Need white leather bustier--make or buy?

[gem]

We're figuring out our Comic-Con costumes for this summer, and I will be needing a white leather or leather-like bustier/corset for mine. I'm wondering if my best bet here is to make it (out of something other than leather) or buy it.

This is pretty much dead on for the look I'm going for. (Although I will also be wearing pants! LOL)

There are pros and cons to both making and buying (sizing, cost, construction time, etc); does anyone want to weigh in with suggestions for patterns, supplies, RTW vendors, etc? 

Thanks!

[isabelladangelo]

So...Emma Frost, I'm guessing?

I'd buy it if you are deadset on leather only because leather can be a pita to work with.   If you like micro suede (or a nice brocade if you are going as Emma Frost), then make it. 

[Auryn]

well, it kind of depends on how much your time is worth to you vs buying it.
When I was making our costumes for dragoncon last year, everything took a lot longer than I thought.
Funny enough for me the leather work was faster than the sewing- maybe because I work more with leather.

The masochist in me says make it. You might spend a little more on the supplies, but then it will be exactly what you want- thats the kind of person I am and I usually choose costumes where either what I want isnt readily available or if it is its way way way out of my budget- aka mord sith leathers- so i end up making it myself.

Basically what you have to decide is
what is worth more to you
your time or your money?
will you be happy wearing something off the rack?
Do off the rack items usually fit you well?? (for me the answer is no and one of the big reasons I started learning to sew)

If you are going to make it in leather- are you willing to spend $100 for a half a hide of white kid skin leather?

I know I'm not answering your questions, but your answers to these questions will shape the final decision

[gem]

So...Emma Frost, I'm guessing?

Um, no. Wow. Not even if I could. LOL

***
Auryn, no--that's exactly the sort of response I was hoping for, to help me work my way through this decision.

If I *do* sew something, it definitely won't be from leather. I'd probably use a nice matte satin, or even just a good quality white coutil.

Love to hear others' opinions, too! Particularly if anyone has a good corset maker to recommend!

Gramercy!

[operafantomet]

So...Emma Frost, I'm guessing?

I'd buy it if you are deadset on leather only because leather can be a pita to work with.   If you like micro suede (or a nice brocade if you are going as Emma Frost), then make it. 

OK, now I had to do a little googling. Cause I know an Emma Frost, and she's a Swedish opera singer. And I couldn't for my bare life understand how you guys knew about her.  Got it now.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

There are times I say, "To hell with it! I am going to 'buy it' because I do not have the time to make it!"

This may be one of those times, gem! People in fandom, like me, go that route. It all depends on how much you value your time and how much time do you have until Comic Con?

[Anna Iram]

Here's a site with what looks to be a well made leather corset for $104.00. I'm not familiar with the shop though. For the price, I'd buy it and save the hassle. I'd think by the time you made all the purchases for fabricsthe and boning  and paid for shipping for each, it would come out even. This site also has a white satin corset for $69.00.

http://www.reliablecorset.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=77


*laughing* Glad to hear you'll be wearing pants.

[Elennare]

Sounds like you've got a pretty good selection of answers to your question, so, I have to ask...who ARE you going as?  Because I was thinking Emma Frost as well, based on the white corset.

[gem]

El, I'll reveal more as I get farther along on this. Right now it's a bit too iffy to say.

I'm really interested that the consensus so far seems to be leaning toward buying! My concern there is getting a good size--I have a pretty full bust, so I'm worried that a corset like this (sized by the waist) won't have a good fit in the bustline. And I'm not sure I do want to shell out the $$ for a custom one (running about $300, from what I see), when I am perfectly capable of making myself a white corset. 

But keep the ideas coming!