Master Corsetry Thread (Post A Review!)

[KT421]

That's really a shame, I've heard several people rave about the quality and beauty of their corsets. Did you get your money back? Was there no communication from the beginning or did it gradually fade to nothing? I always appreciate when people post about negative or fraudulent experiences with companies.

I ordered at a convention, and was fitted - and paid - there. They were very professional and very friendly, and the corsets they had on hand were lovely, seemed quite sturdy, and had a remarkable waist reduction; far more than the Corset-Story one provides. However, after the convention ended, I heard not so much as a peep from them.

I did get my money back, but only because I had paid on a credit card, and I issued a challenge to the charge with my credit card company. If I had paid by check I would have had to take them to small claims court to get my money back.

I'm certain that the quality of Scoundrelle's Keep corsets are much higher than Corset-Story/Corsets-UK. But at three times the price and then not actually delivering the product, I think I'll stick to Corset-Story.

[Semper Victoria]

KT421, I would definitely be disappointed as well by such bad service, especially when there are so many excellent corsetieres ready and willing to take custom orders like that and do an excellent job. And yeah, when you spend that kind of money it just makes it all the worse when they don't deliver. Thanks for sharing your story.

I'm currently getting my first bespoke (YAY!) from a lady who runs her own Etsy store, very reasonably priced, and I'm looking forward to the end result! Will share the pics and reviews of the shop when it's all said and done.

I looked into corset-story's selection and discovered that the "Waist Training" corsets have spiral steel boning but also tend to be much more expensive - most are $100+. There are some pretty ones there (might consider it for the future), hopefully one will pop up as Corset of the Day so I can try it . Their "Authentic" corsets have flat steel, like the one I have. And of course we all know about the "fashion" corsets 

[Ilia Arie]

I am considering buying my first corset.  I have been looking at a waist training underbust from corset-story.  Being quite short (5'), I am worried about how it will fit.  Would length be a big problem or am I just worrying too much?

[Semper Victoria]

Mind showing us which one you're considering? I am also considering buying a waist-training one from them and I'm 5'2 1/2". I'm only going for the 10 1/2" underbusts - I have that length corset from them in flat steel and it is *this* close to being too long on me. All of their "long" or "longline" corsets would be mid-thigh.

[Flightless Phoenix]

That's good to know- I'm only 1/4 of an inch taller than you, so I had better be careful which corset I order- although fortunately I am quite long in the body (which leaves me which ridiculous tiny legs lol) so it might not be quite so much of an issue. Thanks for the tip!

[Ilia Arie]

http://www.corset-story.com/sale/waist-training-underbust-corset-in-green-brocade-wt-057-azy.html

It is 10 1/2.  I don't think they have any that are shorter unfortunately.

[Ms Fisher]

Ilia Arie, have you spotted the corsets of the day offers yet? you might have to wait for the right thing to come up but they seem to cycle through styles alot: http://www.corset-story.com/corset-of-the-day.html
Also, I have a memory of someone commenting on construction of these? A friend took one apart, its fashion fabric interlining and drill cotton lining (I was-corsets should be coutil or are doomed to an early grave kind-of-a-girl, until I read the truly victiorian websites advice on corsets and it said their was no advantage/disadvantage to either fabric), their is a waist tape

As for spiral wires vs. flat steels, what do people think for wearing/shaping? I'm curious

My corset from the harlots and angles pattern is almost finished

[MistressMagpie]

Ilia Arie, have you spotted the corsets of the day offers yet? you might have to wait for the right thing to come up but they seem to cycle through styles alot: http://www.corset-story.com/corset-of-the-day.html
Also, I have a memory of someone commenting on construction of these? A friend took one apart, its fashion fabric interlining and drill cotton lining (I was-corsets should be coutil or are doomed to an early grave kind-of-a-girl, until I read the truly victiorian websites advice on corsets and it said their was no advantage/disadvantage to either fabric), their is a waist tape

As for spiral wires vs. flat steels, what do people think for wearing/shaping? I'm curious

My corset from the harlots and angles pattern is almost finished

Spiral steel will fit the body more closely-- It will make a less angular shape, arcing gradually in to the waist and arcing out again, where flat steels will make more of a straight line in and out, with almost all of the curving at the waist. I found some pictures online comparing two corsets with identical fabric and cut, one with flats and one with spirals... I can't find it right now, but I'll post it when I do.

