Stays, Round 2
My HSO (hideous sewn object). The second mock up, lacing panels cannibalized from December’s failed attempt at drafting
After my failed attempt at drafting a stays pattern (in the last post), I was directed to a maker on Etsy whose shop is called Clockwork Faerie. I knew I’d seen her shop before, the pattern was very reasonably priced, and a couple different people on Reddit recommended it, so I bought it immediately. And BOY am I glad I did! The fitting guide alone would have been worth the cost for me, but the whole pattern is so clear and well explained. And the creator is really nice too!
So with this pattern in hand, I shortened it slightly and made a single layer mock up which actually fit pretty well! It was actually too small which was kind of a nice problem to have for a change!
The proportions seemed like they would work, so I went up a size, shortened again, and made the next mock up. Still a single layer of fabric, but I attached the lacing panels that I took off the first set of failed stays (RIP) and borrowed a trick I saw somewhere to attach the bones using masking tape. The only tape I had was blue painter’s tape so…
The result was one of the most hideous sewn objects I have ever created, but damn if it didn’t work like a charm.
Yeah, I was lazy and just traced the boning channels the same on both sides and sewed one side together inside out. It’s riding a little high in this picture but it does actually sit where it’s supposed to.
Fitting this one went MUCH smoother than the last attempt and I am cautiously optimistic that the next fitting of these will be the last before I can make the real deal.
That would be great, because there’s a lot more to get done. The project has sort of ballooned from one dress to a whole slew of costume pieces including the dress. To be totally clear, there’s no pressure from my friend to do ANY of this, let along add more things, so it’s all my own fault if this becomes too big of a project! But I do want to do it and at least for now am still really enjoying the process. It’s fun to be dabbling in costumes which involve not only normal sewing but also some creative problem solving for performance purposes. And it’s extra fun to be doing all of this with the luxury of a lot of time for trial and error since that’s not something that can be taken for granted when making costumes.
One of the simpler costumes is very close to fully done which will feel like a nice victory. And meanwhile a completely different stays pattern is well on its way to becoming a boned bodice! The stays from this post are now destined to be the base of an otherwise pretty simple peasant girl costume which should come together quickly once the stays are done. On to the next things!
UPDATE: Since I wrote this post, we had the next fitting and the stays FIT!! OMG I am so happy! No changes needed, ready to make the real thing!
Assistant April inspects the bag used to transport materials to assure quality control