Learn the art of corset making for less than the cost of a custom made corset!

 8 week course

Classes are held Tuesday evenings from

6pm - 9pm

$375 course fee (includes some materials)

approximately $100 in material costs

Cost

The total cost of the course is $375 + HST = $423.75.  

This registration form is used to pay the $100 deposit to reserve your space in the class.

The balance of the course fee, $323.75, must be paid at the start of the first class.

About The Course

This course covers all aspects of making a high quality corset from initial design, to pattern making, sewing and finishing. The classes focus on advanced techniques for building traditionally constructed custom corsets. At the end of the course you will have sewn your own corset made to fit your personal measurements.

The style of corset being taught is a 19th century Victorian hourglass. The construction is medium to heavy making the end product appropriate for tight lacing, however, students can modify the information they take from the course to produce lighter garments.

People interested in theatrical costumes, historical re-enactments, tight lacing and high fashion will all benefit from the material taught in this course.

Why I Decided To Teach This Course

The secrets of corset making can be hard to uncover. As with any specialized skill, the information needed to do it well is hard to come by and sometimes even harder to get out of the people who know it best.

I decided to teach the art of making corsets because I saw a lack of advanced training in Toronto. There are many basic corset making classes that will teach you how to make an off-the-rack version, but few that address the highly detailed art of making a traditional tight lacing corset.

I do this because I think it’s important to carry on the art of making high quality corsets. Corset making is an exciting and enjoyable hobby. I like sharing my knowledge so that others can make corsets too.

How We Differ From Other Corset Making Classes

-we go beyond the basics and get in to detailed techniques for creating a professionally finished corset.  

-we build a corset that functions.  Our course pays attention to physics and accounts for this in the structural requirements of the corset.  You will end up with a project that truly sculpts the body (and comfortably!) as a professionally made corset should.  

-we don't work from a kit. You get to design your corset and choose your fabric.  

-we don't work from a starter pattern.  At the end of the course you will know how to do everything from taking measurements, to making the pattern and sewing.  You will make a corset in your own size.

Skill Requirements

Some previous home-sewing experience is required. You need to be able to use a sewing machine and work with seam allowance.  In general, if you can sew a pair of pyjama bottoms with a drawstring waist you should be ok in this course.  

Some experience making or working with patterns is recommended.

You Will Need To Bring

-pen and binder

-blank sketch paper (computer paper is fine)

-pencil

-calculator

-fabric scissors

-measuring tape

-pins

-pattern ruler (red ruler with a grid, must be in inches)

Special Note – Sewing machines are not provided in the classroom so you must have access to a sewing machine and iron for take-home assignments.  Sewing demonstrations will take place in class.  You will do sewing at home on your own sewing machine.  You do not have to bring a sewing machine to class.

We Supply

Printouts of all Powerpoints will be provided at the beginning of class.  We also provide drafting paper.

Material Costs

The great thing about this course is that you can design and create a corset according to your own style.  Each corset will cost a different amount depending on the design.  As a general guideline, you will need to spend $87 to $100 on materials for your corset project. 

Male Students

Corset projects must be made from the measurements of a person who is in the class. It is very important to have your “model” present during class so that you can double check measurements and do fittings as needed. If you want to make a corset for someone other than yourself and you don’t have a friend registered in the course please email me and I will match you up with a partner.

Terms & Conditions

1)  When you commit to taking the course you are taking a space in the class that can't be offered to another person.  For this reason the deposit/course fee is non-refundable­. 

2)  It is your responsibility to attend class, take notes and complete assignments.  If you fail to do so you must ask a classmate for extra help and copies of missed notes.  We cannot reteach the course material to individual students.  

3)  You are solely responsible for your corset project.  We're committed to guiding everyone through the creation of beautiful finished corset, but each project depends on the skill and commitment of the student.  Since you are the drafter/sewer we can't make guarantees about the outcome of your corset project.

4)  You are responsible for arriving to class on time.  If you arrive late we will can't stop class to catch you up on missed material.

5)  We want to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all students.  We reserve the right to ask disruptive students to leave.  Any student asked to leave will not be entitled to a refund of their course fee.

6)  In the event of an instructor illness or emergency, we may reschedule a class to a date that works for most students.  In such an event, notes will be emailed to students who are unable to attend the makeup class. 

7)  We want to provide equal attention to all students.  For this reason we cannot support projects that will require the instructor to spend a disproportionate amount of time assisting one student.  Students who present large projects requiring assistance (e.g. multiple corsets of different styles, wings, set in sleeves, attached bustles, and similar...) will be asked to limit the scope of their project to a scale that is deemed reasonable by the instructor.

7)  Copyright 2007 by Carrie Hayes.  No part of this course (written, spoken or otherwise) may reproduced or copied in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from the publisher. Re-teaching the course material, whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher is forbidden. 

By registering for this course you are agree to these terms and conditions.