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The completed version of my corset instructions, with pictures, can be found at the following web address:
http://catnip216.110mb.com/corset/
http://catnip216.110mb.com/corset/
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Amanda Russell
Technical Business Writing
To err is human...
...and to blame it on a computer is even more so.
12 March 2008 @ 12:28 am
07 March 2008 @ 11:04 pm
Introduction:
These instructions will show how to create a fashion corset. The resulting garment is a fashion piece, for costuming, formal, or decorative wear, and, while it does provide plenty of support, it will not “train” the waist as a functioning corset will. These instructions allow you to customize the shape and coverage of the corset to suit your own tastes and needs.
Machine sewing or hand sewing is not covered here; it is assumed that anyone attempting this project already has some experience with their sewing method of choice. What will be covered is: creating a custom fit pattern, cutting and assembling the pattern pieces, adding boning for extra support, and setting in the grommets for lacing.
Safety:
Always use caution when working with scissors. In this case, the scissors will be used very close to the skin, so be extremely careful not to cut the person or their undergarments.
Be careful with fabric pins and sewing needles. Keep them away from children and pets. If you drop one, make sure you find it, and always put them away after use.
If you are using a sewing machine, be sure to watch your fingers. Keep them on either side of the needle when guiding the fabric, and keep your eyes on the needle at all times when it is moving. When you finish sewing, move the needle to its lowest position and unplug the machine.
Care should be taken when wearing any type of corset or waist cincher. Be sure you are able to breathe properly while wearing the garment, and if you start to feel faint or out of breath, take it off immediately. Don’t put yourself in jeopardy for the sake of fashion.
Conclusion:
You should now have a custom-fitted fashion corset. You can wear it alone as a top (if it wasn’t an under-bust design!), or use it to give shape to a looser shirt underneath. Depending on your fabric choices, you can use your corset as part of a formal gown, as day-wear, as part of a costume, or, in some cases, all of those three. If you'd like, you can repeat the same process with a new corset style and new fabric, and have something completely different. Whatever you decide to do with your corset, enjoy it! After all of the work you put into it, you ought to have some fun.
These instructions will show how to create a fashion corset. The resulting garment is a fashion piece, for costuming, formal, or decorative wear, and, while it does provide plenty of support, it will not “train” the waist as a functioning corset will. These instructions allow you to customize the shape and coverage of the corset to suit your own tastes and needs.
Machine sewing or hand sewing is not covered here; it is assumed that anyone attempting this project already has some experience with their sewing method of choice. What will be covered is: creating a custom fit pattern, cutting and assembling the pattern pieces, adding boning for extra support, and setting in the grommets for lacing.
Safety:
Always use caution when working with scissors. In this case, the scissors will be used very close to the skin, so be extremely careful not to cut the person or their undergarments.
Be careful with fabric pins and sewing needles. Keep them away from children and pets. If you drop one, make sure you find it, and always put them away after use.
If you are using a sewing machine, be sure to watch your fingers. Keep them on either side of the needle when guiding the fabric, and keep your eyes on the needle at all times when it is moving. When you finish sewing, move the needle to its lowest position and unplug the machine.
Care should be taken when wearing any type of corset or waist cincher. Be sure you are able to breathe properly while wearing the garment, and if you start to feel faint or out of breath, take it off immediately. Don’t put yourself in jeopardy for the sake of fashion.
Conclusion:
You should now have a custom-fitted fashion corset. You can wear it alone as a top (if it wasn’t an under-bust design!), or use it to give shape to a looser shirt underneath. Depending on your fabric choices, you can use your corset as part of a formal gown, as day-wear, as part of a costume, or, in some cases, all of those three. If you'd like, you can repeat the same process with a new corset style and new fabric, and have something completely different. Whatever you decide to do with your corset, enjoy it! After all of the work you put into it, you ought to have some fun.
06 March 2008 @ 04:45 pm
Materials:
Quantities and measurements are not provided here because they depend entirely on the corset design and the individual person.
