How to Make Corsets Step by Step

Corsets are a creative, sexy fashion statement, whether they are used for lingerie or as a trendy outfit to go out in for a night on the town. They help enhance your best assets and curves, and can be designed in hundreds of different styles, colors and fabrics with various embellishments.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric measured to your size, or 4 feet long by 2 feet wide
• Material for corset string, at least 10 feet long (vinyl cord, velvet strings or lace)
• Various embellishments, if desired (lace trim, velvet trim, sequins or crystals)
• Grommets
• Grommet setter
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Decide what fabric you want to use for the corset. The easiest fabrics to work with are cotton, velvet or polyester. Also purchase embellishments or additional fabric to add to your corset.

2. Measure the size of your bust, under your arms, around your ribcage, then around your hips. Mark these measurements down the length of the fabric making sure it will fit around your torso. The corset should go from the top of your bust line to the top of your hips. Cut out the corset frame based on your markings.

3. Sew a 1/4 to 1/2 inch hem along all four sides of the corset.

4. Create holes along the back edges of the corset to insert grommets into, which will be laced up later. Lay it down so the two back edges are flat in front of you. Draw fat marks with a marker along the left side of the corset. Starting at the top, draw the first mark 1/2 inch in from the outer edge, and 1/2 inch down from the top edge. Proceed to move directly down from this first hole, making another mark every 1/2 inch down until you reach the bottom. Repeat this on the right side.

5. Create the holes where the corset will be laced up. Insert a scissor blade slightly into each mark to create a hole. Do this to both edges. Once completed, both edges will have numerous holes equally spaced apart from each other by 1/2 inch.

6. Make sure you are working on a sturdy flat surface because next you need to sew in the grommets. Grommets help mask rough edges and create a secure surface so that the fabric will not tear from the corset lacing.

7. Ensure the holes in your corset are large enough to fit the grommets. Take the first grommet and insert the first part of it (the side that doesn't have teeth) through the cut hole. Make sure the front of the grommet is visible through the front part of the fabric.

8. Take the other side of the grommet (the shorter half) and insert it is beneath the grommet piece you inserted first. Place the grommet setter underneath it. Place the teeth of the shorter grommet into the end of the first grommet that sticks out. The teeth will grab onto the fabric.

9. Place the larger part of the grommet setter on top of the grommet. Use a hammer to pound the setter carefully until the entire grommet is secured. Repeat this step for every hole in the corset.

10. Starting at the top of the corset, insert one end of the string you choose to lace up the corset into the left hole. Next, insert the other side of the string into the first hole on the right. Then, take the string that went through the left hole and bring it over to the hold underneath the first lacing on the right. Lace it through. Take the string that was through the first hole on the right, and lace it through the hole underneath the first lacing on the left. Repeat this procedure until all the holes are laced.

11. Add additional decorations to the corset, such as lace trim to the top and bottom in various colors, or rhinestones along the top or bottom edges, or on corset's body. Other ideas include sewing on sequins, metal studs, leather strips, chains, fake flowers, petals or appliques.

12. Put on the corset to see how it fits. Slide it over the top of your body, and have someone lace it up for you (this is the best way to get the most secure fit). When you have the corset on your body, it should fit snugly and comfortably.

References

• Corset Sewing Instructions