RH834 - Early 1800s Stays

[Goblin, esq.]

New pattern from www.reconstructinghistory.com/
:

[missmardi]

I made the short stays from this pattern. It was my first set of stays ever, so it is kind of a frankinstay. I found it to be a little harder to get the fit right than I expected. (silly me, I just thought that I could change the fit, just by tightening the lacing )

This pattern only has one gusset on each side. I found that just using my bust measurement (like the pattern said) didn't work so well, because I am busty. I had to take the side in at an angle, to get a better fit. I am also tall, so I found that the slits at the bottom were up on my ribs, and nowhere near my waist. I ended up sewing them back together, and found there to be sooo much more support. The pattern doesn't show it, but the stays also have shoulder straps. I shortened these several times. I couldn't find any of the metal boning right off, and was under a deadline, so hubby cut strips of stainless steel for me. It improved the support of the crappy plastic boning incredibly.

I would definitely say that it would serve you well to follow the suggestion in the pattern to cut the stay out of poster board first to check fit and sizing. I was a little too sure of myself (never having made any stays before). Now that I have used it, and pieced it into something that works, I will use the pattern again to make a nice clean looking stay. (just not for a little while)

Pics will come this weekend.

[missmardi]

Here are a couple of pics.

and a closer look


The bottom of this stay is just at the bottom of my ribs, so as I said I resewed all the slits back together. I would probably make a couple of tucks at the top around the side of the bust, but the bulging sides did not show through my dress. I think the bib-front design compensated for the bulge.

[Mme de Beaufort]

W00t, that looks great! I wish I could look closer... I'm interested to see the gusseting, etc.

[MyLadyDedlock]

I like the crossover stay - saw those on a historic website somewhere - wonder if anyone has made them?

[dawnluckham]

The Crossover style of stays are a copy of an original garment in the Kyoto Costume Institute collection.

I didn’t use the Reconstructing History pattern to make my own, but perhaps this thread will be helpful to you:

regencysa.proboards59.com/index.cgi?board=reviews&action=display&thread=195

[bennettgirl]

I have been fighting with this pattern for a while now, made 2 mock ups that didn't fit and can't figure out why.
it seems the front is way to low especially on the side to contain me and the fabric puckers terribly where the strap meets the front of the stay, i have tried shortening the straps but with no luck. does anyone know what i may be doing wrong?

[dawnluckham]

It's not you. There are many other pattern options.

[bennettgirl]

Thanks I feel better now! What a waste of $20!