The Magic of Fabric

I have always been in love with fabric. When I am in a fabric store, savoring the feel of one fabric, holding another to the light, unfolding a third to see the full pattern, it is like the beginning of a relationship, exciting and new. One fabric will inspire me with an idea and another will take me in a totally different direction. Each fabric is a different relationship, a different lover. All full of possibilities. I go to the store with one idea but take home a different one. One I didn’t even know I had.

And the feel of the fabric in my hands is amazing. Silk, warmed by the iron feels like the softest flesh. Cotton is one of my fabric fabrics to work with, because it is familiar and reliable and very good at what it does, like a favorite paramour. Each piece of fabric I take home is washed, dried and iron. I smooth it on the table savoring the feel, and examine it closely before cutting. What is the grain? The size and direction of the pattern? The feel and drape? My hands move efficiently and confidently over it, letting it tell me what it could become. Beautiful fabric is to be adored and respected and corset making is complicated dance. There is cutting, sewing, boning, installing busks and grommets and finally lacing.

And the most intimate part of corset making happens when I make one for someone else. Firstly, I put a little piece of me into every corset. I love every minute but I worry about it all through construction. Will it fit correctly? Will the laces be long enough? Will the new owner be happy with the design? I want it to be perfect. And when the new owner has her final fitting and it is perfect, she takes it home with a smile. I am flattered that I have been allowed to play a small part in bringing beauty and pleasure into a very intimate part of her life.