Is this a hair-brained idea?

[sealion]

Back when I made my first (and only, so far) corset I made it high-backed with straps because I read something saying that was best for someone with a large chest. I am contemplating cutting it down into a strapless corset because a) I can't see where the straps provide any additional support when it is laced comfortable snug and b) I'm getting really tired of the corset straps not playing nice with the bodice straps! It only took one or two wearings before I unstitched the corset straps and started adjusting them and pinning them in place for different outfits. Has anyone ever done this alteration successfully? Good idea? Stupid idea?

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Well I've never done it BUT I have 2 strapless corsets and I LOVE them.So go ahead and take them off.

[isabelladangelo]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Do NOT do it.  I'm "big" as well and I've had both strapless and corsets with straps.   Want to know what the straps do?  They hold the corset up.  The weight in the front forces the corset to slowly migrate down south without the straps.   Trust me, it's not fun to pull your strapless corset or bodice up every twenty minutes no matter how tight or well fitted it is.   

The only time corset/bodices do not migrate is if you are doing a Victorian corset.   The reason is the drastic different in shape.  Victorian corsets tend to go over the hips slightly, pinch the waists greatly, and have some sort of cup like design in the front for the bust.  Renaissance corsets don't.  They tend to be made out of one tow three pieces (rather than the Victorian 8 to 18 pieces), don't have cups, and make you cone shaped rather than wasp shaped.   The cone just keep sliding down.   

[sealion]

Well, I've already done it. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if I have to play tug-of-war with it all day! LOL
Oh, and it's NOT a Victorian corset. It's Margo Anderson's tabbed waist corset.

[Branwen]

I'm not super experienced in the field but from everything I've read and studied (oddly enough yes I've taken several classes on corsetry I'm I weirdo like that lol) A good well made (to your measurements) corset should be like a good fitting bra and the straps should not be giving the "support".

I'm not sure about the Margo pattern, but my tabbed corset sits right at my waist and hip, cinchingly slightly at the squish waist part. There really isn't anyway for it to slid down, my hips are in the way.

Again, certaintly not the most knowledgeable in this forum but my two pence for what it's worth lol.

You'll have to tell us how it all turned out for you, I'm very curious now. 

[Lady L]

Interesting, please let us know how that worked (or not) sealion.
I have narrow, sloping shoulders, so straps just fall off my shoulders and do NOTHING as far as support. Yes, I have moved them in and at different angles and have yet to find they do anything helpful.