damselcorsets.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

maybe not the best idea ever

So, this morning at 5:00 am, I was going downstairs to get sewing and I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and fell down the last few steps, catching myself on my ankle, and rolling it. I yelled for my husband who rushed down and carried me to a couch and gingerly examined me for any breaks. At first, it wasn't swelling at all, so I thought, "OH, well, I must be over-reacting.", and hobbled over painfully to get back to my sewing. However, after doing some work, I looked down and that little knobby bone on the outside of my ankle had swelled to the size of an egg. Crappy. So, what the dickens does this episode have to do with these pictures? Uh....nothing really, but I hate posting a blog without photos! I just wanted to say that if you have a current order with me, it make take 1-2 days longer than I had wanted it to, because I'm moving so painfully (literally) slow! ;)
These are pictures of one of my corset patterns that I consider a failure. I had this great idea to have an underbust seam on the corset, and have bra like cups. The issue here is that-not only are all women different sizes in the breasts, but they're all different shapes! My further mistake was that I wanted to make these into patchwork bodices, so I would pick two fabrics, and alternate them....so you would have one breast cup made of a red stripe, and the other one made of a red leaf print. Then, for the waist portion, it would switch, so the waist under the leaf print would be the stripe, and so on. I wish I had a picture of one of those, rather than the ONLY solid colored one I did, for myself which you see here. This was taken a good 3 years ago, because OBVIOUSLY I don't use d-rings for lacing...even if it's up the back, (Oh, why didn't I think things through!!!!) and the back on this absolutely dug into my lower back. I remember when I was making these patterns, I considered doing longer lines in the back, but thought, "nah, it will take more of this expensive fabric. I can't do that! I'm poor" Anyhow, so I had about 60 of these crazy patchwork/breast cup/alternating fabrics corsets at my first big festival I ever did. Well, they didn't sell worth crap. In fact, no one was interested in them at my next festival, or the next. Finally, when I got to my first year of the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, I put them on a "sale" rack, and marked them from $130 to $60....and no one wanted them. Months later, I hauled them home, shamefully put them on ebay, and sold them off, on by one. They really weren't a horrid pattern, but you literally had to have a C or a D cup for them to work, and I just hadn't realized that. I'm ready to admit when I'm wrong. Oooh, I just thought of another horrible corset, made by me "back in the day" that I need to show you guys! I'll do that on the next blog. Meanwhile, forgive my slowness and don't fall down your stairs!



8 comments:

  1. Until I saw the back side I was ready to order one of those from you. *blush* I like to wear a corset so I don't have to wear a bra, so those cups make perfect sense to me. Too bad it didn't work out! I don't suppose you kept the pattern around.... *whistles innocently*

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  2. Aww, hon! I know exactly how you feel. Last year, I fell down some stairs at work on my way home and sprained it quite badly. I was smart enough to take my shoes off right away, but stupid enough to think I could drive the 15 minute drive back home. By the time I reached there, gritting my teeth, my ankle was so bad I had to have an xray and was off work for a week and on a stick for three weeks. The week after that, while I was still hobbling along painfully, I went on an annual holiday to Belgium with friends. While I got my boyfriend out of the deal, for the duration stairs were my nemesis.

    Get well soon and don't rush yourself! :( You may want to invest in some good painkillers (co-codamol are great for helping you sleep) and perhaps a crutch or walking stick :\. Good luck!

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  3. I have to admit Ive done lots of klutzy things like this, including slipping off of monkey bars and landing on my ankle. Ibprofen, and lots of it.
    And I have to agree with Archer, I loved the front. It would have been perfect for the Texas Faire coming up soon...*wink wink*
    PS I found your corsets on etsy and I decided enjoy your blog.

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  4. And it's laced up the back! Last couple festivals I heard you denounce the ones up the back. Don't remember the reasoning, but seriously, something like a courtier bodice sans little collar (though it is very cute) laced up the back would look awesome!! Sorry about your ankle *blows it a kiss* All better =)

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  5. Don't miss the DAMN-SELL at all!

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  6. It's time to elevate that ankle and put ice on it, I'm thinking. Oh, and have someone to wait on you a bit!

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  7. I can tell you have really spent a lot of time perfecting your design over the years, and the quality now shows!

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  8. I went to a Renaissance Faire this weekend wearing a bodice you had made. I received many complements and questions as to where I purchased it from. One person a costume shop even recognized it as your work. So I pointed them all in your direction and tried to remember and point out all the work you put into quality (how strong the fabric is, military grade grommets, and designing your own patterns).
    Anyway, take care and I hope your ankle feels better.

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