My name is Tracy, I am the head designer and owner of Azrael's Accomplice and AZAC Designs. Corsets are one of our top selling items. I pride myself on having studied corsetry for years and years both in schools, and by self teaching. As a corsery designer I noticed when I was starting out there was not a simple place online that would list what I needed to make a corset for myself. While I cannot give exact links or names of stores on here I can provide a list of the materials you will need to get started making your own real corset.

1) Fashion Fabric: This can be anything sturdy enough to the wear and tear of a corset. For beginners I would recommend cotton brocade, cotton twill, printed cotton (broadcloth, poplin etc), or taffeta. Once you have gotten the hang of those materials then you can move on to Satin, Silks, Velvets etc. Only advanced users who know advanced lining and draping techniques should get into sheer and soft fabrics like chiffons, laces, organzas etc.

2) Interfacing: The best interfacing for corsets and bustiers is Acro Interfacing. This is a strong interfacing made with goat hair fibers, it is available in sew on or iron on (fusible). While I am not going to go into *how* to make a corset here I will tell the basics of what it is used for. The Interfacing can go on the fashion fabric layer or the lining layer, depending on where you will be placing your boning and boning casings.

3) Lining fabric. This should be something strong enough to help keep the boning from poking through. Denim, Twill, Duck, Coutil etc are all good for the lining layer. Some corset makers also make an extra inner lining layer of a thinner cotton for added stability.

4) Something to make your boning casings from: Twill tape or the lining material work for cutting these.

5) Steel Boning. Steel boning comes in many widths and two main types. Spring Steel (flat steel) or Spiral Steel (for bust seams and curvy parts). People each have their own preferences of how much of which type and what width they like to use. The standard widths are 1/4 and 1/2 inch.

5) Waist Tape: Waist tape is the piece of twill tape that goes inside the corset and is attached along the waistline for stability. Some people also use satin ribbon for this.

6)A Busk: If you plan to have your corset open up the front you will need a steel front Busk. Busks come in many lengths, you will need to measure the front opening of your corset to determine which length you will need, make sure and allow for seam allowances.

7)Grommets: Grommets are two piece round fittings (like eyelets) that push together through holes made in the back of the garment to allow for laces and the lacing closed of the corset.

8) Hole punch/Grommet Setter: You will need either a manual hole punch and grommet setter or you can also get grommeting machines.

9) Lacing: Corset lacing comes in two types, cotton or Poly pro, Poly pro lacing is best for any corset that will be laced tightly. Some people also use double faced satin ribbon or grosgrain ribbon to lace their corsets.

10) Binding: Corsets are usually (but not always) bound on the tope and bottom edges to close them. Binding comes in many forms, cotton, satin, silk, and can also be made from the fashion fabric or a contrasting fabric. Make sure you always cut your binding on the bias.

11) Thread: of course you need thread in matching colors to your fabrics to sew your corset. Make sure to get a nice high quality thread brand.

As far as where to get all these materials there are many sources, do searches online for corset making supplies and check your local fabric stores.