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Briar Rose Bodice
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
I was inspired by the story of "Sleeping Beauty" by the Brothers Grimm. I really wanted this piece to be about the strength that lies in the protection of our loved ones and in feminine histories and skills. This fairytale has been told many different ways over the centuries, but with every version, there is an element of protective magic I started thinking about boned undergarments and how in a way they resemble armor and offer protection and support. It's a very beautiful type of sewing/protective magic. I started to imagine what a garment made by fairies to ward off evil and protect the young princess might look like. I wanted to make something that looked as if it had been stitched with protective magic. I used briars, rose thorns, and words that might draw in good and ward off bad in my decoration. I also loved the idea of mixing stylistic elements from several time periods to capture the timeless nature of the story, I combined elements of stays with later decoration and lacing techniques and ended up with something a little whimsical I chose to make the bodice front opening only for my own ease and to incorporate a nod to German styles, and as a reference to the Brothers Grim who popularized her story. I choose to make the body pink because I once heard it's actually a color that makes you sleepy and so many iterations of Sleeping Beauty's name have to do with pink, Briar Rose, Aurora, etc.
Outline the construction…
I have sewn before, but never a corset or stays or anything with that level of structure and research involved. So I dove down the 18th century stay rabbit hole. I must have watched the American Duchess stays live stream at least 5 times. I ended up using Butterick pattern 4254 and adjusting the boning pattern to fit my needs, I removed a few bones and added a few extras near the front to support lacing with handsewn eyelets and not metal ones. It was a bit trying to fit this on myself, the end result is quite nice for my first boned garment ever I think, but I wish there was a slightly bigger lacing gap in the hips and bust. The bodice is mostly machine sewn, except I had to bind it all by hand, which is more hand sewing than I think I've ever done for one project. Due to certain pandemic situations, I couldn't get my hands on cotton coutil for the inside, so I improvised and used a canvas-like outdoor material. The outer fabric is quilting cotton. I used a couching stitch to create my vines and thorns. Then I was going to applique flowers on, but I didn't like how that looked, so I learned how to make a french knot which turned into very cute little rose/berry buds. I did a little flossing just because I thought it was pretty and added to the timelessness of the piece.
This is not only clever and intricate – It is also very creative and gorgeously well done! The thornebush and the red colour! I love it!
God, this is SO cute. I love the shade of pink you chose and I am an especially hardcore fan of pink with black. The embroidery is meticulously done and lovely and the fit is just PERFECT!
This is amazing for first time corset making! And the embroidery is So creative… I love the words stitched in as well! You must be so pleased with your creation!
Your embroidery is so well-thought! Love it ❤
I LOVE the color of this! Super pretty!
Loving the embroidery and colours. Nice work!
I absolutely adore this, so well done and creative!
These are wonderful! I love the embroidery. So well done! Thank you!
This is very well fitting for Sleeping Beauty!