yet another bodice quandry...

[Molly]

ok, i am in desperate need of a bodice and i'm not sure where to go to (my sewing skill as of yet are not quite ready for a bodice) - i live in northeastern indiana...

i am also not opposed to ordering one on-line if the quality is good... here are some facts about me that might make it easier... i'm a size 18/20 in women's, long waisted (i'm 6'2") and i'm a d cup (support, support support!)

oh, and i'm also on kind of a limited budget

ANY HELP WOULD BE FABOO! :hearts: :lol:

thanks!

[Nevada]

Well in a moment of desperation I ordered one from Chivalry Sports it just arrived but havent picked it up yet....this will have to hold me until I can find a pattern I like to make my own....will let you know how it goes...I am going to Scarby soon and will be glad to check out their vendors for you while I am there...I know there are several Bodice Divas here that hopefully can help you more than I am right now...

[lauradake]

Go with the classics--Moresca, Pendragon, Crimson Gypsy. Hell, I'll even throw my website in there for good measure--GreyCat Designs (http://www.greycatdesigns.com). ;)

I have a Pendragon Bodice that I ADORE... the quality is incredible. I have a Moresca dress that I inherited from my sister which is great--again, good quality.

The problem with big-name places like that is that most of their stuff is pre-manufactured. You get it quickly, but it's not a custom fit. If you go with a smaller comany (like Crimson Gypsy or myself) you get an equally stunning product with equal quality, and it's custom made to your measurements. So if you're a little longer in the waist, or you have proportions that are not "standard", you'll still get a product that looks and feels great on you.

Of course, same can be said for making it yourself. :) Do you have any wenches in the area who might help you sew? Our local 96 has had a stich-and-bitch in the past, which was fun... although admittedly we did more bitching than stitching. ;)

[moira]

i work for moresca... if you tell me your ribcage measurement, i can tell you what size you'd be... you can also visit the website... www.moresca.com... when you click on the banner for the catalog... click html instead of catalog... that way you dont have to deal with the ever annoying carosel... if you have any questions about anything... feel free to email me...

p.s. to any wenches in the area... the moresca open house starts next weekend!!!

moira

[Bronya]

...I have 3 Pendragons, my daughter has 1-we LOVE them-I got the suede in large long and they fit just fine (I am very long waisted) the leather ones are short in the waist for me-and Christine from Crimson Gypsy and I designed my Pirate Frock and it is
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L...good luck

[Molly]

thank you all so much for your help! i'm not sure what i'm going to do yet, but i'll figure something out - i need to look around a bit. as for finding local wenches... i don't know any yet! i'm really new (i don't even have my # or anything yet, but i should be getting it soon!) and have yet to really get to know anyone in local 57... so if you're out there, let me know!

Thanks again! (and i'll definately check out grey cat designs!!!) :D

[Nevada]

Okay report on Chivalry Sports Bodice...too small...I am a big girl but even my Rogue looked at and said it was cut small...good material though so I am going to get some cheap material and alter a pattern I have til I get what I want...::sigh:: the good thing is he told me to go ahead and join Curves so I could lose some inches...also like some I am long waisted (theres a waist somewhere in there) and it is cut short

[lauradake]

If you bought hte bodice from Chivalry Sports, they shoudl have some sort of return/exchange policy. Just call them and see if you can switch it out for the next size up.

[Lady Gaea]

Crimson Gypsy's bodices are killer! I have two custom ones she made for me, and a black brocade from her stock fabrics. I LOVE them! They're uber comfy, and super flattering. I have the Deva style, that laces up the sides and back. Love it love it love it! And Christine (owner/operator of Crimson Gypsy) is a TOTAL sweetheart!

I'll be unveiling my bodice-of-wrong at Stockwood. Custom by Christine. Yay! *evil giggles*

Heather

[Nevada]

Be sure to post pics of the unveiling!

[Pamela, Strawberry Tart]

Hey Molly!
(Gods that sounds strange, as Molly is my character's name at Stockwood.)

