As a fashion designer in business, my friend was in desperate need of how to cut and sew the recent styles in vogue. It will be one way to boost her business and draw the attention of more customers.
But because she has not been to a fashion school before, mastering the act of corset making requires some school knowledge. This has placed a limitation on her business, and for almost two months she hasn't had anyone come to make clothes for her.
Upgrade classes for fashion school can be really expensive and some as high as a million naira if you want to learn some designing and embellishing, she cannot afford an upgrade class hence I offered to help her learn it in the simplest way possible.
I told her to get some fabrics for me to both sew and teach her how to make the simplest corset and some easy hacks to make some trendy designs. She has to acquire this knowledge if she wants to remain in the fashion business.
So today I assisted my friend and neighbor to make her first ever corset dress.
There are various unique ways to sew corsets, and she had to select from the multiple options the one that would be easy for her to replicate.
This design of corset is shown using the ready-made bra cup method.
For this method, we bought a ready-made bra cup in size 32 and cut the fabric piece to cover the cup with it.
Next, we used a different fabric to draft the remaining bodice pattern in order not to make mistakes. I had taught her how to measure the round bust circumference in the perfect way that would make it sit on the
bra.
After that, the back bodice needs some lacing that will be used to create a snacking effect on the bodice. I created that and also sewed a long rope that will be used for the lacing.
After covering the bra cup, I stitched in the side bodice occasionally, giving her some tasks to do. The lower part of the dress was a gather, which was easy to make.
Then I suggested that we make a straight sleeve with an elastic band on the arms; that was done, and she was happy that at least she can now make her very own corset.
Then it was time to display the outfits for people passing by to see. We placed it right in front of her shop, and friends complimented the dress. After we finished sewing the dress, she told me that she had used a customer fabric for the project.
Well, I'm glad that there was not much of an error in this project, and the owner of the fabric can now have a beautiful corset dress.
But I advised her to desist from using customers fabric for practical purposes.
Some mistakes can happen to damage the cloth, and complaints from customers can place a negative reputation on her business.
I feel fulfilled that I can help lift other people's businesses with the little skills I have learned in fashion school, which have not only been a blessing to myself but to everyone around me.
Now I feel like having a virtual tutorial class where I can make short and simple videos for people in her category. It will help them stay abreast of the latest fashion and keep their businesses afloat.
I love the corset dress myself, even though it doesn't fit into the big bust size of the Mannequin.