Custom Fitted, why bother?

Corsets are expensive, fact! this is something that no one can deny but there is a reason and a very good one to.

They are an usual luxuary garment/undergarment that takes a long time to make and master. Sure you could go out and buy and 'off the rack' corset online but this is not the best thing to do, especially when you are looking to tightlace or waist-train. I am going to outline to pro's and cons of store-brought corsets over bespoke fitted ones.

Firstly Lets talk about off the rack corsets and their appeal.

A generic corset, brought from an online store or a few places on the highstreet at first seem appealing to any potential buyer, for one reason. The price, they are cheap!
Yes the quality is not that bad and I will give it that, there are lots of styles and colours to choose from and it may seem great for a new corset buyer to see. A lot of them are steel boned and you can choose a size 2-4" smaller than your waist size. What more can you ask for? Well in my experiance, for a first time buyer and someone who is only going to wear it once or twice and not waist train its a pretty fair alternative. however it is certainly not the best solution for someone who is looking to tightlace down.

Generic corsets are as to be expected... generic. The sizing is not custom, it is not fitted to you. Great if you happen to be of the block size and lacking in curves as these corsets to not have the hip-spring and curves that most people have or desire. Leaving it rather lacking in lustre, shape and desire. Perhaps even making you feel worse after spending ages scanning through pictures of lovely ladies in curvy corsets. Well I can tell you most of them are fitted corsets. Actually these corsets can often be very painful and uncomfortable to wear, even off-putting for a newly fledged wearer... so really you do get what you pay for.

Now then, a custom fitted corset is special, its a luxuary item. As a friend said a corset should be an item saves and scrimps for and hankers after until it arrives. Corsets are special. They can make a woman (or man in some cases) feel amazing, confident, sexy and look gorgeous. regardless of how they think of themselves (I happen to think that everyone is beautiful, all shapes and sizes but thats beside the point.)

A fitted corset is your own, it has been painstakingly made by hand for you, to fit you and only you. This means that not only is it a stunning piece of artwork that is worth showing off but will be very comfortable to. I now have all of my corsets made by myself or professional corsetieres and I have since never been tempted to go back to off the rack corsets at all. Yes they are expensive but the true quality and beauty of bespoke corsets is very much worth it. Comfort is important and they really can give you such a lovely shape. Once more, its a unique corset. made for you, so no one else will have one exactly like it.
below are two corsets I am wearing. one is off the rack and one is custom made. see the difference? can you guess which is which? Which do you prefer?

This is an off the rack corset

This is a fitted corset made by waisted creations. The photograph is copyright to Darkslide photography. Do Not take!

Tightlacing Vs Waist-Training

Over the last few years it has come to my attention that there are a lot of people 'waist training' which is all well and good however, a lot of these people i think have some wires-crossed. My friend has done a blog on this to and I have been asked numerous questions about it.

So here goes;

What's the difference?

Waist Training

This is the act or art of wearing a corset for an extended period of time, usually between 18 and 23 hours a day ,(including sleeping in one) in the hope of reducing or shaping ones natural waist. Seems plausible? The corset is worn tight and gradually tightened down. Whilst this is a great method for reducing the size of a corseted waist, it doesn't however vastly change or alter the natural waist. If at all! There are a lot of people who are wearing corsets, ill fitting ones at that, for long periods of time and hoping that it will change what they have been given naturally. this will not happen. It does help achieve a smaller corseted waist but as soon as the corset comes off the shape the corset once held will also vanish and the body returns to normal.

Albeit sometimes on a rare occasion it does tone up the muscles around the stomach area, I have seen this from experience with my own waist training. It's usually not a significant amount but I have heard that it's great for women who have just had a baby in helping to tighten up the muscles around the stomach area.

Tightlacing
I have done a post on tightlacing before so I'm not going to go into too much detail here. In short tightlacing is the art of wearing an extremely tight corset, of a reduction of 4" or more (typically 6") for a set/short period of time. usually this is about 2 hours or a little more and works to slowly allow the wearer to lace tighter. This is my preferred method of wearing a corset as I love wearing them really tight.


Both of the above methods have to be done gradually when it comes to corset reduction, I do not suggest you go out, buy a corset and then attempt to lace up as quick as possible. This damages yourself and the corset. why would anyone go through the trouble of paying so much for a good corset and then ruining it. Slow and steady is the key. Also research! look into it  before considering doing it, then at least you know what you are doing and can do so safely.

Also note that this is better done with custom/bespoke and fitted corsets made by a professional corsetiere. Why? I hear you ask.
Well the reasons are many and will be covered fully in the next post. essentially off the rack corsets do not fit correctly and may be uncomfortable and painful.

Pretty in Pink!

I think I have used that title before but alas it is one of my fave tracks and very fitting to this post of course.

Here is my latest corset commission and the photos do not do the corset justice.

