Announcing Period Corsets' New Rental Program

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You asked and Period Corsets has answered. We know budgets are tight and your time is precious so Period Corsets has recently launched our newest line designed specifically for our education, theater, T.V. and film clients. Period Corsets Rental Program is a selection of corset styles available for short-term or long-term rentals. Designed with you in mind to help keep your production under budget and to streamline your costume needs.

Choose from our four different corset styles that span several eras. Each style is based on one of four of our most popular silhouettes, streamlined and patterned to cover a range of eras.

"Judy"

Our "Judy" corset covers your needs for the 18th century. Similar to our c. 1770 Judith, this style features the conical shaping required for this era, with a lovely point at the bottom center front and a bust line shaping that pushes up the bosom. 

"Sophie"

The "Sophie" is an 18th-century tabbed corset and works for fantasy and fairytale looks as well. Similar to our other popular tabbed corset styles, it features adjustable center front lacing and laced-on, removable straps. 

"Juliette"

The Juliette is a classic 19th century hourglass shape and can be used for a great range of silhouettes. Lightly boned, this versatile corset smooths the line of the body from bust to hip. 

"Lillian"

The "Lillian" recreates a corset silhouette popular from the 1870s to the turn of the 20th century. This underbust style waist cincher defines a lovely curved waist and features a graceful point at the top and bottom edges. 

All four styles are available in our full range of sizes, Small-2XL. Similar to our standard stock corsets, these corsets feature alterable side seams to allow for a customized fit for each actress. They are constructed from the same quality materials that you can find in our usual catalog of garments, 100% cotton coutil in our neutral "natural " color with steel boning throughout and sturdy white cotton lacing.

Rental packages and pricing is dependent on the length of your rental period and your specific needs. Let us know the era you're costuming, how many pieces you need, and how long you will need them and we will provide you with your rental package quote. We're here to help you!

Masquerade Marie Antoinette by Period Corsets- to Rent or Own

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Marie Antoinette is big again! Hundreds of years later her influence, and that of the lavish fashions of the later 18th century, are still being felt all over. This was a time of extremes in fashion, with its wide panniers, full skirts, and bust enhancing corsets.

After hearing the needs of many, Period Corsets has designed a new, versatile take on this classic look. Perfect for a fancy ball or party, our modern Marie Antoinette features coordinating, interchangeable layers that can be removed and revealed as you saunter through the crowd. The only thing more fun than wearing a costume is one that can change with you throughout the evening!

Modern Marie Antoinette convertible skirt

By adding the convertible overskirt, your look can go from demure to sassy in seconds. The skirt can be worn open to reveal the pretty under-layers by pulling up on either side and tying it up with big ribbon bows. Or tie the skirt closed to hide the inner layers for a more covered, modest look.

Over-skirt worn closed with ribbon ties at the center front

The full skirt drapes beautifully over the modest pannier silhouette

Our focus for this fun and flirty homage was to craft an ensemble with mix and match separates at an affordable price. By using new streamlined time-saving techniques, we've created pieces that are an economical costume choice for any party, festival, or dress-up event.

This 4-piece ensemble includes the newest addition to our catalog, our frilly "Rustles". This is a simplified ruffled pannier with lighter boning and ribbon tie-on waistbands. The long bodied chemise doubles as an underskirt layer that peeks out below the "Rustles" and can be worn with or without the convertible overskirt.

Our "Rustles" with long ribbon ties for adjustability.
The 3 layers of ruffles hide an inner fabric-covered cage of light pannier boning. 

The long chemise doubles as a short skirt below the many layers

The tabbed 18th-century-style corset features adjustable shoulder straps with ribbon ties and peek-a-boo lacing at the center front giving you even more flexibility with shaping at the bust line.

Strike a captivating pose in this 18th c. style corset 

 Available in any size from small to 2X, or custom made to your measurements, this affordable ensemble can be made in any color. Save money by supplying your own fabrics or have us shop for materials for you. See here for more info on purchasing this set for yourself.

Or, if you're shopping for a one-night soiree, you can also rent this full ensemble through A Masquerade.

