Yesterday we discussed a basic way to turn a corset pattern for a regular corset into a corset dress pattern. Today I’m going to go over the ideal material to make a corset dress from for best results.
If your corset dress isn’t intended for tight lacing you may get away with using a single layer of heavy weight fabric, but for a proper corseted fit you’ll need to line your corset dress. The lining should be coutil as usual and doesn’t need to extend the full length of the dress. I suggest going just beyond the hips to avoid being able to see a line where it stops around the hips through the outer fabric.
The dress itself can be made from almost any fabric although as usual I suggest using a thicker fabric as it will sit smoothly on top of the corset lining. If you want to make a long slinky dress, opt for velvet or another thick but flexible, floaty material. Stiffer fabrics look good for short, wide circled cocktail dresses with net ruffled petticoats underneath for short dresses with volume. These really highlight a tiny waist. Try a blue denim fabric or a stiff dupioni silk.
