Waistband/corset

[Taffy Saltwater]

I am making a tailored Victorian skirt which is smooth over the front & hips, but has some gathering/pleating in the back.  The proper way to wear this would be w/a corset underneath; however, I will be wearing a corset on top. This means that while the waistband needs to be x inches to fasten, my waist will be several inches smaller once I get laced in and the skirt will be bunchy in places and possibly affect the lines.  Maybe an elastic just in the back which can snug up as my waist is cinched?  Any ideas?

[sealion]

Oh no! I hadn't even thought about that! A smooth banded front with elastic in the back sounds like a good solution.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I'm going to start sewing this tonight.  I'll elastic the back & hope for the best.  Speaking of hoping for the best, cross your fingers that my corset comes in time.

[sealion]

I'm going to start sewing this tonight.  I'll elastic the back & hope for the best.  Speaking of hoping for the best, cross your fingers that my corset comes in time.

*everything crossed*
I ordered an underbust Victorian corset this weekend that was supposed to be in stock and shipped priority mail so I'll be able to wear it on Labor Day. Crossing my finger that it gets here in time!

[Elennare]

If the elastic doesn't work, here's a thought for a back-up plan.

Make the skirt to fit your corseted measurements, then suck everything in when you put the skirt on, and hold it in until you get corseted.

Not the most comfortable thing in the world when you're not wearing the corset, but it does work.  (I inadvertently did this with my second ren skirt.  Felt great when I had the whole outfit on, but tried to cut me in half when I was just wearing the skirt and a shirt

I think the elastic sounds like a fabulous solution, though.  Hope it works out for you!

[Taffy Saltwater]

I think my final plan with this is to make the waistband as usual with a placket in the back, but a couple of inches smaller than my actual waist measurement.  Then put elastic in the back gores only.  I think that will eliminate most of the waist band bulk.   

[Ms Trish]

I'm having this same issue (and figured I couldn't be the only one so searched the archives!). Once my bodice is laced up, my skirt waistbands are too large. Did the elastic addition end up working? Any other great ideas? On one of my skirts I added a second set of hooks, but then I need someone to reach up the back of my bodice to rehook the skirt to the smaller setting. It works but definitely isn't ideal so would love to hear some other options.

[amy]

Been here.... done this....  totally sucks and you are uber smart to catch this mistake before you are in the motel dressing for gate!! Kudos.     I am not a fan of elastic waisted skirts and am always afraid that a miss-step by a patron or sitting on a bench with a catch will give it a tug and pull it down, even when caught up in the corset..... So instead of that put a long drawstring from the side seams back in the waist line... and leave them with plenty of length.    then after the corest is tight... give it an extra tug and take up the slack.   You are sure it won't come down then.

[Wickedvox]

Elastic is a great idea, but how about a simple hook & eye solution? Place them X inches apart, and after you cinch up just hook them together to take up the slack. Lots of great suggestions! I love these boards--so many different solutions!

[Ms Trish]

Elastic is a great idea, but how about a simple hook & eye solution? Place them X inches apart, and after you cinch up just hook them together to take up the slack. Lots of great suggestions! I love these boards--so many different solutions!

I have done this one already, but it's under the bodice at that point so a little inconvenient for reaching.

[gem]

Is there any way you could put lacing at the same place the bodice laces, and lace them together, so the skirt cinches as the bodice is cinched up? You wouldn't necessarily need full lacing holes/grommets/whatever--loops of fabric or thread would work without adding any bulk.

[isabelladangelo]

Is there some reason you absolutely cannot wear the skirt over the corset?

And, rather than a skirt, why not just make a colorful petticoat?  Some of the petticoats from the late Victorian/Edwardian eras are pretty wild.  Since it would have straps (it's basically what we would call today a long slip or even a nightgown) for over the shoulders, it wouldn't have the issue of slipping down.