Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Real Quick
My Deviant Art account has been updated! There are now pictures of some of the corsets that will be featured at this year's Anime Central. Please check it out at aepearls.deviantart.com
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wanna See My Corsets?
Then go to aepearls.deviantart.com :) I will be posting pictures of my corsets there. As of right now only one picture is up, but hopefully by the end of next week there will be more.
I am preparing for both finals and Anime Central, so I might not be able to update until later (which isn't much of a change for me unfortunately). Hang in there though! Next time I want to talk about using ribbons in your corset :)
I am preparing for both finals and Anime Central, so I might not be able to update until later (which isn't much of a change for me unfortunately). Hang in there though! Next time I want to talk about using ribbons in your corset :)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It's Been a Long Time
Sorry for the impromptu second hiatus. Life has gotten really crazy between preparing for Anime Central and school.
If you are interested in buying some corsets from me or ordering a custom made corset, please stop by my booth at Anime Central! I will be with a group called Imperium Art. I will have underbust corsets available for immediate sale and people can order corsets from me there.
If you're interested visit acen.org for more details! I'm working on a website, which is where I will be posting pictures of corsets that are available for order.
As always, if there is something you want to see posted or if you would like to commission me for a corset please do not hesitate to email me at aepearls@gmail.com or leave a comment.
If you are interested in buying some corsets from me or ordering a custom made corset, please stop by my booth at Anime Central! I will be with a group called Imperium Art. I will have underbust corsets available for immediate sale and people can order corsets from me there.
If you're interested visit acen.org for more details! I'm working on a website, which is where I will be posting pictures of corsets that are available for order.
As always, if there is something you want to see posted or if you would like to commission me for a corset please do not hesitate to email me at aepearls@gmail.com or leave a comment.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A New Year, A New Post
Hello Followers,
Sorry for the hiatus. Because I spent most of this break hanging out with friends instead of making corsets, I don't have much to post about them. However, I can post about the magic of making dresses!
Dresses are relatively straight forward. All you need are your measurements and material with some give (material that doesn't stretch will be difficult to put on unless you install a zipper). If you want, you can also use some ribbon to use as a draw string at the top.
The kind of dresses I create consist of two parts: a tube top and a circle skirt. To create the tube top you need about half a yard of fabric (you actually wind up using much less, but I always like to have more just in case I make a mistake), some paper, and your measurements (bust, waist, and upper hip measurements, or wherever you want your circle skirt to begin). The upper hip is located under your belly button. Take your measurements and halve them, this will be what you use to create your pattern. Make the pattern on the sheet of paper, and then cut it out on the fabric. Sew the two sides together and try on your tube top to make sure it fits. Add the drawstring at the top by folding over the top edge of the tube top, cutting two holes where the ribbon can be threaded, and threading the ribbon. You only need the folded over edge to be a little more than the width of the ribbon.
For the circle skirt you will need about 1.5 yards of fabric and your measurements. Fold the fabric in half and then in half again, so that you have the fabric in fourths. Take your upper hip measurement, or the measurement you used in your tube top for where you wanted the circle skirt to begin. This is the circumferance of the top of the circle skirt (the part that fits around your upper hips). You will need the radius of that, this is where your grade school math skills come in handy. Circumference = 2*pi*radius so the radius = circumference/(2*pi). Measure this radius out from a corner of the folded material (where the folded edges are) and cut it out. What you have is a fourth of a circle showing. Then, unless you want a skirt with square edges (like a pixie skirt), cut the bottom of the fabric so that it's round. Atttach the skirt to the tube top.
Viola! Now you have a lovely dress. :) If you want to make the dress look really nice make a petticoat.
Anyway that's all I have for now! Happy New Year!
Sorry for the hiatus. Because I spent most of this break hanging out with friends instead of making corsets, I don't have much to post about them. However, I can post about the magic of making dresses!
Dresses are relatively straight forward. All you need are your measurements and material with some give (material that doesn't stretch will be difficult to put on unless you install a zipper). If you want, you can also use some ribbon to use as a draw string at the top.
The kind of dresses I create consist of two parts: a tube top and a circle skirt. To create the tube top you need about half a yard of fabric (you actually wind up using much less, but I always like to have more just in case I make a mistake), some paper, and your measurements (bust, waist, and upper hip measurements, or wherever you want your circle skirt to begin). The upper hip is located under your belly button. Take your measurements and halve them, this will be what you use to create your pattern. Make the pattern on the sheet of paper, and then cut it out on the fabric. Sew the two sides together and try on your tube top to make sure it fits. Add the drawstring at the top by folding over the top edge of the tube top, cutting two holes where the ribbon can be threaded, and threading the ribbon. You only need the folded over edge to be a little more than the width of the ribbon.
