Advice, please?

[auntiemeesh]

Okay, for those of you who know about these things (I'm hoping one or two of you do, at least), I need to know if the tabs on the bottom of this corset pattern serve a necessary purpose or are mostly just decorative. I was hoping to leave them off if they aren't necessary. Thanks in advance for any and all help/suggestions.

http://www.simplicity.com/p-1576-costumes.aspx - Sorry for the link, I had a pic but it was too small, you could barely see what I was talking about.

Comments

[suenix.livejournal.com]

Well they do help distribute some of the " squeeze"
caused by the corset. There is less digging in to the
flesh that way.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Ah, I probably will go ahead and put them on, then. I imagine I'll be wearing the dress for the better part of a full day and anything to reduce discomfort can only be a good thing.

Thanks for your help. :)

[antbee362.livejournal.com]

are you talking about the things on the bottom at the back? do they in some way help to keep the thing in place or does the skirt attach to the corset there. Is the corset over a dress or a 2 piece something.
More questions before I could try to answer--sorry

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

The corset is worn over a shift, which did double duty as nightgown and slip.

[dreamflower]

I believe the tabs are useful in keeping the farthingale in place.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I am, thank goodness, not actually wearing a farthingale. But it seems the tabs also prevent the bottom of the corset from digging in to the waist too much.

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

I've no idea. Farthingale? But I'd say if they alleviate digging into the flesh - keep 'em!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Farthingale is the fancy schmancy word for hoop skirt. I probably will end up keeping them, although I'm not thrilled about the extra work. But for as many hours as I'll be wearing this outfit, alleviating discomfort is probably worth the extra work.

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

I have no useful advice whatsoever regarding your question, but it looks like you've already received adequate input. I just wanted to say that I'm glad to finally learn what a farthingale is! Have read and glossed over the term in numerous historical romances for years.

BTW, I love, love, love this pattern. If my Gold's Gym regimen works out okay, I might have to get it to go with a pattern I have for a gorgeous 16th century costume I bought 8 years ago, right after visiting the Renaissance Faire with youngest bro, to make for the next time I go to the Faire. I gained 50 pounds in the year or so after I bought it, so I never made it, but there's still time! I had so much fun the one time I went, and it's so close to home, but I've never made it back since. I bought all the fabric at the same time I bought the pattern, and it sits in a plastic tub reproaching me every time I go through my sewing stuff. Maybe in a year or so...

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I hope you're able to make it! Good luck with the gym regimen. Are you also reducing calories, or just adding more exercise for now?

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

I am being very careful what I eat, but my calorie consumption has not really been the problem, at least for the last few years, except maybe on special occsions, when I freely admit to overdoing it. I have been too inclined to choose not to eat at all when it comes down to either that or cooking, and my metabolism, is all screwed up. So increasing my activity level is the first priority, and being more conscientious about not skipping meals and about making balanced food choices (i.e., not eating a cup of frozen carrots straight from the bag and calling it supper). The fibro makes it hard to sustain any level of exertion, but somehow I have to make it happen. The arthritis aquatics program at the gym should help with the activity part of the equation; I'm still working on the nutrition part of it.