There are a number of exciting large-scale writing, sewing, and art projects I’m contemplating in the next couple years.  Not all of them will happen, most of them will alter greatly before they happen, and as details become firm enough I’ll happily share them with you.

But first, the not-so-exciting news for those of you waiting for me to re-open for normal sewing commissions.  I still don’t have a diagnosis for my medical problems, but the further along we go and the more possible causes we eliminate, the less likely it is that I will ever be able to return to the level of physical endurance and ability that I once enjoyed and so took for granted.  That means I probably will never take general sewing commissions again, and if I do it will be too far in the future to count on.  This may be disappointing for those hoping to buy a corset from me, but as a result of my problems I have completely shifted my focus towards writing and art.  By “art” I don’t just mean things you hang on a wall, I mean garments that are works of art, completely unique and impressive in ways that I could never have justified under a money/time/commission model of doing business.  But more on that soon…  ;)

My focus in the next two months is squarely set on those three corset commissions and a writing project, and I’m not talking about one of my tutorials.  I am working on a complete start-to-finish underbust corset creation section for an upcoming book to be published by McGraw-Hill, “Steampunk Projects from the Gaslamp Garage”.  For the ease of newbies to corset sewing it will show how to create a vertical-panel corset using the welt-seam method.  This is a vastly different method from any I have published on my web site because of its limitations, but its strengths are straightforward methodology, tolerance for imprecise sewing, easy integral boning channels, and ease of explanation, which makes it perfect for a DIY book project.  To support the construction instructions I am also creating a set of scale underbust corset patterns for men and women of varying shapes and sizes, and writing pattern modification instructions.  All of these items will be posted to my blog in abbreviated form as I work, and many supplemental tutorials will be posted in their entirety.

My contribution to the book is just a small part of the chapter on creating a basic steampunk costume from the ground up, and another chapter will focus on modifying existing clothing to suit your costuming needs.  Other projects and chapters will focus on other assorted steampunkery, with an emphasis on projects that require a minimum number of tools and equipment so they are within the reach of those of us who lack expensive machining tools, lavish workshops, and out of this world budgets.  I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it.