We started out by scaling up a historical pattern that focused on a gorgeous waistbanded overbust style from Jill Salen’s “Corsets”. Making a cut-back, one layer corset from this pattern allowed us to try out a few different seam techniques to create a neat finish, inside and out, as well as work on the more challenging concept of horizontal pattern pieces! The finished result was glorious in its simplicity. Clean fresh colours in flesh tone and white, all sized to the exact measurements of the student with carefully placed steel bones to continue the good work of all that shaping.

In fact, my student did so well that we finished a day early! It gave us a chance to tackle something she had been wanting to try out- ribbon corsets. These offer a great introduction to corsetry skills as well as giving experienced creators a shot at something different. Their banded ribbon sections present entirely new ways of sculpting a form, and allow a lot of playfulness with colour and style elements. This one was made using a zip, in very vibrant saffron and bordeaux colourings, overlaying a matching duchess satin over the more functional coutil panels. The ribbon corset fitted like a dream, and brightened up the studio a treat!

We’re just in the process of working on some new course structures that will allow us to make more of your time here, so keep checking back for the new approach which should be up in a week or so.

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Many, many years ago, all the way back to the 13th Century, Charlton House was a stately residential manor in the heart of Shrewsbury, occupied by a family with a wayward young girl, Lady Sarah. Poor Sarah fell madly in love with a most unsuitable character who lived a short walk away near St Chads church, of whom her family deeply disapproved. They forbade her from seeing him, which, as any story reader knows, is a pretty fundamental error where two lovers are concerned.

Sarah snuck out the house one night, determined to be with her sweetheart, thinking her absence wouldn’t be noted but alas, her family heard her come home that night. Furious at her disobedience she was locked in the cellar, far away from the temptation of menfolk and where she could think about her misdeeds.

When her parents came to release her, they found that in her distress, Sarah had taken her own life, unable to contemplate life apart from her betrothed.

The cellar in which she passed away is now part of a local pub, “The Hole in The Wall” running underneath the studio’s ground floor, and it’s said that after hours she can be seen wandering through the bar, smiling enigmatically, before she vanishes. Perhaps she was reunited with her forbidden love after all.

Being that we work on the top floor of the old manor house it seems unlikely that Lady Sarah will be bothering us during a fitting, but it does make you think twice about working the late shift…

Sleep easy corset fans.

The green ribbon corset shown in these images is now available in our Pret a Porter section, worn only for the duration of the shoot.

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This was a really exciting proposition- A regular client recently asked me to make her a “surprise” as she simply couldn’t decide on what fabrics she wanted. With a few simple guidelines in place she bravely handed over the reins and left the creation of her new training corset in my hands.

Heres the result- A fourteen panelled Arista underbust with modified top edge to curve gently around the breasts and meet the bra for a smoother line under clothing, made with a solid steel busk and continuous fine steel boning. The fabrics used are metallic rose silk dupion with contrast panels of champagne tulip coutil and a touch of glamour at the top with an antique gold guipure lace trim, delicate and exquisite in detail. Another corset commission now being cherished by its new owner, thankyou so much for the trust and the inspiration!

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You can choose this option on your own custom order, upgrading to continuous steel boning starts from £40, or you could opt for the stunning feature of external casings, handmade in your choice of coutil from £80.

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Our brides come with all sorts of fascinating personal themes for their weddings, some involve the corset as a visible part of their outfit, but for many the corset is there to provide a sleek and romantic curve to the waist, and to create a figure befitting the important day, and time after time, that means that they will be choosing a cupped corset to transform their silhouette with comfort and grace.

To help you ensure the most secure and flowing of fits we are offering a 50% discount on a boned corset toile with any order of any cupped corset from our charming and classic styles. This reduces the price of the toile from £30 to £15, making it unmissable for the peace of mind it provides you. It even helps your dress-maker out with an initial approximation of how the corset will affect your dimensions.

Of course this offer is by no means limited to brides only, If you’ve been day dreaming of a voluptuous new look, make this your cue to get fitted today.

You can indulge in this offer from the 1st March to the 31st March.

We will be adding to this gallery as often as we can, so do keep checking back if you want a little help making that all important decision!

Inspiration and ideas

I look forward to starting work on some more of the captivating orders we have lined up for this next month!

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Bust 32″ (B cup)

Waist 21.5″

Hips 32″

Length 14.5″

Bust to waist 7.5″

Measures-

Underbust 32″

Waist 30″

Hips 34″