How to Create a Corset Pattern

Completed pattern

Corset patterns are a great way to begin making your very own corset. They are a great option for a waist cincher as they can be worn by themselves or over/beneath another article of clothing. They have also become popular as part of weddings and the Victorian corset pattern below can be used to make beautiful bridal corsets.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Large paper, cut open paper grocery bags work great.
• Ruler
• Pen
• Long string or tape measurer

1. Use string and a ruler or a tape measurer to get your corset pattern started.

2. Measure around the bust line. For the best fit, wear a good bra without padding and measure at the fullest part. Round to the nearest half inch.

3. Measure your waist. You'll need to measure your natural waistline. This can be found around the bellybutton usually. If you are unsure, bend over. Where the stomach creases is your natural waistline. Round to the nearest half inch.

4. Measure from your natural waist to your underarm. From your natural waist, measure up toward your armpit. Stop a couple inches beneath the armpit. If you are wearing a bra, a good rule of thumb is to stop at the top edge of the bra.

5. Determine how long you want the front line of the corset to be. This is the piece that will connect down the center of your abdomen. This length can vary greatly. A Victorian corset pattern will usually have 13 or 14 inches. This is a good rule of thumb for this fashion pattern and can be adjusted to your taste on fabric.

6. Draw a vertical line on your paper that will match the desired length of the front line of the corset.

7. Divide your bust measurement in half and draw a horizontal line at the top of your front line, going left. This is the bust line of your corset pattern.

8. Measure three inches down from the end of the bust line. Mark this point A.

9. Divide your bust line by 2 and add 2 to that total. Starting at the front line measure out this far and then down three inches. Make a mark and label it point B.

10. Divide your bust line by 2. Divide it by 2 again. From the front line measure this far to your left and make a mark. Label it point C. Draw a gently curving line between A, B and C.

11. Starting at point A, mark your waist to underarm length going downward.

12. Divide your waist measurement by 2. Subtract 1 from the total. Subtracting 1 gives the corset its waist cincher look. Using this number draw a horizontal line from the front line going left. Make it pass at the base of the waist to underarm line you just drew. This is the waist line of your corset pattern.

13. Measure one inch down from the end of the waist line. Mark this point D.

14. Draw a line between points B and D. This will form the back line of any corset patterns.

15. Divide your waist line by 2. Divide it by 2 again. Using this number measure along the waist line starting furthest from the front line. Measure .5 inch up. Mark this point E.

16. Divide your waist line by 2. Measure from the front line and 1 inch up. Mark this point F.

17. Divide your waist line by 2. Divide it by 2 again. Using this number measure along the waist line starting at the front line. Mark this point G.

18. Draw a curving line between D, E, F and G. When drawing the line from the front line, make sure you have enough space for your busk to fit in. It should come into a bit of a rounded point. One inch is usually appropriate though you may need to go smaller on a bridal corset or larger on leather corsets. Connect this curve to point G.

19. Get ready to use this Victorian corset pattern to make a beautiful corset. This is especially elegant for a bridal corset and will provide a lovely shape in leather corsets.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not suck in when measuring yourself. The corset is meant to cinch your body, not to suffocate you.

Resources

• Larger view of the completed corset pattern
• How to make a corset pattern modification
• Lacing a corset