Bodice maker recommendation

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

Hope this is okay to post here. I was wondering if anyone can recommend an online store for custom made, H/A bodices?  I have an extreme hour glass figure and can't buy bodices off the shelf, as it were. My last one was purchased from Odd Bodkin, and I really liked it, but I'd like to explore different designs and styles.  Thanks for any help!

[Master James]

My wife makes all of her own garb however saw a bodice here: http://www.oddbodkin.com/  and really liked it so I convinced her to purchase it.  She LOVES it!  She is very short waisted so a "standard off the shelf" bodice would never fit her.  She followed the online directions for providing her measurements and it fits her perfectly!  The prices aren't too bad either when you consider its custom.  Enjoy!

[gem]

What, exactly, are you thinking of when you say "historically accurate bodice?" 

I ask, because typically the worn-alone bodices that we see/wear at Fair aren't H/A.  There is some pictorial evidence of women wearing what *appear* to be separate bodice-and-skirt combinations (see one here), but in general, women wore gowns, where the bodice portion is integral to the dress, not a separate garment (although it might be a separate *piece*; there doesn't seem to be agreement on this issue).  Forum member Isabella D'Angelo maintains a good page on bodice-and-skirt combinations, but I don't have that link off the top of my head.

If you're looking for somebody to make you a historically accurate ensemble, you might look into the Very Merry Seamstress (a forum member).  She's done some really beautiful H/A peasant/working class ensembles (Flemish, English, and others).

If you're looking instead for just a really beautifully made bodice, try Bodices by Bonnie (another forum member; her username is Lorraine, and you can see lots of her work in the Finished Projects thread in Sewing).

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Lady Kathleen of Olmsted, a forum member, does beautiful custom work.  She has created garb for many, many members of this forum, and all have been ecstatic with her designs.

[lady serena]

I would also have to recommend Devlyn at www.oddbodkin.com. She is and excellent person to work with and she also does costum orders if you talk to her she maybe able to come up with something for you. Irodered the goddess bodice from her and it was the best $$ I ever spent, and I'm saving up to get 2 more bodices from Odd Bodkin/Devlyn.

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

Devlyn is highly recommended . . . she will also do upkeep on her work. Including reshaping bodices as needed for body changes and providing replacement hardware (boning, laces, etc.).

[gem]

If you read the original post, you'd see that the poster already *has* an Odd Bodkin bodice, and was looking to see what *else* is out there.

I'm sure Dev appreciates all the recs, though!

[eloquentXI]

Crimson Gypsy seems to be very reputable and their designs are beautiful. www.crimsongypsy.com

Also, I'd recommend Very Merry Seamtress.

Moresca is widely respected and very popular but it seems that their website is still down.

Hmm...who else is there...oh!

If you're looking for a short-waisted bodice, Pendragon has some beautiful pieces. http://www.pendragoncostumes.com/

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

If you read the original post, you'd see that the poster already *has* an Odd Bodkin bodice, and was looking to see what *else* is out there.

I'm sure Dev appreciates all the recs, though!

I did read it, I really don't know why I even brought it up. I guess I was joining the bandwagon when everyone started talking about Devlyn's work.

[Dev]

I got a bodice custom made from very merry seamstress and I'm overall satisfied with it.  I wear it to the faire, I wear it to clubs, and it's very comfortable.  My only regret is that I didn't spend a bit more to get a heavier fabric instead of plain cotton.

As a bit of advice, don't wear any clothes while measuring yourself.