Sew with Alice: Intermediate Corset Making

Build on your skills from the Advanced Beginner Corset class and create a custom-fit overbust corset. In this four-session course, you will construct a laced and boned decorative corset designed for fashion or costume use.

Throughout the class, you will learn the foundations of corset construction, including how to work with structural fabrics, flat line garments, insert boning, and install grommets for lacing. The course also introduces the fit-as-you-go method used in professional corset making, allowing you to develop a well-fitting garment as you sew.

Your instructor, Alice Hawes, is a professional costume maker for opera, theatre, film, and television. Her work has been featured at Pacific Opera Victoria, the Belfry Theatre, and on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Alice shares her extensive industry experience through her passion for teaching sewing and costume making.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Skill Requirements
Participants should:

• Have sewn several garment projects from a pattern

• Know how to read and use a sewing pattern

• Be comfortable cutting pattern pieces and applying edge binding

• Know how to thread and operate a sewing machine, wind a bobbin, and sew basic seams

• Be familiar with sewing terms such as straight of grain and seam allowance

Minimum age: 16

What You Will Learn

• Foundations of corset and boned bodice construction

• How to flat line garments for structure

• Sewing bone casing and cutting boning

• Fitting an overbust garment with lacing

• Several methods for finishing corset edges

• Installing eyelets and grommets

• The corset-specific fit-as-you-go method

Materials Included

• Corset pattern

• Boning

• Grommets

• Lacing

Studio Supplies Available

• Sewing machines (if you are not bringing your own)

• Selection of recirculated fabrics

What to Bring

Day 1

• Thread for basting the corset during fitting

• ¾ metre of 14 oz cotton twill

  • Available at Gala Fabrics

  • Alternatively: an old pair of non-stretch jeans

Day 2

• Equal amount of non-stretch fabric for the outer corset (options will be discussed on Day 1)

• ½ metre fabric for bias binding the corset edges

• Thread to match your outer and binding fabrics

Day 2 fabrics may also be chosen from the studio’s recirculated fabric selection.

Fabric Preparation

Please purchase or select your materials in advance. It is strongly recommended that you wash and dry your fabric the same way you plan to care for the finished garment in order to pre-shrink it.

Student Discounts

Students receive:

• 20% off supplies in-store

• 20% discount at Gala Fabrics and Buttons & Bows for course materials