Basic Curvy with a side of Tea and Lace ....

I have few projects/orders on the go so I have some posting to catch up with yet again.....

Here's something from the basic curvy files (this is my fashion or 'gentle lacing' range that gives great shape but is quicker in the making and kinder on the purse).

Since this is actually headed off to a local photographer for one of her shoots, I also made the dress.  For this look I snatched some lace from a vintage table cloth and did a bit of tea dying.......actually making this was very satisfying, from cutting to hand gathering it was an all round goody (sometimes things just flow nicely like that).

Other recent blog worthy activities include...

*The completed 'Tails Corset' 

(will do this once I've made all the matching accessories)

*Ruby Ruins costume for her Burlesque performance

(will post after the competition)

* 3 part Collection (including corset dress) as planned at the start of the year

(mock ups were completed way back, but finally onto the actual garments, so before the end of the year) 

Other Activities to consider before the end of the year.....

* A Tightlacer for Kathy Chin

* Custom made Corset for Threnody in Velvet

* Getting some Mentoring

* Adding more to my ETSY Store

* Finish up other Projects

* Preping for the New Year and Goal Setting 

The lovely Ms Gent....

Here is a lovely image from my shoot with my customer and friend Francine Gent featuring her gorgeous new 'Basic Curvy' corset with swing hooks.....

Model:- Francine Gent
Hair:- Style Mystic
Corset:- Forge Fashion
Photography:- Trinitynavar

Basic Curvy - Customer Orders

I've recently completed a couple of  'Basic Curvy' Corsets as apart of a customer order for a dear friend....In this way I have had a real chance to develop and work on this RTW style further, drafting more sizes and trying new variations (so yay after Halloween I should be offering these for direct sale, I've also had a request for PDF patterns for a few items so I'll think about that as well??).

Anyway onto the Basic Curvy numbers:-

BASIC CURVY OVERBUST:-

- Swing Hook Closure

-Waist Tape

- 2 Piece Grommets

- 16 Flat & Spiral Steel

- Ribbon Lacing

- 3 Layer Construction including Coutil Lining 

BASIC CURVY OVERBUST:-

- Extra Wide Busk

- Lace Ovelay

-Waist Tape

- 2 Piece Grommets

- 10 Flat & Spiral Steel

- Ribbon Lacing

- 3 Layer Construction including Coutil Lining 

*** BEST NEWS***

I can now confirm that the amazing and beautiful Threnody In Velvet is lined up for a photo shoot in the Beaded PVC Corset.........absolutely delighted and in complete awe of literally having that dream come true!!

Something new from the Underworld....

You may or maynot know this - but I'm quiet well known for making 'Selene' replica corsets, though it's not a great pleasure of mine, I will not complain thanks to this I am able to keep myself in  new supplies from time to time so I can work on my own independent projects (namely samples and experiments). Maybe one day I'll have a wealthy benefactor to support my creative dreamings.......but in the mean time, what ever has to be has to be.

Anyway something wonderful happened recently, I got something new on this repeated theme and was able to create a 'Sonja' replica instead (still from the 'Underworld' franchise just a different character). So some new challenges and trials came into play.....which was hugely enjoyable :)

Instead of continuing to rant here's some pictures:-

I also added x6 garters and a modesty panel - I really loved drafting this corset pattern, I have also decided to try it again in a different fabric because I love how it looks shape wise!!!

Beautiful Barbara...

I really do love to see people wearing my creations....and thanks to the power of the internet it's still possible even when folks are a million miles away!!

In this instance my customer is actually a local, which makes me super proud because nothing beats being appreciated by those closest to you ;)

Here's the collar she ordered (after seeing the amazing shoot by Anna Dediu & FataleFX)

and gorgeous Barbara in her new collar:-

Plus check this out......

Oh my goodness - WOW, best feedback ever!!

PS This collar can be purchased via my ETSY:-

http://www.etsy.com/listing/113491424/velvet-beaded-collar-with-feather-trim

The bride came marching in....

A very lovely customer of mine recently got married and wore a custom made Forge outfit for her special day, here are few pics!

