Lingerie Master Classes

2012-01-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome in 2012!

A new year is always a fantastic way to refresh existing skills or learning something new....

We added some new lingerie classes to our calender and made the booking options easier to follow.

We now do accept payments by

cheques

Please check our regularly updated blog for future classes
and
we hope to see you all in 2012.

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Here are just a few examples from previous master classes:

August/September 2011:
-lingerie nights-
-bra making weekend-

2012-01-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

-How do I book a place?

Most of our classes are aimed at students with good sewing skills.

Lingerie-making is rather complex and you need to be confident using a domestic sewing machine.

We do accept cheques and the secure following options to secure a place:

If you wish to enroll in a class, please get in touch:

masterclass@corsetorium.com

- Where do the lingerie master classes take place?

In a modern studio with natural daylight in Central London EC1.
(only a 5-10min walk from Farringdon Station)

-How big are the classes?

Classes are kept deliberately small and are limited to a maximum of 6 Students only.
We therefore advice on early bookings.
We always aim to run specific subjects aimed at individual student needs.
(please get in touch if there is anything you are particularly interested in and we can advice you which class might be suitable for you)

(One-to-one tuitions are available on request)

-Do I need to bring anything along?

All specialist materials and equipment will be provided.

With your booking confirmation, you will be asked to bring along your own sewing kit and notebook.
(with advanced classes you might be asked to bring along some design ideas etc.)
We will provide light refreshments in our classes.

-Will I be able to wear my newly made lingerie myself?
Professional lingerie patterns will be provided in one standard size.
Depending on your experience, our advanced classes offer students the opportunity to assemble items to their own size.
(this needs be discussed with the tutor previously)

In comparison to other lingerie workshops/classes, we do work in our classes with high end lingerie materials: pure silks, fine lingerie laces & elastics etc.
By the end of the class each student should have a luxurious piece of lingerie made by themselves to take home or has achieved a stunning samples piece to showcase.

- student comments -

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Thanks again for the weekend. I did expect to come away with something that faintly resembled a bra but surprised myself - and a few others with the results!

Please do let me know if you schedule an advanced class as I would like to know how to make them for my size - which is obv a bit bigger and would need a different style.....

Tess

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The course was great, I really enjoyed it. Thanks also for the extra time and help you gave me to cover what I missed in the other class, really appreciate it.
Hope to see you again in January,
Best wishes
Claire

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"Thank you again for a fantastic weekend I really did enjoy it."

Rachel

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"I wanted to thank you for your courses,
it was really helpful and I learned more I was expected in two days!!
I really appreciated your way to teach...
All the best"

XXX Geneviève

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"It was very nice to meet you and be your student thank you very much.
I just wanted to say thank you for all your help i feel much more confident now and really know that
this what i want to do.your advice and encouragement helped immensly."
See you in August

Aneaka XxX

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"I wanted to say thanks for a great day on the pattern cutting class. I really enjoyed it and found it very helpful in my first steps to drafting my own patterns."

Sharon

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"Thanks a lot for the wonderful weekend...my corset looks so beautiful....
We really enjoyed the course and I am looking forward to the next one "

Susana

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" Thank you for all your help at the weekend, I enjoyed the course very much. I was just wondering if you ever ran pattern drafting courses for bras and underwear? "

Many thanks for the elastic - Louise

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"Thank you so much for your amazing course and everything you taught.
It was really fantastic to meet you and would really be interested in
any future classes."

Clare

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"Thank you so much with all your help to start my own business, I hope I will have the time to catch up soon."

Annie Rob

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"Finally a workshop I thoroughly enjoyed."

Rob Claire

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"Thank you so much for a fantastic easter weekend, I learned so much about making my own bras....."

Claire Anne-Marie

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"I wish you would run your workshops here in France.It was a pleasure to meet you in person and please update me with any future classes."

merci

Anne-Marie

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2011-03-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

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Here are just a few examples from previous master classes:

March 2011
'bra making weekend'

January 2011
'intensive Corsetry weekend'

October 2010
'introduction to bra making weekend'

August 2010
'lingerie nights'
&
'introduction to bra making weekend'

July 2010
Corsetry
(pattern cutting & making)

April/May 2010
'lingerie nights'
&
'advanced bra making'

- Easter Weekend Special : bra making masterclass -

- Introduction to Bra making masterclass Feb 2010 -

- Bra making masterclass Dec 2009 -

swim wear weekend

2011-02-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

If you are dreading to buy your swimwear this season

(loud patterns or unflattering shapes)

this intensive swim-wear-making weekend might be just right for you:

Create your own bikini or bathing suit for this summer and get some tips on professional finishing techniques.

Depending on previous sewing experience students will assemble one of the above over the weekend.

A basic bikini pattern will be provided during the class, but students are welcome to bring along their own styles or adapt patterns from their own previous swimwear.