It's a three layer corset made with coutil and silk. Of course it's going to a burlesque friend of mine so it will be embellished with rhinestones and all pretty things, can't wait to see it finished.

I bound it with pink bias, pink eyelets and pink corsetry lace (hand whipped at the end)

I hope she likes it.

This is the inside of the corset with waist tape

The corset before binding and eyelets

All finished!!

I quickly put it on a pillow to show the shape a little... its a very bad photo and doesn't do the corset much justice at all. I will update when I get a photo of it on the lady.


I have more corsetry posts coming soon

Black underbust

It has occurred to me that with moving etc that I have not done much blogging recently, particularly in the corsetry front.

Actually a lot has gone on in this area of my life and I will be blogging it all at some point soon no doubt but I thought it would be nice for this post to put a few pictures of one of my old tightlace corsets. Its a 16" black underbust made by yours truly with a small pipe-stem style. It is closed in these photos.

I do need to fix it. So please excuse the wear and tear (I have had it for 5 years)

Alteration commission

I was approached by a photographer friend of mine to alter a corset for him. So challenge accepted.

Its a 26" vollers overbust in ivory and I have to take it in by 4" at least and on top of this make it into a locking corset. Its an interesting concept and I can see the appeal in the fetish scene as one would only be able to remove the corset or loosen it if they had the key.

So This is a new project I will be documenting over the next few weeks.

To start off here are photos of the corset I used to study it to see where I can make the necessary adjustments

I brought the matching fabric to make the extra pieces and have started altering the size of the corset for them. Normally I would not take such a commission as I like to work on corsets from scratch but it was an intriguing challenge. I will keep note as progression takes place.

little teaser

Creative juices are flowing… I feel more inspiration seeping into my cranium. In other words, I have an idea for a corset. Sadly though, this one won’t suit me L as it’s a bit too ‘cutesy’ for my tastes which is a shame because I really want to make it. Never fear, I have found a buyer for said corset which I actually prefer because it means it can be made to fit someone rather than being crafted to stock sizes and they never fit properly.

It’s quite an elaborate design; with lace, suspenders and rhinestones… oh I can’t wait!!

I’m not going to reveal anything ;) this design is top secret until I have finished making it so that the corset will be unique.

On another note I do have more designs in the pipeline which I will be making to fit those that want them. Email if you’re interested in perhaps getting one of these corsets... they will be at a cheaper rate than I would normally charge for a custom corset.

Also I am working on a new corset for myself. 14” of course but it is to go with one of my outfits for a festival this year. I can’t wait.

Steampunk corset reprised

On thinking carefully I realised that I had not done a Prost to justify my newest finished corset. I had posted some images of it but alas none that show off the exquisite shape. Sadly my partner is at work so I took some photos without me wearing it which I shall update when he comes home. This is my 14" rose corset. All hand made and pattern from scratch by myself. Inspired by a late Victorian shaped corset pattern. Hand bound and decorated. It's my favourite. There is a skirt and accessories
To match as I have pointed out before I'm sure but they will get their own post when the time comes.

Personally I quite like this shape, it is steel boned of course and the lace trim is real antique Victorian shot with gold thread.

Looking forward

I'm rather excited, a lot going on for me at the moment and each will have their own relevant post when the time comes. This is purely for corsetry so I will stay On topic for this blog and only speak of the corset side of things. 

I have a new pretty coming in April from the talented Luthien of waisted creations whom is also reopening shop soon and I hope it goes well. I'm also going to be modelling one of her new designs, I tried on the mock up and it's lovely. Ever am I looking forward to seeing the final design.
My new corset in question is part of the costume for my new burlesque act and it's 14" of course. So pretty.

My sexy man has decided that he wanted to give corset designing a go and has come up with a rather unique and outlandish design. This I am in the middle of patterning so more information will be given as I complete the project. I think there will be a lot more to come.

Currently in my to finish pile is three other corsets, one 16" and two more 14" corsets. One of which is an underbust. The styles are all varying on each of them and the two 14" corsets are for performances again. I'm on a role with new acts.

Onto the neck corsets, I'm also making four new neck corsets... Thinking about it they should be mentioned here. All are steel boned and made to match various corsets and outfits. I love them a bit much haha, finding them rather sexy and a great accessory for most outfits.

Sorry no pretty pictures this time but I will post more as each project develops.

New work

I stated in a previous post that I was working on some new corsets, and so here they are to show them, note that these were patterned, designed and crafted by me so please don't steal, I mention this because people have been ripping off the designs from one of my super talented friends and it's not nice. enjoy

27" waist overbust corset in plain black satin and hand made mathcing binding. Tightlace ready of course ^^ I will get a photo of my friend whom it was made for wearing it soon as she loves it.

The next one is my new 14" overbust, hand embellished with antique victorian lace... I love it so much, matching outfit is being made to.