Empire waist bodice

[LadyStitch]

I loved the red and white dress I did for opening but if the temperatures are going to keep going up from where they were last weekend, this girl is going to end up gypsy by the end of the run.  With that in mind, I pulled out all my garb and found I should be ok, but I REALLY need a bodice/ corset.  Since I can't wear a normal bodice I was thinking of just boning the heck out of a bodice pattern, but only make it empire waist.  I've never really had cleaveage before, and for once I do    And I want to show it off for once.   So can you help a girl out?
I've got all the stuff to do it, but just need a good pattern recomendation as a base.

[isabelladangelo]

Remember; cleavage plus warm weather = sun burns that will make you cry for a very, very long time. 

There is a reason women in the renaissance covered up with chemises and handkerchiefs!

There are several patterns you can try -all Italian Renaissance since they had the high waistline bodices.   I did a post with all of them in the Borgias thread a few hours ago.  Check 'em out. 

[Rowan MacD]

  On the IWG forum a while back, one of the girls said she wore a Moresca Khadija bodice  (which she sold on W-bay afterwards) during her pregnancy.  perhaps you can draft up a similar style.  This is very pretty:

http://www.moresca.com/product_info.php?products_id=16

I have seen a few ladies in versions of this bodice while preggers, worn with an extra long skirt with the elastic waist pulled up to just under the bust line where it was pinned in place.  One lady made slashed sleeves gathered at elbow and wrist, to go with the bodice, but worn without a chemise for ventilation.  Quite daring.  

[ArielCallista]

I don't know if you noticed the black corduroy bodice I was wearing on Saturday but I took this pattern (view E) and modified the length

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4107-products-1009.php?page_id=493

I made a muslin and cut the length where I wanted it and then modified the pattern based on the muslin...I also flattened out the princess seams and completely changed the boning layout...I had one strip at the edges by the eyelets and then 2 diagonal strips on each side to help "lift and squish" if you will...and it was only 3 layers...muslin, duck, and fashion with the boning btween the muslin and duck. It is definitely the most comfortable bodice I've ever made. I'm sure I will end up making more...

[gem]

Ok, for the best cleavage possible, pull out your best bra and wear it UNDER a well-boned bodice. The bodice that WickedVox just made has a cropped version, but off the top of my head I can't recall the pattern number (will check). ETA: Hers was M4696, but apparently that's NOT the pattern I meant! I'll sort this out later (must run now).

And Isabella is NOT KIDDING. I had a horrible blotchy rash ALL last season b/c of a lapse in sunscreen judgement!   Fortunately, you can get really powerful sunscreens (I use a Neutrogena of 45/75 on my face, and DH wears Bullfrog 55) that will allow you to boast that newfound cleavage proudly!

[Anna Iram]

Maybe rather than a boned bodice something like this:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

As Gem said, get a really great push up bra to wear under it.

[LadyStitch]

On faire days, after I shower I cover any place I can THINK will get sun, especially the girls, in 45+ sunscreen.  I wore it on Saturday and didn't get burned.

@Ariel:  Yes that was the bodice look I was going for. I'll look in my stash of patterns tonight to see what I have got on hand.

@Rowen:  That is the look I'm going for, but I dont' want to spend the $150 on just something I may only wear 4-6 times.

[gypsylakat]

Damsel in the Dress has two fun fairewear Empire tops...
http://damseldress.com/store/display/2075/43/empire-corsair-top-only
http://damseldress.com/store/display/2070/41/steampunk-vest
for some ideas

[Dinobabe]

Maybe rather than a boned bodice something like this:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

As Gem said, get a really great push up bra to wear under it.

I have a couple of these.  Easy and fast to make (~1.5hrs).  Make it reversible for extra versatility (it's lined anyway!).  I altered it by adding a point at the bottom of the back and adding shoulder points.  One has fancy hooks, another ties, another laces.