Niki with her father

Niki and the happy groom

A back shot

Definitely not your average wedding meringue that's for sure - love the docs!!

Long Weekend...

The main thing on my cards of late has been my order for Niki, which is finally finishing up. Time to give you a wee teaser, though you'll have to wait a bit longer to see the whole outfit....

Interesting colour for a wedding, normally I get burgundy and red requests.......that said I did sneak in a bit of that typical palette via the lining (has a nice colour blast on the inside) ;)

And just because here's a picture of something from my garden before it all started deflating and dying off for winter.....so beautiful and green!

It's the long weekend, so it's time for lots of recreational activities - by this I mean extended periods in my dressing gown lingering by the fire. Ok maybe I can extended myself a little with kitchen witchery, reading and crafts. But otherwise it's definitely a restful time, enjoying my family and recouping some of my energy.

and the underbusts keep coming.....

Here's the other underbust I finished this week, another size 21" - again in the hope of getting some quick pics before my friend/model moves away in a few weeks.

A touch of flossing here too, just a little to tie the white lace in more.

The wedding order I've been working on is coming along nicely, we had another fitting last night. There are some changes on the original design, which includes more bones and now no collar as this suits Niki's figure more (for modesty reasons the bustline is extra high). Should be all finished up next week including the skirt. Then it's straight onto the next order!

Leather Knot Work....

I'm one of those people that always has a few things on the go, it usually means a lounge project (something crafty for in front of the tv), an order, and a random corset or two - just because.....This means I work across the board and everything ends up broken down into mouth size bites, so depending how I'm feeling or how much time I have I can always find something suitable to work on (and yes my beautiful little family has something to do with this)!

Currently I have a couple of orders that are just about to become more central in this mix, but before I get too busy lets look at what I've been doing for the last wee while, that is aside form adorning my lovely family in warming crochet goodies :)

I started this embroidered leather front panel while I was pregnant, but ended up putting it down, because if you haven't tried it.... well *this would be where I inserted swear words* it's hard work!

Thankfully after a wee break I've picked it up and happily continued, pliers and thimble in hand.

I think all my work doing 'Underworld' Replicas certainly inspired this, actually I have a few other 'leather knot work' pieces I'm excitedly planning for the future (fingers crossed).

So this week I actually got it to the shell stage......hurray it is actually starting to look like a corset.

I still have flossing detail to add, so I won't get to put away my thimble and pliers just yet!

But over all it is coming along nicely! It should have a 22" finished waist and be suitable for tightlacing. I already have plans for a matching outfit - think winter!!

Underworld Customer Pics....

I just received these fantastic shots from Megan the customer I made a replica 'Underworld' corset and cuffs for last year, so had to share:-

And I just have to add this candid shot too, because I love seeing the corset out of character - it looks awesome (and I bet it gets worn more often this way too)!!

I am making a couple more of these this year, though as I've mentioned a number of times I like to keep the numbers low so I don't get crazy with the repetitiveness, plus I want to be working more on my own stuff of course.

EDIT 29/04/2012Because of popular demand I am offering 2x Custom Made Replicas, or 'Underworld' Selene Corset Sets via my ETY Store for anyone who's interested:-
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98651399/custom-made-underworld-corset-cuffs

Order Update...

So how's the 'Dita' corset going for my customer you ask?

Here's some quick blurry shots of where I'm at:-

Close up

Inside - From Front

Insideout - Back

Corset as is :)

So not much left to go really - just some bones, binding, hand sewing, eyelets, back modesty panel, suspenders and prehaps a little beading - lol not much at all..... well it's definitely progressing at least!

Onward.....

I've had a bit of an unwell spell (don't you always realise how under rated feeling normal is at times like these), anyway onward and upward this week as I am in a much better state of health......

This week my little people returned to school leaving me and lovely Clover at home with a tiny bit more spare time up our sleeves. And just in the nick of time too, my custom made order for Ruby Ruin is due latter this month. So time to get stuck in.....well time to work in moderation everyday till completion (nothing like chipping away consistently)!!

