Making Regency Short Stays by Hand | linen, corset-making, and backstitching

Hello everyone and welcome to a new video!

As I explain in the intro, I was ~somehow~ in the mood to handstitch stays. I think it's because I bought Patterns of Fashion 5 a couple of months back and I can't get it off my mind! However, I wasn't ready to commit to full 18th century stays, and to be honest I already have two pairs of 18th century stays that work decently enough, so I am in no need of new 18th century stays. Having been surrounded by Pride & Prejudice for the past few weeks, and Redthreaded had a conveniently timed pattern sale, I ended up going for the Regency short stays (though I have no intention of actually making Regency clothes).

If you are wondering what stays are, stays are the predecessor of the corset. They were structured garments worn as undergarments, often stiffened with materials such as reed, cord, and baleen. There are references in contemporary texts of people still referring to corsets as stays late into the 19th century.

I did some research before hand as I was curious about the historically accuracy of these stays. I found a few articles that were very helpful. Although there are few examples of short stays, they do exist. Most of them seem to have a different construction than this particular pattern. This pattern just seems to be a shortened version of regular Regency stays, while the extant stays have interesting features such as being wrap arounds. However, there are some short transitional stays from the late 1790s etc that seem to follow the same logical thought as these stays. Here are some articles:

I am very pleased with this pattern! It was a neat little project, and if it is your first time threading into the costuming world and making structured undergarments, it is a great place to start to learn the steps of construction. Plus, they are very comfortable and flattering, so definitely a good reward at the end!

If you are interested in seeing some more of my work, here are some links:
Instagram: @katisinthebag

Music from Epidemic Sound

[BlackDawnYaoiLover]

"I'm going to stop saying 'by hand', everything's by hand"



"Hand sewn by hand"

[figsuitcase]

historical costuming youtubers are so inspiring— this makes me want to have, but not only have but make, stays and shifts and simple supportive garments like that and live with a different kind of time on my skin

[meamela]

My first thought when I saw the video was "history bounding stays"! I feel I could use a pair of short stays instead of a bra. It looks comfortable. I am genuenly considering making it now.

[julzgulz]

Wow. So pretty. There is something magical about a fully hand crafted garment like this. Looks comfortable for everyday wear, as well.

[savon]

This looks like it would be really nice if someone is wanting to transition from wearing bras to stays but isn't ready to commit to having stiff boning and a busk keeping their spine straight.
Also, lovely video. Your voice is very pleasant, and there's something so fun about watching people sew historical garments that I've just discovered in the last year or so.

[sadiemcc]

I was legitimately just considering making some short stays myself! This came at exactly the right time! Not hand stitching though--I'm lazy :)

[SarahBent]

I adore when other people make the same mistakes I do - reading ahead and missing a step is something I do a lot. They came out beautifully!

[freyagreaves]

Am I the only one who watches hand sewing projects to relax? Soooo beautiful and inspiring as well

[AlyssNightingale]

Okay, someone please comment on this because my mind is blown.... is cording literally just like pieces of yarn?!?!?! I've been kicking myself trying to figure this out and realising that I could make a pair of stays with structure from my yarn stash is an amazing revelation! Please tell me I'm understanding this correctly!

[rachelsirr]

Ok- so regency isn’t my favorite period but I’ve been considering stays under modern clothing and there could work.... 😁

[birdofnegativespace]

What a perfect timing, I'm currently preparing the same pattern by redthreaded! Watching you putting the pieces together really helped me and now I'm feeling confident about sewing my very first corset. The handmade stitches and the texture of the heavy linen look very charming. I adore it when you can see that a garment is handmade, it makes it seem loved and cared for. Thank you for this beautiful and atmospheric video.

[florenna]

This is lovely! I wish there were more tutorials / videos about hand-sewing, for those of us who don't have a sewing machine :) One can wax lyrical about how energy-saving machine sewing is etc., as many do, but that's a moot point when you don't own a machine (and not planning to invest in one, as they *are* costly)! ;)

[rhondamast]

I love how similar short stays look to a bra. It seems like they could be used irl...

[gothempress]

I have a bear of a time wearing modern bras because I had broken a few ribs a few years ago and the pressure it puts on my body is immense. I have been considering making myself a pair of stays and an undershirt (aka short chemise...is there a name for that?) to see if it would allow me bust support without killing me. I have huge....tracts of land...and could certainly use the support, especially when in public.

[bunhelsingslegacy]

"nearly everything is done with a backstitch." It's pretty much my working stitch for everything now, save felling. I wish I''d known about it 30 years ago when fixing horse blankets, it would have stayed repaired instead of popping out nearly immediately.

Also, thanks for showing how you do gussets, I've been wrestling with skirt gores since autumn. Next time I'm going to actually get out the iron instead of sitting on my lazy butt.

I like it when you stop the "fast motion" and show us how every stitch was carefully and thoroughly made and how long it really takes. lovely!

[kynahjai]

So lovely to watch you make this, I'd love to make a modern version of this as I hate underwire and this looks like a gorgeous alternative with some modifications to the straps and such

[delphiniumreads]

I absolutely loved this! I remember hearing somewhere that for Emma. (2020) they would have been in short stays and I’ve been so curious about that ever since falling in love with that movie.

[celiahaddon]

Goodness! Your poor fingers! I’m so impressed by the skill, patience and dedication you put into this garment. The final result is exquisite. You have a new fan.

[e.urbach]

Those turned out really nicely! They look so comfortable, and I bet that the linen makes them really light and cool when you wear them.