Corsets
Origins: Function Before Fashion (1500s–1600s)
In the Renaissance era, corsets—often called stays—were worn by both men and women to shape the torso. Tailors and artisans crafted them from layered fabric, linen, or canvas, stiffened with wood, bone, or leather. The goal was not dramatic shaping but support: a stable posture for heavy, elaborate garments and a silhouette that reflected the era’s sculptural ideals.
These early corsets were labor-intensive works of craft, made by expert makers who understood structure and human form, laying the groundwork for centuries of refinement.
The Baroque and Rococo Shift: Decoration Meets Structure (1700s)
By the 18th century, corsets became more decorative and closely associated with social status. French and English court fashions layered rich fabrics and embroidery over structured stays that defined a conical torso. Corset makers had to be both seamstresses and engineers, balancing beauty with the changes in body silhouette that fashion dictated.
At this time, the corset wasn’t just undergarment—it was central to a woman’s wardrobe and visible in silhouette even through outer garments.
Victorian Era: The Corset as Cultural Symbol (1800s–1900s)
The 19th century was the golden age of corsetry. With the rise of industrialization, new materials like whalebone (baleen) and later steel boning allowed corsets to exert more shaping power. The ideal silhouette—tiny waist, full bust, and hips—pushed corset makers to innovate and refine patterning and construction techniques.
Corsets became deeply tied to ideals of femininity and moral conduct. They were seen as a sign of refinement—but also, increasingly, a symbol of constraint. Women’s reform movements challenged extreme tightlacing, and alternatives like liberation dress reform garments emerged.
20th Century: Decline, Reinvention, and Revival
With the rise of modern undergarments in the early 20th century—bra and girdle systems—the traditional corset lost dominance. By the 1920s, the flapper aesthetic favored a softer, less restricted silhouette.
Yet corsets never disappeared. They evolved:
1950s–60s: The hourglass silhouette returned in mainstream fashion.
Late 20th–21st century: Designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, and many contemporary couturiers revived corsetry as outerwear and statement pieces. Corset making transformed again into a craft of artistry and conceptual fashion.
Craft and Technique: What Makes a Corset?
Corset making blends architecture, anatomy, and aesthetics. Traditional corsets require:
A patterned foundation designed to shape and support the body
Multiple panels of strong fabric like coutil
Channels for boning (historically baleen; later steel)
Lacing back or front for adjustability
Precise fitting and pressure balance
Every corset is custom—or was custom—because each body has a unique structure and requires different support.
Why Corsets Matter Today
Corsets reveal much about fashion and culture:
How societies define beauty
The negotiation between comfort and form
The craftsmanship of garment construction
Today, corset making is both:
A technical skill valued in costume, tailoring, and couture
A source of empowerment for many wearers who choose the silhouette
All image are borrowed from sources on internet
A Brief History of Pattern Making in Fashion
It all begins with an idea.
I would like to share a brief overview of the history of pattern making—one of the most essential and enduring foundations of fashion design and garment construction.
Early Origins: Draping and the Human Form
Greece Drapes
Egypt drapes
Different types of draping togas in Rome
Pattern making traces its roots back to ancient civilizations. In Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, garments were created primarily through draping, wrapping, and folding fabric directly on the body. Clothing relied on geometric shapes and minimal cutting, emphasizing proportion, movement, and harmony with the human form. These early practices established the fundamental relationship between fabric and body that still guides pattern making today.
The Middle Ages: Structure and Fit
During the Middle Ages, clothing became more structured and fitted. Tailors began cutting fabric to shape the body more precisely, introducing seams, sleeves, and complex garment construction. This era marked a significant shift from draped clothing to tailored forms, reflecting both social hierarchy and the growing importance of skilled craftsmanship.
Mideviel ceremony
Early Midievil styles
The Renaissance: The Birth of Pattern Drafting
The Renaissance brought remarkable advancements in fashion and pattern making. Garments became more intricate, requiring greater precision. Tailors began developing systematic methods for drafting patterns using measurements, marking the early beginnings of flat pattern making. Clothing during this time reflected symmetry, structure, and a deeper understanding of anatomy.
Sewing studio
Industrialization in textile industry-new technologies
The Industrial Revolution: Standardization
In the 18th and 19th centuries, pattern making evolved into a formal profession. The Industrial Revolution introduced standardized sizing, printed paper patterns, and mass production. Companies like Butterick made sewing patterns widely accessible, transforming clothing production and allowing fashion to reach a broader audience.
This is the begining of creating pattern making blocks
The 20th Century: Couture and Education
The 20th century marked a turning point in modern pattern making. Designers such as Madeleine Vionnet revolutionized garment construction through innovative draping techniques. At the same time, fashion schools began formalizing pattern making as a core discipline. Flat pattern drafting and draping became essential skills taught systematically to designers and technical specialists.
Couture Fashion in the industrial revolution
Today: Tradition Meets Technology
Today, pattern making blends traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology. Digital drafting, CAD systems, and 3D garment visualization are widely used, yet the fundamental principles of fit, balance, and construction remain unchanged. Modern pattern makers continue to rely on centuries-old knowledge while embracing innovation.
Understanding the history of pattern making allows designers to appreciate it as both an art and a science. It is the invisible architecture behind every successful garment and a critical skill for anyone pursuing a career in fashion.
Digitized Pattern making
Why Study Pattern Making at RED Fashion School?
• Hands-on, studio-based learning
• Industry-standard techniques
• Small class sizes & mentorship
• Portfolio-focused education
• Career-ready skills
Questions? Schedule a Consultation