I'm just working on a toile with some ideas I have, I am working to a longline over the hip and some angular shaping to the top and bottom lines. I have visions of lots and lots of beading as this is my current obsession, inspired by Art deco and black and gold. Also, as a petite busted lady, I am thinking of experimenting with some padding 'up top' to enhance the shape in a subtle way. Who knows if it will work, we shall see!
Excited to see what everyone makes this year!

Shape has certainly been interesting to consider. Working with corsets shape is sort of the whole point, and i's difficult for there not to be strong links to shape within your work.
When you have been working with corsets for a while it is easy to become set in your ways with silhouettes and features etc - when you make a corset you do consider shape at the drafting or mock up stage - a Victorian silhouette sweeping out from waist to hips or a modern curvier corset which cups the hips and does little to compress flesh there. I know I automatically compress as much as I can at the waist and absolutely nowhere else.
I've enjoyed working with smoother lines to my normal style this year for this project - drafting something which looks appealing to me but is not so severe has been a challenge for sure

Ali_mart - Thank you! I was really excited when the opportunity came up. It's fun starting from scratch, and working to build up the forum.

I'm more stoked about 'ornamentation' than 'shape.' We'll see what shakes out.

Shape and Ornamentation is basically my mantra, so I'm enjoying it being a big part of FR this year! Currently on a quest to achieve a refinement of shape (vaguely conical torso, full rounded hips) that still works comfortably with dramatic reduction for contemporary and occasional corset wearers.

What are everyone else's current shape/ornamentation obsessions?

I've finished 3 pieces for this so far and have another few planned. it may seem overkill, but I really do enjoy working to the themes of the competition year by year. I learn a lot from focusing on areas I may otherwise not have seen as a "weakness"
I've particularly enjoyed the themes this year as they allow me to have a bit more creative input without risking being penalized by people voting because I didn't make something "true" to an era.
The competition is the best thing about this site, to me. The articles being vaguely tailored to the themes is great, as it encourages me to give things a go rather than thinking "oh that's interesting" and leaving it at that.

I went to the Sew Curvy/Sparklewren embellishment masterclass earlier in the year as I felt that was perfect for working on my "ornamentation" skills. I'm attending the patterning one next weekend as it should help with "shape"

More importantly than all of this - working on these themes this year, and working towards the 1912 theme last year, has given me the confidence to apply to study Production arts at college (a Btec with the ability to specialize in corsetry)
I'm stuck in my local area for the next 2 years as I have to attend a specialist unit at hospital, and I thought I would have to spend the next two years doing nothing. Without this site and in particular the competition I would not have had the confidence in my work to give this a go.

A bit off topic but never mind!

anyway - this is one of my pieces:

waistedcreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/...ompetition-this.html

It's by no means perfect, particularly as it was not made for someone as big as I am, but I had great fun making it. I tried a few new things out on this - a new way of roll pinning (hence the minimal bones, I wanted to see the difference between that and the way I usually like to roll pin)
I tried a new shape at the top edge.Surprisingly it is just as comfortable to wear as a regular upper edge (a few people have asked this so it's worth mentioning)
It's covered in swarovski crystals on the front panel - difficult to see here but I've got close ups on my blog etc.
I am deliberately choosing to work in colours I would normally avoid to work with ornamentation through fresh eyes.


I don't for one second think I will win, but I'm having great fun trying ^_^

I was just thinking of this today, myself. I've already started working on my next year's collection so I'm trying to integrate those ideas into the competition here. Though, I gotta say, keeping up with a diary has always been extremely difficult for me. Generally the only times I've managed it well are when I'm writing for FR!

And, as a side note, it's good to see you moderating this community as well as LJ!