Old t-shirt you don't mind ruining
Undershirt (optional)
Duct tape
Scissors
A peice of fabric large enough to wrap around your torso with at least a foot or so of overlap
Fabric chalk or a fabric pencil (this needs to be a contrasting color to your fabric)
Fabric pins
Sewing machine
Iron
Boning
Casing (which sometimes comes with boning)
OR bias tape (at least a quart inch wider than the boning)
OR ribbon (at least a quart inch wider than the boning)
Grommets
Grommet hammer set and hammer
OR Grommet pliers
Decorative ribbon or cord for lacing the corset
Making the pattern:
1. Put on your old t-shirt.
a. You may want to use a tight-fitting undershirt if you're on the modest side, as the t-shirt will be cut off of you.
2. Wrap the t-shirt in overlapping, horizontal layers of duct tape.
a. You should have someone else to help you do this.
b. The tape should cover the entire area that the corset will cover, and should be as tight as you want your corset to be.
c. It should not have any bumps or wrinkles. If any of these occur, smooth them out by covering them with another layer of tape.
3. Draw the contours of your corset onto the duct tape with a permanent marker.
a. A corset is made of several panels (4-9), rather than just a couple of large peices. Be sure to draw these panels onto the tape as well.
4. Very carefully, cut through the tape and the t-shirt with scissors.
a. Where you cut depends on the design of your desired corset. Cut where ever the lacing will go.
i.e. For a back-lacing corset, cut up the middle of the back. For a front-lacing corset, cut up the middle of the front.
5. Now you can take off the tape-wrapped shirt, and finish cutting out each of the panels. Be sure to keep them in order, as these duct-tape panels are your sewing pattern.
Cutting out the pattern:
6. Lay your pattern peices on the fabric.
a. Keep them in order, and all lined up the same way (with all the top edges facing the same way and all the bottom edges facing the same way).
This is especially important if you are using a patterned fabric.
b. Leave at least an inch between each of your peices, to account for a seam allowance.
7. Trace your pattern peices with fabric chalk or a fabric pencil.
8. Now cut out your peices, leaving a half an inch or more of extra fabric outside of the pattern lines.
Sewing the corset:
9. Pin your fabric peices together, slightly inside the traced lines.
a. Make sure the outer faces of each peice are facing each other when pinning.
10. Sew the pinned edges along the traced lines.
11. With an iron, press the seams open.
At this point, you have the option of using casing, bias tape, or ribbon. In these instructions, "casing" will refer to whichever one you chose.
You should usually sew your casing to the inside of the corset. However, if your casing material compliments your main fabric, you may sew in on the outside, for a decorative effect.
12. Cut strips of casing and boning for each seam on the corset.
a. Each strip of casing should be slightly longer than the seam it's going to cover, and each strip of boning should be just a fraction of an inch shorter.
13. Center the strips over their corresponding seams, and pin them down.
14. Keeping as close to the edge as possible, sew the strips in place, along both of the sides.
15. Slip the boning strips into the space between the casing and the main fabric.
16. Hem the top, bottom, and lacing edges of the corset.
a. If you sewed your casing on the outside, you may want to lines these edges with the casing as well.
Putting in the grommets:
17. Determine how many holes you will want to lace through, and mark their locations on the inside of the corset.
18. Make a small hole through all layers of fabric at each of these markings.
a. You can either use scissors or a small hole punch to do this, depending on the size of your grommets. Some grommets even come with their own hole punch.
19. Grommets come in two parts, the grommet and the washer. The grommet will have a short tube in the middle wich will go through the holes you've created.
a. The grommet goes on the outside of the corst, so place it over one of the holes and push it so the short tube goes through to the inside.
b. Place the grommet and corset, with grommet on bottom, onto the round metal disk from the hammer set.
c. Put the washer over the grommet with the fabric in between.
d. Place the setting tool into the hole of the washer and grommet, and hamer lightly, until the grommet is secure.
A set of grommet pliers will do all of steps 18 and 19 in one fell swoop, and are worth the $20 investment if you plan on using grommets in future projects.
20. Finish setting grommets in all of the holes, and you are finished. All that's left is to put on the corset and lace it up.
Quantities and measurements are not provided here because they depend entirely on the corset design and the individual person.
