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Corset for the Business Professional

Corset for the Business Professional
Estimated Cost: ~$30-$50 (more if you don't already own the necessary tools)
Estimated completion time: 15-20 hours
Difficulty: Moderate - Challenging (dependent on skill level) 
_______________________________________________________________________

I designed this corset for my wife who loves wearing corsets but did not yet own
one that would be suitable for a business environment. The end result is a light corset
made with a quality suiting material, a slight slimming effect on the waist and loads of
back support.

This corset is considerably more challenging then my other corset instructable and will
require a fair amount of hand sewing. It will also require several iterations of mock-up,
fitting and adjusting to get the correct fit. If this is your first time making a corset I
recommend starting with my other instructable How to make a Steampunk Corset as it
is far more basic and it is much easier to fit properly.

You can see the evolution of this pattern from a mess of fabrics scraps and duct tape,
through several stages of mockup and redrafting, to its current state in Figure 3. Note:
I am using a mannequin not a naked person.


If you have trouble seeing the details of any of the images, click the little i in the top left
corner and it will allow you to view it in the original resolution.

 
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Step 1Tools

Tools

Tools You Will Need:
_______________________________________________________________________
  1. Straight-stitch sewing machine and hand sewing materials
  2. For the sewing machine you will need a zipper foot
  3. Scissors
  4. Awl
  5. Marking tool (Preferably something non-permanent like a chalk pencil)
  6. Fray Check (If you use a fabric with a tendency to fray)
  7. Lighter or other heat source
  8. Grommet Setter
  9. Pliers
  10. Ruler or seam gauge
  11. Dressmakers pins (Ones that won't snag on a sewing machine)
  12. Steam Iron
  13. Hole punch
Tools that will Make the Job Easier
_______________________________________________________________________
  1. Rotary Cutter
  2. Cutting Mat or other razor safe surface (office chair mats work great)
  3. Seam Ripper
  4. Weights (I make my own with bags full of steel shot)


