Arrrgh! I can't make any decisions all of a sudden!

[Wickedvox]

So, dilemma: I'm making an underbust corset and I've reached the point of no return if I want to make it reversible. If I were going to make *two* corsets I would be using twice the fabric, but the same amount of grommets. One side is that yellow bolt from craigslist, the other is blue w/vine print from my stash, and I can't decide which one I want to be dominant!! But 72 grommets?! Ugh!

Also I remember either Isabella or Opera saying 2-sided corsets will always end up favoring one side as the boning forms to the wearers shape, then the other side becomes difficult and painful to wear. It's just a simplicity underbust--superfast & easy, no big deal to make 2 I guess.

Also, I went to this craigslister's house where his grandmother lived. she passed away, and left an *entire* basement full of fabrics, notions, patterns, etc. She made square dancing outfits--which I found delightful. It was mostly polyesters, and most under 2 yeards, LOTS of pastels. Anywhoo, I bought a bit ($2/piece?! uh yes!) I got a beautiful gold for my commisioned pice, and some other stuff--I'll take pics later. Bottom line is, I talked myself into this giant piece of *could* be made into a middle class skirt, butBUT...it's a very strange orange/peach/rust. I can't get a good pic of it. I'll try again later. HERE'S THE POINT: should I use it to wear with my mustard yellow bodice with red trim and sleeves?? I still have my heart set on that teal for the skirt..

[isabelladangelo]

It was me.     There is no such thing as a reversible corset/stays/ect.  Whatever way you wear it the first time around is the way the boning will want to go forevermore.  By switching from one side to the other, not only will it be painful, but you also weaken the boning (think of bending a piece of thin metal back and forth - it makes it snap.)  You'll also cause rips and tears in the fabric because the boning doesn't want to be pushed one way or the other.   

[Wickedvox]

Yeah, I thought it was you Isabella. Thanks for the refresher. Guess I'll just make 2. But what if you're using cable ties for boning? they're a little more flexible.

[isabelladangelo]

Doesn't matter.  The plastic will mold to your form.  There really, truly is no such thing as a reversible corset. (I need to emphasize this because I know far too many people try to say "I'll make it reversible!" and yeah...bad idea.) The cable ties will want to stay in the original "fold" they were put in.   It will hurt like heck if you try to push them the other way.  Every played with a twisty tie till it broke?  Same concept as metal boning - the constant back and forth at about the same "bend" will cause it to wear a lot more quickly and it could break.  Umm...ouch!  And possibly ER (which I've heard rumors of in the past)

[gem]

I agree that I'd never try to make a true, supportive corset reversible, but I have lots of reversible bodices--and since it's an underbust bodice, you'll be wearing it with a bra, anyway, and you'll be fine.

Why does it matter which side is "dominant?" Because of the grommet color?

Will read again later about the skirt fabric problem. Must run now.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I have 2 reversible bodices that I bought on Ebay as cheap ones to wear to faire when it's too hot and I feel too uncomfortable in my heavily boned bodices.  The only support is right by the grommets.  There are 2 metal bars down the front.  I wear a bra, and never had any problem with either one not fitting me.  I like the point that Gem made, it's an underbust, so wear your bra and enjoy!   

[Wickedvox]

I agree that I'd never try to make a true, supportive corset reversible, but I have lots of reversible bodices--and since it's an underbust bodice, you'll be wearing it with a bra, anyway, and you'll be fine.

Why does it matter which side is "dominant?" Because of the grommet color?

Will read again later about the skirt fabric problem. Must run now.

No, just because I like both fabrics a lot and the grommets have a right side/wrong side!

[gem]

I usually make my bodices with a print (like tapestry) on one side, and a solid color on the other, and I use the solid side as the "wrong" side of the grommets. Only somebody close enough to lace you up will be able to tell which is which. If they really bother you, you could always wrap them with embroidery floss after you install them... But, then, you're left with even a tougher problem: What color floss goes with both?! Easier to just pick a side for the grommets, and decide to be happy about it. 

Things to keep in mind to make sure your bodices stay nice and sturdy and don't deform as you wear them (because we've all been there with cheap bodices!)--I make all of mine with two layers of heavy cotton canvas boned with heavy-duty cable ties BEFORE adding the layers of fashion fabric. And the cable ties you use really do make a difference. I use the sturdiest ones by Malco that I can find. If I wear a decent bra with my bodices, I can get away with less boning than you'd probably expect. See here for my typical boning layout--it's one row at the front lacing edge, for stability; a gap for the grommets; then two rows together so the front stays nice and straight; one long diagonal along the outside of the bust, for a little extra support; and one at the side seams to relieve strain on those seams when you lace yourself up. Once you get four layers of fairly sturdy fabric in there, that boning isn't going *anywhere.*

I'm excited about the peachy fabric for your skirt with the yellow bodice--I think that's a really bold color combination. But... who says you only get one skirt?! Maybe you won't find the perfect teal (for $2/yard!!) right away. Or you decide you want layers. Or friends come to visit. Or your peach skirt got dusty yesterday but you want to wear your bodice again. Or...

