Boning? Yep... to make a corset, you have to have boning. It's what gives the corset shape and support. There are many kids, including plastic stuff you can get at JoAnn's, but I know that is not authentic material for the early 1800s. So, I did some research. I could have got spring-steel circular boning (see picture), but you also have to buy a $45 tool to cut it, plus the little metal tips to prevent the steel from shredding the fabric and your skin. So I opted for reed. Reed is a natural material that is stripped into a specific shape, then coiled and boiled in that shape, and then allowed to dry. It was $25 for the coil of reed, but you can't buy it in any other quantity than a coil. It is also used to make hoop skirt supports... maybe another project somewhere down the road?
The cane is larger and more rigid than I expected. I think it will be perfect for my corset/stays.
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| Reed Boning--easy to cut and shape, with sanded edges. |
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| Spring Steel boning...I don't want those pointy bits poking me!! These are the end caps for cut steel. Bleah. |
I have also been thinking about things I can work on in class. I can do hand sewing, which I will do for some of the outfit (I will machine sew the parts that won't really show--skirt seams, etc.). I am going to make a reticule to go with the outfit. I haven't decided on the material for the outside of the bag... something soft but sturdy. Not leather, although soft leathers do exist. Not satin--I don't want something too fancy. I was thinking I could dye leftover sateen from my corset material... I did order extra! :)
The historic example of a reticule is fairly simple. I can imitate the muted paillettes (sequins, which were metal in the 1800s) with some matte silver sequins I have in my sequins box. Yes, I have a box of sequins! Harville is an omnicrafter, and I use sequins in all kinds of stuff.
I've found a pattern that is very similar to this one, which I will alter a little so that it has the longer point on it than the pattern I've found. It will be lined, of course, and TASSELS!!!
I am also going to make myself a replica bracelet. I found a picture of this bracelet online, and it is part of the Jane Austen collection, which includes an amber cross and a turquoise ring. I can't make things like that, but I can work with seed beads! Looking at the details of this bracelet, I can totally make it. I had to order a nice box clasp for it, though. I bought vintage Venetian glass beads at Shipwreck, and have milky white glass beads, as well as gold beads. It is simple--Right angle weave and netting. No problem!! Just a bit tedious, as the beads are small, and that takes time. But I can also work on that in class on Fridays.
Here is the bracelet:
Well, it's bedtime, so... see you soon!