Old t-shirt you don't mind ruining
Undershirt (optional)
Duct tape
Scissors
A peice of fabric large enough to wrap around your torso with at least a foot or so of overlap
Fabric chalk or a fabric pencil (this needs to be a contrasting color to your fabric)
Fabric pins
Sewing machine
Iron
Boning
Casing (which sometimes comes with boning)
OR bias tape (at least a quart inch wider than the boning)
OR ribbon (at least a quart inch wider than the boning)
Grommets
Grommet hammer set and hammer
OR Grommet pliers
Decorative ribbon or cord for lacing the corset
Making the pattern:
1. Put on your old t-shirt.
a. You may want to use a tight-fitting undershirt if you're on the modest side, as the t-shirt will be cut off of you.
2. Wrap the t-shirt in overlapping, horizontal layers of duct tape.
a. You should have someone else to help you do this.
b. The tape should cover the entire area that the corset will cover, and should be as tight as you want your corset to be.
c. It should not have any bumps or wrinkles. If any of these occur, smooth them out by covering them with another layer of tape.
3. Draw the contours of your corset onto the duct tape with a permanent marker.
a. A corset is made of several panels (4-9), rather than just a couple of large peices. Be sure to draw these panels onto the tape as well.
4. Very carefully, cut through the tape and the t-shirt with scissors.
a. Where you cut depends on the design of your desired corset. Cut where ever the lacing will go.
i.e. For a back-lacing corset, cut up the middle of the back. For a front-lacing corset, cut up the middle of the front.
5. Now you can take off the tape-wrapped shirt, and finish cutting out each of the panels. Be sure to keep them in order, as these duct-tape panels are your sewing pattern.
Cutting out the pattern:
6. Lay your pattern peices on the fabric.
a. Keep them in order, and all lined up the same way (with all the top edges facing the same way and all the bottom edges facing the same way).
This is especially important if you are using a patterned fabric.
b. Leave at least an inch between each of your peices, to account for a seam allowance.
7. Trace your pattern peices with fabric chalk or a fabric pencil.
8. Now cut out your peices, leaving a half an inch or more of extra fabric outside of the pattern lines.
Sewing the corset:
9. Pin your fabric peices together, slightly inside the traced lines.
a. Make sure the outer faces of each peice are facing each other when pinning.
10. Sew the pinned edges along the traced lines.
11. With an iron, press the seams open.
At this point, you have the option of using casing, bias tape, or ribbon. In these instructions, "casing" will refer to whichever one you chose.
You should usually sew your casing to the inside of the corset. However, if your casing material compliments your main fabric, you may sew in on the outside, for a decorative effect.
12. Cut strips of casing and boning for each seam on the corset.
a. Each strip of casing should be slightly longer than the seam it's going to cover, and each strip of boning should be just a fraction of an inch shorter.
13. Center the strips over their corresponding seams, and pin them down.
14. Keeping as close to the edge as possible, sew the strips in place, along both of the sides.
15. Slip the boning strips into the space between the casing and the main fabric.
16. Hem the top, bottom, and lacing edges of the corset.
a. If you sewed your casing on the outside, you may want to lines these edges with the casing as well.
Putting in the grommets:
17. Determine how many holes you will want to lace through, and mark their locations on the inside of the corset.
18. Make a small hole through all layers of fabric at each of these markings.
a. You can either use scissors or a small hole punch to do this, depending on the size of your grommets. Some grommets even come with their own hole punch.
19. Grommets come in two parts, the grommet and the washer. The grommet will have a short tube in the middle wich will go through the holes you've created.
a. The grommet goes on the outside of the corst, so place it over one of the holes and push it so the short tube goes through to the inside.
b. Place the grommet and corset, with grommet on bottom, onto the round metal disk from the hammer set.
c. Put the washer over the grommet with the fabric in between.
d. Place the setting tool into the hole of the washer and grommet, and hamer lightly, until the grommet is secure.
A set of grommet pliers will do all of steps 18 and 19 in one fell swoop, and are worth the $20 investment if you plan on using grommets in future projects.
20. Finish setting grommets in all of the holes, and you are finished. All that's left is to put on the corset and lace it up.
23 February 2008 @ 06:17 pm
The following elements should be included in any written instructions:
Introduction: Discuss what kind of prodecure will be explained, its end results, and an overview of the content of your introduction. Also provide the scope of the instructions (what will not be covered).
