern perfectly, and re-created a historical garment. I struggle to find clothes that fit correctly, and I'm an "average size".

[@birdyfeederz7940]

I guess it depends whether the goal of the experiment was to get a functional corset they fits her body or to gather some historical information. I imagine it was a little of both

[@freshfrippery]

I’m sorry it didn’t fit you. The project and video made up a loving tribute to the lady corset makers that came before.

[@JanealJohnson]

Your quote, Experiments Fail, is generally what I say for projects I make for others, not every project is a win.

[@awaredeshmukh3202]

If they're always succeeding you're not experimenting enough!

[@birdyfeederz7940]

One could even say that if some experiments don't fail, you might not be experimenting hard enough. I always tell my kid when he's trying and failing something: finding what doesn't work is usually the first step to finding what does work. (Yeah, it's a paraphrased Thomas Edison quote. I never claimed to be original, lol)

[@labhrais6957]

I saw no failure anywhere in this video. Replicating historical clothing is so amazing and you did it well.

[@missvioletnightchild2515]

Hey that's a beautiful corset, and as far as I'm concerned, it's not a failed experiment, it, as you rightly point out at the end, shows how much diversity there was even in mass-manufacturing! And it also illustrates how annoying it would've been to buy second hand or being given someone's old corset and have to wear something ill-fitting because that's all you could afford. I look forward to the second pattern, as I have a similar body type to yours! Bonne chance 😘

[@MDaggatt]

That "fail" looks like it would fit me PERFECTLY. I have a 29 inch waist and a body that looks just like that pattern.

[@robinwhite-underwood467]

Yes, I was looking at that "fail" corset and thinking, "It would fit my bestie, or her daughter; they are very slim with very small hip-to-waist ratios." We are all different, and beautiful in our differences.

[@DOSBoxMom]

The corset you were reproducing may have been marketed as a "young misses'" corset, intended for teenage girls not yet as curvy as their mothers (what would be called "junior" sizes nowadays).

[@k9kelly]

I agree about therapy being good and needs to be accessible. I love your videos and your dogs. I wish I was a millionaire though so you wouldn't have to accept sponsorship from that site.

[@BrandiR713]

I was just wondering yesterday: while watch Morgan Donners' video: "when will Abby put out a new video?" Thank you. Your passion for fashion is so informative and thought provoking,

[@MossyMozart]

I love how she dives so deeply into the sociology of fashion, too.

[@kikidevine694]

I was getting Abby Cox withdrawal, myself. Thank goodness we got our 'fix'

[@catherineleslie-faye4302]

I'm the curvy corset type my meausrements are 48 36 46... I look forward to your making a copy of that curvy corset, and perhaps a downloadable pattern for it.

[@lilaclady1970jmk]

I'm loving the format. Super impressed at how far you've come in your journey as a Creator.

[@Aurriel]

There are multiple moments where my heart is breaking: for the women in the factories (then and now!), for you after trying it on. But this video is so real and shows a lot of emotion and empathy. Thank you for the hard work!

[@abeesley93]

The corset was a great success, and was shaped just like the original. It may have been made for a young woman, but I wonder if it could also have been made for an older woman. In perimenopause I find that I don't have the waist to hip difference that I had before, and the waist is thicker. I think this is a pretty common phenomenon.

[@DOSBoxMom]

I believe the first US mail order catalog was the 1887 Montgomery Ward catalog, which would surely have included mass-produced women's corsets. (I haven't yet looked at that catalog, but I have looked through a reprint of the 1908 Sears catalog, and that certainly included women's corsets.) The early mail-order catalogs would ship to any place with a railhead, and shoppers were encouraged to club together with their neighbors to create group orders, which were cheaper to ship on a freight train than umpteen small individual orders.

