How to Make a Waist Cincher Corset

Your corset can be as ornate or as simple as you like.

A waist cincher corset is an undergarment used to create a smaller waistline and a dramatic hourglass shape. If worn correctly, this useful garment can reduce a woman's waist size by a few inches in only a few seconds. Since most quality corsets can be very expensive, learning how to make your own can save you a lot of money. By finding a good corset pattern and using basic sewing skills, you can make a custom waist cincher corset that will fit you perfectly.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Corset pattern
• Pattern paper
• Scissors
• Two types of fabric
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Eyelets
• Eyelet hand press
• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Satin ribbon

Instructions

1. Purchase a corset pattern. Most of these patterns can be found at your local fabric and craft store or online. You can also make your own pattern. Measure your rib cage carefully as well as the length of your armpit to your natural waist. Take down these measurements and transfer them to the pattern paper.

   Make a crescent shape at the bottom of the pattern paper and cut along the lengthiest part of the pattern to create two sections.

2. Place your pattern over your fabric and carefully pin it down. Trace about 1 inch around the pattern and cut along the traced line.

3. Take another piece of fabric and cut it using the second pattern panel. Repeat the same pinning and cutting techniques. Use a different type of fabric for the inner lining and repeat.

4. Place the right sides of the inner and outer pieces together and pin. Sew a seam following the pattern line you traced, leaving a gap so you can turn the work inside out.

5. Fold the gap seam closed while sewing a top seam along the edge of the entire panel.

6. Use a ruler and fabric pen to mark 1 inch in from the seam. Make a mark about every other inch where your eyelets will be placed on the corset. Make sure your ruler and your markings are straight.

7. Cut the holes for every mark you made. Be careful not to make the holes too big for your eyelets. Use an eyelet hand press to insert the eyelets from the right side.

8. Repeat the steps for the rest of the holes marked. Repeat the sewing and eyelet steps for the second panel. Place the two panels right side together and sew a seam to connect them.

9. Lace up your corset using a long ribbon in a loose crisscross pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• It's extremely important to have the correct measurements, so measure your pattern several times before cutting.

• Your waist cincher corset should be very form fitting and not loose.

• Never wash your corset in the washing machine. Gently spot clean it if it becomes dirty or soiled.

References

• Marquise: How to Make an 18th-Century Corset
• Threadbanger; How to Make a Corset; Lindsey Chen; February 2008