[Cofeeguru]

Damsel was exactly who I thought of, too.  For a premade, I would guess it would run you around sixty, but you can drop a line to Michelle and she could have any number of pieces available.  I also second...or is that third? that gypsy bodice.    Very easy to make.

[Adriana Rose]

I tweaked the vest pattern on 2230 and it turns into a very nice bodice! I reshaped the neckline into a lower cut version and brought the sides that lace togeather in a tad. The blasted thing is box land at the mo other wise Id take a picture.

[Marietta Graziella]

Maybe rather than a boned bodice something like this:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

As Gem said, get a really great push up bra to wear under it.

I have a couple of these.  Easy and fast to make (~1.5hrs).  Make it reversible for extra versatility (it's lined anyway!).  I altered it by adding a point at the bottom of the back and adding shoulder points.  One has fancy hooks, another ties, another laces.

Dinobabe, do you have any pics of your modified bodices?  I have this pattern and have been pondering a gypsey look but haven't cut into anything because I can't decide what pattern to make.

[Elennare]

I know one of the Big 3 used to have a pattern for a cropped bodice.  I want to say it was McCall's.  I remember considering buying it at some point.  I went to look it up for you, and it seems to have vanished.

I would think, though, that just finding a pattern you like and shortening it would work.

[amy]

I have to say... I know you are a master stitcher, but the emire waisted  pop top bodice that mieljolie makes is absolutely fabulous and the way she wears it over the flowing chemise is really very pretty.   You should check out her page!

[gem]

I have to say... I know you are a master stitcher, but the emire waisted  pop top bodice that mieljolie makes is absolutely fabulous and the way she wears it over the flowing chemise is really very pretty.   You should check out her page!

Link please, Amy? Pretty please?

[LadyStitch]

Soon as I finish the PP's new, better fitting pants, AND add the new trim to his coat, I'll be on to this project.

As for my 'favorite' bodice pattern.  I really dont' have one.  I havent' made a bodice since ...oh 2004 or 2005.  The last time I made a good coreset was the tudor one I made  when I was in NZ in 2006.  I still have that pattern btw. 

I'm growing so fast, finding a good bra has been a challange, hence the wish for a nice empire waist bodice 

The Red velvet dress that I did for opening. The bodice fits around good but I think I had neckline issues. I had to sneak a tiny dart in to make it lay right.  I really think I should have made it at least 1 cup size bigger, but oh well.

[Adriana Rose]

If you do make the bodice maybe put side laces in along with the front lace. That way there is room for a sudden growth spurt.

Alot of the women that I see in garb that are preggers go with the comfy loose chemise and skirt or loose pants. If you deside to 86 the whole adventure. Because I know that what it feels like in July up here is where you are at now down there!

[amy]

http://tabistry.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-empire-waist-bodice.html

  I don't want to take the thread off topic.  It is an empire waisted bodice, certainly not what you are looking for but may spark an idea for the whole outfit.   Th rest of her blog crafts are amazing.    (yes, we are talking about YOU, you clever woman!)

[LadyStitch]

Yes well I'll put it on the to do list.  I have a friend who collects them for something.  I think he gets money back for the weight of pull tabs that he brings in. /shrug

One of thing things I want to do is use up the stash of stuff I have been 'blessed' with.  Before I can bring in any size able fabric that is NOT theater realated I need to get yards of 'blessed' fabric out.   Making me some maternity garb, and new tops is a way to do that.

[Dinobabe]

I have a couple of these.  Easy and fast to make (~1.5hrs).  Make it reversible for extra versatility (it's lined anyway!).  I altered it by adding a point at the bottom of the back and adding shoulder points.  One has fancy hooks, another ties, another laces.

Dinobabe, do you have any pics of your modified bodices?  I have this pattern and have been pondering a gypsey look but haven't cut into anything because I can't decide what pattern to make.

I always cut out the largest size and fold/snip to smaller sizes.  That way I don't have to worry about it!
I'll try to get some pics this weekend.