General warnings, caution, and danger notices: Explain safety precautions and any risks involved. Also point out key steps.
Technical background or theory: Provide any background or theory that may be needed in order to understand all of the steps in your instructions.
Equipment and supplies: List all the materials and tools needed to complete the instructions.
Discussion of the steps:
Structure and format: Will the instructions be in a fixed-order, variable order, alternate steps, nested steps, or stepless format? Group steps into sections with headings.
Supplementary discussion: Provide any necessary information, such as why a step is needed or what the thing should look like before or after a step, etc. Use graphics if necessary. Make sure the actual step itself is not lost inside this information, i.e. make it stand out from the rest.
Writing Style: Use imperative language (not passive), and be sure to use articles where they are appropriate.
Introduction: Discuss what kind of prodecure will be explained, its end results, and an overview of the content of your introduction. Also provide the scope of the instructions (what will not be covered).
General warnings, caution, and danger notices: Explain safety precautions and any risks involved. Also point out key steps.
Technical background or theory: Provide any background or theory that may be needed in order to understand all of the steps in your instructions.
Equipment and supplies: List all the materials and tools needed to complete the instructions.
Discussion of the steps:
Structure and format: Will the instructions be in a fixed-order, variable order, alternate steps, nested steps, or stepless format? Group steps into sections with headings.
Supplementary discussion: Provide any necessary information, such as why a step is needed or what the thing should look like before or after a step, etc. Use graphics if necessary. Make sure the actual step itself is not lost inside this information, i.e. make it stand out from the rest.
Writing Style: Use imperative language (not passive), and be sure to use articles where they are appropriate.
31 January 2008 @ 03:35 pm
The following is an analysis of the audience for the brochure I will be making in this class.
Describe your intended audience---who are these readers?
The reader of this proposal will be Ron Smith, the pastor for Church of the King.
Describe your intended audience in terms of the organization they work for and their position or title.
Pastor Ron Smith is a former business man who used to work for Proctor & Gamble.
Describe your intended audience in terms of their occupation, profession, or field.
As pastor of the church, he is expected to oversee all church business, including promotional materials, and to provide guidance to the members of the church.
Describe your intended audience in terms of their needs for or interest in the information you plan to include in this writing project.
He will be interested in planning a brochure to try and bring in a larger congregation for the church.
Describe how your intended audience will use the information you include in this writing project.
He will use the information in my proposal to make an informed descision on whether or not to have the brochure made.
Describe the technical background of your intended audience--what do they know and not know about your topic? what are their technical limitations in relation to this writing project?
Pastor Ron Smith has casual and secretarial experience with the computer, and has quite a bit of experience in advertising.
31 January 2008 @ 02:44 pm
The following elements should be included in any written proposal:
Introduction: Tell the reader the purpose and contents of the proposal.
Background information on the problem/opportunity/situation: Give information to get the reader concerned/excited/interested.
Benefits and feasibility of the proposed project: Describe how the project will improve things, or what advantages it will bring.
Description of the proposed work (results of the project): Tell what the project would consist of, what it will look like, and how it will work.
Method, procedure, theory: Tell how you would go about the proposed project.
Schedule: Propose a timeline including major checkpoints.
Qualifications: Supply a mini-resume with information that shows you are the right person for the project.
Special project-specific sections (optional): Provide anything that is not typically included in a proposal, but that is important for your specific project.
Costs, resources required: A list of costs and resources should go near the end of the proposal.
Conclusions: Give a brief review of project benefits (to soften the hit of the costs), and urge reader to accept.
Introduction: Tell the reader the purpose and contents of the proposal.
Background information on the problem/opportunity/situation: Give information to get the reader concerned/excited/interested.
Benefits and feasibility of the proposed project: Describe how the project will improve things, or what advantages it will bring.
Description of the proposed work (results of the project): Tell what the project would consist of, what it will look like, and how it will work.
Method, procedure, theory: Tell how you would go about the proposed project.
Schedule: Propose a timeline including major checkpoints.
Qualifications: Supply a mini-resume with information that shows you are the right person for the project.
Special project-specific sections (optional): Provide anything that is not typically included in a proposal, but that is important for your specific project.
