Julie Burnsides Diaz
Julie Burnsides Diaz has been creating costumes for over 20 years, ranging from cosplay and media recreations to historical clothing of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. She earned her Master's from FIT in Fashion History. She began her career in the museum field, dressing, photographing, and documenting over 1000 costume objects in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She later moved on to become a professional textile conservator with a private firm working on high-end designer clothing for elite clients. In 2015, she struck out on her own with the founding of Snapdragon Designs, where she creates costumes, corsets, and historically-inspired clothing for brides, cosplayers, and re-enactors. Julie is the winner of the Costume Society of America's 2016 Designer Showcase, and her work has appeared in the Star Wars Insider and Faerie Magazine. She lives in Columbus with her husband, two children, and rescued pets.
Julie specializes in teaching leather sewing, historical garments, cosplay and garment sewing skills:
Victorian Corset Retreat
Minimum 2, Max 6 Students
March 19-21, 2027 (Friday-Sunday) 9 AM - 4 PM (Class will be cancelled if it does not have 2 registrations by March 5)
Class includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday
$500 per student
Ages 18+ (15 and up with participating enrolled adult)
Go from patterning to fitting and finishing your very own Victorian overbust corset.
Sewing level: confident beginner. You should be able to thread your machine and sew precise straight and curved lines.
Corsets have gotten rather a bad rap in the modern world. Contrary to popular belief, a well-fitted corset is not only comfortable, it is the -only- way to achieve a true historically correct silhouette. Learn to cut, fit, and assemble your very own Victorian style corset, insert bones and casings, set grommets and apply binding. Steampunks and modern fashionistas welcome!
DISCLAIMER: This corset is not suitable for "waist training" or extreme waist reduction (more than 4"). However, all construction techniques shown can be generalized for that use later. Depending on your sewing speed, this class may require homework between class sessions to complete your corset in the time allotted.
Kits are available including all starred items, deadline to order kits is March 1st, 2027. Price for the kit will be based on materials costs on March 1st as they may fluctuate dramatically between now and then.
Materials List:
Required Supplies:
*1 yard fabric for Fitting Toile (cotton twill, cotton duck)
*1 yard fabric for Corset Body (cotton twill, coutil, or cotton duck) (2 yards if using 45" wide fabric)
*1 yard fabric for Corset Lining (lightweight cotton twill, sateen, linen, quilting cotton) (2 yards if using 45" wide fabric)
*2 yards 1/4"-3/8" braided elastic
*15 yards 1/4"/6mm boning (spiral steel, flat steel or 1.5 mm thick artificial whalebone)
*10 yards premade 3/8"-1/2" bone casing or Single Fold Extra Wide bias tape for bone casings (should coordinate with your Body or Fancy fabric if used)
*56 u shaped Bone caps (if using metal boning)
*2 rolls PTFE or Teflon Tape (from the plumbing aisle, also called Thread Seal tape) (if using metal boning)
*13" Corset busk
*3 yards double Fold Extra Wide Bias Tape for binding (6 yards if your bust or hip measurement is over 44")
*6 yards corset lacing or 1/4" satin ribbon
*2 yards 1" petersham ribbon or cotton twill tape for waist tape
*36 2-part grommets or eyelets (size 00 recommended)
*Tapered awl or fabric punch to match grommet size
*Setting tool for grommets/eyelets (instructor will have some available for in-class use)
Bolt cutters or tin snips (if using metal boning) (instructor will have some available for in-class use)
Rubber or Resin Mallet (instructor will have some available for in-class use)
2 spools All-purpose Thread that matches your fabric
Hand sewing kit (Measuring tape, needles, pins, scissors, etc)
Ruler (clear quilting rulers work best)
Marking pencil for fabric
Fabric Scissors
Bring your sewing machine or rent one of ours
Optional:
1 yard Fancy Fabric for outside of corset (printed cotton, sateen, silk dupioni, taffeta, brocade, moire, satin, etc)
Metal file
Tracing wheel and wax tracing paper
Rotary cutter and cutting mat
1 skein embroidery floss/Pearl Cotton to coordinate with Body or Fancy fabric
March 19-21 from 9am-4pm.
Email: julie.sewinghive@gmail.com