For the circle skirt you will need about 1.5 yards of fabric and your measurements. Fold the fabric in half and then in half again, so that you have the fabric in fourths. Take your upper hip measurement, or the measurement you used in your tube top for where you wanted the circle skirt to begin. This is the circumferance of the top of the circle skirt (the part that fits around your upper hips). You will need the radius of that, this is where your grade school math skills come in handy. Circumference = 2*pi*radius so the radius = circumference/(2*pi). Measure this radius out from a corner of the folded material (where the folded edges are) and cut it out. What you have is a fourth of a circle showing. Then, unless you want a skirt with square edges (like a pixie skirt), cut the bottom of the fabric so that it's round. Atttach the skirt to the tube top.
Viola! Now you have a lovely dress. :) If you want to make the dress look really nice make a petticoat.
Anyway that's all I have for now! Happy New Year!
Friday, November 12, 2010
It's Been a Long Time
I apologize for the impromptu hiatus. The semester is winding down and school is becoming more urgent and demanding.
Anyway, something I've been experimenting with is making fabrics glow-in-the-dark to create a cool effect with corsets. Here's what I've learned!
1) always test out the fabric with dryel because it's like dry cleaning it. Also make sure to wash it with dish soap and scrubbing because that way it simulates wear and tear.
2) use copious amounts of hairspray :D it smells nice and it keeps the glow-in-the-dark fabric stiffener in
3) apply the glow-in-the-dark fabric stiffener to the wrong side of the fabric because it leaves a really filmy look
4) test it a lot (but that's the fun part)
5) keep the fabric exposed to light, because otherwise it will lose it's glowing qualities.
Have questions? Comments? Things you want me to post about concerning corsets/sewing in general? Leave a comment or shoot me an email :)
Anyway, something I've been experimenting with is making fabrics glow-in-the-dark to create a cool effect with corsets. Here's what I've learned!
1) always test out the fabric with dryel because it's like dry cleaning it. Also make sure to wash it with dish soap and scrubbing because that way it simulates wear and tear.
2) use copious amounts of hairspray :D it smells nice and it keeps the glow-in-the-dark fabric stiffener in
3) apply the glow-in-the-dark fabric stiffener to the wrong side of the fabric because it leaves a really filmy look
4) test it a lot (but that's the fun part)
5) keep the fabric exposed to light, because otherwise it will lose it's glowing qualities.
Have questions? Comments? Things you want me to post about concerning corsets/sewing in general? Leave a comment or shoot me an email :)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Halloween Cometh
As Halloween approaches, I'm sure people are scrambling to put together a costume. This is the time to go to your local fabric store and craft stores to find some cute, cheap, halloweeny fabric that you will want to use for years to come!
So what if you want to make a corsetted outfit, but don't have the time to put together a whole corset? Here are some things I recommend doing:
Tip 1: Find a Pattern
I highly recommend using a commercial pattern for your first corset, and especially if you're in a hurry. McCalls has some cool patterns and so does Simplicity. Just look under the historical costumes section and you should see some good stuff. Be wary of patterns that are essentially one size fits all because a corset is not one size fits all. I would recommend starting out with an underbust corset, because then you don't have to deal with making the corset fit the chest. If you would like to use the underbust corset pattern that I've drafted send me an email with your waist size (your true waist size, not the one minus 4 inches).
Tip 2: Always Make a Mock Up
Always make a mock up, even if you don't have time, because that way you can make necessary changes without wasting precious fabric. It doesn't take much time to make it (because you really don't have to put in bones, you're just making sure that the corset is small enough). When figuring out your size always go about 4" smaller than your original waist size if you want to get the right look.
Tip 3: Use Bones in a Couple of Key Places
You don't need to make the whole thing heavily boned. You don't even need to make boning channels (unless you're using fabric with a loose weave). Just put bones in a couple of key places: 2 in front and 1 in back with the grommets. If you have time, you can put 1 bone on each seam.
Tip 4: Don't Use a Busk
Busks take time to install, and they can be a little complicated (in my humble opinion). If you want to be able to undo the front, just use more grommets (again, just make sure that you have bones next to them to keep it straight).
