FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Scarlett O’Hara
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Thanks to my dad who took the photos.
Outline the story …
This corset and chemise was made to represent the character of Scarlett O’Hara at the beginning of the novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. The corset and chemise are dainty and feminine which represents the ideal of women in southern America prior to the civil war. Scarlett’s character changes dramatically throughout the novel. I chose a pink satin corset as it is a beautiful fabric but impractical for her later exploits. The corset is pretty and fits the style of the 1860s where the book is set. Scarlett initially follows along with what is expected of her, but develops throughout the book to a hardened businesswoman. She is a brutal woman and will use any means to succeed. Even when she is young her delicate persona is a façade when compared to the other women around her. I chose the colours and fabrics that I did to represent this. She comes across as a lady and yet inside is a brutal businesswoman who does not go along with what society desires her to be. I spent a long time researching historical dress before I even got started on this project. The corset pattern I found was similar to that of a corset from the V&A which I decided to adapt in order to create the look that I desired.
Outline the construction…
This corset and chemise was my first and second project respectively. I made the chemise following Simplicity 9769. The fabric I used was a plain white cotton voile similar to garments from the period. I made a mistake with the neckline and so I changed the pattern to remove the buttons on the front of the neckline. The underarm gussets proved to be a challenge and I found they were difficult to insert, so I removed and put them in multiple times until I got it right. Following on from this, I made the corset. This corset was made from Redthreaded’s 1860s corset pattern. To adapt this pattern, I used 5mm boning and I added more boning channels to the side and on the back as I saw a corset from the V&A that had far more boning so I decided to replicate it. I used a peach coutil but I found it was too lightweight to be used on its own, so I used a cotton coutil as a base fabric. The bust gores were a challenge, so I looked at garments and noticed how embroidery is seen at the bottom of the gores. Making the bust gores smaller was also needed as I have a smaller bust than the corset pattern would allow for. I did this and found it made the construction far simpler. To decorate this corset, I flossed the boning channels using a pattern that is seen in period corsets.
Wow!! This is beautiful!!
Satin is a really tricky fabric- well done.
This is so pretty oh my gosh!
Stunning work, and a gorgeous shape. Especially considering the challenging fabric. Best of luck x
This is a dream.
Beautiful! The fit is lovely. I wouldn’t believe these were your first and second project if you had not said so.
This is absolutely fabulous!! I LOVE it. Well done you, way to go!!!
Wow, this is amazing! I cannot believe these were your first two projects, especially making such a well-finished corset as a beginner is incredible! The boning channels are beautifully sewn and that peach colour is gorgeous, I’m impressed!
Very impressive and beautiful! Love the fit and the color of the corset. Congratulations and good luck!
Very beautiful work!
This looks phenomenal! That’s no easy corset design to fit, and your adjustments and final product are impeccable.
The chemise is lovely, and what a fantastic job on that corset!! It’s stunning, I can’t believe it’s only your second project! It looks like professional quality.
So well done! This is such a beautiful corset! I also love that chemise! Thank you!
Well done, very pretty!
This is absolutely amazing.
This looks wonderful!
Wow. Beautiful work and even more so as your first sewing ventures!
What an amazing first corset! You should be really proud 🙂
This corset looks so well made and you can be very proud of your work 🙂
this is so pretty! love it.
This is absolutely beautiful. I love how you incorporated Scarlett’s character in your choices of fabric and the details, it’s a really good and very thoughful representation. Amazing that these were your first projects, you can be really proud of yourself!
NO way you’re a beginner. There’s hope for me. Amazing!!
Great job with the satin! It can be so finnicky, but it turned out so beautifully on your piece!