Rill ([info]fireandearth) wrote in [info]corsetmakers,
@ 2005-04-10 11:20:00
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Entry tags:fabric, technique

corset liners
I've seen multiple references made to cotton/lycra blend corset liners. Problem: I go into fabric stores and ask if they have anything in a cotton/lycra blend, or a cotton/something stretchy blend and they look at me blankly. So, three questions:

1. Where do you guys get that stuff?
2. What kind of fabric should I be asking for? (Sometimes going in and saying, "I'm looking for velvet." is a lot easier than saying "I'm looking for something plush with nap.")
3. What else can I use?

Okay, one more:
(4. What are your corset liners made of?)


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[info]caliginous
2005-04-10 03:54 pm UTC (link)
t-shirt, athletic, or lingrine (good lord I'll never spell that. Undergarments, specifically I see camisoles out of the great fine cotton/lycra stuff all the time, there's a chance they'll put it there if they have it.)

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[info]auroraceleste
2005-04-10 04:57 pm UTC (link)
I use bathing suit lining. I don't know the fabric content, but it's worked fine, although I'm not a 23/7 tightlacer.

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[info]daedala
2005-04-10 05:11 pm UTC (link)
Somewhat off-topic, but if you don't want to make one, these camisoles with built-in underwire bras are about perfect.

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[info]electradesigns
2005-04-10 05:47 pm UTC (link)
I use 100% vcotton ribbed knit, which is what is used on the cuffs and collars of knit garments like t-shirts. i pre-wast it to get all the shrinking out of the way first. Use a heavy weight kind if you can find it because the thing stiff can tear at the seams if you put too much strain on it. Usuannly you will find ribbed knit in wide tubes on a bolt. It could be sold by the inch or the yard. It's expensive, but the best I have found yet. There may be a little bit of lycra in it to give it a little spring. Flesh tone is the best all-around color i use for all my custom corset liners.
Unfortunatly, most people who work in fabric stores don't know squat about fabric!!! You may want to study textiles either by class, book, or just go around the fabric store feeling and reading ends of bolts. I always have more sucess finding things if I skip asking questions and just go hunting myself. Even if you brought in a swatch, most likey these people, who get minimum wage have no interest or desire to learn about textiles or help you find anythihng. This, of course is a braod generalization. When I worked in fabric stores I was the complet opposite. But alas, we are a dying breed.

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[info]electradesigns
2005-04-10 05:50 pm UTC (link)
I noticed many of you use synthetics, which I think would be really self defeating since the purpose of a corset liner is to give comfort, absorb sweat, provide a little softness between your corset and your skin, and BREATH. Lycra, tricot, powernet, and anything with more than 15% synthetic content is out of the question in my book. Even for temporary wear. It doesn't breath, absorb moisture, or provide a soft layer between your skin and the corset.

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[info]lutine
2005-04-10 06:11 pm UTC (link)
Heh, thanks for saying that. I was staring at the screen going, "They use -what-?"

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[info]lynoure
2005-04-10 07:48 pm UTC (link)
Usually fabrics with lycra contain just 10% or most often even less of it. The average cotton/lycra can breath very well.

Best to check the fiber content label for the percentages, though, just to be sure.

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[info]electradesigns
2005-04-10 08:00 pm UTC (link)
Some swim suit lining has a cottony feel which can be deceptive. because it is mostly nylon (or 100% nylon) with a tiny bit of lycra. Most corset liners are made out of similar materials, which is like wearing an elastic girdle uner your corset. Your corset could be all cotton, but the liner will make you hot and sweaty under it all. It's like a linen suit. Linen itself is a wonderfull, cool, breathable natural fiber, but most linen suits are lined with polyester or acetate, which makes them hot. They usually do this because synthetic linings are slipery, which makes the suit glide over your clothes rather than stick to them, but where corsets are concerned, there is no need for a smooth lining. In fact, they are more likely to curl up on the edges, and make your corset shift around on your body. Cotton keeps everything in place, and is less likely to bind. Synthetica also tend to wrinkle up at the waist, where they may pinch and dig into your skin. Cotton won't do that.I have never one found any elesticy synthetic type underwear or girdle that didn't give me problems. I don't even like tricot slips because they are hot in the summer and cold against your skin in the winter. It is true you may have to replace cotton liners more often because synthetics last longer, but I would rather replace a good liner than wear one that has no real benifit.

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[info]electradesigns
2005-04-10 05:52 pm UTC (link)
Not to be contrary, of course, and I mean no disrespect. It's just the way I do it, which doesn't make it the best way. :)

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[info]lynoure
2005-04-10 07:37 pm UTC (link)
1.Cotton with lycra is available in most fabric stores here in Finland.
4.My absolute favourite is modal knit with a bit of lycra as it feels even softer that cotton against the skin.
2. How about asking for a cotton knit with a bit of stretch? Chances are they will show you many things, and about half of them will have a bit of lycra (aka. spandex in it).

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[info]electradesigns
2005-04-10 08:04 pm UTC (link)
I agree. There are really cuddly soft fabrics that are mostly cotton but have just enough lycra to give it some resiliance so it doesn't get stretched out of shape as easily. I really like this web site: http://www.sewsassy.com/index.shtml because they offer a wide variety of such fabrics. They give you the fiber content and a good description of it. I ordered stretch satin from them for a shrug and was VERY pleased with what they sent. Go to this page: http://www.sewsassy.com/LycraProducts/CottonLycra.html for a good selection of cotton lycra. It's more expesnive than ribbed knit but very nice and worth it. I am thinking of swithing over as soon as I use up the remainder of the ribbed knit I currently use.

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[info]fire_fiend
2005-04-10 08:23 pm UTC (link)
1)That kind of fabric I find at either of the two chain fabric stores up here (Fanny's Fabrics or Fabricland) other places locally carry it, but are too expensive, and I've never looked for it nor stumbled across it in the fabric section of Wal-mart. (Not to say it's not there...)
2)It depends how they merchandise things, but if you say you want t-shirt fabric, swimsuit fabric, or activewear knits... that should help finding cotton/lycra's. For the cotton knits that are tubular, they're usually along with sweatshirt materials, and ask for the 'ribbing that you make cuffs on sweatshirts with'. It does come in cotton, cotton/lycra, nylon blends, etc... so read the lables if you want something specific.
3) you can also use old t-shirts that dont fit anymore.. cut off the sleeves and top. Particularly ones that are wayyyy too tight to be flattering, but still fit. Likewise if you're looking for something historical, chemises and the like out of all cotton...
4) 100% cotton chemise sometimes.. other times I wear them over other clothing. For a specific liner, nothing. One of those "yeah.. I should do it, but I dont" sort of things.

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*Puts on the Mod Hat*
[info]britgeekgrrl
2005-04-11 05:12 pm UTC (link)
I like this thread, I'm going to add it to the memories. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

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[info]corbaegirl
2005-04-12 04:32 pm UTC (link)
One point on using synthetics for liners: not all synthetics will make you sweat. There are new synthetic knits that are specifically made for activewear and these breath very well. It's all in the way the fibers are textured when they are manufactured. There is even a breathable woven polyester lining fabric, although I can't remember what it's called right now.

Crow

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[info]maggishness
2005-05-31 12:29 am UTC (link)
I don't know if it's totally 'wrong', but here's my method, cheap, easy:
Go to local Kmart/Walmart/Bilka/whatever, find a cheap (all cotton) fitted singlet or tshirt possibly a size or two too small, buy, cut off excess bits, serge and VOILA! you have a corset liner.

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