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diff --git a/source/historical_womenswear/underwear/single_layer_midbust_corset/index.rst b/source/historical_womenswear/underwear/single_layer_midbust_corset/index.rst
index db1c0a1..2184854 100644
--- a/source/historical_womenswear/underwear/single_layer_midbust_corset/index.rst
+++ b/source/historical_womenswear/underwear/single_layer_midbust_corset/index.rst
@@ -1,11 +1,31 @@
Single Layer Midbust Corset
===========================
-.. figure::
+.. figure:: corset_34_front.jpg
:align: center
-This is a simple corset in 6 panels, suitable for a generic victorian
-model.
+This is a simple corset in 6 panels, non specifically based on an
+historical model, but with an outline that is generically suitable for
+a good part of the Victorian age.
+
+It is a single layer with applied boning channels made of tape (or self
+fabric): a channel on each seam is used to neaten and reinforce the
+seam, so that it can be simply pressed flat for less bulk rather than
+requiring more complex finishes.
+
+The instructions allow for boning channels on either the outside or the
+inside of the corset, according to taste.
+
+Like all corsets, it's not really suitable for beginner sewists, but the
+hardest part is taking good measurements, and then it requires more
+precision than advanced skills, so an intermediate sewist would probably
+be able to do it.
+
+The instructions assume that it will be sewn by machine: sewing it by
+hand would be feasible, but possibly a bit hard on the hands because of
+the use of sturdy fabric. Compared to other corset construction methods
+this one may require sewing through less layers of coutil, especially if
+using tape rather than self fabric for the boning channels.
Materials
---------
@@ -19,15 +39,21 @@ Notions
^^^^^^^
* strong sewing thread to match the fabric;
-* boning: either ~ 14 m 10 mm syntetic whalebone or ~ 8 m 10 mmspiral
- steel and ~ 3.5 m 10 mm flat steel (precise amounts will depend on the
- height of the corset);
+* boning: either ~ 14 m 6 - 10 mm syntetic whalebone or ~ 8 m 6 - 10 mm
+ spiral steel and ~ 3.5 m 10 mm flat steel (precise amounts will depend
+ on the height of the corset);
* one steel busk to fit the center front height;
-* ~ 4 m 25 mm twill tape suitable for boning channels, or the same
+* ~ 4 m 25-30 mm twill tape suitable for boning channels, or the same
amount premade boning channel tape;
-* less than 1 m 10 mm twill tape suitable for a waist tape;
+* ~ 1 m 15 mm twill tape suitable for a waist tape;
+* ~ 30 two-parts metal eyelets;
* buttonhole twist silk for flossing.
+For a double boning channel the tape should be at least double the width
+of the boning plus 10 mm, for a single boning channel at least the width
+of the boning plus 8 mm; tape that is a bit too wide is better than tape
+that is too narrow.
+
Pattern
-------
@@ -84,9 +110,9 @@ these measurements as a double check):
``hip_arc_b`` (G33)
;
-Vertical measurements; except for the first one taken straight in the
-front (i.e. not following the curve of the body) between the heights
-where the above measurements had been taken:
+Vertical measurements; except for the first one they are taken straight
+in the front (i.e. not following the curve of the body) between the
+levels where the above measurements had been taken:
``armpit_to_waist_side`` (H03)
this is used to check the height of the corset under the armpit and
@@ -103,8 +129,10 @@ where the above measurements had been taken:
And finally, a custom measurement that is specific for corsets:
``reduced_waist_circ``
- this can be the natural waist, a couple of cm less, or more if you so
- desire.
+ this depends on the squishyness and taste of the person: 2-4 cm less
+ than the natural waist is good if no waist reduction is desired (the
+ corset should fit snugly on the waist), but more is of course a valid
+ choice.
Pattern
^^^^^^^
@@ -144,53 +172,218 @@ Mockup
^^^^^^
If this is the first time you're making a corset from this pattern it's
-strongly recommended that you start by making a mockup:
+strongly recommended that you start by making a mockup from a sturdy but
+cheap fabric: some cotton canvas or duck is often a good idea, but avoid
+anything that is elastic.
