Corsetmaker

Corsetiers cutting out and fitting in the 18th century

A corsetmaker is a specialist tailor who makes corsets. Corsetmakers are frequently known by the French equivalent terms corsetier (male) and corsetière (female). Stay-maker is an obsolete name for a corsetmaker.

The best corsetmakers are highly skilled tailors with a knowledge of anatomy that enables them to make well-fitting, long-lasting corsets. Corsetmakers who reproduce historical styles must be familiar with historical fashions and costumes that span centuries of history.

Individual corsetmakers often favour a certain style, and frequently have differing theories and opinions about the physical impact and benefits of various corsets, thereby influencing their corset design and creation.

Famous corsetmakers

Thomas Paine, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Roxey Ann Caplin.^[1]
Catherine Allsop Griswold, a Connecticut corsetmaker who held thirty patents, the most of any woman in America at the time.^[2]^[3]

Travelling corsetiers

Some companies had travelling saleswomen, corsetières who order the tailored corsets from the company. Well-known are Spirella (1904–1989), Barcley , and Spenser .

Considerations

Corsetiers cutting out in 1928.

The main consideration of corset design is duration of use. For short-term use, e.g. used for a special event such as a wedding, a corset will be worn briefly and so is not subject to wear, therefore need not be of the highest quality of construction. For long-term use, e.g., by tightlacing or waist training, corsets must be made to exact standards and are best custom-fitted and designed for the individual wearer. Single weakness or flaws tend to be visible. Some custom-made gowns have corsets built into the design; a talented dressmaker may also be a skilled corset-maker.

References

Books

Doyle R. (1997)Waisted Efforts, An Illustrated Guide To Corset Making. Nova Scotia, Sartorial Press Publications, ISBN 0-9683039-0-0
Tight Linings and Boning Mary Brooks Picken, 1920
The Practical Corsetiere Mme Ruth A. Rosenfeld 1933
The Basics Of Corset Building, A Handbook For Beginners by Linda Sparks (Author) ISBN 0-9737358-0-5
Caplin - Health and Beauty (1864)

Corsets and corsetmaking
	Types of corset	Basque Corsage Corselet Girdle Waist cincher
	Corsetmaking	Bone (corsetry) Busk Spoon busk
	History	Corset controversy Metal corset Hourglass corset Roxey Ann Caplin
	Corset fetishism	Body modification Bondage corset Neck corset Tightlacing Training corset Wasp waist
	Corset manufacturers	Baystate Frederick's of Hollywood Kraus Spirella Strouse, Adler Vollers The Warner Brothers Corset Co. Worcester
	Categories	Corsetry Fashion Foundation garments

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