Step Into a World Where Your Dreams are Cut, Shaped & Stitched into Being
A GUIDE TO ORDERING YOUR BESPOKE CORSET
Bespoke corsetry is the heart and soul of my business. Every client arrives with a different story, a different vision, and a different reason for seeking a bespoke or custom corset — and no two journeys are ever the same. From bridal corsets and tightlacing corsetry to fashion, performance, to figure transforming designs, bespoke corsetry is deeply personal.
My favourite moment in the entire bespoke corset process is always the first fitting. It is the moment a client sees their vision take shape for the very first time — the silhouette they imagined becoming reality. There is often a pause, a breath, and then a smile as delight replaces uncertainty.
The whole process is filled with creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship. After a consultation, my atelier is often covered in silks, lace, trims, sketches, and fabric samples — a beautiful kind of chaos that reflects the artistry behind every handmade corset. I often leave everything exactly where it is for a few days afterwards because it reminds me of the excitement and joy of planning a dream vision.
Commissioning a bespoke corset is more than simply ordering a garment; it is a collaborative design journey. This is why I call it “The Bespoke Pathway”. Below, you will find exactly what to expect when commissioning a bespoke corset from JB Corsets.
Defining your Vision
Bespoke corsets are uniquely crafted for each client through a close creative partnership, where together we design your dream vision. I then bring it to life for you to treasure for many years — and hopefully for generations to come.
The design of your corset will be something you have dreamed about - it could be a definite design or a concept of colour and textures or simply an idea.
If you aren't sure of your exact requirements, please don't worry, I can help you by listening to your ideas and suggesting ways in which we can make it happen. I can help with design, fabrics, trims, or accessories - anything is possible and this will all be discussed in great detail during your first consultation with me.
I have a wide range of fabrics, laces, tulles, and other exciting accoutrements combined with nearly 2 decades of experience corsetting all shapes, sizes and genders, to help you visualise your thoughts.
Together we will form a plan and then work will commence.
The Bespoke Pathway Explained
what happens next?
First Steps
Every bespoke corset commission begins with a conversation. I offer complimentary 20–30 minute Zoom consultations to discuss your concept, inspiration, and vision in more detail. Whether you are looking for a bridal corset, couture corset, or a completely custom design, this stage allows us to explore the possibilities together.
Following this, I will provide a comprehensive quote broken down into three areas: labour costs, material costs, and any additional extras. Extras may include embellishments, specialist trims, or add-on accessories, some of which may be decided upon after the initial commission begins.
Once the quote has been accepted, the real work begins. The design is refined and perfected, while fabrics and final details can still be confirmed at this stage.
Drafting your Corset Pattern - the Blueprint of your Body
Once the design has been finalised, a bespoke corset pattern is drafted to your exact measurements and a corset toile is created for fitting.
The initial toile determines how many additional fittings may be required and can reveal factors such as asymmetry in the figure. A completely new made-to-measure corset design may require up to five fittings to perfect the shape and structure. However, in most cases, two or three fittings are ideal and suit most budgets.
What is a Corset Toile?
The corset fitting process is one of the most important stages in creating a bespoke corset. For this we make what’s known as a ‘toile’ which is the French word for “mock-up”. A corset toile is essentially a corset made to your bespoke pattern, in plain coutil. The toile can be written on, cut, patched, pinned - or any other process which may take place in a fitting.
Fittings can be carried out either in person or remotely, allowing clients from anywhere in the world to commission a custom corset.
Zoom fittings are usually the most effective remote option, although fittings can also be completed using photographs when necessary.
Fitting the corset toile ensures that:
The silhouette is perfectly suited to your body and personal style — whether you prefer a smooth line or a dramatic modern hourglass shape
Everything is supported correctly without uncomfortable compression or distortion
The transition between skin and corset remains smooth, with no bulging or visible lines
The corset is comfortable to wear and does not dig in or pinch
A modern corset should feel supportive and secure, but should never restrict breathing or cause pain in the ribs, hips, or lower back.
How Many Fittings does a Bespoke Corset Need?
As a general guide:
Bridal corsets and cupped corsets usually require 2–3 fittings
AMAB/male corsets generally require a minimum of 1–2 fittings
Waistcoat fittings require around 3 fittings
Underbust and Custom Corset designs (where patterns already exist) require just 1 fitting
At each fitting, I like to explore as many possibilities as possible. For example, I may bone each side of the corset differently so the client can compare the feel and silhouette of each method. This ensures that you have the widest possible range of choices while also allowing me to gather the information needed to perfect the final corset.
After Fitting - Realising the Dream
Once the final fitting is complete and the corset fits perfectly, the pattern is adjusted where necessary and transferred onto card to create a permanent bespoke corset pattern.
The final corset is then constructed. Depending on the complexity of the design and the intended purpose of the garment, there may be anywhere from 2 to 40 individual fabric components involved in its creation.
As the corset nears completion, there may be one final fitting to fine-tune the fit across the bust and shoulders. This final stage ensures your bespoke corset is as flawless, supportive, and beautifully fitted as possible before completion.
Future Corsets
One of the greatest advantages of commissioning a bespoke corset is that your personal pattern is retained on file for up to two years. Provided your body shape has not changed significantly during that time, additional corsets can be commissioned using the same pattern at a fraction of the original cost.
This means you are able to enjoy the fit and quality of a bespoke corset at something much closer to a ready-to-wear price. As the majority of the investment lies within the initial pattern drafting and fitting process, subsequent commissions become considerably more affordable.
WHAT’S IN A CORSET?
Fabric
Most corsets, when they are made from fashion fabrics such as silk, have an inner layer of cotton coutil - a specialty fabric for corsetry which is strong and durable. I always use the best quality 100% cotton coutil from Europe where only a very few of the original coutil mills survive. Coutil has a dense yet smooth, fine weave.
Metal bones are held in place with cotton tape boning channels, or external boning channels made from the fashion fabric (these are not included in the basic price).
Corset laces are either flat tubular cotton, or strong double faced satin ribbon.
Hardware
All busks and bones are sprung steel which is made in a specialist factory in Germany. The factory has been making corsetry components for over 100 years.
Payment
For bespoke corsetry work I offer a default three step payment plan which works as follows:
A fully itemised quote is provided to all customers before work commences. When the quote is accepted, it forms an account which serves as our contract to ensure that we both know what to expect at each stage of the commission process.
An initial deposit is paid which covers a detailed design, pattern and first toile
A second deposit upon fitting covers the next stages of production
A third and final deposit covering workmanship and embellishments is due upon completion.
I accept bank transfer payments in £ Sterling, and card payments via Stripe.
If more deposit steps are required, this can be arranged. For complex commissions there will often be 4 steps with a deposit payable at each fitting.
