Decorative. Not for serious waist training. After all we don't want anyones organs popping out.

--Not Quite finished yet, but you might get something out of it--

Step 1: Gather Your Materials..

For this endeavor you will need:
-fabric of your choosing. I know it may seem counter productive but try and make sure its not strectchy. We'll talk about what kinds you'll need later.
-boning. Can be fancy store bought but if you are like me just get some bendable plastic storage bins and a good box cutter and scissors.
-A sewing machine. Trust me it will save a lot of thread, time, and asperin.
-Thread for the machine in appropriate colors..
-Duct tape. If you are on the larger side might as well be safe and make sure youve got loads of the stuff.
-Old t-shirt you won't mind cutting to pieces.

Most importantly, time, patience, good music and some friends who you aren't afraid to expose yourself to.

Step 2: Make Your Pattern.

If you already had a store bought pattern, I'm assuming that you wouldn't be reading this, but just skip to the fabric part if so.

Anyway, have in mind what you want the corset's basic design to look like. You can alter it later, but it helps.
Put on the t-shirt and start wrapping yourself in duct tape. Not too tight, but pretty snug. Wrap the duct tape exactly how you want the corset to fit. If you want your boobs squished, then do it now. If you want it to be low cut or the bottom to come down low, do it now. If you are confused you'll get the picture when you are in the process yourself. By the way it helps to have a friend helping you with this.

Step 3: Cut Yourself Out.

Now that you are covered, mark lines straight down in these places:
-Straight down the middle in the front
-One right over each nipple
-One right down each side under your shoulder
-One straight down your spine
-One halfway between the line under your arm and the line over your spine

Cut yourself out first by the cut in the front. Label each piece by side and number.
left side spine--L5
side next to spine--L4
one next to that--L3
you get it.
Then cut all the pieces out along the lines.
you should have 10 pieces.

Step 4: The Tricky Part

Fabric. You'll need two kinds:
The main fabric that you are going to see on the outside. You could try different fabrics for the different panels, but lets stick to one for now.
And you'll need a lining fabric for the boning. This should be a soft, but strong fabric.

Lay the main fabric down on the floor nice side down. Lay the pieces tape side down on the fabric, and trace the panels onto the fabric, and label them appropriately.
Once you've got all the panels traced, cut them out and make sure you don't lose them.

Step 5: Even Trickier!

Pin two corresponding (ex.L2+L3) sides right sides togeather along the seam that meet at. This should be a long side. If you want you can pin it all together at one time, but I don't recommend it. Sew along where the pins are. Repeat for all sides until you have one strip of fabric. This strip should not lie flat, and if it does you've done it wrong. The parts where it rises or falls match the contours of your body. If you are confused about this part at all, it should make more sense when you come to this step yourself or by looking at the pictures. In any case, if you are still confused feel free to e-mail me with any confusion!

Step 6: Cutting Your Boning.

Boning is the stuff that keeps your corset up while you are doing whatever you are doing. It also keeps it from getting nasty rumpling when you sit or bend.

--SKIP THIS IF YOU HAVE STORE BOUGHT BONING--
Measure the length of your corset at its longest. Cut lengths of the plastic container with a width of about 1/2 more or less.

Now, take your lining fabric and sew a little pocket for the boning over each seam. Make sure the boning will fit. Slip the boning into the pocket and sew it up to keep it from falling out. These little pockets will make it more comfortable to wear your corset by covering the seams, and keeping it up by holding the boning. I suggest going over your stitches a couple times to make sure that they are very strong.
You will also have to put a peice of boning along each side of the spine.

Step 7: Hemming and Fastening

Hem the top and bottom if you wish.

Sew your fastenings to either side. The two most conventional fastenings are hook and eyes or lacing. The sides have to touch if you are using hook and eyes, but if you want some skin showing in the back, use lacing or get creative and think of something else. I used long loops and buttons for mine.

-Lacing-
For lacing, you will have to get grommets as well. First, punch holes in the boning where you want them, then attach the grommets to the holes as necessary. You will need a special punch for this. Then just weave cord of some type through the grommets and you are set!