A “BODICE” is generally a vest-like garment that may (or may not) “PUSH-UP” the BREASTS o’ the wearer. None o’ the Bodices pictured here do a “PUSH-UP” thing.

THIS is a “PUSH-UP” BODICE!!!

The “Berry Booby Dawn” Bodice!”

In fact, THIS is the Berry Booby Bodice I bought for MYNESELF, in 2001!!!

Unfortunately, Berry Booby Bodices is OUT o’ Bizness.
SO, go to my COSTUME LINKS page to see some alternatives,
if this is what you’re after!

“BELT-BODICE”

“TRUE” Bodices (whether or NOT they PUSH UP THE BOOBS) REQUIRE A LOT o’ WORK to make!

“BELT-BODICE”

“BELT-BODICE”

HENCE, for my “Loan” Costumes, I created “BELT BODICES”

A BELT-BODICE is something relatively SIMPLE and EASY to make, and REASONABLY RESEMBLES the EFFECT of a “BODICE!”

MEASURE: The WAIST = _______ inches.
That is the “length” of the fabric to cut for a Belt Bodice for that individual!

PLZ NOTE: Generally, when cutting something, one adds an inch or two to a measurement, so that after the garment is sewn, using ½ inch – or wider – seams, the “FINISHED” length equals the measurement.
HOWEVER: Once the ends are tucked-under and “finished,” and the Belt Bodice tightly-laced, the Belt Bodice is SUPPOSED to be slightly less-long than the person’s waist!
This way, some BLOUSE shows through the ties of the Belt Bodice =
helps it look more like a “Bodice” than a “Belt!”

CUTTING:

• CUT a “Top” piece of fabric WAIST-long x 6 ½" Wide.
  (You can diminish the width for folkz who are height-challenged – or for Kidz. But, I’ve come to appreciate a FINISHED width of 5 ½" for most women. So, cut the width of the Belt Bodice fabric 6 ½" wide.)
• CUT an “Underneath” piece of “sturdy” fabric (canvas … corduroy) WAIST-long x 6 ½" Wide.
• If “Top” is a “sturdy” cotton fabric, and “Underneath” fabric is “sturdy,” NO INTERFACING is needed.
• If BOTH “Top” & “Underneath” fabrics are “sturdy,” NO INTERFACING is needed.
• If “Top” Fabric is really “flimsy” (silk … satin), cut a piece of INTERFACING the same size as the Top/Underneath piece.

Personally, I’ve never used Lace/Ribbon Decoration (or BOTTOM FRINGE!) on the Belt Bodices I’ve made.
But, STUFF LIKE THAT is CERTAINLY something you can consider!

(Detail of side-by-side lace & ribbon from a Blouse Sleeve. This can be done on a Belt Bodice!)

(Detail of lace-cased ribbon on Myne Pouch Flap. This can be done on a Belt Bodice!)

(BTW: WAIT until LATER to attach FRINGE or EDGING!!!)

SEW BELT BODICE sections together:

• Place UNDERNEATH fabric, Right-Side-UP, on a surface.
• Place TOP Fabric Right-Side-DOWN on top of that.
• Place Interfacing (if used and not “fused” to the wrong side of the Top Fabric) on top of that.

Pin and Sew ALMOST all the way around the edges
(1/2" or presser-foot-width from edge)
LEAVE AN OPEN SECTION approximately 2" wide
in the middle of either the TOP or BOTTOM of the Belt Bodice.

DIAGONALLY-CLIP FABRIC at CORNERS
This technique allows for a better appearance when the piece is turned Right-Side-Out: CLIP OFF the “points” of the corners, being careful not to Clip-Into the Seam Thread.

Pull the Sewn Piece Right-Side-Out
Reach into the opening you left, and grasp the “Right Side” of either the Top or Underneath fabric. Then, pull the piece Right-Side-Out.
Ensure that all seam-edges & corners (points) are “pushed out” …
Then PRESS Nice & Flat.

CLOSE OPENING:
Tuck Edges of Opening inside so that the “line” of that Belt Bodice edge is “even.”
PRESS (iron) the edge closed.

If you want to do BOTTOM FRINGE and/or EDGING-TRIM Stuff, DO IT NOW.(*) (* See “NOTE” below, FIRST!) Since the majority of BLOUSES will “pooch” out and over the Belt Bodice TOP, I only put EDGING along the Belt Bodice BOTTOM.

* NOTE: Consider NOT taking the Fringe or Edging all the way to the EDGE of the Bodice Opening. I find it better to place EYELETS at the very BOTTOM and the very TOP o’ the Bodice Opening. If your Fringe/Edging comes right-to, or around-behind, the edge o’ the opening, you’ll have to start your Eyelets above/below that point. This often results in the Fringed/Edged Top or Bottom CURLING and becoming less-attractive than it would otherwise be.

Bodice Eyelet Positioning vs. Edging location.

If you’re going to do a BOTTOM FRINGE:
Sew FRINGE onto the “Right Side” of the Belt Bodice Bottom Edge, FIRST.

Sew Edging-Trim onto the “Right Side” of the Belt Bodice: along the bottom
(and the top if you like).

NEXT STEP: EYELETS!

FIRST: Buy ONLY the LARGE Eyelets! The small Eyelets suck. They consist of only one piece (although two pieces are pictured here & elsewhere), and they don’t install well or wear well. The Large Eyelets require TWO pieces … they are much easier to install and are much more durable.		Get an Eyelet “Kit” The “Kit” includes the eyelet-setting tool, along with a few sets of eyelets. After that, all you’ll ever need is more Eyelets = packages that contain only the sets of eyelets – and MORE sets of them than are included in the “Kit.”
SUCKY Small eyelets & Tool DON’T GET THESE!	Eyelets come in GOLD or SILVER. Either Color Will Werk!	LARGE eyelets & Tool GET THESE!!!

Here’s the Instructions for Installing the Eyelets (These come with the kit AND with the eyelets-only packages.) IGNORE the “Reinforce” Step!!!

The Most Important Part about Installing Eyelets is that you Install Them EVENLY down either side of the Bodice Opening. Make sure that each side lines-up with the other!

Lace the cord Up one side and Down the Other, then allow for a several “extra” inches of cord length before cutting the cord.

After That Just pull some cord through the Eyelets – & “seal” the CORD ends by wrapping electrical tape around the area you’ll be cutting, BEFORE cutting the cord! (Cut through the middle of the electrical-tape-wound part!)

SEAL CORD ENDS BEFORE you CUT them!

If you have suggestions for MISTRESS CHAS’ RENAISSANCE WEB SITE,
Plz Email the “WebMistress” – Ms. Chas!
c-d-miller@neb.rr.com
That’s: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com –
those are hyphens/dashes (-)
between the “c” and “d” and “miller”

This COUNTER was started in June, 2001.