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For beginners, finding a corset pattern online or in a pattern catalog is recommended over trying to make a custom-fit pattern. A good pattern will be adjustable to fit your size and should provide perfectly satisfactory results. Keep in mind that a simple, basic corset pattern will usually be better for a novice than a complex one. Corsets can be difficult to make, so take it easy on yourself the first time or two around. You can find corset patterns for free and for sale, but the best kind usually fall into the latter category. You should be able to find an easy to follow corset pattern on the internet or in the sewing department of a craft store. Alternatively, you can also make a custom corset pattern, but the process involves intricately plotting out your measurements on graph paper. A good pattern has multiple sizes marked on it, ranging usually from 6 to 26. Most patterns allow for 2 inches of ease in the back for lacing up the corset, so don't be alarmed if the pattern seems especially small. Find your size by taking your bust, waist, and hip measurement. Once you have the appropriate size, cut out the pattern. Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your bust while wearing a standard bra for your bust measurement. Find your waist measurement by wrapping a tape measure around the thinnest part of your waist, 2 inches (5 cm) above the navel. The corset is a garment worn to shape your body. Normally, you'll subtract 4 inches (10 cm) from your waist measurement. The hip measurement can be found by wrapping a tape measure around the widest part of your hips. This is roughly 8 inches (20 cm) below your waist measurement. The best material to use for a corset is corset coutil, because it is specifically designed for corsets, 100% cotton so it's breathable, very strong for its weight, and has little give in any direction. If you don't have coutil you can use a sturdy cotton duck (canvas) or quality linen. If you use duck fabric or linen, know that your corset will have more give in the finished product and will likely fit a bit larger than if made from coutil. You can also add inner lining to your corset for extra comfort. Use a firmly woven cotton or cotton blend and cut and sew the lining following the pattern for the corset. When you choose thread for your corset, test it first to check the quality of the thread. All-purpose thread should be fine, but before you use it, unravel a length and try to snap it with your hands. If it doesn't break easily it is fine to use, but don't use thread that breaks easily because it will undergo a lot of tension in the corset and you want it to be sturdy. Wash and dry the fabric before you use it and iron it flat to remove any wrinkles or folds before cutting the fabric. Check the grain. If you examine fabric closely you'll see that it has a "weft thread," which is the thread that is horizontal across the fabric, and a "warp thread" which intersects the waft thread at a right angle and is vertical across the fabric. These terms are also interchangeable with the terms "grain line" and "cross-grain." You'll want to cut the fabric along the stretchiest grain line, so stretch the fabric in both directions, determining which direction is more stretchy. Often times fabric will have a red line with arrows showing the grain line, and the perpendicular line to that is the cross-grain. Lay the pattern vertically over the fabric, following the grain line with the most amount of stretch, which is most likely the cross-grain. You should avoid excess stretch encircling your waist. Pin the pattern onto the fabric. You could also use pattern weights, which can be stones or weights that help hold the pattern in place. If you opt for this method, outline the pattern with chalk before cutting. Sometimes this is a better option because it prevents any distortion when cutting the fabric. Make sure that you cut the pieces out according to the pattern instructions. Be a perfectionist when doing this, because the fabric needs to be the exact measurements as the pattern, or your corset won't fit correctly. Depending on the fabric pattern you have, you may need to cut some of the pieces twice. Some patterns require you to cut the center-back pieces twice, the center-front piece once, and all other pieces twice, with all cuts on the fold and with no seam allowance at the back. Follow the pattern's instructions for how many cuts you need to make.
Find or make a pattern. Determine your size. Choose your fabric. Prepare your fabric. Pin the pattern to the fabric. Cut the pieces out.