I'm really long waisted too, (My corset has a 15" front center busk) and every Pendragon I've ever tried on is WAY too short. If you want suede, Potted Fox will make them custom for you (He adds 2" on to the length of every bodice I order. Check out the Lock Bodice on www.pottedfox.com) Moresca Max & Max II are long also, as well as Crimson Gypsy's Deva, and I've had no problems with any of them.

I am not a fan of Chivalry Sports bodices, as they don't support at all, and are usually a bit of an odd fit, at least the ones I've seen and tried on.
It's worth it to spend a little extra money on something you are completely happy with, than getting something "for now" which doesn't give you the oomph you want.

If you find others who do good quality and are long, please let me know!

Good luck!

[CelticBombshell]

There is an ebaystore called ODD BODKIN the goddess bodice looks to be a good choice for the long torsor club.

Mel

[Beatriz]

another vote for Crimson Gypsy bodices. Christine is great to work with and she'll talk to you about your individual needs. Her prices are affordable, especially for a "first" bodice. I've got two from her, the latest made with my own fabric and I love 'em.

[Ariyana Dragonwagon]

I will add a vote for Crimson Gypsy, Christine made my front lace bodice and I adore it very comfy good support.. and she was great to work with..


Now this weekend I wore my used Moresca for the first time and adored it!! The girls were at my chin lol!! and it was very comfy though I have a piece of boning I need to figure out how to keep in since it kept popping out saturday and another piece that looks like it wants to play follow the leader lol.
Any advice on doing this?? figured then I would add trim to cover whatever I do...
Also had a bit of a problem with rubbing under my arm in one spot not sure if it was laces or grommetts..

Moira, any idea how to find out which model I have???tag says Moresca, XL hand wash cool inst, and made in the usa..
also how can I get some new lacings??? looong ones for sides and back... short for shoulders???

anyway so far in my experiences that is my advice lol

[moira]

Now this weekend I wore my used Moresca for the first time and adored it!! The girls were at my chin lol!! and it was very comfy though I have a piece of boning I need to figure out how to keep in since it kept popping out saturday and another piece that looks like it wants to play follow the leader lol.
Any advice on doing this?? figured then I would add trim to cover whatever I do...
Also had a bit of a problem with rubbing under my arm in one spot not sure if it was laces or grommetts..

Moira, any idea how to find out which model I have???tag says Moresca, XL hand wash cool inst, and made in the usa..
also how can I get some new lacings??? looong ones for sides and back... short for shoulders???

anyway so far in my experiences that is my advice lol

ok... if you dont have a pic of it to show me, then im gonna try to explain each as best as i can... from what your describin, it sounds like a max I... long front and back, shoulders that could be completely removed, this is the bodice that could give almost anyone a waist... if you look at my profile pic... im wearin one... a max II... looks almost the same, but it has peplums (the little skirty pieces attached to the bottom) and the lovely football shoulders... a steel-boned... three laces in the front and sits at your waist... those are the 3 main sellers...

as for the boning issue... it depends on where the boning is popping from... if you're in the ny/nj area, i can always take a look and see if its something they'll fix in the shop... if its popping out of the bias... then i usually just sew more bias over it...

as for that tag... NEVER, NEVER, NEVER wash any of the bodices... stupid people in the shop sometimes put the wrong tag in em... also, i never even dry clean mine... i know it sounds gross, but... the heat from the machines will toast the plastic coated steel boning... i beat mine and then fabreeze em...

i have the rubbing issue under my left arm. its because my left boob is bigger and it pops out on the side more...

tell me what color laces you need and i'll get them while im up there this weekend...

moira

[Ariyana Dragonwagon]

ah I can send pics lol took lots this weekend.. hehehe and am scanning a few more tomorrow... what email addy?? and in a few you can see where the boning is popping.. the material has shredded..

and I have black ones and I have brown... depending on how much $$ might like both if not then will decide on a color

hugs ariyana

[moira]

send em to [email protected].. i'll email you about the laces...

moira