first step: a corset

I haven't yet made the decision between 1860 and 1880, but either way I have some corset making in my future. And since I'm not sure where I'll find proper boning and busks around Boston, I have placed an order for this handy corset making kit for Simplicity 9769 from corsetmaking.com:


Next stop, buying the pattern itself and some fabric. Fabric-wise, I'm planning to go for something cheap and standard, rather than buying corset coutil. Perhaps if I ever try this again, I'll do it more legitimately. By the time I finish this piece, hopefully I'll have figured out what I want to go over it.