In the first of a hotly-anticipated series, Laura rolls up her sleeves and addresses the single most pressing frustration that FR readers tell us they face: just how do you fit a corset properly?

In the Napoleonic period, what was once taboo came out from hiding, along with the natural female form. Suddenly, it became necessary to keep the world from glimpsing too much.

Two questions and an embroidery library on the Letters page this month.

Marion shares a linen chemise circa 1879 from her collection.

How to make this very unique busk step by step at home with hand tools, which are easily acquired at your local hardware store if you don’t already have them at home.

This month we feature Cristiane Tano, aka CrissyCatt, who makes breathtaking corsetry in leather. She reveals the secrets of her stunning, hand-tooled filigree leather corsets.