As we continue our journey through the history of corsetry, we arrive at a fascinating period where structure, elegance and craftsmanship became increasingly intertwined. By the 17th century, the earlier "pair of bodies" had evolved into what we now recognise as stays. These garments were becoming more refined, more structured and increasingly important to fashionable dress throughout Europe. One of the most common misconceptions about historical corsetry is that it was always about creating a tiny waist. In reality, the fashionable silhouette of the 1600s was very different. The goal was a long, smooth torso, upright posture and a cone-shaped silhouette that supported the elaborate gowns of the Baroque period. Rather than emphasising curves, stays helped create a controlled and elegant line beneath clothing. The construction itself was becoming increasingly sophisticated. Makers used materials such as: 🌿 Reed 🌿 Cane 🌿 Buckram 🐋 Baleen (commonly known as whalebone) 🪡 Linen 🪡 Wool 🪡 Silk and decorative brocades One particularly important development was the growing use of baleen. Despite its name, whalebone wasn't actually bone at all. It was a flexible material taken from the baleen plates of whales, offering the perfect balance between strength and movement. This made it ideal for creating the support required by increasingly elaborate garments. The 17th century also saw the widespread use of features we still associate with corsetry today: ✨ Boning channels ✨ Lacing systems ✨ Structured shaping ✨ Waist tabs for movement ✨ Reinforced construction techniques For anyone interested in historical costume, dressmaking, tailoring or couture, studying stays offers valuable insight into how garments achieve shape and support. Many techniques used in modern corsetry can trace their origins directly back to this period. As makers, it's easy to focus on the outer garment, but these hidden foundations are often where the real engineering takes place. I'd love to hear from you:

In just five decades, silhouettes softened, corsets disappeared, waists dropped, shoulders sharpened, skirts widened again… and clothing began reflecting freedom, war, rebellion, glamour, practicality, and identity in completely different ways. And honestly? You can still feel traces of every one of these eras in modern sewing today. The bias cut of the 1930s. The structure of the 1940s. The femininity of the 1950s. This is why I love studying historical dress so much, fashion is never just clothing. It tells us what society valued, what people longed for, and how makers solved problems with nothing but fabric, structure, and skill with the changing times within our societies. So now I want to know… 🪡 Which decade pulls you in most, and why? 🪡 If you could sew ONE garment from these decades, what would it be? 🪡 And which period do you think had the most beautiful construction techniques? I've been a busy bee in the background, clearing my storage, designs, costumes and much more, ready to start uploading and sharing next right here in The Atelier Hub, very exciting! I'm building the group in real time, and grateful you're here, sharing this space of sewers 🪡 🥰 So, tell the hub what you think of the 50 years fashion journey 1900-1950's. Drop your thoughts below in comments 👇 Claire Amelia 🌞

Whilst I'm sewing, my eldest daughter is making an avocado cushion. She's mentioned her stuffing, and my brain just could not remember what it was called!! Just shows, if we don't use a material, haberdashery item, sewing style or discipline for some time, we can forget .. I've made props, costumes, pillow and much more with wadding. So, what do you call it? Drop your answers in comments, let's see f it has a different name in different countries 👇 This is what the group is about, remembering, learning, educating, nurturing our love around sewing 🪡

Let’s get into the work a little deeper today. Across all disciplines, there are techniques we return to again and again, the ones that quietly define our standard. What’s one technique you feel has truly changed your work over time? Not something basic, but something you’ve refined, reconsidered, or now approach differently with experience. I’d love to hear what’s shaped your hands. 🫶 & A BIG WELCOME to our latest group members @Janine Martin @Suzanne Bowyer I'm building in real time, & grateful you are here 🔥