Historical corsets for the dickens faire?

Question

I need a corset for the upcoming dickens faire. Does anyone know where I could buy a fairly inexpensive premade one or a good pattern? Authenticity is key so it needs to give me the right shape and be able to handle being under pressure.

Answer 1

http://www.lovesickcorrectiveapparel.com...

http://www.shootingstarhistory.com/corse...

http://members.aol.com/fittingrm/histori...

Anything below $300 is a really good price on a well made corset.

Patterns:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsets-Historic...

http://www.costumebeginner.com/corsets/c...

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&saf...

And whatever you do, if you buy one, ONLY get steel boning.  Anything else is not strong enough.

Oh-one more thing-You can also get corset patterns in any sewing store (JoAnn's, Hancock's, etc.).  Just look in the costume section of their catalogs.

Oh yeah, I forgot! (sorry)  Dover Books (Publishing company)  has a lot of books out with historical patterns.  You can usually find them in art supply stores or bookstores.  London actually has a dover books bookstore.

Answer 2

If you're in the UK and the faire is coming up in the very near futrue, I doubt that I can help; but if you're  on the other side of the Atlantic or have some time, try Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  There are several shops there that sell ready-made Civil War era (1861-1865--roughly between the publication of Great Expectations and that of Our Mutual Friend) clothes, including underwear and accessories.  Here's  a link to one: www.abrahamslady.com