How to Make Corset Tops With Hook and Eye Closures

A corset with hook and eye closures makes a bold fashion statement.

Corsets were used in ancient Greece and Rome but became most popular as part of a woman's outfit beginning in the 16th century to create an hourglass body shape. Corsets are worn as either outerwear or underwear. A corset may be permanently attached to another article of clothing or worn as a separate garment. Make a custom fit corset with hook and eye fasteners at home with a few simple sewing supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Corset pattern
• Fabric for the outer shell
• Fabric for the inner lining
• Straight pins
• Fabric crayon
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Tape measure
• Hook and eye tape

Instructions

1. Purchase a corset pattern. Purchase fabric for the outer shell. Purchase fabric for the inner corset lining.

2. Place the outer shell fabric on a large, clean flat work surface. Lay the pattern on top of the fabric. Insert straight pins into the fabric and the pattern to connect the two pieces.

3. Draw a line 1 inch away from the outer edge of the pattern with the fabric crayon. This will provide extra fabric on the outer edge to form a 1-inch seam allowance. Use scissors to cut out the pattern along the crayon line.

4. Spread the fabric for the inner lining on the work surface. Lay the pieces of the pattern pinned to the outer shell fabric on top of the inner lining. Attach the inner lining fabric to the pattern using straight pins. Cut out the inner lining along the outer edge of the pattern.

5. Grasp the outer right corset panel. Lay the outer shell of the fabric on the right side of the inner lining. Insert straight pins along the perimeter to attach the two pieces. Sew a straight stitch along the fabric crayon line. Stop stitching 1 inch before the stitch connects, to leave room to turn the panel inside out.

   Grasp the outer left corset panel. Repeat the process described above to stitch the panel pieces together.

6. Turn the two panels inside out so the right sides face out. Sew a running stitch around the edge of the entire panels.

7. Measure the vertical height of the front panel. Cut a strip of hook and eye tape to the length measured. Place the front left panel face down on the work surface. Place the hook and eye tape on the outer edge of the panel that faces the center of the person's body. Sew a running stitch along the underside of the corset panel to attach it to the hook and eye tape. Place the front right panel face down on top of the corset tape. Sew a running stitch into the other side of the hook and eye tape to connect it to the right corset panel.

8. Attach the inner and outer lining of the remaining panels together using the process described in step 5.

9. Sew a running stitch to connect the vertical edges of the panels together.

10. Unhook the hook and eye closures, wrap the corset around the mid section and place each hook into an eye to close the corset around the body

References

• FabSugar; Make Your Own Corset Top; Sept. 20, 2007
• ThreadBanger: How to Make a Corset

Resources

• FarthingaleCorsetMakingSupplies: Hooks and Eyes