An Eighteenth Century pair of bodices, may have as few as two, since shaping generally ends abruptly at the waist, the hips need no accommodation. I cut and file my own steel bones, so a background in metal-smithing does come in handy. A custom Lily Guild corset is made with at least twenty stay pockets. All corsets are made by me personally, with the greatest care and attention to detail. This assures that you will never see your custom corset duplicated exactly.
All first timers can expect to reduce two inches right away, some, as many as six.
A four-inch reduction rule seems to be the prevailing gauge. Although I do private fittings, they are by appointment only. The majority of my business is mail order via my web site. Although still made to order, they are fitted according to waist size only, versus the many measurements a custom corset requires. What your panties say about you, or your loved one, may be only limited by your imagination.