Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and only recently started teaching myself to make corsets. I'm completely loving this website, it's so so useful!

But I have a question that I haven't been able to find the answer to anywhere - How are cameo corsets made? By this, I mean corsets without a front closure (I know how that's done), with a circular panel on the front, usually featuring some kind of artwork. I can't figure out how they are made but I would love to make one. Is the circular panel kinda appliqued onto the regular corset? I'm guessing so, because having a circular panel joined to the other panels would not only be a complete pain, but also cause boning problems / wouldn't be able to include the right support, right? But then I wonder, if it's applique, then how come it doesn't look lumpy? Because I would have thought that bones would be under it?

See here if you can't picture what I mean - Dandy Victorian Peacock Cameo Corset by louiseblack

Any help would be massively appreciated

Most corsets are pretty smooth at the front - there's not a lot of shaping that needs to happen there. As the applied section gets further from center, it's also getting shorter, which means the area it needs to smooth flatly onto is much smaller. I expect you could get a 2" - 3" wide cameo onto the front of nearly any corset pattern. Also remember that the bias smooths and stretches very well. Once you've got the top, bottom, right, and left sides pinned, start smoothing the fabric between them onto the corset. Make sure the corset doesn't buckle or get wrinkled under the applique, and just work with the bias curve to get the fabric laying nicely. Pin as you go.

I do think they're applied, then trim is typically used to cover the edges. As long as they're applied after the bone casings are in and boned, there shouldn't be much trouble with wrinkles or topstitching.

I would make up a boned mockup (any corset pattern can be made up without a busk, just sew the fronts together) and try applying an oval piece of fabric to it. Mark the quarters of the oval (top and bottom especially) so you don't go astray. I think it'll go better than you expect.

That's brilliant thankyou very much! I will definitely give it a go then