Marion McNealyCorset Cutting and Making: RevisedEdition

Without re-stating the other reviewers, the book takes a rare 40 page publication by W. D. F. Vincent and brings it to life. Thank you to the author for this revised edition. The reproduction of corset patterns gives a good idea of what was used in the early 1900's. The made up sample corsets are today's modern retail and not representative of the fabric and trims that were used in the 1900's, but show good details. Not every pattern has a sample corset to show detail. There are no samples for the children's corsets. The corsets on a mannequin are closer up views and fill the whole pages as opposed to a photo live model wearing the corset.There is a good description of materials used in early 1900's The construction for cutting and making the corsets are early 1900's.I would have really liked the corsets matched to a close up photo of a corset from a museum for an historical feel.There are plenty of historical advertisements of corsets in black and white photos.

I learned a great deal about the history of corsets and how to make them from this book. It offers a wealth of information. If you are a beginner, sewing corsets may be a bit of a challenge. If you are up to it, however, this book offers all the information you need to make a number of different styles of corsets.

Haven't sewn up any of the patterns in this yet but it looks like a great resource and I fully intend to make a corset using the information in here.It is perhaps not a book for a beginner beginner but it is easy to understand so you probably don't need to be an expert either.

The media could not be loaded.  Preface-An overview of what materials the author wishes to cover.Introduction-The author goes over the original book that had this information and how this book came to be.Materials-The fabrics, bonings and busks that were used during the time periodConstruction-The order of construction to create a corset(Very Few Photos are given-This section is mainly written.)Pattern OverView-The author goes over how to draft the patterns and includes a table showing the sizing for each pattern,recommended stitchingtype, whether the boning was internal or external and what kind of boning to use.Corsets-There are Corset patterns,A Corset Cover,Corset Waist,and some additional children Corset Waist patterns,Appendix-Measuring: Two sets of instruction for measurement taking, from 1902 and 1924NotesReferenceThis book does not overlap with patterns from (Stays And Corsets-Barrington and Corsets Historical patterns and techniques-Salen) and unlike the two mentioned books the patterns do not come from museum replica's but from actual patterns that were issued at the time. .If you do not know how to make a corset you will not learn it here, the construction section could definitely have been better and how to fit the corsets information is spare. These two reasons are big because (to MOI) that is what gives the book its glow-the knowledge gathered from a book should give you the ability to reproduce the items within its pages.Pro's:The measurements are given so you can do muslin pre-work, like a full bust adjustmentThe writing is ConciseThe author provides photos of the corsets made up on a live modelCon's:The construction section is LackingFitting Information is LackingSide note:The book is available on kindle for about 1/3 of the price.(UPDATE)I have been informed that if you do not want to draft the patterns yourself they are available for print on etsy website under (NadelUndFadenPress).

Great book, I'm obsessed with original pattern diagrams and this has plenty for me to peruse. Clearly laid out, great reference material in the chapters, many different styles- Edwardian is usually limited to 2 standard options, fantastic to see a range. Great full page color pics of finished pieces to get a sense of what they look like made up. Author is an independent artist, recommended!!

A lot of useful information.

Very well written

So pleased to have access to this selection of patterns taken directly from the period in which they were used. This manual is so special because the patterns are exactly as they were used in factories of the time, not taken from possibly distorted extant garments. The sample corsets are wonderful for showing how the patterns work on a real figure. As a small scale RTW historical corset maker, I particularly appreciate the inclusion of the description of manufacturing steps and processes in use in the early 20th century. Marion and team have done an excellent job of revising and updating the information. A unique range of patterns from 1900-1920.

Beautiful photos of the made up corsets. The patterns look easy to use.

Excellent book for beginners to more advanced corset makers