For a corset where the boning channels run perpendicular to the waistline and don't curve, it's a matter of personal preference. If the curve of the channel is in more than one axis, though, a flat bone will try to twist and end up jabbing you, where a spiral will be able to flex smoothly with your body.

You need to have flats next to the lacing-- spirals don't have the stiffness needed to keep the edges of the fabric from getting giant nasty wrinkles.

The Corset-Story, Corsets-UK, and other Punk69 distributors offer a mixed bag-- some corsets are plastic boned (Fashion), some are boned with all flats (Authentic), and some have light spiral boning (Waist Training). Those boned with flats tend to have very little waist-- I'm talking 31-30-34 measurements at underbust, waist, and hip. Some of their other designs are more curvy.

I have heard, however, that Timeless Trends offers a better shape, with similar prices and somewhat better materials and finishes. This is not to say that the Punk69s are poorly put together or fragile-- they just use materials that are adequate, rather than ones that are bumping up against yummy.

[AlegrahEredschtadt]

For the Timeless Trends having better shape, I haven't had any other proper corsets on for very long, but I find the shape fair. It isn't as much of an extreme curve as I'd like, but I like it. It's a nice smooth curve from waist to hips. I'd be interested to see the overbusts as the underbust I have is a teensy bit long in my opinion. I'll take a new photo later and post it up to show the sort of curve. I find it very sturdy, and they're quite heavy. I'm very satisfied with the construction of them and the quality of the boning, though.

[Semper Victoria]

Shape is EVERYTHING! I just tried on a new overbust corset I snagged second hand - a Stormy Leather satin-and-leather corset. It retails for about $400, I got it for $50. Oh my goodness the shape is amazing! The waist reduction in terms of inches is actually not that much smaller than the barrel-shaped Corset-Story...but it looks so much smaller and it just pulled right on in like a dream. This is me laced up by myself, I could probably go smaller with help:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Even though it's not custom, it fits like it was. Construction wise you can definitely feel and see the difference between a very well-made (and usually very expensive) corset and the cheaper varieties. I am definitely impressed with Stormy's quality; I could normally never afford one of their corsets and got very lucky.

My Timeless Trends corset from eBay, however, was accidentally sent to someone else who's refusing to send it back. I did get my money back, but dangit I wanted that corset! And now the TT site is out of the one I wanted.

[MistressMagpie]

FOUND IT! Here we are: a comparison of flat and spiral steels. It's not the one I was thinking of, but it still shows the difference.

[likeclockworkshop]

Just thought i'd leave this here

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

more http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,33806.0.html

[Ilia Arie]

Shape is EVERYTHING! I just tried on a new overbust corset I snagged second hand - a Stormy Leather satin-and-leather corset. It retails for about $400, I got it for $50. Oh my goodness the shape is amazing! The waist reduction in terms of inches is actually not that much smaller than the barrel-shaped Corset-Story...but it looks so much smaller and it just pulled right on in like a dream. This is me laced up by myself, I could probably go smaller with help:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Even though it's not custom, it fits like it was. Construction wise you can definitely feel and see the difference between a very well-made (and usually very expensive) corset and the cheaper varieties. I am definitely impressed with Stormy's quality; I could normally never afford one of their corsets and got very lucky.

My Timeless Trends corset from eBay, however, was accidentally sent to someone else who's refusing to send it back. I did get my money back, but dangit I wanted that corset! And now the TT site is out of the one I wanted.

That corset looks gorgeous.  What a lucky find. 

And thanks everyone for all your advice.  Can't wait to try out my first corset - I'm asking for it for Christmas, so I have to wait a month, but I will post pictures when it comes!