Tip 5: Keep the Rest of the Outfit Simple
I would try to use pieces that you already have (for example if you have a dark colored dress, and you hike it up a little in front using some strategic stitches you can be a burlesque vampire). If you want to make the entire costume then keep the rest of it simple because the corset is going to take up a good chunk of your time if you do it right.
Now you can enjoy Halloween in your cute corsetted outfit! If you have any questions or tips of your own please feel free to leave a comment. I'll try and post a picture of my halloween outfit
So what if you want to make a corsetted outfit, but don't have the time to put together a whole corset? Here are some things I recommend doing:
Tip 1: Find a Pattern
I highly recommend using a commercial pattern for your first corset, and especially if you're in a hurry. McCalls has some cool patterns and so does Simplicity. Just look under the historical costumes section and you should see some good stuff. Be wary of patterns that are essentially one size fits all because a corset is not one size fits all. I would recommend starting out with an underbust corset, because then you don't have to deal with making the corset fit the chest. If you would like to use the underbust corset pattern that I've drafted send me an email with your waist size (your true waist size, not the one minus 4 inches).
Tip 2: Always Make a Mock Up
Always make a mock up, even if you don't have time, because that way you can make necessary changes without wasting precious fabric. It doesn't take much time to make it (because you really don't have to put in bones, you're just making sure that the corset is small enough). When figuring out your size always go about 4" smaller than your original waist size if you want to get the right look.
Tip 3: Use Bones in a Couple of Key Places
You don't need to make the whole thing heavily boned. You don't even need to make boning channels (unless you're using fabric with a loose weave). Just put bones in a couple of key places: 2 in front and 1 in back with the grommets. If you have time, you can put 1 bone on each seam.
Tip 4: Don't Use a Busk
Busks take time to install, and they can be a little complicated (in my humble opinion). If you want to be able to undo the front, just use more grommets (again, just make sure that you have bones next to them to keep it straight).
Tip 5: Keep the Rest of the Outfit Simple
I would try to use pieces that you already have (for example if you have a dark colored dress, and you hike it up a little in front using some strategic stitches you can be a burlesque vampire). If you want to make the entire costume then keep the rest of it simple because the corset is going to take up a good chunk of your time if you do it right.
Now you can enjoy Halloween in your cute corsetted outfit! If you have any questions or tips of your own please feel free to leave a comment. I'll try and post a picture of my halloween outfit
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I Figured It's Time
I figured it's time for me to show you a picture of my work. This is a design I've been playing around with in my head for a little while. I'm thinking of making more of it and selling it to folks at some point in time. The reason I'm standing behind it is because I didn't put in the grommets yet, but I wanted to see how it looked.
This is Kelsey. I wound up taking it apart because I didn't like how the top looked, and because I wanted to experiment with the look a little more. I'm actually quite proud of it :D
The pattern I used is one I drafted myself based on one of the corsets in the Corsets and Crinolines book. If you want to learn how to do that I highly recommend reading the Corset Making Revolution link from my previous post "The Book Every Budding Corsetier Should Read."
The fashion fabric is fabric that I had from a previous project. I don't quite remember what type of fabric it was...I think polyester. I used black coutil as the layer that holds the bones (I'm not entirely sure what to call it, I guess I'll call it the strengthening layer). The chain is regular chain that I picked up from Michael's (you can go to any hobby store or jewelry making store for something like that). I used a combination of steel and spring steel bones, and the corset has 14 bones in it. In my later corsets I increased the number of bones to 19, just to make sure that the front was flat and well structured.
That's all for today! If you have any questions about construction, comments about the design, or want me to post about something in particular please leave a comment.
The pattern I used is one I drafted myself based on one of the corsets in the Corsets and Crinolines book. If you want to learn how to do that I highly recommend reading the Corset Making Revolution link from my previous post "The Book Every Budding Corsetier Should Read."
The fashion fabric is fabric that I had from a previous project. I don't quite remember what type of fabric it was...I think polyester. I used black coutil as the layer that holds the bones (I'm not entirely sure what to call it, I guess I'll call it the strengthening layer). The chain is regular chain that I picked up from Michael's (you can go to any hobby store or jewelry making store for something like that). I used a combination of steel and spring steel bones, and the corset has 14 bones in it. In my later corsets I increased the number of bones to 19, just to make sure that the front was flat and well structured.
That's all for today! If you have any questions about construction, comments about the design, or want me to post about something in particular please leave a comment.
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