[@puppetplushmasters]

Duuuuuuude! I love the surprise marvel movie ending. I remember hearing about the triangle factory fire in high school and even watching a movie they made about it. It was the first instance of learning about the really crappy working conditions during the industrial age of America, and it is a constant reminder with fast fashion, that these conditions are still super prevalent today. You did such a service to the women and girls that have lived this reality and I get emotional thinking about it. We should really start calling you "Abby (Every video is a banger) Cox". Just saying.

[@sarab8796]

I’m glad the second corset was able to save you from your spiral, anxiety is a real jerk

[@roxiepoe9586]

Have you ever photocopied a garment to replicate? I got to do one years (decades) ago because I had access to a massive machine being used in an architect's office. Copied each segment then cut out the parts to use as a pattern. It worked.

[@missl1775]

That sounds really cool! I'm not sure if it would work for this corset, because so few sections are flat without any kind of curve or additions, and it's not possible to take it apart into flat panels.

[@SnoodDogg]

The light from the photocopier might damage the materials of historical garments as well. A lot of museums keep the lights low where they display textiles for just this reason. But it's still a cool idea, especially to replicate something bought/made more recently.

[@CaranthirLinwelin]

"Something rude about the corset that you made" There, someone said it and now you can ignore all that come after me :P. But now having watched the entire thing I like that you had the bonus content with the other corset for a different body distribution because when I saw your initial reaction to the red one that you made my first thought was "Y'know there was probably at least one person in the time period who had the exact same reaction because they didn't order the right thing for them from the catalogue". And now I'm wondering how common 'catalogue remorse' actually was because for a long time they're ordering based on, not even a photograph but an illustration. And in the modern era I'm so paranoid about how I spend my money that I barely trust photographs, the idea of trusting an illustration of the product I'm buying sounds completely insane to me. All that being said I wonder if there are any savage 'catalogue buyer's remorse' reviews from the time period, and how I would find them.

[@erinivie-pawson6868]

You looked like you were going to cry there when you tried her on. Thank you for being so vulnerable about your experience with this. It shows that all of us go through these disappointments with garments we are so excited about making them and it turns out they just don't work. And that's OK. The corset in the end is absolutely gorgeous. You did an excellent job, and thank you for sharing the pattern.

[@TheCurt82]

This wasn't a fail. This was coming to a realization that women's undergarments have been finicky, depending on body type, for as long as structured undergarments have existed. We're spoiled in the 21st century by being able to fine tune these garments to the wearer. I think you discovered that like modern bra styles and brands, ready made corsets could be hit or miss. The corset is beautiful, but not for you. I'm sure there are bra styles that you don't like. Same thing, different time period. Be proud.

[@alinanuss8193]

love your unplanned, very authentic, quirky bonus content at the end!

[@lajoyous1568]

It's like a marvel movie 😊 Bonus content

[@talosheeg]

I wish i had a sewing room like this instead of my tiny bedroom. Also this gives me motivation to finish my regency petticoat and dress and work on my robe a la francaise!

[@keiththorpe9571]

I wanted to say that this channel has been an invaluable resource to me as I wrote my Regency-Era Paranormal-Historical-Romance/Gothic Horror novels. The heroines of my first two novels (the first being a member of the landed gentry/upper class, the second being a highly educated woman of the middle class who marries up into the aristocracy) are dressed in the most sumptuous of clothing and finery. Your channel has afforded me a great deal of insight into the day-to-day reality of procuring, dressing, and wearing such clothing, and I really do appreciate it. Thank you so much. Keep the videos coming, as my third book brings the action into the Mid-Victorian-Era of the 1860's (as well as flash-forwards to 1975...Like I said...Paranormal) Learning a lot about crinolines! P.S. I think you did a fine job on your corset, but you make it however you want it to be, my friend!