Costs, resources required: A list of costs and resources should go near the end of the proposal.
Conclusions: Give a brief review of project benefits (to soften the hit of the costs), and urge reader to accept.
30 January 2008 @ 06:18 pm
27385 Bass Blvd.
Harlingen, TX 78552
January 27, 2008
Ron Smith, Pastor
Church of the King
7401 N. Ware Rd
McAlln, TX 78504
Dear Pastor Ron Smith:
I understand that you are looking to outreach to more people, and to promote the guidance and fellowship that Church of the King offers. A well designed, publicly accessible brochure outlining the church's beliefs and values can help to attract attention to the church services. Please consider my offer to design one for you.
I have attended Digital Imaging courses at Texas State Technical College for three semesters, and also have a bit of experience outside of the classroom as well. Also, I believe that being a member of this church for the past nine months has given me some of the background necessary to highlight the details that will help attract new attendees.
I am available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and of course, after service on Sundays. Please contact me to discuss any details. I look forward to working with you on this brochure.
Sincerely,
Amanda Russell
Harlingen, TX 78552
January 27, 2008
Ron Smith, Pastor
Church of the King
7401 N. Ware Rd
McAlln, TX 78504
Dear Pastor Ron Smith:
I understand that you are looking to outreach to more people, and to promote the guidance and fellowship that Church of the King offers. A well designed, publicly accessible brochure outlining the church's beliefs and values can help to attract attention to the church services. Please consider my offer to design one for you.
I have attended Digital Imaging courses at Texas State Technical College for three semesters, and also have a bit of experience outside of the classroom as well. Also, I believe that being a member of this church for the past nine months has given me some of the background necessary to highlight the details that will help attract new attendees.
I am available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and of course, after service on Sundays. Please contact me to discuss any details. I look forward to working with you on this brochure.
Sincerely,
Amanda Russell
24 January 2008 @ 08:07 pm
The following is an analysis of the audience for the letter of introduction that I will write.
Describe your intended audience---who are these readers?
The audience will be Ron Smith, the pastor for Church of the King in McAllen.
Describe your intended audience in terms of the organization they work for and their position or title.
Pastor Ron Smith is the head of the church, and is responsible for providing guidance to church member, handling business transactions, and advertising for church services.
Describe your intended audience in terms of their occupation, profession, or field.
As pastor, he has to work with a council of elders to make important decisions, and keep well-organized records. He also works with them to help plan the services, hymnals, announcements, and such (apart from the sermon, which he prepares on his own).
Describe your intended audience in terms of their needs for or interest in the information you plan to include in this writing project.
He will be interested in a way to reach out to more people, and I will suggest to him that we create a brochure to promote the church.
Describe how your intended audience will use the information you include in this writing project.
Pastor Ron Smith will consider my offer to create a brochure, and will have a general idea of my qualifications for such a project.
Describe the technical background of your intended audience--what do they know and not know about your topic? what are their technical limitations in relation to this writing project?
He is proficient with the computer, and, having worked for Proctor & Gamble in the past, he has extensive experience with business correspondence.
24 January 2008 @ 07:34 pm
The following is a list of elements that should be present in any business letter:
I believe the most important of these elements are:
- Heading
- Inside Address
- Salutation
- Subject/reference line
- Body
- Complimentary close
- Signature block
- End notations
I believe the most important of these elements are:
- The inside address: Ensures that the letter is delivered to the correct recipient.
- The body: Conveys your message.
- The signature block: Lets the reader know who to respond to.
20 January 2008 @ 02:25 pm
Here are four sites that I've found which I think will be helpful to me during this course.
( See the list... )
20 January 2008 @ 02:20 pm
Hello, my name is Amanda Russell. I live in the outskirts of Harlingen, near La Feria, with my mother and sister, and we have two dogs. A couple of my classmates here may already know me, but I've been somewhat of a recluse lately, and I apologize for that.
14 January 2008 @ 10:25 pm
Hello, welcome to my blog for Technical Business Writing.
This entry isn't really here to provide any information, it's just that the page looks sorta weird when it's empty.
This entry isn't really here to provide any information, it's just that the page looks sorta weird when it's empty.