[h-cost] corset for a singer
Hi, I have a very special question. My singing teacher asked me to sew a corset for her - she wants it as an undergarment for concerts, to make her look, I guess, more beautiful. She is a size 18-20. She would like a corset similar to the 1880s styles, but it doesn't have to be too complicated. But a proper corset with metal bones and front busk fastening and lacing etc. The point is, she needs to take a deep breath in the corset (when she breathes, her bust circumference increases up to 8cm more). And I have NO IDEA how that's going to work, because corsets are usually the same size or a bit smaller than your bust (and, certainly, your waist). The stupid thing is she has to breathe in the belly as well as in the upper ribcage (ehm, my knowledge of anatomy in English is poor, I don't know how's that king of breathing called. Simply means she will increase her bust as well as waist circumference when taking a deep breath.) Does any of you have some experience with corsets for singers? Or any ideas of where to search for information? I thought making one panel in the corset of some elastic, but that would definitely loose the sense of wearing a corset. But I think this must be possible to solve somehow, don't tell me 19th century singers wore no corsets... I also thought of trying an existing corset on her so that she can try out how she can sing, but I have no corsets in such a large size:-( Thanks for help, Zuzana ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
At 18:37 29/01/2009, you wrote: Hi, I have a very special question. My singing teacher asked me to sew a corset for her - she wants it as an undergarment for concerts, to make her look, I guess, more beautiful. She is a size 18-20. She would like a corset similar to the 1880s styles, but it doesn't have to be too complicated. But a proper corset with metal bones and front busk fastening and lacing etc. The point is, she needs to take a deep breath in the corset (when she breathes, her bust circumference increases up to 8cm more). And I have NO IDEA how that's going to work, because corsets are usually the same size or a bit smaller than your bust (and, certainly, your waist). The stupid thing is she has to breathe in the belly as well as in the upper ribcage (ehm, my knowledge of anatomy in English is poor, I don't know how's that king of breathing called. Simply means she will increase her bust as well as waist circumference when taking a deep breath.) Does any of you have some experience with corsets for singers? Or any ideas of where to search for information? I thought making one panel in the corset of some elastic, but that would definitely loose the sense of wearing a corset. But I think this must be possible to solve somehow, don't tell me 19th century singers wore no corsets... I also thought of trying an existing corset on her so that she can try out how she can sing, but I have no corsets in such a large size:-( Thanks for help, Zuzana Jean Hunnisett worked at Glyndebourne, a major operatic centre in England, and said some singers were happy to wear corsets, and some hated them. Your teacher is starting from a positive position, as she wants a corset. I have also worked with singers who wanted to wear corsets, and I found that making them in the normal way is perfectly satisfactory. Most opera singers breathe below and above where a corset fits, in my experience. I have also sung myself in a corset, and have had no problems. The corset dated 1878, in Period Costumes for Stage and Screen 1800-19?? by Jean Hunnisett, is a really nice corset - you just have to check the length as it sometimes comes up short. HTH Suzi ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
I corseted the whole female cast of an opera a few years ago and none of them had trouble singing. Sylvia On Jan 29, 2009, at 11:56 AM, Suzi Clarke wrote: At 18:37 29/01/2009, you wrote: Hi, I have a very special question. My singing teacher asked me to sew a corset for her - she wants it as an undergarment for concerts, to make her look, I guess, more beautiful. She is a size 18-20. She would like a corset similar to the 1880s styles, but it doesn't have to be too complicated. But a proper corset with metal bones and front busk fastening and lacing etc. The point is, she needs to take a deep breath in the corset (when she breathes, her bust circumference increases up to 8cm more). And I have NO IDEA how that's going to work, because corsets are usually the same size or a bit smaller than your bust (and, certainly, your waist). The stupid thing is she has to breathe in the belly as well as in the upper ribcage (ehm, my knowledge of anatomy in English is poor, I don't know how's that king of breathing called. Simply means she will increase her bust as well as waist circumference when taking a deep breath.) Does any of you have some experience with corsets for singers? Or any ideas of where to search for information? I thought making one panel in the corset of some elastic, but that would definitely loose the sense of wearing a corset. But I think this must be possible to solve somehow, don't tell me 19th century singers wore no corsets... I also thought of trying an existing corset on her so that she can try out how she can sing, but I have no corsets in such a large size:-( Thanks for help, Zuzana Jean Hunnisett worked at Glyndebourne, a major operatic centre in England, and said some singers were happy to wear corsets, and some hated them. Your teacher is starting from a positive position, as she wants a corset. I have also worked with singers who wanted to wear corsets, and I found that making them in the normal way is perfectly satisfactory. Most opera singers breathe below and above where a corset fits, in my experience. I have also sung myself in a corset, and have had no problems. The corset dated 1878, in Period Costumes for Stage and Screen 1800-19?? by Jean Hunnisett, is a really nice corset - you just have to check the length as it sometimes comes up short. HTH Suzi ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
I costume an opera singer and so far she hasn't had any trouble singing in any of the corset styles I've made for her, and I haven't done them any differently that I would for anyone else. In fact, she says that it's easier to sing in a well-fitted corset, as it adds support. Melusine ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
