ABSTRACT

The 1860 corset from the Symington Corsetry Collection is made from red and black cotton lasting that has now faded to orange. The corset is lined with a white cotton twill and interlined with hessian. It has ten panels and is stiffened with cotton cording. Although the cording is softer than boning, the wooden busk kept the front of the corset very straight and it would have been impossible for the wearer to bend forward. The corset was close-fitting, and although not boned the combination of the cording and hessian provided the rigidity required to control the figure. The 1860 corset pattern is relatively easy to draft and produces a good close-fitting shape. During the development of this pattern the author have reduced the number of cording channels and replaced the cording with narrow steels; the change is optional. The centre front busk remains closed on the pattern, although this can be altered and a split-busk inserted in its place.