Sensible stay and corsets

[Lizbeth]

Hi everybody,

I had bought the number 705 Past Patterns pattern, «*19th century sensible stays and gestation stay*» but now I am not sure it is what I need !
Is a «*stay*» something like a light corset ? A corset without bones but ok for everyday wear ?
Of course I understand for gestation stay but what use for a «*sensible stay*» ?

Thanks for your answer and sorry for my bad English !

Elisabeth Atlan

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Sensible stay and corsets

Welcome, Elisabeth!

A "Sensible Stay" is something used for moderate figure support, but really no fashionable shaping; it's ideal for an active working class woman or farm wife.

What sort of impression do you pursue? Perhaps there is another style that would suit you better.

Corsets may have a great deal of boning, or may be very lightly boned, and the words "corset" and "stays" are used somewhat interchangeably in period texts, which makes things a bit more difficult for us today, of course. :)

If you will be doing mostly working-class to middle class impressions, you may need a more shaped, "fashion control" corset with light boning, for good support during work, but a bit of fashionable shaping and lift; for middle class or higher impressions, you'll spend most of your time in a more shaping corset, rather than a "working stay"--but everything depends on your impression needs!

It is best to work from the skin out, making chemises first, then corset, then drawers, petticoats, skirt supports, etc, then dresses--that way you fit your dress bodices over all the underlayers that can change your shape, and you know you'll get a comfortable, accurate fit.

[Lizbeth]

Re: Sensible stay and corsets

Hello,

Thank you for your answer .

My husband’s - jma on the AC forum- impression, before the war, is a shopkeeper in very little town . So we are no rich no poor but maybe in the middle class.
In Europe, the women in hardcore groups are trying to do mostly a refugee impression so maybe the most important is not my social class but what stuff a refugee women with children bring with her to go on the roads. Probably something not fashionable but more appropriate for walking and living in camp.

What do you think the more appropriate ? Are the sensible stays ok for that, please ?

Elisabeth Atlan

[cstaples]

Re: Sensible stay and corsets

I am in search of a good work stay / corset. Does anyone have any ideas for a good vendor? I have done a search and checked out the aproved list. :)

[SouthernMag]

Re: Sensible stay and corsets

I am working up one made by an ad from Godey's. It has a ballgown bodice look to it with a slightly off shoulder design. I have one half about a quarter of the way corded and it seems to be going well. (Note: The pattern does not call for cording, I am taking the cording design from pictures of original corded stays.) Probably the reason you don't find many for sale is all the cording, they would most likely have to be more expensive than a regular corset for the sewer to make a decent profit from them. Your best bet is most likely going to be taking a copy of the Godey's pattern and a well fitting ballgown bodice pattern to your own seamstress and see if she is willing to tackle it for you.

Maggie Reese

[Chessa]

Re: Sensible stay and corsets

Charlene:

Are you looking for a pattern or to buy one from someone? If you wish to have one made for you, I'd go with Kay at Originals by Kay (www.originals-by-kay.com). For a pattern, I'm not sure as I've never delt with commercial patterns for stays/corsets. :)

Chessa