Taking the Plunge - The Pattern

I have bought most of my patterns, the one I am using for this tutorial is a plunge over-bust corset style.  This particular pattern is from the Corset Training tutorial pack as i mentioned in my earlier blog post on Measurements.  Some patterns that you will buy may come in fill scale ready for you to cut out and adjust later if needed.  The ones in Corset Training DO NOT come in full scale and therefore you must enlarge the pattern pieces yourself.  The instructions given in the training kit are very straight forward if you choose this method.

Anyone who has tried (and failed and tried again) to make corsets will tell you that it cannot be stressed enough that if you are wanting to make a custom fit corset you MUST make a mock up first, I have used basic cheap Calico sheeting for mine.  The last thing you want to do is hack into the really expensive Chinese brocade/leather/super expensive fabric you bought right away and ruin it if the measurements are wrong!!

The pattern I am following here comes in 12 pieces.  I have up-scaled the pattern as is from the tutorial and cut out the pattern pieces:

Once I have up-scale all the pattern pieces I then cut them out - remember, at this stage you are cutting the pieces with the ACTUAL body measurements!!

Next, using your Calico or other cotton like fabric (not your good stuff!!) pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and, leaving a 1 inch seam allowance (mark round your pattern using tailors chalk) and cut out your pattern pieces:

I have numbered my pattern pieces  so that you know which piece attaches to what!  you can do this on your actual fabric too if you wish, just make sure you use tailors chalk or other method that rubs or washes off - i.e. not a permanent felt tip marker on your beautiful white brocade fabric!!

Next time, we will be sewing the pieces of your mock up corset together!!