How to Make a Neck Corset

Corsets have been around for centuries and are a beautiful way to enhance a woman's body and bring out her natural assets. Neck corsets are a a fashion trend and can accent a simple dress or outfit.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Corset fabric
• 3 ft. Corset string material
• Measuring tape
• Needle and thread or sewing machine

Instructions

1. Decide what type of corset you want to make. Decide what type of material you want for the neck corset. You can get very creative here, mixing and matching different types of materials (such as silk and velvet) or bright colors (such as coral and yellow).

2. Measure the circumference and height of your neck. The corset should go from the collar bone to an inch or two below your chin. Make sure to leave 1/4 inch extra material on the top and bottom of the corset in order to hem it correctly. Once you have marked the measurements on the fabric, use the scissors to cut out the corset frame.

3. Use the needle and thread or the sewing machine to create a 1/4 inch hem along the top, bottom and two sides of the corset. The sides of the neck corset will later be laced together with the corset strings.

4. Add lace, jewels, fake flowers, butterflies, appliques, etc. if you desire. This can help enhance the appearance o the neck corset and add a little bit of your personality. Sew them on with a needle and thread. Try to use contrasting colors that you can match with different outfits. Also, you can purchase several embellishments and attach them with tiny safety pins to match different outfits.

5. Lay the neck corset front down so the two back edges are flat in front of you. Draw holes with the marker down the left edge of the corset. Create the first mark 1/3 inch in from the outside edge of the corset, 1/2 inch down from the top. From here, make another mark every 1/3 inch down.

6. Repeat this on the right side of the neck corset. Take the X-acto knife and insert the sharp point of the blade slightly into each mark in order to create a hole. Do this on both sides of the neck corset. This is where the strings will lace through.

7. Decide what you want to lace the corset up with. You can use string, velvet material, silk, lace, netting, and so forth. Start lacing the neck corset at the top. Insert one edge of the string into the first hole on the left, and then insert the other side of the string into the first hole on the right.

8. Pick up the string from the left side and insert into the second hole on the right side. Then lace it from the top of the right side, and insert it into the second hole on the left side. While lacing, make sure to keep the lacing tight and secure. Repeat this process until every hole is laced.

9. Open the bottom of the neck corset wide in order to slide it over your head. Once it is down, the bottom should be resting on your collarbone. It may be necessary to have someone else lace up the neck corset tightly so that it is worn properly.