Spider Threads

The lining is gold cotton, strength is black drill, and the fashion layer was cut from a sheer purple sari decorated with gold and silver. The binding is a gold satin. This corset was a concept test that worked well.

3 files, last one added on May 25, 2008

This was a second attempt at a corset to wear under the wedding dress. This corset turned out much nicer, but ultimately not what the client wanted.

It was for sale. I decided to wear it to Dragon*Con, and I had all the comic creators in Comic Book Alley sign it. It is now a work of art!

30 files, last one added on Jun 18, 2007

Still unfinished, this drafted corset will be worn under a coordinating Empire-style wedding dress. There are three fabric layers: poly satin, bonded to imported cotton coutil, with an inner layer of amazingly-soft, stone-washed, cotton drill.

I will *never* work with this combination again, but it is strong.

39 files, last one added on May 06, 2007

This is a four layer construction, with a green brocade fashion layer, two strength layers of black coutil, and a inner lining of black cotton. There are 44 steel bones (flat and spiral). The gallery contains images from start to finish, including several of the client.

83 files, last one added on Apr 11, 2007

This corset has a black zipper, 22 black grommets, 22 metal bones, and 2 heavy duty cable ties.

The fashion fabric is a polyester brocade, there are two strength layers of duck, and it is lined with black cotton.

I wound up selling it on eBay for about five times what it cost me in materials. Not too shabby.

22 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2007

This underbust was done without any commercial pattern, but based only on my measurements. It actually laces better than the photo shows, my "assistants" need training. I managed 4.5" reduction, and it was incredibly comfortable. Photos show progress.

32 files, last one added on Dec 13, 2006

This was my actual first corset attempt, and wound up far too large for me. It was learning experience, to be sure. I did complete it though, for practice. It is displayed on my regular dressmaker's dummy, which shows just how big on me it is. There is zero reduction... :( But it is pretty!

Update: I gave this one to a friend and it fit her almost perfectly. We added some pretty green velvet trim under the top binding, and switched to black lacing.

5 files, last one added on Dec 13, 2006

This corset, fit for myself, provides a four-inch waist reduction and ample bosom support.

The most time-consuming part was the binding. It took an hour and a half to measure, cut, sew, cut again, and press the bias binding. It then took me nearly two hours to carefully sew it on by hand because two of my bones wound up being just a hair too long for my machine to handle.

16 files, last one added on Dec 03, 2006

This scarlet cape is made of microfiber suede, with a lined hood and bound hems. All major seams have been double-stitched.

8 files, last one added on Oct 09, 2007

One of my costumes for Dragon*Con 2007. The top is a single-piece corset jacket with lacing bones in the back for extra support. The over-skirt is made from the same fabric. The under-skirt also has a matching corset.

2 files, last one added on Aug 19, 2007

This bodice is part of a much larger costume. It is still a work in progress. I am trying to decide between a custom fit (darts in the back) of the underband with the front closure, or a more difficult, less period, more useful lacing-fit. Still, the colors are so pretty.

9 files, last one added on Apr 24, 2007

This project was a commission for a friend's Halloween party. There are five pieces total: a blouse, skirt, pants, waist cincher, and vest. I have updated this album with some photos of my friend. Doesn't she look fantastic?

18 files, last one added on Feb 22, 2007

3 files, last one added on Dec 28, 2007

5 files, last one added on Nov 18, 2007

4 files, last one added on Oct 29, 2007

6 files, last one added on Oct 21, 2007

I wanted to make my husband something special to wear for Dragon*Con. Most of this is just fabric from my stash, although he picked out the green. He is too shy (sans rum) to pose for me.

16 files, last one added on Aug 16, 2007

A friend asked me to make him a kilt to wear to the Highlands Festival. The hardest part of this project was finding enough of the "right" fabric.

3 files, last one added on Jul 08, 2007

This was a commissioned project for a Halloween costume. The client modeled for me, providing his own accessories to complete the look. Total time, including prep work and pressing: 10 hours.

11 files, last one added on Nov 11, 2006

7 files, last one added on Sep 28, 2007

I needed a simple way to sort my various sized corset bones. I had seen an artist's paintbrush organizer at Michael's. This is my take on it. I took a large piece of heavyweight black corduroy, folded it in half and machine sewed the edges. Next, I finished the open seam, then turned up one side. I hand-stitched the two edges closed. Last, I machine stitched channels, roughly an inch wide.

6 files, last one added on Feb 19, 2007

I needed a zippered organizer pouch for my hobo bag. I had some "free" cottons, and found a basic pattern in one of my books. I made a few changes, including using a decorator stitch to quilt the cottons over a fleece batting.

4 files, last one added on Feb 19, 2007

I was bored one evening, so I pulled out some fabric scaps and put together these scarves. Total time, about three hours. Total cost, about $3.

7 files, last one added on Nov 11, 2006

I made this collection of pieces for a friend's little girl. The pieces are a blouse, a reversible vest, a reversible belt, two pairs of harem pants and two skirts, each of the two fabrics.

9 files, last one added on Nov 12, 2006

3 files, last one added on Oct 22, 2007

My husband had a great pair of pants in excellent condition, except for a worn spot in the crotch. I liked the fabric, and decided to turn the pants into a skirt. Images will be made into a tutorial.

26 files, last one added on Jul 20, 2007

The dress has been delivered. The bride looked wonderful in it. I have a few photos of her from the week before...

53 files, last one added on Jun 18, 2007

This is a shirt that I made specifically for my son. It is (very) loosely based on the McCall's patten shown. Two fabrics were fused together so that the inside would be solid black; and instead of buttons we will be using black plastic buckles.

24 files, last one added on Feb 19, 2007

This hat is made from the same fabric, and decorated with the same button as my wool coat. When I first finished it, I didn't care for the way the brim looked on, even though it is exactly what it is supposed to look like, so I folded it up a little bit first. I like it muc better this way.

5 files, last one added on Nov 17, 2006

I purchased some cranberry coat wool on eBay for a wonderful price. I knew, when I saw this 1960's style coat, that it was the right choice. I have photos of the entire process, from fitting to finishing.

28 files, last one added on Nov 12, 2006

26 files, last one added on Jul 30, 2008