Hi all,

I have just realised how long it is since my last post! Sorry for the delay in keeping you up to date with my progress.

The concept of my current samples:- the contradictions found in corsetry. Hard, rigid, unrelenting steel distorting the body used in conjunction with soft, delicate fabrics and lace.

Violent and ruthless vs. dainty and feminine.

I am focusing on these contrasts in my work by using steel boning, wire mesh, hooks and eyelets in combination with fabrics from the corsets that I have collected to produce sculptural forms that will be presented as a collection.

Steel and satin ribbon sculpture placed

Steel and satin ribbon sculpture hanging

Steel, wire and padded sculpture hanging

Steel, wire and padded sculpture, detail

some experimental samples

I thought it was time to upload some images of the experimental work that I have embarked upon. I began by deconstructing one of my corsets, by removing the central lacing panel and then cutting away the infil fabric panels to leave the skeletons. I have been looking at these as sculptural forms.

The lacing panel and part of the skeleton are pinned to the wall and the resulting sculptures are analysed and sketched.

Some experimental, large scale french knitting produced a piece that was very corset like. In a moment of madness I decided to put the knitting on a wooden tripod style structure and turn the piece into a 'madonna' style art work.

I have also been experimenting with padding inside the skeleton and the use of text. This is ongoing and hasn't been resolved.

I will be back soon to keep you all updated.

West Dean Workshop

I have been busy at West Dean College working with a very inspiring tutor - Michael Brennand Wood and a group of very talented students. We were all searching for our inner creative selves and I found the whole experience very liberating.

I am well underway with my corsetry experimentation and will post some images later on today when I have down loaded them. The work I have been doing is very experimental and some of it is quite bizarre! I am trying to think outside the box.

I found a brilliant quote while I was in the West Dean Library one evening, browsing the books on sculptural textiles.

'Thinking outside the box means to think the unthinkable and to suggest the ridiculous'
Janet Edmonds - 3 Dimensional Embroidery p15

This has become my mantra and will stay with me through the rest of this module. I love it!!

creating

The heap of corsets on the table were an inspiration in themselves.

They are a journey back through time, just piled up as they are. Each one holds a secret story of a time and place, a particular person, everyday and special occasions; who knows.

Representing the layers of time are my first challenge and the photos show a selection of ideas that are developing.

A sketchbook page

Layered corsets

Suspended corsets

Lots of thank-you's!

I have now managed to put emails, photos and cards together so that I know exactly who sent what.

Thank you Henriette for the beautiful 1950's cotton pique corset/bodice. I think this fascinating garment was made to be worn as a bodice, perhaps with an evening skirt. The fabric and the finish are very fine and with the turn back cuff along the top edge, does not appear to correspond with other garments that were worn as foundation wear.

Thank you Anthea for these two, very contrasting donations.

This liberty bodice would probably have been designed for a teenager as it is quite large and has suspenders.

This item, also donated by Anthea, is a 60/70's 'roll on'. As the name implies, it was rolled up into position. This was a significant development as there were no bulky hooks/eyes or laces to have to deal with.

Thank you Wendy for the modern panti girdle. It must be fairly recent as it has a bar code and web address on the box. It is interesting to compare this item with an earlier item sent by Anthea.

Thank you Sally for being willing to do donate a garment that you remember wearing during the 1960's. This is a fine example of a surgical corset designed to help improve back problems. Most of the leading corsetry companies of the day produced a range of these corsets which had first been developed following WW1 when so many men needed support for their injuries.

Thank you Patricia for the corset 'bones'. These are very interesting as the introduction of flexible, steel boning meant more comfortable corsetry as they allowed a certain amount of movement. It is interesting to be able to examine these and compare their flexibility with the rigid nature of the plastic covered, solid metal boning.

Thank you Susan for donating two garments that belonged to your mother. Susan's mother worked for a corsetry company in Banbury during the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Susan believes these may have been pieces that her mother made at work.

A black and pink, lace bustier (very small size)

A black and pink, lace corset. Although the garment has elastic panels, it is quite heavy and firm with a zip fastener. Quite a contrast to the one donated by Anthea.

I have added these to the more up to date examples that I have found at car boot sales and charity shops, and now have a fascinating collection to begin work with.

I would also like to thank those of you who, unable to offer garments, showed interest and enthusiasm for this project.

I will be posting some images of my design work as it unfolds.

Corset update

Hi all,

I have now begun work using the wonderful corset collection that so many people contributed to.

The first task has been to photograph and catalogue all of the corsets. This is a fascinating task and as soon as it is complete I will post information and photos for all to see.

Keep in touch. Marilyn

My first post

Hello Everyone,

This is a big day for me. My first blog entry. It has taken me a while to get to this point, but with some determination I think I have made it.

As some of you will be aware I am a mature student in the final stages of a Creative Textile Degree which I have been studying part time, by distance learning, for the past 5 years. Just one year left, well actually, 9 months if I am being precise, so a great deal to do. Last year I completed my dissertation, the title of which was:-

Fast and Loose: Fastenings as indicators of social and technological change in 19th and 20th Century Britain.

During the research for this I was fortunate to be able to visit Bath Museum of Fashion and the Symington Collection in Leicester which both hold collections of corsetry. These wonderful items reflect brilliantly the society of the time and how women lived their lives. The corsetry industry was at the forefront of fastening technology too which provided excellent evidence for my studies.

This endlessly fascinating subject has provided the inspiration for the creative work that I will be doing for my final degree show next May. I plan to use corsetry as the basis for my work as a metaphor for Freedom. The freedom women fought so hard to achieve which has provided us with the choices we enjoy today.

Working with corsetry meant that I needed to collect some examples so I put out...

A call for corsets.

As part of my Textile Degree studies I have been researching corsetry styles and how they affected women’s lifestyles during the 19^th and 20^th centuries. I am now planning to use old corsetry as the focus for my next practical assignment.

I would be very grateful for donations of any corsets, girdles, suspender belts or similar items which may be lurking in the loft, wedged in the wardrobe, curled up in the cupboard, discarded in a drawer.

Items of any age and condition will be gladly received along with any stories they have to tell. If you have some little treasure that you are willing to part with please contact me – Marilyn Hall, Warwickshire, . marilynhalluk@yahoo.co.uk Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from any of you who can help. Marilyn Hall

I sent this to every lady on my email, put printed copies our local village shop and farm shop and gave a copy to anyone who I thought might be able to help. What a talking point it proved to be!! it led to endless comments about memories of mum, grandma, auntie and their 'amazing contraptions'. It also led to a very welcome selection of contributions of corsets, panti girdles, suspender belts and odds and ends. So a huge thank you to all who have shown an interest or have contributed items and memories. As a way of keeping you all informed I plan to use this blog as a diary and visual record of my progress. I will endeavour to upload posts and photos a couple of times a week and would welcome your responses and input.

Please pass the blog address on to all who you think may be interested. I will be including other useful and relevant information too and would be pleased if you would do the same.

I look forward to hearing from you all. Creative Marilyn