Watch as our ensemble comes together:

The Ballet Petticoat

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Introducing our newest addition to the Period Corsets® petticoat line, the Ballet Petticoat. Designed with musical theatre in mind, this shorter, flirty petticoat offers dancers a full range of movement, showcasing the twirls and high kicks of any choreography.

Ballet Petticoat in a twirl

Here at Period Corsets® we develop all of our products in house based directly on the needs of our clients. The Ballet Petticoat is no exception. We created these garments for Broadway productions of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, International Tour, photo by Joan Marcus

The Ballet Petticoat is a great pick for musical theater with it's frilly ruffle and it's more-than-a-circle skirt fullness at the hem. It has a 25" waist to hem length with four 1/2" tucks, for length alterability, and a circumference of 240" at the hem.  The petticoat is created with 5 bias-cut circular gores gathered into a yoke with an adjustable drawstring waistband, to fit your waist perfectly. It fits well under a corset or bodice for a nice, smooth look from waist to hip.

adjustable waistband works great on top or underneath a corset or bodice

The Ballet Petticoat is crafted from one hundred percent cotton so that it can be dyed and allows for breathable comfort. We make it in our five sizes with options for custom sizing. As with all of our retail garments, the Ballet Petticoat is alterable to your specifications. We can make it longer or out of different fabrics, giving you many usable options from a fluffy underskirt to a full skirt for outerwear.

Ballet Petticoat in action

 When we add a product to our retail line we take our clients  needs into account. We choose the silhouette and attributes that are the most commonly requested for productions. We make a high-quality garment with our customary petticoat finishing details. Give us your ideas and we're happy to customize our products to create your garment dreams.

 John Kristiansen New York Inc added their own layer of net with eyelet trim.
 photo courtesy of JoJo Johnson

Whether we're creating your finished garment or something you'll be adding the final touches to in your shop, Period Corsets® goal is to save you time and money. We create the underwear so you can focus on outerwear!

Let's take 'er for a spin! Watch the Ballet Petticoat in action!

Ballet Petticoat in motion from Hilary Specht on Vimeo.

Period Corsets® in Two Tony Nominated Shows

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 This year Period Corsets® collaborated with two Tony Award nominated shows  "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" and "Oliver!". One of the many thrills for Period Corsets® is getting the chance to work with theater productions. We've been honored to work with lots of shows and companies throughout the years, be they big or small.  What is always rewarding is when we help outfit the cast of a runaway hit.

c. 1905  Mae Corsets  in brocades coutils

Period Corsets® went undercover again in creating the graceful silhouette of the 19th century for "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder". We created multiple corsets to be worn underneath the costumes, giving the actors the proper shape of the day. We made our c. 1905 Mae Corset in every color of brocade.

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder"

Not only were our corsets used for their design and shaping, they also provided help in organizing the cast. We helped wardrobe out by making each member of the cast a different color of brocade so they could tell who was who at a glance.

brocades in many shades

Our c. 1905 Mae creates S-curve shape of the 19th century.

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" recently won 4 Tony Awards including one for "Best Musical" and "Best Costume Design of a Musical".

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For "Oliver!", designer Sarah Nash Gates was in need of an 1830s style corset. This request gave us the opportunity to go ahead with our plans to fill the gap between our c 1805 Patricia Corset and our c. 1860 Julia Corset.

Oliver! at the 5th Ave. Theatre

With all of our corsets, each new design represents an important chapter in the evolution of  he corset shaping  particular to each historic period silhouette. Our 1830's pattern is an integral part of the dramatic transition between two very different period silhouettes. It's a bridge between the columnar straight lines of the early 19th century and the hourglass curving lines of the mid 19th century.

