This was a very straightforward pattern that came out very pretty when finished. The pattern pieces, themselves, are quite simple. The challenge is the extent of boning, so be prepared to break needles and be patient. However, I think that an average sewer could make it up quite nicely. Note that, as with all corsets, the close fit requires a lot of “on the body” adjustment.
Rated 3 out of 5
Lisa Carmody –
I had a lot trouble with this pattern. I could not get it to work and finally gave up.
Rated 4 out of 5
Wendy Moyer –
This pattern was very difficult from the get go. I made the mock up in the correct size and had to add anywhere from 5 to 12″ to make the 3″ gap in the back and this was using the pattern’s size chart. The lining and tab padding was difficult but thankfully I had read the reviews on this page about it so I had expected a difficult task. I opted to do a one piece lining using the rest of the stays as the draft; then I did the sewing of the edges with the cover and then slipped it in (as was another’s idea on this page). When I was finished the item was nice but to much trouble to do again.
Rated 4 out of 5
Sabrina Udell –
I had quite the ordeal with this pattern. I ended up making THREE muslin mock-ups of the cover fabric and lining layers before I latched onto something that would work.
1st Try, Following the Pattern: When I went to attach the tab lining pieces to the cover fabric, they simply did not fit together properly, and when I went to turn them, what I was left with was awful looking! Besides, the 1/8 (!) seam allowances would never work on the tapestry fabric that I had chosen for the cover fabric. What’s more, the interlining didn’t fit into the little pockets and left the top edge way too short.
I tried various modifications, but in the end, I made the pattern pieces slightly bigger along the edges and cut one set for the cover fabric and one set for the lining. Once each set was together, I sewed the bottom and side edges together, turned and pressed and then popped the interlining in between. Worked like a dream!
When I made it up in the final fabric, I had plenty of length at the top to turn under and allow for the pattern’s strap construction. The pattern recommends using an awl to make grommet holes. Don’t do it. My awl broke on the first attempt to wiggle through five layers of fabric. I used my normal grommet hole cutter; that worked just fine. I did, however, cover the metal grommets with thread for a more period look. In the end, the stays looked alright, but not how I expected.
Lorraine Carson –
This was a very straightforward pattern that came out very pretty when finished. The pattern pieces, themselves, are quite simple. The challenge is the extent of boning, so be prepared to break needles and be patient. However, I think that an average sewer could make it up quite nicely. Note that, as with all corsets, the close fit requires a lot of “on the body” adjustment.
Lisa Carmody –
I had a lot trouble with this pattern. I could not get it to work and finally gave up.
Wendy Moyer –
This pattern was very difficult from the get go. I made the mock up in the correct size and had to add anywhere from 5 to 12″ to make the 3″ gap in the back and this was using the pattern’s size chart. The lining and tab padding was difficult but thankfully I had read the reviews on this page about it so I had expected a difficult task. I opted to do a one piece lining using the rest of the stays as the draft; then I did the sewing of the edges with the cover and then slipped it in (as was another’s idea on this page). When I was finished the item was nice but to much trouble to do again.
Sabrina Udell –
I had quite the ordeal with this pattern. I ended up making THREE muslin mock-ups of the cover fabric and lining layers before I latched onto something that would work.
1st Try, Following the Pattern: When I went to attach the tab lining pieces to the cover fabric, they simply did not fit together properly, and when I went to turn them, what I was left with was awful looking! Besides, the 1/8 (!) seam allowances would never work on the tapestry fabric that I had chosen for the cover fabric. What’s more, the interlining didn’t fit into the little pockets and left the top edge way too short.
I tried various modifications, but in the end, I made the pattern pieces slightly bigger along the edges and cut one set for the cover fabric and one set for the lining. Once each set was together, I sewed the bottom and side edges together, turned and pressed and then popped the interlining in between. Worked like a dream!
When I made it up in the final fabric, I had plenty of length at the top to turn under and allow for the pattern’s strap construction. The pattern recommends using an awl to make grommet holes. Don’t do it. My awl broke on the first attempt to wiggle through five layers of fabric. I used my normal grommet hole cutter; that worked just fine. I did, however, cover the metal grommets with thread for a more period look. In the end, the stays looked alright, but not how I expected.