[@CryogenicFire]

Yup, I thoroughly enjoyed this format and I also think that the corset that you made is gorgeous. It may not suit your body type, but it is a gorgeous corset nonetheless. I cannot wait for you to make a pattern from your latest treasure though! 😍

[@roxannlegg750]

You made, as usual a very interestung and informative video. Thankyou! Interesting you mentioned that girls often left school early and be pressured to work. Sadly, there are still families and areas of the western world where this still stands. Im an Australlian child of the 70's, and when i was 15, my father, a blue collar worker restoring cars much of his life, pressured me heavily to leave school and get work. I was the only girl in a larger family in all branches, of males, and all petrol heads at that. His exact words were, when I was choosing subjects for year 11, "well, you should just leave now and go work, the engine factory at Lonsdale as jobs going...as do several other outfits down 'ere...". I was so heavily pressured and so unsupported in my desire for higher education, I had to actually leave home and be homeless for a period of time, as a teenager, as my family saw my desire for education as a snub to them. We think of a decent education today as a basic right, but some are still struggling to remain supported in higher education - believe it or not! Thanks for an amazing video!

[@MiffoKarin]

When your face dropped upon realising it doesn't fit right, girl I felt that in my soul! I look forward to the pattern of that second corset, for I too need way more hip room.

[@pearlygirl88]

You know, what is so funny is that I have an extreme hourglass shape. One of the things that ground my self esteem down so much was fast fashion. It actually encouraged me to learn to sew my own garments. The fact that nothing fit my body shape was always soul crushing. Seeing that second corset at the end kind of brought it full circle. There are so many body shapes and types. I understand that feeling of disappointment putting on something and it just doesn’t fit right. But I appreciate how you wanted to reconstruct the corset as it was in addition to thinking about the women who made it.

[@susanscott692]

Love the video so much, but sad about Better Health.

[@ItBeThatWaySometimes]

This is a beautifully shot, scripted, edited and produced video. You’re constantly raising the bar and it’s so inspiring. Thanks for being here and sharing your talents and knowledge with us. 🌸☀️🥰

[@blairviolet_]

I’m sorry this wasn’t a dream fit for you but as a 35 bust, 29 waist, 35 hip I am very excited for this pattern 😉 thank for all your hard work!

[@MicheleKire]

Oh, this one was made for me! Not my size but this is my SHAPE. I've been wanting to delve into the world of historical clothing (or, historically inspired at least) and understand that holding up all those skirts and petticoats absolutely required a corset, but just couldn't see how my straight up and down figure was ever going to fit the clothing style without copious padding at the top and bottom. This is a total revelation and I'm so glad you made this video. Also, I have a Singer treadle machine that needs repairs and watching you work at yours has given me the nudge I needed to get it done.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Now us telephone poles (or as someone earlier in the comments said, "unenthusiastic cylinders") need some advice on how to get stuff to stay up! And also how to pad things for the right silhouette and still have a garment that stays on... I am familiar with trying to keep heavy stuff you're wearing from migrating where it doesn't belong and my solution so far to the lack of hips to keep a belt up has been to sew belt loops onto my gambeson (padded) vest for my leg armour (I do medieval amoured combat in plate steel armour) after too many situations where I had to belt up so tight I was uncomforable and unable to belly breathe properly and still wound up with bruised hips from my belt trying to slide off my hips, and I genuinely wonder how a corset will stay up without shoulder straps, and how uncomfortable those shoulder straps are going to get if I am hanging all the petticoats etc off it. With my armour, most of the weight hangs off my gorget (think a custom-made metal collar that fits over your shoulders and down your chest a bit, kind of like the yoke on a garment?) but that's a whole lot more suface area to spread out over than a couple skinny straps, plus the padded vest underneath... It boggles the mind, but there were obviously less curvy people then as well as really curvy ones and somehow they still made it work...

[@catherinerw1]

Fabulous piece of filming, excited to see how the reproduction of the more wide-hipped body type corset comes out! (Short-ish torso, smallish boobs, LOTS of hip-spring here).

[@diannequan2624]

I love the fact you are so sensitive in presenting this. You are so brave to post this and your heartfelt consciousness of the conditions the girls worked in. Sweat shops are not a new thing. A great reminder Bravo. Thank you

[@heatherduke7703]

Those old machines make such beautiful straight stitches, what a great tool to do all that contrasting top stitching!

