Category: What I'm up to

1. 80 corset designs (and yes I am proud of my achievement!)

   Posted on 9:00am Sunday 30th Jul 2023

   I have just published my 80th corset design! I can't quite believe that I have created 80 fully graded digital corset patterns. It's been over a few years, granted, but OMG! I am immensely proud of my patterns - they come in all shapes and are inspired by many things. They are both historical and modern - I have never restricted myself to a particular niche and I'm open to trying everything.

   

   Here are a few of my latest designs from this year - I just realised I've been pretty lax on the blogging front since January!

   Jumps;

   

   Dolly underbust;

   

   

   1930s girdle;

   

   Raglan-sleeved corseted tunic;

   

   Tunic cincher (foundation corset for the tunic above);

   

   Edwardian swimming corset / buckled corset belt;

   

2. Cupped corseted waistcoat pattern

   Posted on 9:00am Sunday 8th Jan 2023

   The last design of 2022 was a cupped waistcoat design that garnered quite a bit of interest on social media. It's an unusual design and makers do like cups! 

   

   This is an 8-panel (14 with cups) cupped corseted waistcoat-inspired pattern with straps; Sizes (UK) 8 -24 (US 4 - 20) - actual (corseted) waist sizes 21''-37''/ 53-94cm. 49 cup sizes currently however note that this design is not recommended for bust sizes over a DD. (Note that I have drafted the cups to a E for anyone up for the challenge - but please be warned of the difficulties presented by large cups!)

   This is an advanced-level design due to the cups.

   I'm laying out my patterns now in such a way that layers can be hidden within the PDF; download the free Adobe reader at wwww.adobe.com to ensure you have the correct functions to do this (and print out your particular size only if preferred).

   This pattern can be purchased through my website, Etsy and Payhip.

3. 2D mannequin

   Posted on 8:00am Saturday 17th Dec 2022

   Could you see a use for a half-sized 2D mannequin showing a few useful standard measurements?

   

   I use standard measurements diagrams in my CAD work to sense-check my drafting and recently expanded this into more of a representative body shape (croquis). Each size reflects standards for vertical measurements; waist to shoulder, waist to nape, waist to hip and knee, and horizontals; shoulder, chest, and back width. Waist, low waist, hip and bust can't be represented to scale in 2D but their vertical position on the body is shown.

    

   Obviously when working in 2D there are limitations, but I have found it useful when allocating grades to panels, and positioning the shoulder strap for example. In the design I am currently working on, the seam at the back falls roughly at the middle of one side of the back width, and by overlaying the panels for each size over the croquis I was able to make adjustments quickly and easily. This short video shows how I assessed the shoulder strap position but I also went on to move the seams on the larger size; https://youtu.be/ROf08mXX-pc

    

   It's obviously easy in CAD to overlay pattern panels on a full-sized croquis, but even printed out on paper at half-scale it could be useful for pattern development and grading. The resultant PDF of the e-mannequin I have created comes in standard sizes UK8-24 (each size layer can be hidden) and cm or inch grids that can also be turned on or off. What do you think? Send me your e mail address if you like the idea and would like to test it out.