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46 comments
1-40 of 46next »
Jun 12, 2011. 7:38 PMmowdish says:
I would not have expected a corset to ever be appropriate for business, yet here we are. Nice work.
Jun 13, 2011. 7:24 AMjadekikyo says:
Gorgeous!!!! Voted!
Jun 13, 2011. 10:09 AMangelabchua says:
Amazing construction skills! This is a really awesome and versatile piece!
Jun 13, 2011. 1:09 PMXofHope says:
This is absolutely gorgeous! I have one in this style but not as good looking as yours.
Jun 14, 2011. 2:31 PMThe Gingham Ginger says:
Love it!!!
Jun 16, 2011. 6:33 AMsteveastrouk says:
Beautiful piece of work, both the piece and the Instructable. Well done !
Jun 16, 2011. 9:05 AMczintx says:
so so pretty! Love it
Jun 16, 2011. 1:41 PMladyk5dragon says:
Where do you get coutil?? I understood that the only factory making it in the US burned down some 5 years ago and now it's as rare as hen's teeth.
Jun 16, 2011. 1:48 PMladyk5dragon says:
You are my hero!!!! love corset instructables, keep them coming!!!!
Jun 18, 2011. 11:40 AMscoochmaroo says:
I have successfully used mattress ticking ordered from Denver Mattress company. They actually have some beautiful patterns and it takes dye beautifully if you are so inclined.
Jun 21, 2011. 9:21 PMsunshiine says:
You did such an amazing job on this and your ible. Beautiful!
Jun 22, 2011. 12:01 PMamberella1964 says:
I make corsets and underbust corsets....and I am in love with this one! absolutely stunning!!! Thank you.
Jun 26, 2011. 9:19 AMsbarker2 says:
Bugger it ! Im making it anyway...even if i cant wear it to work :D
Aug 14, 2011. 8:00 AMhohum says:
very nice
May 24, 2012. 11:48 AMevriel says:
Thank you so much for your instructions and pattern, I used it to make this corset for my sister! http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/corset-underbust-high-back?image=264736
Apr 23, 2012. 7:15 PMdragonsus says:
Thank you for these great patterns!! I have made one from this and one from one of your other turorials - I've included a pic of both!
The instructions are clear and precise but I must emphasize the need to make a muslin version before cutting out the actual pieces - there is just so much variety in sizes and shapes and checking the fit makes for a much better fitting corset.
Oct 31, 2011. 8:32 PMlauralee19780 says:
I can definitely see this with a business jacket over it. And if you sit at a computer all day, the back support would be fabulous. An over bust corset might be better for someone in a more "modest" workplace. I love the shoulder straps because then you wouldn't keep feeling like it might slide down and look strange. I definitely want to make this one! I have been looking for a corset pattern with shoulder straps. Thanks for sharing this!!!!!!!!!
Jun 17, 2011. 8:50 PMdesya says:
I so love corsets but I have a sit down desk job...nothing but ouch.....stays and boning and a sit down job don't mix .... any suggestions
Oct 31, 2011. 8:27 PMlauralee19780 says:
Definitely custom fit is important! I wear corsets that I make myself rather than wear one that is ready made. I am way smaller on top than on bottom and my waist is short. So a ready made one would be too big on top or too small on the bottom and the bones would cut into my waist because they would be too long for my short waist. I make mine long line also because I need to accentuate the small bosom and cover the belly roll. Most ready made corsets emphasize the belly roll because they stop too short. But if the bones are in the wrong place in a long corset, they will definitely cut into your waist. Custom made corsets are very expensive but worth it if you want one to support a tired back!
Jul 20, 2011. 2:31 AMyelenas says:
I would actually BUY one of these from you! It looks absolutely amazing!
Jun 28, 2011. 6:20 AMTerriMcD says:
I got coutil from www.tutu.com. Runs about $9.80 per yard. (under fabrics/lining) They also sell steel boning at good prices. A little old fashioned site, but service has been friendly.
Jun 20, 2011. 1:27 PMzapan says:
Your instructable is currently being translated in french, to be featured on the creative LARP community Trollcalibur.com ; the translated article will of course display a link to the original instructable and will comply with the Creative Commons conditions. If you are opposed to the translation, please notify us so we can remove the article on our website. Thank you !
Jun 21, 2011. 11:17 AMzapan says:
Thank you for your awesome tutorial, i'll add a link to the article when the translation is complete.
Jun 20, 2011. 8:28 PMjmitrovic says:
Wooooooow!!!! I am a corset collector, i take pride in each and every one of them and none are business appropriate, I would loooove if you could make one more of them for me :) Jenna Mitrovic
Jun 18, 2011. 10:42 PMkatjoy says:
While this may be a very nice piece of clothing. I really can't see wearing it in any type of business setting that isn't in retail slanted towards the "adult trade", or as a musician, or some other independent type of work. What is your reasoning behind being able to wear this item that is obviously accentuating the model's ample bosom?
Jun 20, 2011. 10:23 AMkatjoy says:
Please forgive me if I came off rude or brash. That's really not my intention.
I am basically saying I would never want my boss looking at me in any sexual way, and this piece just might do that. It is an excellent piece of work. You obviously have very exacting sewing skills. Knowing you live in Las Vegas says a lot about the leniency in dress code. I live in the Midwest. While not prudish, I definitely can say that if I saw this item on a coworker, I would assuredly not be the only one wondering why this person thought it was an appropriate piece to wear to work.
Now, if you were to wear it in just about any other setting, and could take the interested looks you may receive from others, then go ahead and flaunt the goods.
Jun 18, 2011. 5:33 AMdanvilleman says:
Now I want to see the "business environment appropriate" bikini.
Jun 16, 2011. 7:15 PMreinlar says:
Beautiful work ! But, are you really going to send your wife to work in this??? You have to be the most secure, trusting husband (or fool) in the world! Way, way, waaaaaay too sexy for the work environment, unless she works at a strip club. Even worn over a shirt, it's tooo HOT! I want to order three for the ladies in our office!
Jun 13, 2011. 8:05 AMMr. Potato Head says:
I can't help wondering just what sort of "business" she's in...
Jun 16, 2011. 7:28 AMcofosho says:
Agreed. This is a fantastic project with a very cool outcome, but that wouldn't really fly anywhere I've worked.
Jun 16, 2011. 4:25 PMcloudifornia says:
Well said.
Jun 16, 2011. 11:02 AMMr. Potato Head says:
Certainly wouldn't fly if I were wearing it, but it looks kinda nice on the mannequin.
Jun 16, 2011. 4:26 PMcloudifornia says:
You'd be Mr Mashed Potato Head! :-O)
1-40 of 46next »

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Author:lw119(Lilly's Workshop)
I love sewing, electronics, crafting and Chowder.