Harper – reversible corset top
Who would have thought that a simple pillowcase would end up as a comfortable and flattering corset, ready for a second life far from the bedroom? That's exactly the story of my piece Harper, one of my favorite designs in the whole shop.
Before: lot of dusty pink and white pillowcases, plaid + green embroidery.
My Vinted crush: too beautiful to stay in a closet
It all starts (as often with me) on Vinted, in the home linen category. I love it: it's inexpensive, often very good quality, and you can find patterns that people no longer want in their homes, in this era of ultra-minimalist and monochrome interiors.
I then stumbled upon a lot of two dusty pink and white pillowcases, plaid, with a few black lines running through them. It was love at first sight. And the icing on the cake: green embroidery with the brand name on each pillowcase. The green/pink combo sealed the deal, I ordered without even knowing what I would do with them.
Upon receiving the package, my love was confirmed. Turning them over, I also discovered the other side: a white background with pink stripes, just as stunning... but usually invisible, mattress side. They went straight into my fabric stash for upcycling, awaiting inspiration.
The revelation: an old pattern, a new idea
A few months later, I rediscovered a pattern I had saved years ago: TheNavaRose's corset. A revelation. The thick fabric of the pillowcases would be perfect for it.
Problem: the pattern only existed in one size, too small for me, and I didn't yet have the grading skills to adjust it exactly to my size. So I made a decision: keep the corset's aesthetic... without keeping its original ultra-structuring (and uncomfortable) purpose.
The idea: to make it into a corset-style top, but here adaptable from M to XL (depending on bust size and morphology), thanks to an elastic back and straps. No need for lacing or boning: just slip on the top, and the elastic takes care of hugging and enhancing the figure.
Comfort, hidden elastic, and reversibility
To make it wearable every day, I absolutely wanted to keep comfort at the heart of the creation: no boning, just my sewing machine and a lot of thought put into the cut.
The elastic provides support, but visually, the raw look didn't appeal to me. So I decided to make the corset reversible: I enclosed the elastic inside the fabric, for a clean, neat finish and two wearable sides. On one side, you find the predominantly pink plaid, on the other, the predominantly white stripes. Two vibes, one piece.
I also wanted to keep the original embroidery in the center of the corset, as a clear nod to the original material. The result: there are a few small "breaks" in the continuity of the plaid... I plead guilty, but I fully embrace it. It's part of the charm of the piece and tells its story.
After: Reversible Rosa Corset, pink plaid on one side, white stripes on the other.
My favorite piece... and perhaps soon yours
In the end, I created a corset-style top, boneless, reversible, comfortable, that adapts to various body shapes and highlights home linen that could have ended up forgotten. It has become one of my favorite creations, both for its story and for how it looks when worn.
This model, which I completely modified from the original pattern, can also serve as a base for upcycling YOUR clothes or home linen. As for the size, don't worry: I'll take care of adapting everything to you, based on the pieces and measurements you send me.
Want a personalized version? Contact me with photos of your fabric, and we'll co-create your upcycled gem!
Go to the "Customization" tab at the top
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If you love it too, buy this piece from my shop!