My First Corset

I love Once More With Feeling. I adore both musicals and Buffy, so what was not to like?

Since I saw Tara’s corset in the episode I have covetted it, though not so much the rest of the outfit... I don’t know what they were thinking with those sleeves (mustard yellow?). So when at last year’s Toronto Trek, a bunch of us talked about doing a Once More With Feeling/Rocky Horror Picture Show type thing for the following year, I knew I had to make that Tara outfit. (It ended up being a Sing Along, but we’re contemplating a stage show for next year...)

So, I made my first corset, and I am very pleased with it! I used the “packing tape a t-shirt to your body and cut it out and use it for the pattern” method. Then I constructed the canvas lining, added the boning (plastic), and then did the shiny tafetta layer (with gold ribon sewn onto for detailing). Of course, I also made the rest of the outfit, but I may remove the sleaves and where the top with jeans sometimes...

This outfit was great fun to wear! Especially for the Sing Along, where I danced in front of the screen. And it was far more comfortable than expected. I would use this pattern to make more corsets. The sandals were orginally worn for my Formal. And if I re-ware this costume I need to get a wig. Straightening and gold spray were disastrous (humidity didn’t help).

I entered this costume in the Masquarade (never having been in one before I was very nervous). I lip synced to the first verse and chorus of “Under Your Spell” and did the corresponding dance on stage...

... And I won Best Novice Costume!!!

Pictures

Tara outfit finished! (long night)
Tara and Xander (after the Sing Along)