Experimental Corsets Inspiration and Techniques for Wearable and Sculptural Garments

From fashion to art: experimental approaches to the traditional corset.
Created to contort the female body into fashionable silhouettes, corsets have become a popular motif for modern textile artists. Beginning with step-by-step instructions for making a simple fabric corset, this fascinating guide goes on to explore innovative approaches to construction, from using unusual materials such as metal and paper to up-cycling or repurposing existing garments to make a statement. Filled with exercises for fashioning intimate garments and wearable art in two and three dimensions, Experimental Corsets showcases a range of inspiring work and installations by contemporary artists.

Val Holmes is a well-known teacher and embroiderer. She runs very popular residential embroidery courses from her home in Lucon, France, and exhibits her work widely. She is also the author of Collage, Stitch, Print; Creative Recycling in Embroidery, and Encyclopedia of Machine Embroidery, all published by Batsford.