The Simplicity 2890 corset was the first corset I ever made, nearly 10 years ago. That first version was always a smidge too tight (I made the size 8), and the construction was awkward because of how I layered up cotton sateen, cotton lawn (to add opacity to the sateen... I should have just used a fusible interfacing!) and cotton canvas. It was definitely time for a new, well-fitting, well-made corset.
I revisited Simplicity 2890 for my new corset, since I did like the construction and patterning. It's a single layer corset with boning channels stitched onto the wrong side (although my first version was essentially a two layer corset with boning channels stitched through the layers of fabric).
This corset is made of two pieces, a front and back, with shaping provided by gores and a long tuck at the front. There is also a facing for the center front busk.
Materials
For my new version of this corset, I used a lavender/grey spot broche coutil fabric I had in my stash for a long time. I only used about 1/4 of a yard of fabric, and I have just enough left over to make another corset... perhaps an Edwardian corset next time?
The pattern calls for a 12 inch long busk, but both times I've made this corset, I used an 11 inch busk instead. I find the 11 inch busk fits better along the front edge, and is personally more comfortable for me.
I purchased my busk, precut flat steel boning, and size 00 grommets from Wawak.
The pattern calls for 3/4 inch wide twill tape for boning casings, but I felt that this 3/8 inch twill tape was more appropriate.
I used 5/8 inch wide petersham ribbon to bind the top and bottom edges of the corset.
Size & Fit
I used the size 10 for my new corset. The measurements for size 10 on the pattern packet match my measurements, and the final fit of the corset was pretty spot-on. I didn't perceive there to be extra ease on the pattern draft.
I'm short waisted, and find this pattern suits my shape well. I didn't make any adjustments for my height or waist-to-bust measurement.
I'm not sure how the ease and sizing of this pattern scales up for other sizes.
Sewing Video Tutorial
See a full video walkthrough of making the Simplicity 2890 corset in my video below.
