Monday, June 4, 2012

Hand-sewn 18th Century Wool Stays

Completely hand-sewn stays, including boning channels. Made of white worsted wool and linen, sewn with linen tape treated with beeswax, boned with cane, and bound in deer. They were constructed using period techniques. I sewed the channels of each panel before assembling them, which I did by whip-stitching them together. The seam allowance is folded back and whipped down. Then the edges were bound and the seams were covered with a strip of the deer. Then the lining is put in, being whipped to the edge of the binding. Each tab is lined separately.

My camera is really not good at taking close-ups, or I would have taken detail pictures for you...

I am happy to report that they are EXTREMELY comfortable, which is a very good thing since I am wearing them 40 hours a week!








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8 comments:

  1. Scott B. LeschJune 4, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Seeing these photos I would say that I wish I were young, rich, and handsome,and in Williamsburg, but I wish to say that this garment is beatiflly made and modeled.

    VERY Respectfully,

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  2. Mary JohnsJune 4, 2012 at 11:01 PM

    These are beautiful! I love everything you post at the Sewing Academy, and now I find you belong to my 18th century too! Very nice job, congrats on all those stupid channels:)

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  3. ArtDecadeJune 4, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Wow. Just, wow. Amazing work. They look fabulous. Any advice for hand sewing straight lines like that? I'm hopeless at that.

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  4. Costume DivaJune 5, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Your stitches are so small I can't even see them...plus the channels are so straight. Gorgeous.

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  5. SandrineJune 6, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Wonderful work!! You are so gifted. I am making my own pair right now it's giving me alot of inspiration!

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  6. AngelaJune 7, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    Beautifully done! Query: I have 18th century stays with shoulder straps but they have a tendency to peek out at the dress neckline around the shoulder. How comfortable are the stays without shoulder straps? I have no hips to keep stays up, hence the straps, so I was wondering.

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  7. CassidyJune 7, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    They're lovely! Your shift is very nice as well.

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  8. MaggeryJune 14, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    Do you have any of the leather left that you'd be willing to sell? XP

    ReplyDelete