Toile #2

[neonduchess]

This week I have made a second toile for the DPP 2011. I took the pattern from toile #1 but this time used the construction methods I intend to use for the final corset. The bust and back gores are much smoother this time; many thanks to Julia B for explaining a new technique to me.

Here are a few pictures; any comments and feedback would be much

Comments

[sewcurvy]

I'm thinking Corset Dress ... it's Lovely!

[neonduchess]

Thank you, I think corset dress too. I can't strictly move very much in it, not that fashion has often cared about practicality! I might try adding some stretch panels in somewhere to make walking a bit easier? I thought about also trying a shorter busk with a central stretch panel to make sitting possible? Hmm, is it too much to ask to look nice and be able to move?

[sewcurvy]

Hmm... I don't think a corset dress exists that you can either a) sit down in, or b) go to the loo in c) move very well in ... Sparkelwren made one for her friend - you may have seen it on her FB page - amazing dress, worn on a night out, but had to be changed before too long due to aforementioned problems ...

Nevertheless, necessity is the mother of invention and traditional corsetry is there to be experimented with in order to make it modern corsetry ...

For this excersise tho (DPP), I think this 2nd toile looks fab! What are you going to make the final one in??

[neonduchess]

I have seen the Sparklewren dress you speak of; it has such fab hip shaping and is super sexy. I do love the look of a fully laced corset dress, top to bottom.

I have found even fitting the toile on myself quite tricky, it's almost yogic! And if you drop something essential you have to take the dress off to pick it up!

I had a brainwave last night as I was dropping off which I am going to try in toile #3; namely to fit a shorter length busk, sew the remainder of the centre front and then mirror the bust gores in the bottom panels using a stretch fabric (like power mesh) as the gore pieces. I have no idea if it will work but it's worth a try. Given the time spent on it I would actually like to be able to wear it!

I'm still undecided for the fabric for this, I want to look like an iceberg so I have a shiny but supple white patent leather for the top piece. I still need to find something suitable for below the waist, needs to be dark and aquatic like the hidden 9/10ths of an iceberg.

[sewcurvy]

Hmmm... I saw some lovely shimmery blue green silk on the weekend, £6.50 a metre!

The stretchy gussets sound like a good plan too

Oh .. I think Abakan / Akaban (?) do a shot poly tafetta too which is very nice