regency stays

[robinsnest]

Today I really took a hard look at my measurements and the measurements of the stays in Hunnisett and I'm pleased that they're not suuuuper far off. Of course I had to add some girth *sigh* but anyway I think I've gotten the pattern enlarged. So here are a few things I'm mulling over and would love feedback on.

1. By hand or by machine. I do really have time to do them by hand and I feel a serious itch to do so..but even if I make a muslin it's so hard to know if stays will work till they're...what 90% done?!? And when I lay these out with the last pair they look pretty damn similar so I'm not sure WHY the last ones were so epically bad and will this not help either. I don't know maybe the boning will make the difference?

2. Cording or not cording? It calls for horizontal cording under the bust, is this functional or decorative? I've certainly seen lots of stays without it but will it help avoid another stay melt down? I thought about emailing jennylafleur and asking but I'm pretty sure she's sewing up a storm and I don't want to interrupt.

Any wise tips for me?

Source: jennylafleur.com via Robin on Pinterest

Comments

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

Hmmm no advice on the stays, as I haven't sewn them myself. You said you've got the time to sew them by hand. But will your hands still be on speaking terms with you? Don't I remember that you've got hand/wrist problems? Would you be asking for trouble doing that much hard hand sewing?

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

this is a very valid point...

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Ah an image is helpful! I say cording!!

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

I would machine sew it and go ahead and put in all the cording and such.

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

machine,
and all the cording possible, with metal stays to either side of the eyelets. The amount of cording may have given you problems in your last pair, I'm not sure, an image of them might help remind me of what they look like.
When I made mine, I needed to add bigger gores to the bust area than the original needed. I am also wanting to add more cording, as I found the sides rode up a bit during the day. I am sure with more support there, I won't have that issue in the future.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I am sewing up a storm but I love interruptions. Ones brain does need a break so don't be shy next time! Yes the cording is very functional - I won't bother if it wasn't as it is extra work. But it made all the difference for me. I also used hemp cord (you'll usually find it in the jewelry section of your craft store) for maximum support. Cotton cording works too but it's not quite as supportive.

I'd machine sew it personally - especially since you are using a new pattern. Make sure you love this one and you have time to work out the tweaks then when this one dies think about hand sewing. Or just machine that one too and have more time for the fancy frock to wear on top. :>

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

Okay definitely will cord, I don't mind extra work if it's functional and not just decorative. I picked up some hemp cord at Joann's today. And I think everyone is right and hand sewing is simply madness. Back to the machine for me :-)