Hm, I don't think that what I want to do will be very possible. It's not just too small or too big linear-wise, it's actually too tall and like, not the right curve-shape somehow. Probably not possible given the existing shape of the pieces. (see comment to ninth_myth). Teach me to buy a standard size. That never works. (That's why I almost always shop in thrift stores -- variety of brand means variety of shape and size, even if they're the same number size -- and if I buy something off a person's website, usually have it custom made... )
I think if you care about wearing it, you'll probably have to take it apart and start fresh. It's iffy though - are the bones really bent? If the previous owner wore it a lot, the bones will have bent to fit her body, and that'll make it difficult to work with them if you start afresh. Although I don't think it's too expensive to buy more boning.
No, you don't understand - the one that doesn't fit right is a *new* corset. In fact I have never worn it except to try on because it doesn't fit. The ones that did happened to be used ones and I just lucked out that they fit. I'm also certainly not equipped to do this myself (I probably couldn't sew so much as an A-line skirt, never mind something as complicated as a corset), I was just asking if it was possible in general.
Mmm, in that case I'd say it's definitely possible to tailor it to you, but I'd consider having someone do it for you. I'm not sure what it's like there, but there's usually an older woman advertising tailoring and adjustments here. Might be pricey though, I'm not sure.
mostly it depends on where and how the bones are put in also, what needs altering? sometimes it's easier just to start over if the fabric isn't something special or etc
Basically it's that the shape is wrong. It's too tall, for one thing, and I'm not sure if it's the shape or just because the front boning doesn't want to do it, but when I cinch the laces the front does not curve inward like the back does, and stays basically straight up and down, giving a very unattractive columnar appearance. It's also a bit too big around at the top (where it touches the ribs). I had unbelievable good fortune twice to buy secondhand corsets - or really, waist-cinchers, they were rather shorter than a corset - which fit me based on the waist measurement alone, so I thought I might be able to do the same a third time buying a new one in standard size since it was of the same general style, but it turned out that the cut was in fact rather different so now I am stuck with a corset that just doesn't look good. The other two that I have must have been *very* narrow on their previous owners - they fit me as underbust corsets, but I have a very short waist, which is the problem with the one I am talking about altering here: it's practically an overbust even though it's not meant to be.
(sorry if I am rambling and repeating.. I got a cold over the weekend and my head is kind of fuzzy)
It's only made of black satin so I figure my best bet is probably to resell it and recoup some of the cost, and stick to custom made in the future.
do you have a picture of it on you? depending on what style of corset it is the "columnar" effect might be simple to fix with changing the boning. i don't suppose you know if it's plastic, flat steel or spiral steel? if you want it to curve you want spiral (like a spring bashed flat, if the fabric is thin enough you should be able to feel the ridges with your nail). if you wanted to shorten the top length it only really means taking the top binding off, taking snips or shears to the bones then putting the binding back on. if you need to lower the back top you'll have to watch for the eyelets though. try changing the boning before you shorten it though as it'll sit differently. if i was in the same country i could do it for you.. you could try asking on the corsetmakers com for someone in your area who could help.
I believe it's flat steel. I don't feel any ridges like you describe for spiral steel, but it's not plastic.
"if you wanted to shorten the top length it only really means taking the top binding off, taking snips or shears to the bones then putting the binding back on."
You say "only" like I have any seamstress skills at all *laughs*.
This seems like the kind of thing that needs to be done as an in-person alteration to make the fit right. Bah. As I think I said - this'll teach me to buy a standard size. Never works. Even custom sizing is risky sometimes.
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Date: Feb. 16th, 2007 01:57 pm (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: Feb. 16th, 2007 03:35 pm (UTC)From:also, what needs altering? sometimes it's easier just to start over if the fabric isn't something special or etc
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Date: Feb. 20th, 2007 12:29 am (UTC)From:(sorry if I am rambling and repeating.. I got a cold over the weekend and my head is kind of fuzzy)
It's only made of black satin so I figure my best bet is probably to resell it and recoup some of the cost, and stick to custom made in the future.
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Date: Feb. 20th, 2007 04:00 am (UTC)From:depending on what style of corset it is the "columnar" effect might be simple to fix with changing the boning. i don't suppose you know if it's plastic, flat steel or spiral steel? if you want it to curve you want spiral (like a spring bashed flat, if the fabric is thin enough you should be able to feel the ridges with your nail). if you wanted to shorten the top length it only really means taking the top binding off, taking snips or shears to the bones then putting the binding back on. if you need to lower the back top you'll have to watch for the eyelets though.
try changing the boning before you shorten it though as it'll sit differently. if i was in the same country i could do it for you.. you could try asking on the corsetmakers com for someone in your area who could help.
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Date: Feb. 25th, 2007 09:27 pm (UTC)From:"if you wanted to shorten the top length it only really means taking the top binding off, taking snips or shears to the bones then putting the binding back on."
You say "only" like I have any seamstress skills at all *laughs*.
This seems like the kind of thing that needs to be done as an in-person alteration to make the fit right. Bah. As I think I said - this'll teach me to buy a standard size. Never works. Even custom sizing is risky sometimes.