+
+When cutting the panels mark the line of the waist in a way that will be
+visible when trying on the mock-up.
+
+.. figure:: basted_busk.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+If this is also the first corset you're making you may want to use it as
+practice to insert the busk, otherwise you can cheat and simply baste it
+to the edge of the front panel with stripes of scrap fabric.
+
+Assemble the mock up following the instructions for the corset, keeping
+the seam allowances towards the outside, but don't add a waist tape, nor
+boning channels over the seams; for better results you may want to add a
+boning channel to the middle of each panel (it can just be a strip of
+scrap fabric).
+
+.. figure:: basted_lacing_stripes.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+It is also convenient to have a set of lacing stripes: two stripes
+of sturdy fabric folded in half with a boning channel near the fold, a
+line of closely spaced grommets and another boning channel, pre-laced
+with cotton lace, to be basted to the folded back panels with a line of
+stitching just outside the boning channel further from the folded edge.
+
+If you don't have one yet you can fully finish panel 6 with boning
+channels and grommets, and then reuse it for your next corset.
+
+Once the mockup is assembled, try it on when standing up and check:
+
+* that the size is precisely correct;
+* that the seams lie vertically on the body;
+* that the waist line correspond to the position of your waist;
+* that there are no significant wrinkles (you do need the corset to be
+ boned to be able to check this);
+
+then sit down and check that you're not being poked in the legs by the
+busk or any other boning.
+
+If you find that you need to adjust the size, or the position of the
+seam between panels 3 and 4, I'd recommend changing the measurements in
+the valentina tape file, and generating a new pattern: this way the same
+measurement file can be used again for different patterns.
+
+If you had to do significant changes you may now want to make a second
+(and third, and…) mockup, or you can start cutting into the real fabric,
+as the wide allowance will still allow for minor adjustments.
Cutting
^^^^^^^
-Making sure to follow the grainline, cut 2 each of panels 2-6, 1 of panels 1
-left, right and right facing (both the center front and the center back
-panels will have two layers, everything else will be single layer).
+Making sure to follow the grainline, cut 2 each of panels 2-6, 1 each of
+panels 1 left, right and right facing (both the center front and the
+center back panels will have two layers, everything else will be single
+layer).
-Note that the pattern is for a corset with internal boning channels: if
-making external boning channels you will have to mirror all panel 1
-pieces.
+Note that, assuming that you're marking the fabric from the wrong side,
+the pattern is for a corset with external boning channels: if making
+internal boning channels you will have to mirror all panel 1 pieces.
+
+.. figure:: 0202-markings.jpg
+ :align: center
Carefully mark all sewing lines as well as the waistline. Optionally
mark also the center panel line (grainline) if you want to add boning on
it.
+I'd also recommend marking each panel with its number, whether it's the
+right or left panel, and possibly the vertical direction to avoid
+mistakes when assembling.
+
Busk Insertion
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+.. figure:: 0301-marking_eyes.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Put the eye side of the busk on the wrong side of panel 1 right, aligned
+with the center front seam: the eyes that are set closer to each other
+than the rest should be at the bottom; mark the position of each eye.
+
+.. figure:: 0302-sewn_right_facing.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Put panel 1 right over panel 1 right facing, right sides together, and
+sew the center front seam starting from the top and leaving a gap for
+every eye.
+Press flat, press with right sides out.
+
+Cut two pieces of waist tape as long as half the circumference of the
+waist plus the (finished) width of panels 1 and 6 at the waist.
+
+.. figure:: 0303-inserting_waist_tape.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Insert the eye side of the busk between the layers, making sure that the
+eyes stick out of the openings, wrap one waist tape around it so that
+the short end will reach just before the seam between panels 1 and 2,
+and carefully pin everything in place.
