Corset Making for Beginners - Short Course | Vanyanís (2024)

Corsetry for Beginners

If you are fascinated by the endless possibilities of good corsetry but don’t know how (or where) to begin learning this exquisite art, search no more. With leading Australian corsetiere Lowana O’Shea as your guide, delve into the wonderful world of corsetry and emerge with the secrets, skills and inspiration you require to confidently create your own, real corsets. Upon completing this course, you’ll have fast-tracked your learning and sewn a perfectly fittedLittle Black Corset(as essential as a Little Black Dress, in our opinion!) to style and wear however you like, proud in the knowledge that you created it from scratch and it fits and flatters you perfectly.

Real corsetry reduces your waistline, smoothing your torso comfortably. This course is the ‘real deal’: you will make a steel boned underbust corset (with busk) learning proper corset construction methods in Australia’s definitive and most specialized in-person corsetry classes taught by a professional corsetiere. In 2020 we expanded internationally and made this course available in Wellington, New Zealand. Many courses or units in fashion degrees only teach you to make costume pieces or structured bodices, not authentic corsets. We think you deserve more! In this class you will learn how to achieve a perfect fit and come away with a customized pattern so after attending the course you’ll be able to make more corsets for yourself with your new skills.

Our student-centered approach ensures small class sizes and plenty of student-teacher time, with extremely limited spaces. The Beginner’s Corsetry Class runs with 4-6 students and includes 25 hours of tuition. Course cost includes refreshments, all materials and pattern to make your corset, venue hire, use of specialty tools and tuition from professional corsetiere Lowana O’Shea. Courses are limited and places fill quickly, so please book now to avoid disappointment.

“My favourite part of the course was Lowana’s style of teaching, and her knowledge of corsetry, giving me the sewing skills and assistance in the process. And I finished the corset!”

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CourseInformation

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Course Content

In this comprehensive, fast tracked ‘beginners’ corsetry class you will learn:

  • An introduction to corsetry: functions, myths & facts
  • Anatomy of a corset
  • Specialist materials and tools used for corsetry
  • Taking accurate measurements for corsetry
  • Working with a pattern & adding seam allowance
  • Creating a toile (mock up) to check the fit
  • How to get the perfect fit
  • How to make fit changes to your pattern
  • How to prepare coutil (specialty corsetry fabric)
  • How to accurately cut out a corset
  • Inserting the busk (center fastening for dressing convenience)
  • Inserting the waist tape (non-stretch reinforcement)
  • Stitching neat boning channels
  • How to handle and use steel boning
  • How to set two-part eyelets (for a perfect finish without splits)
  • Attaching and finishing the binding of a corset
  • How to lace up a corset (yes, you can put it on by yourself!)
  • And more!

You’ll also have the opportunity to inspect some original Vanyanís corsets and pick Lowana’s brain about anything corset related for the duration of the course!

Bonus Extras

To truly set you on your way as a confident corset maker, you will also be given:

  • A recommended reading guide to further your learning
  • A list of recommended products and suppliers (and what to avoid!)
  • A personalized shopping list so you know exactly what to get for your next corset creation
  • One months FREE access to Foundations Revealed (new members only)
  • Exclusive access to the Vanyanís School of Couture private Facebook group for ongoing support and social catch ups with your new corsetmaking friends!
  • A freeVanyanís Tote bag

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Outcomes

At the end of this course you will have made a single layer underbust corset that fits you, and gained the knowledge and confidence to create more corsets on your own. It’s a fantastic introduction to corsetry, providing you with solid foundations to build upon in the future.

Inclusions

All materials required to create your very own black underbust corset:
Vanyanís ‘Aeryn’ 6-panel corset pattern in your size (comes in multiple sizes for natural waists of 20 – 50 inches) | Black broche coutil | Spiral and flat steel boning | Stainless steel silver busk | Waist tape | Two part silver eyelets | Bias binding | Lacing | Thread | Toile Fabric.

Students will also be given a class handout to keep.

Location

The studio of Maria French, in Wellington CBD, New Zealand. The studio is an incredible dedicated sewing space created by our longtime student and friend Maria French.

Refreshments

Tea, coffee and biscuits are always provided. Students should bring their own lunch (and are welcome to use the on-site kitchen facilities). We will break for a 30 minute lunch so it is recommended that you bring lunch with you.

Times

Please refer to the specific ‘product’ page for the course dates you are booking as times may vary depending on venue and dates.

Class Size

4 – 6 attendees.
(So you get the attention you deserve)

Homework

For classes where the course days are split over several weeks, there will be some homework that you will need to complete in the time between study sessions. Clear and simple instructions will be given, and Lowana will be available in the Facebook group if you need help.

Private Classes

If you would like to have your very own private corset making class, please feel welcome to contact us directly. We can set course dates for small groups of 4-6 students (depending on location). If you would like Lowana to travel to your city to run a class, this may be possible (but will require additional fees to cover travel expenses).

“Anyone interested in corsets should try this.”
– Tara Moss

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Corset Making for Beginners - Short Course | Vanyanís (2024)

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