The Little Corset Book: A Workbook on Period Underwear

Rating:
Summary: Excellant for the beginner!!!
Review: A few directions are vague, but other than that, excellant for the first timer to make their own corsets. They create a sleek, elegant, period look and can be adapted to fit almost any time period with a little knowledge of how the times changed the classis undergarment.

Rating:
Summary: good if you have some sewing skills
Review: I found this book to be helpful, but only if a person already knows a little about what they are doing. Some of the intructions are vague, leaving out important information. I found her scale a little difficult to figure out at first. Other than that the book is pretty good and I don't regret adding it to my collection!

Rating:
Summary: good if you have some sewing skills
Review: I found this book to be helpful, but only if a person already knows a little about what they are doing. Some of the intructions are vague, leaving out important information. I found her scale a little difficult to figure out at first. Other than that the book is pretty good and I don't regret adding it to my collection!

Rating:
Summary: This book is absolute rubbish!
Review: I was exicited when I received this book, as it looked like it was full of useful information. Upon closer inspection, I found an astonishing amount of typos and misplaced information. Also, the author draws her patterns with seam allowances, which makes initially fitting the pieces together distracting, given the vague measurements she provides. She tells the reader incorrect information about the quantities of fabric to cut. She gives the reader poor information about how to cut a facing pattern. I'm surprised she found a publisher for this rubbish! I have done more research on this subject and it was recommended to me by experienced corset makers to stay away from this useless book and to get Jean Hunnisett's Period Costumes for Stage and Screen, 1500-1800. In fact, all of her books are much more thorough and better thought out.

Rating:
Summary: This book is absolute rubbish!
Review: I was exicited when I received this book, as it looked like it was full of useful information. Upon closer inspection, I found an astonishing amount of typos and misplaced information. Also, the author draws her patterns with seam allowances, which makes initially fitting the pieces together distracting, given the vague measurements she provides. She tells the reader incorrect information about the quantities of fabric to cut. She gives the reader poor information about how to cut a facing pattern. I'm surprised she found a publisher for this rubbish! I have done more research on this subject and it was recommended to me by experienced corset makers to stay away from this useless book and to get Jean Hunnisett's Period Costumes for Stage and Screen, 1500-1800. In fact, all of her books are much more thorough and better thought out.

Rating:
Summary: Nice little book, but could be better
Review: This is a nice little information book if you are just starting to look for corset info. Instructions are vague at times. No expense was put into this little book. The size chart goes to size 6, so you'll have to do the figuring if looking for smaller and doll sizes. Materials chart looks to be misplaced and put on page 12. You do need sewing experience for these instructions.

Rating:
Summary: simplified corset construction info
Review: This teeny volume shows b/w hand-drawn construction diagrams for reproduction corsets from the eras of 1700, 1750, 1860, and 1890, plus basic chemise and basic drawers. Drawings are very clear, and include some suggestions on fabric selection and decoration. Text covers step-by-step construction, fabric/notion requirements, and a chart to assist in getting the right number of the right size of corset bones. Anyone who has attempted a corset without instructions has probably ended the attempt in frustration, but this inexpensive guide and a friend to help with fitting, that will change. No historical info is included, this volume is about simplified construction and it hits the mark. Not for beginning sewers, but that's because of the project nature, not the book. The only improvement I'd like to see would be more detailed guidelines to determining correct dimensions of cut pieces, maybe even fullsize pieces. But the information contained would be worth twice the full price. Certainly cheaper than a single period pattern for a corset, regardless of your source, and those are a gamble with regard to adequate instructions. This compact book is ideal for amateur costumers, especially Ren Faire or re-enactment folks. Professional costumers will probably not find any new information here, but it's really a gem.

Rating:
Summary: simplified corset construction info
Review: This teeny volume shows b/w hand-drawn construction diagrams for reproduction corsets from the eras of 1700, 1750, 1860, and 1890, plus basic chemise and basic drawers. Drawings are very clear, and include some suggestions on fabric selection and decoration. Text covers step-by-step construction, fabric/notion requirements, and a chart to assist in getting the right number of the right size of corset bones. Anyone who has attempted a corset without instructions has probably ended the attempt in frustration, but this inexpensive guide and a friend to help with fitting, that will change. No historical info is included, this volume is about simplified construction and it hits the mark. Not for beginning sewers, but that's because of the project nature, not the book. The only improvement I'd like to see would be more detailed guidelines to determining correct dimensions of cut pieces, maybe even fullsize pieces. But the information contained would be worth twice the full price. Certainly cheaper than a single period pattern for a corset, regardless of your source, and those are a gamble with regard to adequate instructions. This compact book is ideal for amateur costumers, especially Ren Faire or re-enactment folks. Professional costumers will probably not find any new information here, but it's really a gem.