Early Teens Inspiration

I am having fun fitting the mock up of my 1911 corset. I was thinking about what purpose it will serve once it is done. So I thought I could make it part of a whole ensemble. I'm still not sure where I would wear it though. I thought I'd share some inspiration images of early teens fashions.

To see more early teens inspiration see my Pinterest board here.
 I also made a board of corset inspiration here.

1911 Sew Along: Enlarging the Pattern

My patterns, enlarged and altered

I've gotten the previously frustrating process of enlarging patterns down pat. I used to do the radial projection method of pattern enlargement. It made me want to pull my hair out. Basically you measure the distance between two points on the mini pattern, multiply that measurement by 8 (if the pattern scale is 1/8" = 1" that is) and line your yardstick up so it passes through both points, measure out that distance, and mark a point, then go all around the pattern in this manner until you can connect the points. Basically, it takes forever, just to do one piece, and minute errors in measuring translate to huge errors when multiplied.  An error of 1/32nd of an inch for example ends up putting your point off by 1/4" when multiplied by 8. Those can really add up and leave you with a distorted piece.
So here's the method that I use, though not the only one. I find this is pretty fast and painless. I enlarge in Photoshop or Gimp (I actually prefer Gimp for this even though I have both). There's a couple of tricks I've developed that help with this. Here's my process:
I scan the image into my computer and open it up with the pattern editing software. If I am dealing with many pieces, I isolate one pattern piece by cropping the rest out. Then I set the canvas size to 8 1/2" by 11" which is the size of my paper I am going to print on. Then I enlarge the image 800% (when the scale is 1/8" = 1"). The pattern piece is then larger than the canvas.  I move the pattern around saving each 8 1/5" by 11" piece to my computer. Now when I have a large piece that has a basic shape or has a long straight line, it can get confusing when taping everything together to determine where exactly they match up. So I, with my pencil tool, draw little squiggly lines on the seam between two pieces. That way, it is possible to match the squiggly lines up when taping. The more squiggly line you draw the more accurately you can line everything up. Finally print everything out, match up the squiggly lines, tape everything together, and alter the pattern as needed.

1911 Corset Sew Along: Inspiration

I participating in the 1911 Corset Sew Along over at Bridges on the Body. I've never made a corset before, so I figured this would be a great time. I'm making the 1911 corset from Norah Waugh's Corsets and Crinolines. I've previously made patterns from The Cut of Women's Clothes: 1630 - 1930, so I am excited to finally make a corset!
I got some plain white coutil. I plan of getting some extra wide lace to trim with. Here are some period corsets I've been looking at for inspiration.

Love the color and the extra-wide lace. This is the type of lace I want to get for mine.

Another pink one! Looks like embroidery or very fine lace on the top - can't quit tell. A more subtle trim than the last. Is that a satin ribbon rosette? Won't that make a huge lump that shows through your dress?

A more plain example, but still very pretty with the monochromatic lace along the top.

 Pink again! Love the delicate white lace. Seems like lace along the top edge was the way to go.

 A maternity corset. The woman would loosen the center and side lacing as the baby grew. Just thought this was interesting! That is alot of grommets. Look how close together they are!

Noticing a pink theme here? White beading lace with purple ribbon.

 

Love, love, love the fabric on this one. Once again - pink, wide lace, beading. Very feminine

More pinkness, lace, etc.



As you may have noticed - most of these examples I found are pink. Should I dye my white coutil pink? I like these, but pink isn't really my thing. I don't have anything against it, I just don't necessarily gravitate to it. I had envisioned the white coutil with some light blue lace and flossing. hmmm. I can be so indecisive sometimes with my sewing projects!