Auditioning for Plumleigh’s Corset

It’s time to get back to work on the Steampunk costume, don’t you think? The first step is finishing up the corset, since it is the base of all the other top-layer items. I’ve picked apart the drill mockup so that I can use those pieces for interlining/strength, and now I’m ready to cut into the fashion fabric and actually construct the final corset.

The problem is, I can’t decide what to make it out of. I’m sticking to fabrics I already own (and own in enough quantity). The fittings are gold/brass, so it all needs to match that, too.

One option is this lovely soft blue silk that I bought in NOLA, combined with a quilting cotton lining that has blue and gold accents.

Another is this awesome pink silk/wool blend (also from NOLA), perhaps using this print from Etchings, as I can’t find anything else that matches. I am rather loath to part with the pink fabric as I want to make a corset out of it for myself, although I think I can eke out two underbusts from the yard I have.

The remaining options are the wool herringbone I used for the divided skirt (and will be using for the bolero). I have plenty extra. I could use either of the above linings with it. But, it might be too thick, and will definitely be warm. Or one of these silk dupionis—gold (it may look familiar from the Regency reticule [and other accoutrements] I made) or blue. The fabric frays like the devil, but I need to buy fray stop anyhow, and again, those can work with either lining fabric.

It is highly unlikely that the corset will be seen as part of the costume, but it’d be nice to have it be somewhat matching. Here’s the costume fabric, just for reference.

Do you have an opinion? I should probably ask C&K, since one of them gets to keep it, but I thought I’d ask your advice too, especially if you have experience working on corsetry with any of these fabrics.