[Ms Fisher]

Thank you for that mistress magpie-its a very interesting demonstration. I've heard different combanations of flats and steeles reccomended by different people for different styles. Guess it all gets a little perplexing!

[Wilhelmina Frame]

Scoundrelle's Keep appears not to sell anything at the moment, their Etsy shop is empty and on the website is no info about how to order.

They probably took a bunch of their inventory down because they were at Teslacon a week or two later. They really have great corsets, they were really nice at Teslacon and I have only heard good things about them.

KT421's experience is unfortunate but from what I can tell rare.

Another fabulous corset maker is House of Canney (Anthony Canney). He mostly does one of customs but his pieces are excellent. He can build from the skin out also. I modelled for him in the Teslacon fashion show.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Strapped-4-Cache]

Another fabulous corset maker is House of Canney (Anthony Canney). He mostly does one of customs but his pieces are excellent. He can build from the skin out also. I modelled for him in the Teslacon fashion show.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Nice pictures.  I think I remember that dress being modeled at the Masquerade.

I wish I could afford to give such a nice outfit to my wife.  She often comments that she has the figure for them, but isn't really interested in wearing them. 

[lightfingerslace]

hello-

over the next few days i will write an introduction and all that good stuff, but i just wanted to let people know that i LOVE Damsel in This Dress (damseldress.com) and that i own quite a few of her pieces.  while they are a bit spendy, they are quality, she does free alterations if you lose weight, and are very easy to put on yourself because they front lace.  they don't have a busk but her rods get the job done.  they also go down a lot further than most corsets so everything is held in and nothing starts ballooning out the sides or bottom, not to mention they are made for real bodies, not manikins and offer both great support and crazy curve enhancement.  also, if you go to her site and go to her artfire or etsy store there are still some good deals left from the black Friday sale.  i meant to post this sooner so you could jump on the sale, but i was waiting for my account activation.  while i don't work for her or anything like that, i've been wearing her stuff for a little over six years now and everything is still in good shape and i've never had a corset that feels better or gets a better reaction.  she is also willing to put loops for test tubes or bullets, or whatever you might want to attach to yourself.

[Wilhelmina Frame]

I have a corset from Damsel in this Dress. While I like it and wear it, the fact that she uses fiberglass rods that have no flex what so ever instead of a busk makes it next to impossible to do things like drive. I also don't think she puts enough boning in her corsets. I've dropped about 30 pounds since I got my custom corset and it looks a ton better now because it does not bunch and fold as much in the back. That is a problem that could have been solved by more boning when I still had the weight. And my corset was custom to my measurements (at the time).

She has some cute styles and takes a lot of pride in her work and the prices really aren't that spendy for handmade corsets. They are quality made but I don't agree with some of the design work. She also comes from a ren faire background and you can see that in some of the styling. Again, personal preference.

[lightfingerslace]

yeah, she now offers an extra boning in the back option, and is starting to move further and further from the "faire" corsets and is leaning in a more Victorian direction.  she has also added lots of skirt and bustle options as well, not to mention who doesn't love a corset with tails?  they are harder to sit or drive in because of the long rods, but because i have some extra skin from losing quite a bit of weight they work great for me and i don't have to have bits and bulges sticking out.  granted i always wait and put it on in the parking lot though for the same reason.  everyone has their favorite, i just wanted to make sure the sale stuff was known because they are a steal at those prices.  i just ordered a a custom steampunk jacket, i'm hoping it works out well, and because i also do some pirate stuff (never been one to want to sit around at court or sew) i can swap out skinny sleeves for pirate bell sleeves.  i like to have as many options as possible, plus i have weird measurements that her stuff accommodates for.  until children start getting implants (please don't ever let this start happening) i can't find corsets that are functional and not just decorative without having them special ordered.

[LadyClankington]

First of all, hate, hate, hate spiral steel and modesty panels (what a pain). 

