> I'd really like to have a more authentic pair of stays before > starting a second outfit. I've been thinking about trying to > draft my own pattern - but haven't been really sure where to > start. The other question, is whether to use the plastic > boning, or go the metal route... and then which type... > and how does one get the right sizes? Tin-snips? I've > already purchased a yard of duck-cloth, and a couple of yards > of cotton twill in white and red.
I'd recommend against the plastic route. At least against the plastic boning you can get at JoAnn's -- I'm pretty curvy and have had two types of trouble with the plastic stuff: (1) in the heat of wearing it (and possibly lacing tight enough so my chest stays put - I have about a 10" difference between ribcage and bust line - almost entirely in the front - the plastic "melts" into my curvy shape, rather then making me nicely tubular. (2) The ends of the plastic tweak and buckle something' awful (and they _hurt_ when they do it, too!). I've used the metal boning and bought sized-to-fit. Which is not the cheapest route, by a long shot but it is easy. Reed is also do-able, much cheaper and doesn't require fancy tools. You can get some from Saundra Ros Altman's Past Patterns - I got mine for this http://www.pastpatterns.com/030.html pattern kit, but I believe she sells them separately. I'm told you can get other size/shapes of reeds via basket weaving supply stores, but I haven't looked into that much yet. Good luck! -sunny _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
