Hello there everyone!

My name is Karolina and I'm very new to sewing corsets. I found this community very helpful and decided to join in and learn more I owned several corsets in my teens, one custom made, but never realized how incredibly delicate the art was until I started looking up patterns and the craft of making one. It all started with that I got a new (old) sewing machine a month ago when my old one died, so now I got a Bernina 730 that is some wicked beast it seems, she sews through layers and layers like it's butter, and that's when I realized "Hey, maybe I can make a corset now?"

After reading Salen's Corset book on historical pattern I got stuck on the Black and Yellow Flossed corset and that is the first pattern I'm working on. It takes a while to get materials in Sweden so my orders from UK will probably be here in a few weeks, but till then it's cotton twill and plastic bones that will have to do in the mock ups

I don't have any experience in sewing clothes but have a hobby in making teddy bears that I call Stumpes, so at least I can make a straight stitch. I am really amazed how the pattern forms around the body when trying the toile and I am now on my second try since the front hips was far to small on the pattern. I'll attach two shots of the first toile, sorry for looking so silly with my crazy eyes

The thing that I think is hardest so far is understanding how to form the bust line, especially since I don't have much to play with and I try to use "padding", even though I'm not necessarily want the push up effect, but else It might look to flat. It's also very scary to insert the busk when you sew so close with the zipper foot, but maybe that is just a phase I'll get over

I think that this community, together with Spark's Basic of corset building, Bremble's Corset Making, Salen's book and Waugh's Corsets and Crinolines is the most excellent start I could have in this amazing new hobby.

I'm looking forward to the sew along and I want to try it out, who cares if it's a disaster, it's so fun anyway!

Thanks for the inspiration
Kindly Karolina

Hi Karolina, welcome!
Great sewing machine you have.
For creating a perfect bustline, have you seen Barbara Pesendorfer's article
Do not worry so much about sewing a busk, if you are worried the needle will break, you can wear googles. It is just a phase
Hope to see picture of finished corset soon.