cutting a duct tape bodice pattern?

[Annabella St. Clair]

I decided to do a duct tape bodice pattern of myself to use for projects over the winter. I am researching different web sites. My question is...after I cut if off of me initially in the front, how do I cut it into different pattern pieces. Should I cut it into pieces like my Simplicity patterns? I have a seamtress friend who will help me but even she isn't sure.

Annabella

[Jeannie Fitzgerald]

It depends on your class. For peasant I would cut it straight down the back, down the sides under each arm scrye and at the top of each shulder strap. The lacing would be in the front

Middle class could be done the same way if laced up the center back. If using a square front neckline, an option to cutting down the front would be to cut from where each strap meets the front down at a slight inward angle to the waist, forming a front panel that could be laced in or sewn in if the bodice is a back lace. The two front and the back seams could be both sewn and the side seams laced. The side seams could also be laced with a wide gap with a placket sewn to both sides of the seam and used to adjust the size of the bodice (handy if you are losing or gaining weight or just monthly retain water like Hoover Dam the way I do). Having a front or back lace would mean the side laces could be set and forgotten.

Nobles could also have a center lace back but would have to have the two cuts in front unless covered with a stomacher (the back laces could be either fake or just prelaced, tied and forgotten if the front had a center cut that was laced or hook and eye fastened, then covered with a stomacher; that would enable you to dress yourself a whole lot more easily).

Still another alternative is two front and two back seams, the front being sewed and the back being laced. The back seams would have to start more into the armscrye and angle in more than the front.

Some kind of back seam or seams is mandatory to accommodate the curve of the back. The front should be boned flat (middle and upper class used a busk, a large stiff bone, in the front to keep it flat). Laced seams must be boned as well. A placket under the lacing holes is strongly recommended although a pain to keep flat while lacing.

No matter what your class is, do not put in darts. Make sure whoever wraps you with the duct tape does it so it is as tight on you as the bodice will be and maintains a flat profile in the front.

It is best to mark the duct tape with all the seam and edge lines before cutting off to ensure proper placement.

Hope this helps.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Don't forget to add your seam allowance. I did that once and came out with a mini bodice.

[Mistress Morigianna]

remember to starighten the side seams,shoulderseams, the center back and front. rarely does it cut off staight.

sometimes you have to lay the duct tape flat and smoosh out the wrinkles, rmember to sraighten any seams after smooshing.