We  needed to match our fabric and lace with the pictured feather. We did rather well with the limited selection available, finding a very pretty antique lace and pearlized satin crepe.

Yesterday I stabilised the crepe with double sided fusing and canvas, creating a more heavy weight fashion fabric which will counteract stretching and wrinkles.

Cutting out all the pieces is actually a reasonably big job, due to all the layers - so that makes 36 individual pieces for the corset and 27 for the collar made up in this instance of the fashion fabric/canvas, lace overlay and lining.


*Next will be making a start on the the lace overlay which needs to be hand tacked on to each individual pattern piece so that it doesn't flap around once I start sewing it together.

Steampunk Wedding Concept.....

I've been playing around with more line drawings, this time as a necessary aid in providing my customer with options for her steampunk wedding ensemble.

This is the initial style Niki picked from my corset collection:-

I think having straps definitely gives a lovely curvy 'bride to be' a little extra reassurance (so the ideal style in this instance).

Starting with the basic style.....

And then the same concept with a few additions......

Now we're getting more of a waistcoat look, which is perfect for that steampunk finish we're after.

And with that done my bride was easily sold on 'Vest B' - yay I will have wonderful challenge ahead (which is much more fun then the typical plain corset which is so often requested).

*I definitely enjoy doing these, they make a great style reference plus they give me a way to work on design concepts via my PC (since I spend so much time on it anyway), I've already created a nice little collection which I imagine  I will keep adding to  :)

Working it through......

I'm busy working on orders again (a few to catch up on before I can start the next batch), plus trying to get other projects finished up and ready for my next photo shoot. So there should be plenty of posting over the next few weeks as various items come to completion *(as long as I can keep up with the busy)  :)

Recent Customer Order:-
This order was a bit on the tricky side, my customer has recently given birth to twins, so of course her body is not quiet the standard shape or size I'm use to dealing with. But since a corset is just the thing for extra curves, offering support and withdrawing inches it definitely deserved the challenge.

Initially  my customer wanted the  'Basic Curvy' style which though very shapely, is unfortunately not suited to waist sizes exceeding 28- 30", it is designed as a cheaper light option containing minimal panels and bone placement (more suited to S - M standard sizes).  Being that I had purchased the King and Company pattern not long before, and it offered more bone placement  I decided to use that as my base. With the adaptions added and a mock up made (some tinkering done at this point) I was  able to move ahead with my usual process.

And the results:-

It was an after thought but thought I should add a pic on the dolly - it really needs figure to show the shape :)

Loving the Shape.....

I recently had the pleasure of fitting Tammy into her custom made underbust corset, and man was I happy with the results - what a great shape this lass has!

Aside from wishing I'd used a thicker satin I really am just grateful it all came together so perfectly.......you see this was actually started in Christchurch right before the earthquake, which meant it had to be put on hold for a number of months while I was relocating. But the most amazing part was moving (unbeknown to either of us at the time) into the same town as my remote customer!! Talk about luck!!

Libby's Wedding Order

Over the weekend a very lovely customer of mine got married, she wore a beautiful custom made Silk Corset and Skirt created specially for her by Forge Fashion.

I can honestly say I'm not overly fond of taking wedding orders, but everyone needs bread and butter work (as long as there is no white meringues involved, make that any white full stop, I can usually be persuaded)........ actually some customers are just such a pleasure to work with I completely forget why the word 'Bridezilla' was ever invented! Libby was exactly like that - completely zen, so calm it started to make me nervous, lol seriously I've been blessed with so many patient, kind customers over the years I could almost just come to expect it. But I don't!! So Libby gets special mention for being a complete honey, not only do I applaud this women I also think her husband is going to be a very lucky man indeed!! :)

OK I know on with the pictures........

The corset is interfaced and also has a strength layer, it is lined with a gorgeous calligraphy print cotton. The straps have unique twist with the halter neck lacing.

And since I mentioned it, and it is really so lovely here is the corset inside out:-

I will definitely be looking forward to seeing pictures of the bride and her wedding party as they appear, hopefully at some stage I will be able to post a photo here :)