Repro Civil War Type Quilted WORKING STAYS 32-36" Natural Waist 100% Cotton

Description

New Civil War/Pioneer era style Working Stays sized for a 32-36" natural waist (see fitting details below). The first three pictures show the stays in their correct white color, the last pictures are more yellow than the actual color. Offered as an alternative for women who do not wish for the tightness and rigidity of a corset. Working stays are perfect for camp, farm, pioneer and working woman personas. Working stays allow for bending and movement while providing needed support and shaping.
Actual measurement at the waist level is 30", it is 14" tall at the center front and 13 1/2" tall at the center back. The stays are made with  a hook and eye front closure
.
The exterior is made of prewashed and preshrunk white 100% cotton  light weight canvas. It is lined with prewashed and preshrunk 100% cotton muslin.  It has an inner lining of 100% cotton batting and is quilted with rows of rose colored
stitching
.  It shapes the waist and supports the bust as a corset does, but with more
flexibility and comfort
.  It also helps with supporting the weight of skirt and petticoats. The corset has brass spur grommets down the back opening, designed to give better "grip" to the fabric. The stays are laced with high quality corset lacing cords.
Properly fitted support garments are essential to completing the correct period silhouette of a Civil War era Woman.
Of course, not all women of the period wore corsets, but not a single woman wore a brassiere in the Civil
War era!
(Since the brassiere was not invented until the 1920’s, if you choose to skip the corset, please skip the bra. Boned under-waists  and working stays are period correct options.)
Fitting working stays is not an exact science, sizing depends on body shape and composition
(soft or muscular)
and not on modern dress sizing.
Fitting is most important for your comfort and for the correct look. To determine the correct “starting size” measure your waistline snugly over your period chemise (not too tight, not too loose.) Your stay size will be approximately 2-6 inches
smaller
than your actual waist
measurement
, this allows for a 2 to 6 inch gap at the back closure for weight fluctuation and breathing room.
“Fluffy” ladies will be able to cinch in more than “hard-bodied” muscular women.
I have found that this style fits most bust sizes, the adjustment is simply to tighten or loosen the back laces.
The corsets and stays of the period is designed to shape and pull in the waistline, lift, and support the bust. Since the chest is pushed in and up, frequently a higher and more rounded cleavage results.
The top of the corset and stays should be worn at nipple level, it may be necessary to lift the breasts up into a higher, more comfortable position as the corset is being tightened. The bottom should ride comfortably at the hip, and not gouge or cut into the hips. It is adjusted by tightening or loosening the back laces.
The long ties can be pulled from the front and tied at the front waist  for those times when you don't have help with dressing.
I have  also found that it is much easier to wear a petticoat over a corset, it also keeps the skirt well supported, so it stays put and does not slide down the hips.
“
Tight lacing” was not then, nor is it now recommended!
To make fastening easier, hook the center waist hook first, pivot the  sides above and below to hook the remaining hooks and eyes. It will most likely be necessary to loosen the laces to put the stays on, then the laces should be GRADUALLY tightened to the desired fit.
DO NOT JERK ON THE LACES AND GROMMETS!
The stress and strain on the grommets can cause them to be pulled from the fabric. We are not responsible for grommets that are lost due to excessive force used in over tightening or jerking on the laces. If a grommet does pull out it can only be repaired by hand stitching the opening with buttonhole stitching.
Always wear a chemise under the corset to protect your body from irritation and to protect the corset from perspiration and body oils. A corset cover is also highly recommended for the same reasons.
Working stays care:
It should not be necessary to wash your stays too frequently but when it does need washing, the stays may be machine washed.
Do not use bleach. Do not machine dry, simply lay it out to dry.
After wearing your stays, be sure to lay it out to dry before storing to prevent mold.
Working stays
come with a pretty fabric bag for storage.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I have multiple sizes available for immediate shipping and I also accept special orders.
Thanks for looking and Happy eBaying!