Experimental Corsets

An exploration of the corset as a motif for textile artists, with practical tips and examples. Used for the last 400 years to contort the female body into a variety of fashionable silhouettes, the corset has become a fascinating and hugely popular motif for modern textile artists who wish to represent the female body using the largely feminine traditions of textile and stitch. Beginning with a step-by-step guide to constructing a simple fabric corset, the book goes on to explore more contemporary and experimental approaches to construction, from using unusual materials such as lace, metal, paper and found fibres to up-cycling or repurposing existing garments to make a statement. This practical guide is full of exercises for creating intimate garments and wearable art in two- and three-dimensions and is packed with inspiring work and installations by other 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.