Aranea “Ivy” Overbust Corset Class with Sarah Martin

If you've ever wanted to get into corsetry whether it's for cosplay, the Renaissance fair, or for your own formal gowns, but was unsure where to start, how to use the supplies, or even what supplies to get - then this is an excellent class for you!

In this class students will build a closed front fully lined and boned full corset. Students will begin with measuring themselves, selecting their size, and cutting their pattern size out to hand finishing the binding, within a 6 session, 22 hours total, class. Students will learn about the history of corsets and how they are used in modern fashion nowadays. We will physically go through one way to build a corset, but we will look at and discuss the other four main ways to build a corset. Students will learn about the specific tools corsetry uses, like grommets and busks, and how to use them properly.

While learning and using the corsetry techniques Sarah will also be talking in depth about corsets, their historical significance, and the different types that developed throughout the ages! She'll talk about how different innovations progressed them and about the types of materials that originally built them. The ultimate goal for this class is to have a finished corset by the last day that is tailored to you!

There are a range of different fabrics you can select for the outside and lining of the corset - of which we have plenty at the shop, but you also may bring your own fabrics if you've been holding onto the perfect fabric for the perfect occasion! You may come in before the class to select your fabrics so if they need to be prewashed then you may do so before the class begins.

If you have more questions about the class feel free to reach out to us via email at info@legacyfabrics.com or by phone (913)494-2656

Legacy Fabrics is also offering 15% off all fabrics and supplies for the class for the students!

Materials Needed (Supplied by Student):

• Tightly woven cotton fabric (Fashion) - 1 yrd per student (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Coutil, bull denim, twill, upholstery canvas, tarp, ticking, anything tightly woven (Structure) - 1 yrd per student (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Tightly woven cotton fabric, softer (Lining) - 1 yrd per student (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Matching thread (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Boning, i.e. spiral steel, synthetic whalebone, re-enforced plastic boning (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
  • DO NOT recommend using flat steel boning - it is not able to be shortened easily, so you have to be very precise about your measurements.
• 1” double fold Bias tape (Fashion) - 1.5 yrds per student (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Corset ribbon, can be made or use interfaced folded 2” bias, or shoe strings, etc.
• Twill tape (Structure) - 1.5 yrds per students (if choosing this method) (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
• Grommets, and grommeting tools (Structure and Fashion) - 8+ sets per student (Available at Legacy Fabrics)
  • Silver and gold options, 6mm and 10mm sizing options (any size is fine, just as long as we have the setting blocks for it)
    

Materials Included in Class:

• Boning - Spiral Steel - 1.5 yrd per student

Tools Needed (Some may be supplied by class but students should also bring if possible):

• Hand Press Grommeter

  • Sarah has 1 table press grommeter with a ½” press she can provide

• Fabric Hole Punch (grommeter might have die cuts)

  • Sarah has 1 hand press die cut/hole punch

• Paper/Plastic Scissors

• Fabric Scissors

• Metal Pliers / End Cappers

• Metal Scissors/Wire cutters (if using spiral steel boning)

  • Sarah has 1 pair of wire cutters she can provide
    

• Marking tools, i.e friction pens, wax pens, pencil (not chalk)

• Paper Highlighters

• Straight Pins or Sewing Clips

• Seam Ripper

• Sewing Machine with regular foot

• Class 1: Saturday January 9th - Measurements, Pattern Sizing, Pattern Cutting, Fabric Cutting, Notch Marking
• Class 2: Saturday January 16th - Fabric Cutting and Sewing
• Class 3: Saturday January 23rd - Sewing
• Class 4: Saturday January 30th - Sewing
• Class 5: Saturday February 6th - Sewing, Hand stitching bias tape and grommeting back
• Class 6: Saturday February 13th - Hand stitching bias tape, grommeting back, and lacing

A little about Sarah Martin: Sarah Martin is a local costume and fashion designer, born and raised in the Kansas City area with her B.F.A in Theatrical Costume Design from Stephens College. Sarah is a generational sewist, meaning she has stitching in her blood. As far back as her family's history goes there have been professional and home sewists. With so many influential stitchers in her life, Sarah began her sewing journey before she could read, and has since been sewing and altering garments, professionally for the last 10 years. Sarah has also spent time in the Bridal industry, learning the tricks of the trade for special occasion garment construction and alteration. In recent years she has started sharing her skilled knowledge through teaching at The Sewing Labs, local Middle Schools, and private lessons. Her work can be seen in theatrical productions and runways across Kansas City and on her Instragram SarahMartinDesigns, or on her website sarahmartindesigns.com.