The Candy, Jelly Bean or Easter Egg Stays

Yay pics! These are from yesterday and the sewing of the channels. I did some experimenting and just pinned my two pieces of twill together instead of basting with thread. I pinned around the edge then choose the piece of boning that ran through the middle of the piece and pinned along that line. I started there and worked my way out from the center (like you do with a quilt). It worked just fine – yay some time saved! You will note it’s sewn with green thread, because originally the twill was going to show in the inside.


...but I changed my mind. And so were born the Candy Stays, otherwise named (by the mater) the Easter egg stays! :> The more I looked at the twill the less I liked the color. What can I say; I've been watching too much Marie Antoinette and having visions of jelly bean colored frocks.

Also I decided to follow Jean Hunnisett's advice and mount the horizontal bones on a separate piece of fabric (rather than hand stitching them on like last time) so I needed something. I spied this pink cotton sateen at Hancock’s yesterday and grabbed it. I wanted something that would go with the changeable silk taffeta. Even though I'm making a jacket therefore the stays will never be seen at the same time as the taffeta, I am making these pieces to be worn together and can't help thinking of it as a complete outfit. Anyway I was taken with how nicely the sateen looked with the changeable. (Which of course won't photograph so you will just have to take my word of it. :>) Most fabrics just look like crap next to it, it’s so gorgeous you know.

I had originally wanted a changeable silk for the stays binding but being discouraged with the local selection, the high prices up north and being too lazy to order online, it occurred to me why not bind the stays with the sateen? So I had the fabric cut and THEN looked at the pre-made binding. Lo and behold, what do I find but a perfect match to the sateen! The pre-made stuff may be a poly/cotton but for the hassle it will save me I can totally live with it! :> So I now have extra sateen… enough for matching pannier perhaps? I’m thinking yes. :>


So far I've got everything cut, the silk spray basted to a layer of cotton, the front and back layers each joined at one end and the boning channels attached to the front lining. I think I should insert the boning before I attach everything at the sides. I'm not looking forward to it but it has to be done so I’m resigned. At least I can do that in front of a movie. Right now my headache is back (2 hours before I can take more meds *grinds teeth*) and my brain feels like mush so I'm taking a break. We've ordered take-away gnocci so I think I will dig unto that, slip into a fat induced coma and then pull out the trusty Navy issue scissors and toe-nail clippers to hack away at some cable ties. A riveting evening, no?

cable tie trials

I've finished most of the boning in the front. Just a handful of pieces to go but my hands have had enough. I'm also not feeling 100% (I think I ate too much + headache) so I'm off to bed.

It's so nice to see these coming together - these stays have only been on my to-do list since October!