Breath, girl! Breath!

This weekend while I was at an event, I had several people make comments about how they liked the look of corsets, but they liked breathing more. Or there were others who told me about a show they watched, or something they saw on the internet where this person laced their corset up tight enough to make their waist 20" or something incredibly tight. And this seems to be what people think corsets are for, and why they avoid them. Uh, no!

Tight lacing is one reason to wear a corset, but it is not the only reason. I have had people in the past come to me for corsets to help ease back trouble upon doctor recommendation. One of my top reasons for wearing a corset is that they are so much more supportive than a bra, and less stress on my shoulders and back. Like I said in a past post, you don't have to lace your corset to the point where you can't breath, in fact, you shouldn't lace it to that point. 

Well, if the point isn't to lace as tight as you can stand it, then what is tight lacing? Tight lacing is a process, it is a commitment, and it's not something you just jump in and out of. The idea is to slowly mold your form, not all at once. Here are the basic points:

• Your corset should be worn 23 hours a day
• This is what I mean by commitment. If you are tight lacing, the only time you should take the corset off is to shower or bathe. That means that you eat, sleep, and go about your day with the corset on.
• Note: This again takes building into. You can't go from never wearing a corset to wearing it 23 hours a day, 7 days a week. Start with 3-5 hours a day and build up every week or two until you are at goal. 
• Go SLOW
• The first corset you buy to tight lace should almost fit your body exactly. The best way to get the proper fit is to pull the tape measure tightly when you take your measurements. This is how your corset should fit. It should be comfortable, and you should be able to go about your daily activities with out much (if any) resistance. 
• From here you can move down. Most corset makers will put a little room to shrink into your corset (covered by a modesty panel). Usually this is only 1-2 inches. Leave those inches until you get used to the fit you're in. As that becomes comfortable, lace a bit tighter until you get to the point the corset is too big. Then you buy the next size down. 
• That process can take 6-9months at a time between corsets. Again, go slow, don't rush it, or you can do some damage. Your body needs time to adjust. 
• Buy quality
• as I've mentioned before, if you are going to tight lace, you need to buy a quality corset designed for tight lacing and made to your measurements. We all squish differently and we're all shaped slightly differently. Buying a generic corset based only on your waist measurement is not going to fit everyone the same, and therefor will not only squish differently, but it could be dangerous to use in that way. No one likes cracked ribs.
• Don't go half way
• Proper waist training is not going to happen in a day. It's also not going to happen if you decide to take every other day off, or wear your corset on occasion. If that's all you want, that's great, corsets are fun! But don't expect lasting results, and stick to the rules. 

Wear your corset comfortably. And breath!

I don't think that word means what you think it means...

The lovely Jess W. Pinup Model in the Mz. Wright corset, a tight lacing corset that she inspired.

Anyone who spends more than five minutes with me will know that I have a huge pet peeve with what manufacturers call a corset these days.

Just because it has laces does not make it a corset. If it were that simple, my shoes could be called corsets.

It has also become trend to make sure everything is steel boned. Yes, this is important, and all of my corsets, corsellets, bodices, and cinchers have steel boning, but the type of boning is just as important.

So let me lay out a few ground rules for you so that your heart won't be broken hearted when that $20 steel boned corset 1) doesn't fit you the way you had thought it would and/or 2) rips after trying to lace it to as tight as you can stand or 3) the bones snap or bend out of shape.

Rule 1: Know what it is you are looking for

When I say "corset" to you, what do you think of? Are you looking for something that will take your waist down several inches? How long do you intend to wear it? Is this something you want for every day or just to break out on special evenings? When you do wear it, will it be on for an hour? two? five? twenty three? 

These are all very important questions to ask yourself before even looking for a corset, because your answers will change not only the price range you are looking at, but the basic construction and essentials to the garment. 

    If you want something to wear for a few hours at a time that will give you a bit of shaping and the lacing look that is iconic to corsetry, then by all means, buy what ever you find for $20 bucks BUT do not expect it to be able to take your waist down 2+ inches. 

    On the other hand if you are looking for something that will slim your lines this is not going to cut it. Unless otherwise stated, from here on out we're going to go based off of the assumption that we are shopping for something that fits into the latter category. 

Rule 2: Look for layers

Before we get into bones (which yes are very important) I want to talk a bit about the layers of a corset. 

    My own very first corset  had a single layer. It was lovely, and I loved it, but it would not hold up to tight lacing, and the shaping was very minimal. So again, if you just want something that will give you the look of a corset, with out the support, stability, or contouring of a tight lacing corset, then this is a fine option for you, but that's not what we are after. 