[@obliviouscandybar]

First, this was a success because you wanted to see how a fast fashion corset would fit and just like today, you have to make due with clothes that don't fit well. Second, the cinematography on this video is amazing, Abby!

[@TruFlyFox]

"That is embarrassing for them" hahaha. I love your videos! The documentary style really suit you and your videographer skills have improved. Thank you, I learn so much every time I click a video (and I am a more curvy body type and will wait for corset #2...).

[@rachael5025]

despite hearing over time from different people like you that the victorians did fast fashion, i never really conceptualized it until the booklet flipping through the corsets

[@everinawonder]

Did not realize how much I needed this after spending my week at work looking at vintage (20th cen.) patterns with very little size diversity. Thanks❤

[@joyontheleft]

This may be one of my favourite videos you've ever made Abby. Not necessarily because of the content, although it's fantastic subject matter as usual, but because the editing and production go crazy hard on this one. I'm so excited to see what comes of that 2nd corset project

[@jennymunday7913]

The face you made at the end was.... yes. As a large woman who has always been tall, I've made it more times than I can count when I go clothes shopping. Honestly, I got into sewing because of that.

[@HarmonyinTime37751]

When you compared the original to sounding like paper I thought of the. Mythbusters testing paper armor the one they went with was thicker than a corset by far

[@mienafriggstad3360]

Yes!

[@UnicorNE0N]

This production was so breathtaking, holy moly. You're really reaching new heights and you produce it for us to view for free. Thank you

[@user-fv4wt4ru3z]

I've watched your videos from the start and today your charm really shined through. Your high quality sewing skills paid off in a beautiful corset, and we all learned from you - fast fashion is still the same as it always was. I loved seeing the historical part, putting it all in context. It's great to see you so comfortable in your self, high five!

[@cherryowl]

As a teen, that corset you made fits EXACTLY with my measurements, that is crazy! And really cool to see my body represented in past clothing!

[@nerena2852]

The production of this video was just excellent, got proper BBC documentary vibes, with the music, the cuts, the voice over being finished by what you say on camera. Chefs kisses! Great video and very informative and thoughtful!

[@Kirachan3]

Thank you for posting this. Your "beautiful corset made for a different body" is a good description. I recently made my first corset with the pattern by Clockwork Fairy. Her first draft fit me nearly perfectly. Her second draft that I boldly did in my nice fabric didn't fit me at all and the disappointment was a lot. This has made me feel a lot better. Thanks as always for your wonderful videos

[@Vereynique]

The end of your videos are the best, whether it is bloopers (best of the best) or like, in this video, you have proven your point that all bodies are beautiful.

[@mienafriggstad3360]

👏 I completely agree 💯

[@margarethall1625]

Beautiful job! While the corset didn't fit you properly, your research was on the spot. It turned out lovely. You should be proud of all your hard work. I think you should definitely make the second "new" one. I want to thank you for your video on the history of sewing machines. It helped me identify an antique one that came through the thrift store I work at. It was a Wilcox and Gibbs sewing machine. It really caused a stir at work. It was soo cute.

[@LadzVerena]

The storytelling in this vid is superb, Abby! So lucky we get to see such beautiful examples of two artforms - historical reproduction and videography - while also learning about the history of our clothes and society. Thank you for all this work!

[@vickiferguson6542]

The reproduction corset is beautiful and well crafted. Also, thank you for not trying to put on the original. Over the years I have seen and attempted to repair many garments that were damaged because someone wanted to wear a "costume ". The damage is not always repairable.

[@Tvianne]

Few things here: • I'm girl number two (but I'm never late! 😁) • your reproduction is fabulous • I have the impression that cording eats up a lot of fabric • lately you look radiant! Cheers!

[@Karen_esque]

I could have watched an hour of this! You did a fantastic job putting this video together and seeing the two corsets at the end was eye opening.

