An Improved Corset Bodice.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Corset Bodice.
Ladies'
1, MARGARET ORR, of 47 Wigmore Street, in the County of London, W.,
and Children's Outfitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention refers to an improved corset bodice which is especially useful for hot
climates, or for wear while playing lawn tennis or in taking similar physical exercise,
or as a change after wearing the ordinary stiff or warm corsets now generally used.
They are convenient for wear under tea gowns, and are very suitable for those who
object to the usual stiff corsets.
The improved corset bodice is preferably composed of cotton, or equivalent kind of
fibre, which is made into the kind of elastic fabric know as stockinet. In the accom-
panying drawing of an improved corset bodice, opened out, it will be seen that the
material is shaped with four prolongations at the top, a, a, which is integral with the
remainder thereof. Each pair of these prolongations is shaped and arranged to form
the shoulder straps and be fastened by a button and button hole, (as shown on the left
side of the drawing) or by other suitable fastening. The outer edge of the whole of
the upper part, with the prolongations, is folded over or stitched like a band, and into
the outer portions on the right and left of the drawing, marked b, b, is run a ribbon
or tape c and fastened at its inner extremity. This serves to gather up and fasten
the front of the corset bodice at the upper part, while the ordinary fastenings d, d,
and d', d', are shown below the same. The corset bodice may, however, be fastened
or laced up the back, in the well-known manner.
The stockinet fabric is cut into gores, and sewn together at several points, in a more
or less vertical manner, as shown at e, e. These gores are stitched through along
their edges on reverse sides to form pockets for the stiffening bones, which, however,
extend from the bottom band of the corset bodice to the points marked e¹ only, the
bodice extending above these points, and conforming to the figure of the wearer. A
broad woven band extends the full width of the corset bodice and is sewn to the
plaits e e, on the inside of the garment; and this serves to take any undue strain, and
to make it fit closely to the waist.
The improved corset bodice is made of cotton, merino or fine grades of wool or
mixtures thereof. The material is knitted upon a flat web knitting machine with fine
ribs upon one side of the fabric only. This fabric which is very elastic-is cut from
the piece into gores and sewn together in the manner already described. I am aware,
however, that knitted corset bodices have been made of wool and ribbed to give
elasticity, and therefore do not claim such garments broadly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. An improved corset bodice of stockīnet, substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein described and illustrated.
2. An improved corset bodice which comprises shaped gores cut from a thin elastic
knitted fabric, sewn together upon their edges to form pockets for stiffening bones of
a reduced length, and baving four prolongations upon the upper part shaped and
adapted with fastenings to serve as shoulder straps and made adjustable to the figure,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.