Nice little book, but could be better

books:

	• The Little Corset Book: A Workbook on Period Underwear (Little Costume Workbooks) Bonnie Holt Ambrose Drama Publishers, 1999 - 56 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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good if you have some sewing skills

I found this book to be helpful, but only if a person already knows a little about what they are doing. Some of the intructions are vague, leaving out important information. I found her scale a little difficult to figure out at first. Other than that the book is pretty good and I don't regret adding it to my collection!

Nice little book, but could be better

This is a nice little information book if you are just starting to look for corset info. Instructions are vague at times. No expense was put into this little book. The size chart goes to size 6, so you'll have to do the figuring if looking for smaller and doll sizes. Materials chart looks to be misplaced and put on page 12. You do need sewing experience for these instructions.

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Buy it, then go sew

Buy it, then go sew, December 27, 2007

I had made the Laughing Moon Dore corset by the time I bought this book, and I also own the How to Build and Fit a Victorian Corset DVD, by JoAnn Peterson. Bonnie Holt Ambrose isn't telling me much I haven't already seen, but she does have enlargeable patterns for three corsets, and she's basically reinforcing what I know: corsets are tricky and the best way to learn how to make them is to make them. Let your first one be an experiment, and in the worst case, you can cut it up and re-use the steel.

Reviews of some patterns suggest that Laughing Moon has perhaps the best instructions, and between that and the DVD I had about as much information about MAKING a corset as it was possible to get. If you're using a different company's pattern, or coming to this cold, or with a very limited budget, then BHA's book will probably help you out. If you're inclined to make your own patterns, the book will be useful. If you will have to make lots of different-styled corsets for theatrical events and need a starter pattern, this book will be useful. If you want historical exactitude, keep looking. In terms of data-for-the-dollar, this little book is worth everything I paid for it.

I certainly don't think the book is "rubbish" in any way. Corsets are probably the trickiest garment I've ever made. There is, IMO, no way to "get it exact" on the first pass, because even making TWO muslins, the garment acted VERY differently once the steel was in place. It's not about the pattern, exactly. It's about the pattern plus the steel plus the lacing plus the individual's body. Some of us squish more than others.

For the record, the book also contains instructions for a chemise and drawers.

You might also want to google the author and visit her website to see the kind of costume work she does. If her work parallels yours to any extent, the book is likely to be all the more useful to you.

Three stars because: It's not a great book. I save five stars for books that change my life, and this one won't. It's tiny (4" x 6"). It's good value for the money.

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simplified corset construction info

This teeny volume shows b/w hand-drawn construction diagrams for reproduction corsets from the eras of 1700, 1750, 1860, and 1890, plus basic chemise and basic drawers. Drawings are very clear, and include some suggestions on fabric selection and decoration. Text covers step-by-step construction, fabric/notion requirements, and a chart to assist in getting the right number of the right size of corset bones. Anyone who has attempted a corset without instructions has probably ended the attempt in frustration, but this inexpensive guide and a friend to help with fitting, that will change. No historical info is included, this volume is about simplified construction and it hits the mark. Not for beginning sewers, but that's because of the project nature, not the book. The only improvement I'd like to see would be more detailed guidelines to determining correct dimensions of cut pieces, maybe even fullsize pieces. But the information contained would be worth twice the full price. Certainly cheaper than a single period pattern for a corset, regardless of your source, and those are a gamble with regard to adequate instructions. This compact book is ideal for amateur costumers, especially Ren Faire or re-enactment folks. Professional costumers will probably not find any new information here, but it's really a gem.

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