+
+.. figure:: 0304-topstitched_right_busk.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Topstitch from the right side of the corset, using a zipper foot and
+sewing as close as possible to the busk.
+
+Fold panel 1 left wrong sides together, align it carefully with the
+assembled panel 1 right and mark the position where the eyes of the busk
+are.
+With an awl open holes on each marked position, just as big as necessary
+to let the studs of the busk pass through; insert the stud side of the
+busk, wrap the other waist tape around it as before and carefully pin in
+place.
+
+Topstitch also this panel from the right side of the corset, using a
+zipper foot and sewing as close as possibile to the busk.
+
Panels
^^^^^^
-Boning
-^^^^^^
+If you want your boning channels inside the corset put each panel on the
+next right side together, if you are making external boning channels put
+the panels wrong side together, so that the allowances will be on the
+outside of the corset.
-Lacing holes
-^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Using relatively short (~ 1 cm) running stitches baste just outside of
+the marked line; if you used tailor's tacks remove them so that they
+won't get stuck in the seam.
-Binding
+Sew each seam, press open.
+
+Fitting
^^^^^^^
-Finishing
-^^^^^^^^^
+Fold panel 6, wrong sides together, so that the cut edge alignes with
+the seam line with panel 5, press. Machine baste a premade eyelet strip.
-Variants
---------
+Ideally also baste premade boning channels in the middle of most panels,
+and add some boning (temporary boning such as zip ties are fine).
-Boning Variant
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Try the corset on, check the fit.
+
+Unpick the eyelet strip and temporary boning channels.
+
+Boning Channels
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Starting from the center front, sew a boning channel on each seam: trim
+the sewing allowances so that they are narrower than the tape, center a
+piece of tape on the seam so that it covers the waist tape precisely at
+waist level, pin it, possibly baste it, and sew it *from the front of
+the corset* at 2 mm from each edge and, if it is going to be a double
+channel, in the middle.
+
+Before sewing the channel between panels 5 and 6 make sure to let the
+waist tape reach to the fold in panel 6 and go back to the seam, leave
+it pinned in place.
+
+.. note::
+
+ Sewing from the right side of the corset will result in a neater
+ seam; for internal boning channels aligning precisely the seam may be
+ a bit fiddly, and this is where basting will help, to have a precise
+ reference.
+
+Also from the front of the corset sew a line 1-2 mm from the fold of the
+panel, and then 3 more lines at a distance of 1 mm more than the width
+of the flat steel boning from each other.
+
+Optionally, sew more boning channels to the middle of panels 2-5, using
+the same procedure.
+
+After sewing each channel test it with a piece of boning to check that
+it is the right side.
+
+Binding and Boning
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Right sides together, sew bias tape to the bottom edge of the corset,
+leaving an excess at the center front and back.
+
+Press towards the inside, folding the excess so that all raw edges are
+covered, and hemstitch it closed.
+
+Cut pieces of spiral steel boning 2 cm shorter than each boning channel
+except for the ones in panel 6, finish the ends with end caps and insert
+the boning in the channel.
+
+Cut pieces of flat steel boning 2 cm shorter than the boning channels in
+panel 6, sand the ends, wrap them in teflon tape or dip them in plastic
+and insert them in the channels.
+
+Right sides together, sew bias tape also to the top edge of the corset,
+being careful not to sew over the boning; press it towards the back and
+hemstitch it closed.
+
+Lacing holes
+^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Starting at 1 cm on each side of the waist, mark the position for lacing
+holes on panel 6 at a distance of 2 cm, reaching to the top and bottom
+of the panel.
-Instead of having two wide bones per seam, you can use narrower boning
-and add an additional bone in the middle of each panel.
+Open each hole with an awl, trying not to break the threads in the
+fabric, and insert a metal eyelet.
-To do so, after you've inserted the busk sew a channel in the middle of
-each panel except for the back ones, perpendicular to the waist line,
-and then proceed as per the instructions above.
+Flossing
+^^^^^^^^
Gallery
-------