How many different corset design possibilities are there? It seems never ending to me. Every month whilst finishing off a design for my Patreon patrons I'm starting to think of my next design. Usually I have a feeling as to whether I should be basing the design on a particular period in history, or whether it should be simple or more complex. Tt usually comes to me in that semi conscious state in the morning before waking up. This month a photo popped into my Pinterest feed and I knew isntantly that was the one. I haven't been able to find any information on it but it looks like quite an old patent - not Victorian - the thrusting forward of the bust makes me think it was an Edwardian sports corset. Here is the screen grab;

I concentrated onthe waspie part first - interesting how there are vertical back panels that join the lacing panel. Drafting these types of panels was a first but I ws very happy with the way they turned out - there is even a little space for shoulder bladed which was a complete fluke.

It's an adaptable design I think - if the bust section can be removable it will allow for different coloured top sections. I also like the idea of  a halter top with the waspie. It's always good to offer options with patterns as clients like to have that adaptability, so this month's pattern will definitley have some  bits and pieces to play round with.

I've just finished the corset bodice for Feb and I'm now working on a caged corset design which is probably one of the simplest designs actually - channels of boning basically held in place in three places: at the waistband and the top and bottom. If you look at Victorian caged corsets they usually had a hip gore also so I may work this into the design as an option. I like the fact that the bones are free to move over and around the ribs and hips - there have to be sufficient bones there though to prevent that flesh being forced out of those windows! It could also be possible to add bobbinet or a stretchy fabric as a liner so no flesh is visible. A versatile and attractive corset that looks good particularly over dresses.

I have just published my 12th corset pattern on Patreon. When I set out on my one-year sabbatical at the end of 2015 I had intended to focus on corset design because flat patterning in AutoCAD is my favourite part of the process of corset making. I didn't really need an excuse to get creating, but my promise to my patrons was to issue one a month and having that deadline has been the best incentive to ensure I stuck to this frequency. I've been surprised at how I feel I can keep going with ideas as well - to anybody untutoured in this craft a corset may just be a corset, but there are so many possibilities that I still want to explore. I intend therefore to keep going whilst I still have the time - I had hoped that I would be able to recruit more patrons to make it more worthwhile but it is such a niche market and most corset makers do like to experiment with their own patterning techniques. I hope that the patrons of mine that have given my designs a go have been inspired and experimented by chopping and changing things around - this is what it's all about after all, creating something beautiful and experimenting until that perfect, comfortable fit is achieved.