Personally, I recommend Brute Force Studios for corsetry.  Made in America, four layers of fabric milled in the US, flat steel bones and steel busks imported from England.  I can't get any other corset to cinch me nearly as well (4"-6" every time).

http://www.bruteforceleather.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=57

[Semper Victoria]

First of all, hate, hate, hate spiral steel and modesty panels (what a pain). 

Modesty panels drive me up the wall when I'm lacing my corset by myself; my shoulder just don't bend enough to reach back and straighten it.

What's been your experience with spiral steel? I'm curious to find out what is objectionable about it (to rate three hates )

[LadyClankington]

First of all, hate, hate, hate spiral steel and modesty panels (what a pain). 

Modesty panels drive me up the wall when I'm lacing my corset by myself; my shoulder just don't bend enough to reach back and straighten it.

What's been your experience with spiral steel? I'm curious to find out what is objectionable about it (to rate three hates )

Spiral steel boning is generally used by corset makers because it's easier to insert into a bone casing. However, i find it too flexible to be at all effective for serious tight-lacing.

[lady joanna]

If you look at those flat v spiral photos, can you see on the flat one where the back panels appear to hollow at the waist? The steels are fighting against those boning channels!

As others have said, to get away with flat steels you need to have all the channels pretty vertical. I like using spirals a) because they give a degree of flexibility which is very useful when running a stall and on the occasions I have to drive somewhere dressed up and b) my corsets often have curved seams (especially in the bust panels) which gives further illusion to the shaping at the waist.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.joannasbridal.co.uk/Gallerys/Anna.html

see bottom left photo

I really want to play around with the thicker spiral steels (11mm I think) which have less bendyness than the 7mm I normally use.

[Kryss LaBryn]

Just wanted to give everyone the heads-up: Corsets-Story (which seems to be the same guys as Corsets-UK) are having a Christmas sale. They've got a bunch of one-offs in various styles for like $55 each!

They're really good quality, so if you've been contemplating buying one, check them out and see if there's one you like in your size.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.corset-story.com/corset-sale.html?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Introduction+%28Corset-Story.com%29

We have a very special selection of garments available for rock bottom prices just in time for the festive season. These special one-off corsets are all concept garments, lovingly tailored to the same exacting standards that you have come to expect from Corsets-Story. Be the envy of all your friends; this is your chance to acquire a completely unique design.

The corsets available in this offer are likely never to be seen again. These couture garments have been tailored over the last 3 years and will likely be snapped up very quickly so don't delay. Get your piece of corset history today.

[MistressMagpie]

I FOUND THE PHOTO!

The original threads are here and here, and THIS is the image I really wanted to share:

I started with mostly white boning - the only spirals were in the seam that goes right over the bust and the back-most seam. That configuration pressed on my back ribs (I have a very long ribcage, it comes down basically to my waist) and didn't play well with my hip - compare the shadows around the bottom edge on each side of this photo - so I changed out the side and back whites for spirals. That configuration was much more comfortable, but I didn't like the silhouette as much.

The spiral steel photo is actually flipped so you're seeing the same fabric and body part - literally the only differences between the two halves of that picture (aside from my snazzy moose pajamas) are the back two bones, only one of which can be seen just peeking over my hip.

You can see how closely the spiral conforms to the body. I would guess that this is why it tends to give less-than-optimal results for our larger ladies; if the uncorsetted torso is the least bit lumpy, the corset will want to follow those lumps, rather than smoothing them out. You'll end up with weird wrinkles and buckling rather than a sleek hourglass. The flat steel boning is less floppy, and is more able to cope with the more changeable form underneath it than the spiral is. A less fluffy body can't change its shape as easily, and therefore can't overwhelm the spirals in the same way.

Instead of saying "Hey y'all, wouldn't it be nifty if we wiggled this way just a bit?"  the way spiral does, flat steel says "YO GIRLS! LOOK SHARP NOW! NONE OF THIS SILLY SLOUCHING ABOUT!"
 

*prays that she managed to say that in a properly polite way*