Thanks for sharing your experience. Just for my imagination: what bust-waist-hip reduction would you choose in this case? (Ho many cm smaller?) I usually make the bust about 2cm smaller than the measured bust circumference, the waist...up to 10cm smaller...and the hips - no reduction. Zuzana ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
I used to work in an opera costume shop, and our singers had no trouble with normal corsets. You could, however, put a small elastic panel in each side if she feels the need. On how much to reduce, it depends a lot on the person. Usually the larger a woman gets, the squishier she is and the more you have to reduce to get the right effect comfortably. Sometimes, though, even larger ladies are quite firm. I would make the corset just a bit smaller but with an eye to how you'll take it in if it's too big. If the fabric has any stretch, that will also play a role. Good luck, Melanie Schuessler On Jan 29, 2009, at 3:53 PM, Zuzana Kraemerova wrote: Thanks for sharing your experience. Just for my imagination: what bust-waist-hip reduction would you choose in this case? (Ho many cm smaller?) I usually make the bust about 2cm smaller than the measured bust circumference, the waist...up to 10cm smaller...and the hips - no reduction. Zuzana ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
Thanks for sharing your experience. Just for my imagination: what bust-waist-hip reduction would you choose in this case? (Ho many cm smaller?) I usually make the bust about 2cm smaller than the measured bust circumference, the waist...up to 10cm smaller...and the hips - no reduction. Zuzana I make my lady's about 3 inches smaller in the bust and waist, and allow about 4 inches of gap between the back edges. She's pretty squishy, but she's also losing weight, and the extra gap allows for that, and for us not to have to replace her corsets so often. I've also made what she and I call her manly garment, which is a corset made to even out her curves for when she plays male rolls. Melusine ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
Just my 2 cents worth on corsets (I have quite a few)... There are basic 3 styles, underbust, mid bust and overbust... if you singer goes for an under bust then she can get the waist reduction to give her a better shape with less restriction on her lungs, if she goes with a mid bust you can design the corset to have either a half cup arrangement so it props her up or a design to flatten the bust but also applies restriction to the upper rib cage, if she goes with an over bust design then you can add full cups into the menu. Ideally a corset is for waist reduction, 2 (5 cm) is considered the minimum (tight lacers go for 6 or more), large women 18+ tend to look fantasic in a corset as it really promotes the hips by reducing the waist and I suspect this is what she wants people to see. I usually wear a 28 corset so my measurements are 41 - 28 - 41, not too far from what your friend is after I suspect... This is going to be tight and restrict breathing for the inexperienced, you could make it with elastic lacing, never seen it done and I don't know if it will be workable or you could sew a stretch panel in the top side panels about 1-2 above the waist line, that would allow some expansion of the rib cage when doing circular breathing... you may need to start quickly and get her to trial it. Sidney On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 8:09 AM, Carmen Beaudry moreplen...@earthlink.netwrote: Thanks for sharing your experience. Just for my imagination: what bust-waist-hip reduction would you choose in this case? (Ho many cm smaller?) I usually make the bust about 2cm smaller than the measured bust circumference, the waist...up to 10cm smaller...and the hips - no reduction. Zuzana I make my lady's about 3 inches smaller in the bust and waist, and allow about 4 inches of gap between the back edges. She's pretty squishy, but she's also losing weight, and the extra gap allows for that, and for us not to have to replace her corsets so often. I've also made what she and I call her manly garment, which is a corset made to even out her curves for when she plays male rolls. Melusine ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] corset for a singer
Dame Regina Romsey made one for me--I'm a singer too, with quite a differential between full inhale and full exhale. She made me a barrel corset, to be worn under an Italian Ren gown. Worked perfectly. Arlys On Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:37:28 -0800 (PST) Zuzana Kraemerova zkraemer...@yahoo.com writes: Hi, I have a very special question. My singing teacher asked me to sew a corset for her - she wants it as an undergarment for concerts, to make her look, I guess, more beautiful. She is a size 18-20. She would like a corset similar to the 1880s styles, but it doesn't have to be too complicated. But a proper corset with metal bones and front busk fastening and lacing etc. The point is, she needs to take a deep breath in the corset (when she breathes, her bust circumference increases up to 8cm more). And I have NO IDEA how that's going to work, because corsets are usually the same size or a bit smaller than your bust (and, certainly, your waist). The stupid thing is she has to breathe in the belly as well as in the upper ribcage (ehm, my knowledge of anatomy in English is poor, I don't know how's that king of breathing called. Simply means she will increase her bust as well as waist circumference when taking a deep breath.) Does any of you have some experience with corsets for singers? Or any ideas of where to search for information? I thought making one panel in the corset of some elastic, but that would definitely loose the sense of wearing a corset. But I think this must be possible to solve somehow, don't tell me 19th century singers wore no corsets... I also thought of trying an existing corset on her so that she can try out how she can sing, but I have no corsets in such a large size:-( Thanks for help, Zuzana ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume Click to make millions by owning your own franchise. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2THyQZFuN5DeK0P4RY4qJNfFxmXraGZXlyUjDW87OzORWb2/ ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