    So what you do want for a tight lacing corset (one that really is what everyone thinks of when they say "corset") is at least three layers. The corset should have an outer pretty layer that is not made of anything stretchy, next at least one inner core layer made of a sturdy fabric, and the lining layer. For the lining I prefer cotton because it breaths, it's easy to clean, and it's light, but other fabrics can be okay. 

Rule 3: The bones of the issue

I HATE plastic bones. I understand that they do have their place, such as in bodices that just need light support. I can get that. What I can't understand is why anyone would put them in a corset. Next to single lace layers being called corsets, this is probably my biggest pet peeve. The problem with plastic boning is that as it heats up to your body temperature, it softens. This allows it to mold to what ever position you are in (which for me was usually sitting, so the bottom of my corset would bubble upwards at every opportunity), they also pucker when soft, and just plain loose most of their stability and integrity. A huge issue for shape-ware.
    Since the issues with plastic boning has become well known, most have switched to steel. So how do these big manufacturers keep their $20 prices using steel? Well, not all steel is the same. It used to be that corset boning would be made of German steel. You didn't even have to ask about the origin, you knew that your steel bones were made from a high quality German steel. However, keeping with the trend of making everything cheaper, China is now making steel boning out of Chinese steel.
    Labor issues aside, Chinese steel just does not hold up to the pressure. I have had these bones and busks break on me, and if you have ever had plastic bones snap on you, you can only imagine how much more painful a steel bone snapping is.
   Unfortunately, suppliers aren't likely to disclose where their steel comes from. I don't think I've even put that information in my descriptions before. So this one is going to have to be a common sense kind of thing. If the corset says steel, and it's $20, it is going to have one or more of the issues described above.

So, know what you are looking for. Look for layers. Know your steel. These are your basic guidelines. I'll go further into what to look for in tight lacing corsets at a later date, but this should clear some things up on why you might see a huge company selling "real steel boned corsets" for $20-$100, and then see some one like me selling corsets for $150-$350. Remember, you always get what you pay for.

Learning to Ask

Jess W. in one of my zipper front corsets.

I've always had this notion that one isn't meant to brag about themselves, nor ask for help. No one ever really told me not to ask for help, and people always say, "let me know if you need anything" but for some reason I've always had a notion that I shouldn't ask for things. 

Last year I decided to step out of my comfort zone, put myself out there, and ask for things. The biggest thing that I have learned from this experiment in asking for things is that while yes, there is a chance that you won't get what you ask for, if you don't ask then it is a sure then. Another thing that I have learned is that I often get much more than what I asked, or even had in mind. 

So, surround yourself with wonderful, supportive, and positive people, and don't be afraid to ask.

Wow am I a neglectful blogger!

While I may have a wonderful sense of creativity, I have never been good at writing things down.

It's been nearly a year since I last visited this blog, and in that year a lot has changed. I will spare you all the boring details, and just say that I have ventured into a new and scary world of living for my art. 

I have also begun teaching classes. This new venture combines a lot of my passions. 

So if you are in the Cincinnati, or Northern Kentucky area, come check me out!

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Dementia is a Bitch

It all started with my uncle posting this picture with the comment, "sounds like something my dad would do." I smiled and felt reminiscent because, yeah it sounds just like Grandpa, but I wasn't prepared for my next thought, "I miss him"

You see, while Grandpa is physically with us, he has dementia and is not always mentally with us. 

When you have a relative with dementia, it feels like a form of death. The person you know and love disappears. They're body is still there, but you watch as their personality changes, everything that makes that person who they are in your mind, leaves. It's not Grandpa's face or figure I'll remember always, it's him choosing to play with the kids rather than have coffee with the adults, and building swings in the back yard, or the smart ass quibs he always had right at the tip of his tongue. Over the years, those things have slipped away. 

I can't help but feel sometimes like he has already died. I'm not sure if that will make it easier or harder to handle when he is gone, but there it is. 

Things I Did For Me

As I mentioned in my last post, 2013 was a year that I did a lot of things for myself. I bought a sewing/embroidery machine that cost the same as 1/2 a year's worth of rent for example. But one of the things I had the most fun with, and has been the most empowering has been the workshops with Cin City Burlesque. 

Well, for the first show I also forked out the extra cash and took advantage of a pre-show photo shoot. This was done by Jess W. Photography. The package included hair and make-up which was done by one of the lovely Cin City Burly Gals. Jess is an amazingly beautiful person with personality to match. I had so much fun chatting and giggling with these ladies before the show. 

If you ever have a chance to work with her I'd suggest that you do. The experience was everything I could have dreamed and more. You can find Jess here and get all the news from Cin City Burlesque here. 

Happy first Friday everyone! Should be back to sewing blogs soon!