Our c. 1835 Ada  mock-up and finished corset in brocade

We took our design sketch and brought it into reality through multiple fittings and pattern alterations.. Our newest addition to the Period Corsets® line debuted as the c. 1835 Ada Corset, named for a maternal great-grandmother and, as always, a nod to a historic figure of the period; a pioneering mathematician of the era, Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace.


from design sketch by Doris Black to brocade

constructing in dusty rose brocade

Because "Oliver!" is a musical, that meant a certain amount of movement was required. The dancers would be wearing corsets, providing the correct silhouette of the era but, with the aid of clever stretch panels, they would still be allowed the freedom and comfort to move.

ready to go

This version of the Tony nominated "Oliver!" debuted at the 5th Ave. Theatre here in Seattle, Washington. The classic story of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is re-told and set to Lionel Bart’s unforgettable score. The classic story of poor orphaned Oliver Twist and his experience with the seedy underside of London, England.

c. 1835 Ada Corset in Paisley

3 views of another c. 1835 Ada Corset

Winter Greetings Newsletter 2013 and Special Sale

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☼☼☼ Welcoming the Winter Season ☼☼☼
Dear Friends: Thinking of the year gone by during this holiday season, we are grateful for our incredible partnerships with our customers.  Because of you we are able to bring the highest quality, Seattle handmade, historic attire to the stage and screen.

Now that winter is upon us it's time for our end of year sale for our blog followers only,  40% discount for your online order. Write the code "SNOWfall" in the notes section of your order.  This discount is good through December 31, 2013.
Please note: Sales prices apply to in stock items only. Discounts do not apply to previously placed or custom orders

Period Corsets Holiday Schedule

At Period Corsets we are all are spending time with our family and friends during the holidays. Our studio will be closed December 21st through January 1st. 

All orders placed online during our closure will be shipped after January 1st. We will respond with the expected ship date and availability of your order after we return.

What's New at Period Corsets?  --->Every year we add a new era to our retail line.  The 1830's has been our most requested era  for custom corsets and petticoats of late.   Here is a sneak peak of what we will unveil at  the USITT conference in Fort Worth, Texas  this March. If you won't be attending the  conference you can keep up with this look in  development here on our blog. ----> Bones, Bones,  Bones... for sale!!!! We are selling corset bones, all styles by  the dozen in mix and match lengths  at Period Corsets on Etsy.  Within your  dozen, pick whatever lengths you need for  your project.  This is a convenience we are  happy to offer our fans and friends.  It's  great for making one corset or filling in a  few lengths you may need without having to  buy a dozen or more. ---> Period Corsets is in Print.  The book   "Draping Period Costumes" is available now  for purchase on our website.  Draping over our  Period Silhouettes, Sharon Sobel leads you  through step by step in this must have guide.   It's the perfect addition to your classroom or  costume shop and an integral tool to use with  your stock of Period Corsets garments.

ANNOUNCING:   ---> The Period Corsets Scholarship to USITT.  Are you tired of being a Period Corsets groupie?  Well, the wait is over! You could be a guest star  team member in the Period Corsets booth and  hangout with us to your hearts' content.  We will  be awarding scholarships to attend USITT to 2  qualified students whose schools' supervisors will  also be attending USITT.   Email hilary@periodcorsets.com for to apply.  Quotable Moment:  " Period Corsets knows customer service. "  --Amherst College  (ordering c.1880 Alice corsets)   Visit our Blog  to see our projects more in depth.  Pick your favorite Period Corsets social networking poison:  Pinterest, instagram, twitter, tumblr,  flickr or  Facebook,  to keep up with our current endeavors and special offers. To place an order visit www.periodcorsets.com or call 206-264-0997. We look forward to working with you in the New Year.

                        

☼☼☼Peace and Happy New Year☼☼☼ 

From All of Us at Period Corsets

Period Corsets® Louisa Corset c. 1725 in 360°

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Take a look at the Louisa Stays circa 1725 in 360°.

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  data-title="Period Corsets® view in 360°: Louisa Corset circa 1725"
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The Louisa c. 1725 corset creates a shapely, triangular form, using 1/4" steel and spiral bones, and two layers of coutil. The corset is cut to enhance and lift the bust, and shape the waist. The waist tabs, cut in one with the corset, curve over the hips. The shoulder straps are optional, as this style was often seen without straps.