Just a quick announcement to inform you all that Costuming Commissions are currently closed.
When they open again I will make an announcement on this blog.
Making 1790s Transitional Stays Part 1
My latest side project is constructing a pair of 1790s stays.
There are many different styles of extant stays for the 1790s. During this period, stays were transitioning from long conical shape of the 18th century to the long line regency corset of the early 1800s. Stays during this period varied drastically in shape and construction but were typically shorter than in earlier decades to match the rising waistlines of the Neoclassical period.
A pair of "half-boned" transitional 1790s stays from the Met Costume Institute
The stays I plan to make are based on this pattern for 1793 fully boned stays from Norah Waugh's Corsets and Crinolines. I will be making a few alterations to the pattern to help it better suit my project. First, I will make it a "half boned" stay, so it will be more breathable. The difference between half and fully boned stays in that in fully boned stays there is no gap between bone channels. I will also adjust it to be front lacing only and add a stomacher, so its easier for me to lace myself in.
The fashion fabric I've chosen for the stays is this pale green linen that I will reinforce with coutil. At this point I'm not sure if I will use spring steel or synthetic whalebone for the boning. I might do a bit of experimenting with both.
But first, I have some pattern drafting to do!