[@rockinraven101]

i watched this on my big tv like a feature film and loved every second of it. I hope that you know that all of your time and effort in filming and editing and the composition of shots and the lighting is seen and appreciated. Genuinely one of the best pieces of content I've watched in a while, and that's saying a lot considering how chronically online I am

[@Kleytonamor]

I really like the style and feel of this video. It's different from your usual style and feel and I really enjoyed it. It made me feel like I was in a calm safe place, almost like watching a Ghibli movie.

[@Hanarchyreigns]

The way that this video is written, shot and edited together is absolutely delightful!

[@moonslave90]

I feel that, (as someone who feels comfortable behind a sewing machine and drafting patterns to their own body type to another), you were incredibly courageous to rerpoduce this *mass produced garment* and hope for any fit at all, even for the sake of a video. You spend a week on that garment, for anything more half an hour work behind the sewing machine I would want to double and triple check my current sizes, and measure my pattern to see whether it really will fit before I even touch my fabric shears. I wouldn't expect a proper fit from anything store bought. Being dropped in the 1800s would do nothing to dissuade me from my skepticism. We as a society lost so much when clothes started to be mass produced.

[@ziaself3112]

Abby, this has to be the most beautifully produced video I've seen in a really long time. I genuinely appreciate the angle you took and the honesty you showed us. The homage to the corset makers is beautiful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️

[@bhavens9149]

ooooo, looking forward to that next one too! thanks for all the experiments! enlightening!

[@flyingpigfarm1]

This was very interesting! I wear a corset daily as a brace for my Spinal Stenosis, and different corset types are a THING! I buy mine from Orchard Corset, and the difference in the waist to hip and waist to rib ratios really make a HUGE difference. I find the one that fits me best and gives me the best support is ALSO the one that gives that va-va-VOOM figure, which sounds awesome, but in reality I hide it under baggie clothes. I can’t wait for the next corset video!

[@michellem4118]

The corset you made is so pretty and the contrasting details 👨‍🍳💋..so sad it didn't fit correctly. I am glad to see you have another lady in your collection now that you can recreate and have it fit better.

[@agirlnamedtuesdaye]

I really loved this new style of video!

[@BryonyClaire]

I love that end section, and I'm looking forward to seeing you recreate that corset!

[@ambermooney1668]

Great job, always a pleasure to watch and listen

[@rudetuesday]

I really like seeing the different shapes of mass-produced corsets in the same era, and will be looking at different clothes silhouettes. This is fascinating.

[@mariabean8627]

What a wonderful video, so informative. I love learning from you. And you made a beautiful corset, I look forward to seeing you recreate the next one. Thank you Abby ❤

[@HeadFullaStuffin]

I have a mighty need for your mighty need to be satiated with the newest corset. Already stoked for that content to drop when you're able to get to it.

[@alexiscarlton1355]

Love the corset you made and the history you shared. Thank you.

[@israelpereirapadilla7870]

Great video… And thank you for the extra bonus!!! You made a beautiful corset… 🤗🤗🤗

[@paperboundprotagonist]

Fantastic video! Informative and entertaining! This is top notch quality ❤

[@danigolightly799]

It may not have the shape you wanted, but you made a truly beautiful piece.

[@MadameDeLaForet]

Fantastic video. I love the bonus ending!

[@TheGPFilmMaker]

Loved this video! Can't wait for the pattern off that curvier corset at the end!

[@heatherpearson3175]

Your best video by far. Love the format and watching the whole process. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this.

[@buddhabro.9130]

I'm so glad you made this one. I always learn so much from your channel. As you said not all bodies are the same and require different things. I think the corset you made is fabulous, plus I really like the color red 😁

[@T0ya]

I love your little bit of bonus content at the end & I'm super excited about the 2nd corset that came in b/c I only need to add 2in to the top and bottom to have it fit me!

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

That corset is beautiful! I look forward to a whole series of Abby reconstructing historical corsets and making patterns for those of us who want to make our own. 😍