[raevyncait]

Or do as one of my seamstress friends does, use nail polish to cover the grommets... it's available in virtually ANY color

[Cilean]

You could make your own lacing holes they are pretty easy and if you use an awl will not cut into your fabric, they are great to do while watching TV or at a kids game.

You can tell where I do mine now right?

LOL

Cilean

[DonaCatalina]

If it were the only support you had as a corset, I would say make it one sided and use the grommets.
Since you will wear a bra under it; I would look into what Cilean suggests. Make it reversible and use lacing holes. My machine makes nice oval holes that I use; but you can do it by hand with and awl and embroidery floss.

[Wickedvox]

Cilean--I usually handsew the eyelets on my nicer stuff, this is faire-wear and I'm good with grommets; I ain't sewing 72 eyelets!

Dona--underbust doesn't equal support for my girls lol! I'll be going with a bra for this one.

Raevyncait--That's a good idea! I'm considering that--thanks!

Gem--I *always* do three layers on my bodices too I also use Malco cable ties--maybe we're long lost sisters And I think you would be excited about fabric no matter *what* it looked like lol 

Thanks again everyone for giving me some input!

[Wickedvox]

Okay, so I decided on the blue side, but I guess the grommets don't look *so* bad if I decide to flip it. I'll post pics in "Finished Projects" when I'm done. You know, I think it's going to be one of my favorite pieces when it's done; it's got a kind of European/Russian feel to the fabric.

On to the fabric in question. Here it is:



It's kind of an orange/rust/peach-kind-of. I don't think it works with the yellow bodice, but it actually doesn't look bad with the blue, does it? I think if I put a really cool trim on it, that it'll look neat! Opinions?

Of course, that still leaves me with no skirt for the yellow bodice--grrr.

[gem]

Yay! Huzzah! That looks smashing. 

How much of that blue fabric do you have? It looks great with the red/yellow... I know it's another primary solid, but the damask texture really lifts it out of the ordinary.  I don't mind the orangey with the yellow, but the problem is that (at least in the photo) it looks too similar-but-not-quite as the red (like you wore blue socks with black pants).

[LadyFae]

If you can't find a teal that you love for the yellow bodice, look at purples and blues as well!

[Wickedvox]

Yay! Huzzah! That looks smashing.  

How much of that blue fabric do you have? It looks great with the red/yellow... I know it's another primary solid, but the damask texture really lifts it out of the ordinary.  I don't mind the orangey with the yellow, but the problem is that (at least in the photo) it looks too similar-but-not-quite as the red (like you wore blue socks with black pants).

Gem you nailed it again, that's exactly what I was thinking too! I was trying to do a different pirate/whench look, but am afraid I'm veering into "Oh the poor thing is color blind!"
Then I had it in my head to make a pair of pants out of a blue twill I have stashed--but then I need new excessories: tricorn & boots to say the least. I'm looking for cotton gauze to make skirts out of or something, I don't know, I'm all over the place.

LadyFae--I've *found*the color I want, it's just a tad expensive so I'm waiting for a coupon. And I'm waiting to find the perfect trim.

I'm all over the place with my vacation getting closer to ending

[LAVAGODDESSSS]

I agree that I'd never try to make a true, supportive corset reversible, but I have lots of reversible bodices--and since it's an underbust bodice, you'll be wearing it with a bra, anyway, and you'll be fine.

Why does it matter which side is "dominant?" Because of the grommet color?

Will read again later about the skirt fabric problem. Must run now.

I don't sew, but all my corsets come from one corset maker and they are ALL reversible. They all have these THICK European steel rods, some even up the back. I can wear em both ways and neither way feels different - I can get them both to look lovely. The only difference is that one side the thread matches exactly (so you can't see it). On the opposite, it just looks, depending on the fabric, like a decorative darker thread.

Perhaps it is the boning, etc. but of my seven corsets, all are reversible and all I've worn multiple times in each way. I dunno, they seem fine to me! half are semi-overbusts (not a total overbust) and half are underbusts. One happens to be a full overbust.  That one, I cannot wear both ways, because of the cup - so I do guess I have one that cannot. 

But you are the experts, I just read about your lovely projects and a reversible one sounds lovely. All mine are, not sure if the boning makes a difference - with mine? you do not bend anywhere but the hips (and only then if you are not wearing them lower). 

I hope you can let us know what yo udid! and if it worked out!!!!