(this swimwear weekend will not cover structured/underwired swimwear, this will be covered in advanced classes)

Outline of the Class:

Saturday

-Introduction-
-Students will be guided through a choice of different finishing techniques on swimwear fabrics-

-Copy basic bikini pattern-
(more advanced students can bring along a style to be copied)

Sunday

-assembling bikini or swim suit with step-by-step guidance-
-attaching embelishments-
-each student will receive a list of suppliers by the end of the day-

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Swim wear curiosities from the past to the present:

Corsetry pattern making master class

2010-03-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

This intensive one day pattern making class will teach students how to construct a basic corset block.

( based on each students measurements)
A crucial step-by-step guide how to construct a pattern to any body size.

The masterclass is aimed at students with an interest in corsetry or bridal/evening wear.
This pattern can be drafted easily to different shapes and styles in the future for lingerie purposes or evening/bridal wear.
Advanced students will have the chance to start on their personal toile by the end of the day.

This pattern making class can be combined with the

'Introduction to corsetry'
intensive weekend master class;

using your own pattern to assemble a boned bodice/corset by the end of both classes.

(students will be entitled to a £20 discount, when enrolling in both classes)

corset nostalgica

2010-03-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

2010-02-25T10:46:00.001-08:00

Outline of the Class:

This 3 day 'intensive bra making' master class will give students the chance to assemble 3 different styles of underwired bras.

- padded bra/push up bra -

- balcony bra -

Students will learn how to work with very fine lingerie fabrics (including specialist trimmings/ laces and power nets)and how to achieve professional finishing techniques.

This class is aimed at students who attended previously an

'introduction to bra making class'

'lingerie nights'

studied lingerie making elsewhere.

Friday:

- Introduction-

- Each students will assemble step-by-step a modern push up/ padded bra using

fine lingerie laces,

silks or fine power net.

-depending on individual sewing skills each student is encouraged to finish the full bra during the day-

Saturday:

- Students will be guided step-by-step how to assemble a balcony bra using a variety of lingerie trimmings, fine elastic fabrics and laces.

-depending on individual sewing skills, each student is encouraged to finish the full bra during the day-

Sunday:

-Students will have the chance to manipulate the bras from previous days or work on their own project, to explore different techniques with different materials.
Students are encouraged to finish a 3rd bra.

Each student will have 2 bra patterns (depending on the Sunday project 3patterns)

will receive a list of suppliers by the end of the day.

vintage bra curiosities

2010-02-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Lingerie Nights / Lingerie Weekend

2010-02-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

- Lingerie Nights for absolute Beginners -

Outline of the Class:

This intensive evening class is aimed students with very little or no sewing experience.

Students will be guided through the crucial basics of sewing to attend future classes or adapt these techniques for general dressmaking purposes.

The overall focus is on sewing techniques which can be used lingerie making, including the following:

* how to use a sewing machine *

* different seams ( including french seams, curved seams, pleats etc)

* different finishing techniques with elastic stitches *

* working with stretch materials *

By the end of the week, each student will have a sample book of all main professional sewing techniques to refer to on future projects.

Monday:

- introduction
- How to use your sewing machine

Tuesday:

- basic stitches (straight, zig zag)
- basic seams
- curved seams
- how to press seams

Wednesday:

- pleats
- advanced seams : french seams , denim seams etc

Thursday:

- working with stretch materials

- elasticated stitches

- attaching elastics onto stretch materials

Friday:

- working with delicate materials

(laces, chiffons, organzas)

******

- Intensive Lingerie Weekend -

( Students should have good sewing skills to attend the above class )

Outline of the Class:

This intensive weekend class will teach students the essential skills of lingerie making.

Each student will make a full lingerie set during this intensive weekend class, learning traditional hand and machine sewing techniques which are used in professional lingerie making.

Including:

-lace insertions

-attaching elastics to fine materials

-rouleaux

-different binding/seam techniques on fine stretch materials

Students will use specialist laces, power nets and fine pure silks to explore different finishes and will create a bra and matching knickers by the end of the weekend.

Friday:

- introduction

- step by step group demonstrations of different lingerie finishing techniques

(students will practise on different materials)

- students will cut and assemble a pair of knickers or thongs

Saturday:

- introduction to bra making techniques

- students will make one half of an underwired bra through step by step guidance

Sunday:

- finishing of the bra

(advanced students can ad further decoration on the bra or learn more couture /handfinishing techniques)

Corsetry Master Classes

2010-01-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

Outline of the Class:

This intensive two day corsetry master class will give students the chance to learn the skills and techniques involved in traditional corsetry making.

Students will learn how to create a basic coutil corset and will be introduced to different corset boning techniques and professional finishes.
The provided pattern is based on a victorian corset.

This master class is suitable for students with an interest in lingerie or bridal wear.

- Students should have good sewing skills to attend the above class -

Saturday

- Introduction-

A guidance through a variety of specialist corsetry materials:
Students will see examples of different bonings types:
from historical whale bones,
spiral boning,
steels to modern plastic bonings.
(please note: the displayed authentic whale bones in this class are purely for research purpose)

Students will copy a basic corset pattern and will be guided step-by-step how to put the garment together.

