Making an Edwardian Ribbon Corset

Ribbon corsets were a popular option for light weight support between the late 1890s and early 1920s. They were often advertised as well suited for more athletic and active endeavors, as they were thin, breathable, and had very light structure. Their shape is also deceptively simple- only two panels per side actually have any shape to them. In comparison to the standard S-bend corset of the 1900s, they offer a much easier patterning. Most commonly these corsets can be found made of silk satin ribbon in a light color. However, advertisements mention a wide array of colors that were available! A few examples even survive with striped, floral, or other decorative ribbons. I chose to go with an antique silk satin that was in my collection, but vintage rayon satins would also do very well! The key is whatever ribbon you use, it needs to be strong and stable enough to hold up to the tension. Ideally, you want a ribbon around 2.5“/63mm, though up to 3“/76mm would do well. After that, you may