early 19th century short stays interpretation

[Ludi]

As part of this  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=384355.0  ongoing project, here is my second set of short stays, with some pattern changes.  Using fabric I already had, they are unhistorical in color.    Please pardon the cruddy test chemise :

[cadet120433]

great job! i really like the color, historically accurate or not 

[sarabunny]

I just took a look at your first version and these are definitely better! I'm still seeing a couple of minor issues though.

Honestly, the silhouette looks too low for true Regency. The stays of the period were designed to seriously lift and separate. I'm hugely pregnant in this picture, but you can see what I mean here. Your bust line should be much higher in a Regency corset than it is in a modern bra. I also think the tops of the cups are not quite big enough, although they may actually be okay if you made the stays to sit higher on your ribcage.

Hope that helps! I do love the non-historical color though. And you know, if you're happy with them, then go for it

[sarach]

Very nice! 
And just cause I'm curious...what would be an historically accurate colour for this garment? White? (I don't know much about Regency costumes...)

anyway, it looks great to me...and I like the red colour!

[Ludi]

Thanks for the feedback.  

you can see what I mean

What pattern did you use for your stays?

Maybe I can try shortening the straps some more.  


Incidentally these are based on an extant pair of transitional stays, not "true Regency" stays; I'm more interested in an earlier period (see project thread)  



White or off-white seems to be the only color of extant Regency and pre-Regency stays.

[embercostumer]

Nice! I love how finished and tailored it looks! And the color is pretty! You just can't wear it under a white linen dress, LOL.

I agree with Sarabunny, and I think that shorter straps would definitely help with lifting the bosom. I made some regency stays using the simplicity pattern, here's how they turned out:  http://www.embercostumes.com/janeaustencorset.html I actually had to lengthen my straps, hence the ties connecting the straps to the main part of the corset. Here's how they looked under the dress: http://www.embercostumes.com/janeaustencostume.html

[Ludi]

Thanks.  I think I will try that design with the gussets instead of the cups.  I'm just not happy with the way my bosoms sit in these.    

[Ludi]

I shortened the straps by an inch and it definitely helps with the silhouette, but I'm still not happy with the fit, so - back to the drafting board!    

[sarabunny]

Regency stays are tricky! I definitely prefer the gussets, though they're a pain in the neck to do! I feel like I get better support and a better shape. I used the Simplicity pattern as well - it's designed by Jenny Chancey, who does the Sense and Sensibility patterns (which are good patterns to use as a base, but the necklines are absurdly high.)

My friend Katherine actually made a version of the 1790s stays. You can see her website about it right here. I thought it might help

[sarabunny]

Sorry, I'm really obsessed with costuming so I just had to add one more thing. The transitional stays work better under the very round, gathered gowns of the 1790s, like these, rather than the flat fronted gowns you see as you cross into the early 1800s, like this dress from 1802. Something to think about as you're working through your project.