Sunday

Students will continue through the whole day to finish the garment.

(the above picture shows a spoon busk used in an advanced corsetry class)

Undercover-exhibition

2010-01-11T08:40:00.001-08:00

If you did not had the chance to see:

UNDERCOVER:

'The Evolution of Underwear'

at the London Fashion and Textile Museum last year,

you might be interested that they will tour this lingerie exhibition to

The Centre for Craft &Design

from the 1May-4July 2010.

The exhibition traces the evolution of underwear from health garment, shape definer to fashion ‘must have’. It explores a number of themes such as boudoir to everyday glamour – ‘Stars and their bras’ looking at celebrity branding; research and innovation’s impact on the types of underwear we wear; and how the changing face of underwear advertising and marketing meshes with social and cultural changes.

The exhibition presents a visual demonstration of how female underwear has evolved as women’s role in society changed. It encompasses the changing trends from the ‘flatten it’ to the ‘push it up’ to the ‘let it all hang out’! Undercover contains some exquisite pieces from a wide range of private and public collections that read like the Who’s Who of underwear; M&S, Triumph, La Perla, Christian Dior, Elle Macpherson, Myla and Wonderbra – to name just a few.

Here are some impressions of the exhibition:

I have to admit that this exhibition was beautiful curated, showcasing underwear from the very early last century to modern lingerie (technologies).

A wonderful example of an black victorian corset, with yellow flossing detail.

Here are some early brassiere examples.

A inspiring selection of contemporary lingerie.

Bras of all different era's united in this display.

The exhibition attracted some familiar faces....

A rather crowded opening night.

introduction to bra making

2009-12-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

- Introduction to bra making -

Outline of the Class:

This two day 'Introduction into bra making' master class will give students the chance to learn the skills and techniques involved in underwired bra making.

Students will learn how to work with very fine lingerie fabrics (including specialist trimmings/ laces and power nets)and how to achieve professional finishing techniques.

Saturday

- Introduction-

- how do calculate a correct bra size -

Students will be be introduced to a variety of hand and machine sewing techniques and will have the chance to practise these skills on a variety of delicate lingerie materials.

Each students will receive their own bra pattern and should be able to start cutting it on the provided fabrics by the end of the day

Sunday

-Students will be guided step-by-step how to construct half of the bra-

-depending on individual sewing skills, each student is encouraged to finish the full bra during the day-

Each student will receive a list of suppliers by the end of the day.

2009-12-18T06:56:00.000-08:00

The aim of this blog is to share this passion, which I made into my profession for over 10 years now.

During this time I have been designing and constructing contemporary and historical lingerie, along teaching seminars and giving talks about undergarments in the UK.

Hopefully this blog will give some guidance and advice into the art of lingerie making.
I hope you will enjoy your findings...

Here are just a view example of some of my lingerie contributions to the world of tv and cinema:

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Downton Abbey
ITV

A wonderful experience to create the lingerie for the cast of Downton Abbey

Above a rather unusual corset with flower ribbon detail

BBC: Turn Back Time

The High Street

I was asked to create an Edwardian corset for the episode:

Featuring some traditional corset flossing.

This technique was rather popular until the early 20th century to add some detail to the undergarment and to add functionality : keeping the corset bones in position.

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Mistresses -BBC

Orla Brady wearing a black silk corset with pink vintage ribbon details.

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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

The movie features a catwalk scene, in which the actresses had to model some rather daring lingerie...
(considering the story takes place in the 1930's)
The scene was filmed in the legendary Savoy hotel in London, with its splendid Art Deco interior it was the perfect location for this movie.

here some unseen footage at the final lingerie fittings:

The above girdle was especially constructed to display the corset steels to the audience.

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Lark Rise to Candleford -BBC series

Again some unseen footage of the corset,

which was modeled onto an authentic vintage corsetry display torso.

(a rather breath taking s-shape corset)

If you have a closer look at the picture you can spot the yellow corset in the shop window display.

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The Duchess

This scene showcases very well the typical underpinnings of that period.

Consisting of 18th stays and panniers.

The fantastic costume drama 'The Duchess' was based on
Georgiana Cavendish

(Duchess of Devonshire)

in which all costumes were based on 18th century fashions.

All stays needed to be hand finished to the minute details, to be as authentic as possible.
(not to forget: sewing machines were not invented then)

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Creation

Here a close-up of the corset worn by Jennifer Conelly in the movie.

A good example of 'corset flossing', which is the embroidery at the top and bottom of each bone. It was used to prevent the bone from poking through the fabric and added more detail to the corset.

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Here you can see in details one of the handcrafted leather pattern pieces,
which were all joined by hand and later on attached to a cotton coutil corset.

For the main character 'Mina Harker' this leather corsets had to be made entirely by hand,

to achieve an armor like feature.

It was an absolute challenge and took several weeks to finish.

The result was very rewarding

is on permanent display at the Fashion Institute of Design/Merchandising in Los Angeles.

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Tipping the Velvet

A BBC Drama set in England in the 1890's and based on Sarah Waters novel.