Learn the art of corset making for less than the cost of a custom made corset!
4 week course
Classes are held Sunday afternoons from
12pm - 6pm, 12pm - 5pm, 12pm - 6pm and 12pm - 3pm
$375 course fee (includes some materials)
approximately $100 in material costs
To register visit this link - advancedcorsetclass.eventbrite.com
This course covers all aspects of making a high quality corset from initial design, to pattern making to 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.
My corset making class was recently featured in the Toronto Star. Thanks to all of my students who made it an amazing term! We had our first end-of-class meetup at the Gladstone Hotel which included an impromtu photoshoot on the corner of Queen and Gladstone. Let’s just say we made jaws drop when we walked in wearing our new custom made corsets! In the coming term we are holding another corset party!
Also check out my radio interview on Toronto’s Liquid Lunch: http://media.podhoster.com/thatradio/thatradio.com_interview_2008-07j-2_-_carrie_hayes.mp3
This course is different from other corset making classes because:
-we go beyond the basics and get in to detailed techniques for creating a professionally finished corset. We don’t do home sewing projects. We teach professional level skills.
-we build a corset that functions. Some classes pay lip service to the “look” of a corset but it amounts to a costume garment tied around the waist with ribbon. 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 professional corset should.
-we don’t work from a kit. You get to design your corset and choose your own fabric. This is a great learning experience because you will go through the process of choosing the right materials and creating a construction plan for your idea.
-we don’t work from a starter pattern. Some courses provide a corset pattern and simply teach you how to sew. We show you how to be completely self sufficient. At the end of the course you will know how to do everything from taking measurements, to making the pattern and sewing.
-We are corset makers first. We’re not a sewing school that has added corset making to its list of basic sewing classes. We’re really good at making corsets and that’s what we bring to our class.
-We keep in touch with our students. Once you’ve finished the course it’s not over! We hold a corset class meetup at the end of each term where all present and past students are invited to chat, socialize and share tips. You can ask the teacher questions about your current project. Occasionally we also have special opportunities like the chance to have professional photos taken of you in your corset! In short, you get to join a community of creative people who love to make corsets.
Visit this link to register for the Spring term - http://advancedcorsetclass.eventbrite.com/
A $100 deposit is required to reserve your space in the class. The balance is due at the start of the first class.
Carrie Hayes is the instructor for this course. Carrie graduated with honours from The International Academy of Design’s Fashion Design program. While working in the apparel industry she earned a loyal following of customers who enjoy her intricate corset designs. Ms. Hayes then entered the high fashion market launching her ready-to-wear label, CARRIE. CARRIE has been featured in Canada’s top fashion media from Elle Canada to Toronto Life Fashion.
The course is held in a private design studio in Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village.
Some previous home-sewing experience is required. You need to be able to use a sewing machine and work with seam allowance.
Some experience making or working with patterns is recommended.
This course is perfect for first through fourth year fashion students who want to learn specialized skills that are not covered in the regular fashion program. It is also a great for home-sewers who would like to venture in to pattern making and learn specialized construction.
You will need to bring:
-pen and binder
-blank sketch paper (computer paper is fine)
-pencil
-calculator
-fabric scissors
-pins
-pattern ruler (red ruler with a grid, must be in inches)
-curve ruler (optional)
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.
We supply:
-measuring tapes
-drafting paper
Printouts of all slideshow presentations will be provided at the beginning of class.
The great thing about this course is that you can design and create a corset according to your own individual style. Each corset will cost a different amount depending on the design. As a general guideline, materials for this project will cost between $87 and $100 for one corset.
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.
Of course! If you meet the minimum skills requirements you are welcome to take this course, however, your corset project must be a corset made from your measurements or the measurements of a fellow classmate. It is very important to have your “model” present during class so that you can double check measurements and do fittings as needed. I want everyone to be successful in making their corset! If you want to use a model 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.
All rights reserved. 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 strictly forbidden.
