Huzzah!! It took lots of panic, tons of coffee & several reassuring e-mail from friends but I finally finished my 1690's stays (corset).

This is a slightly modified version of Reconstruction History's (http://www.reconstructinghistory.com) 1690-1720 stays pattern. 4 layers of linen, linen thread, 1/4" round reed boning, dutch linen tape trim & silk button hole twist for the eyelet holes. DD picked the pretty pink silk ribbon for the shoulders out of my silk ribbon collection.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/choleblackwhite/sewing/Picture001-2.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/choleblackwhite/sewing/Picture002-1.jpg

There was a ton of hand sewing in this. First all front channels for the boning were hand sewn since in the finished outfit that part will be visible. Then I had to hand sew on all the binding since the machine couldn't get around the tabs or close enough to the reed in a lot of spots. Finally all 20 some eyelet holes had to be hand sewn.

On me, another one of SO's terrible pictures. They are still sitting really high in this picture. I'd only had them on for about 5 minutes, the tabs hadn't started forming to my hips yet & we hadn't finished stretching/training them to fit better across the back. A little more wear time will fix that right up.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/choleblackwhite/sewing/Picture004-5.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/choleblackwhite/sewing/Picture005-4.jpg

I'm so happy to have finished them! Thanks for looking!

Chole

What a huge project. Pretty amazing :)

wonderful. so would it be possible since hastings is adopting me, maybe i could go back and forth between your houses??

i used to help my mama sew her hoop skirts, corsets and petticoats (yes i know that was for a period 180 years later - but hey historical sewing experience is historical sewing experience right?!?!), i am sure i could help you chole!

i am a just a biodiesel vehicle away! tee hee

of course you can B, but I'm giving you all the grunt work! I've always wanted "sewing elves".

Chole

Nice job Chole!! wow, that looks like LOTS of work!

that's so awsome!! do you have an occasion to wear this lovely creation?
you should go show it off at craftster!

They look awesome. How's the stretching/settling process coming along?

The boning channels look great, by the way. And woot for spiral lacing!

They are settling in fabulously. Didn't even get to try all that wonderful advice you found T. I managed to get them fully on "Sticky" today after wearing them for about 4 hours yesterday, and viola! No more weird back curve. Now to finish my shift so you can see all that wonderful cleavage they create (which is period if I keep it covered by my neckerchief ;) )

M, yes I do have several occasions to wear this stuff. I'm part of a Golden Age of Piracy reenactment group (roughly 1690-1720 year wise). We do an average of 8 events a year all over the country, so these will get plenty of wear! *My* first big event is coming up the first weekend in Feb. Exciting but there's still lots of things to finish between now & then. These stays were just the beginning.

Chole

They are settling in fabulously. Didn't even get to try all that wonderful advice you found T. I managed to get them fully on "Sticky" today after wearing them for about 4 hours yesterday, and viola! No more weird back curve. Now to finish my shift so you can see all that wonderful cleavage they create (which is period if I keep it covered by my neckerchief ;) )

M, yes I do have several occasions to wear this stuff. I'm part of a Golden Age of Piracy reenactment group (roughly 1690-1720 year wise). We do an average of 8 events a year all over the country, so these will get plenty of wear! *My* first big event is coming up the first weekend in Feb. Exciting but there's still lots of things to finish between now & then. These stays were just the beginning.

Chole

that sounds like so much fun!! i've always wanted to make a frock like that but alas....i doubt there are any reenactment groups in my area so i would have no where to show it off. but you never know, maybe i'll check it out and see if there is. I'm always looking for an excuse to dress up!
now i have to ask, are the dreads period :lol: how are you going to wear them?

Well you never know. I'm surprised at how many "maritime re-enactors" we have in the mid west. It's not like there's an ocean anywhere near by.

My dreads are painfully not period (same with my tattoos & piercings) Luckily in my period working class women always wore their hair covered. Even wealthy women wore their hair covered with a cap and/or hat except for formal occasions when their hair was "dressed". Also, wigs are period and were the height of fashion. I'm thinking if I ever have to play a wealthy character (right now I'm a street seller) then I will get a nice wig like one of the other ladies in the group has. Plus, that way I could be the red head I always wanted to be :lol:.

Chole

Great job!