Etsy Finds

My steampunk canvas corset has made it into the Etsy Finds e-mail today. Very exciting!

This comes at a time when I have spent a day sewing and hand-basting pieces for my clients 'steampunk corset' – with watch pocket, cording (yes, I was allowed to put some in) and some exterior boning channels. Should be finished tomorrow and hopefully she'll let me take and post some pictures soon.

Sneak preview: corded panels ready for insertion into front panels. The one on the left has one cord more at the top but that's okay because it disappears into the seam allowance anyway!

If you look at the sample cording there really wasn't enough definition to make it work. Here I've used a stiffer backing fabric and, instead of sewing the channels and then threading the cord, placed the cord between the layers, run my nail along the side of it to create a crease and then used a piping foot to stitch hard against the cord (I didn't take any pictures). This means that the curve of the cord shows on the front fabric and the backing is almost totally flat. I don't know how other people do cording but I think the effect is pretty dramatic.

Now I have to work out how to cope with the bulk, especially for binding.

It's been a challenge, trying out new ideas, but good fun so far!