The Dancing Corset (Beginner)

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The Dancing Corset

Maruska Marusakova, Germany

IG: maruska_marusakova_art

Photographer: The Dancing House photo was taken by my mom when visiting Prague

The Design

When I learned of this competition (way too close to the deadline) I had decided to pursue the project only if I found an immediate inspiration. I had set off to research architectural masterpieces that I could relate to - and was struck by the curves and lines of The Dancing House in Prague. I felt several things coming together in that design idea - my background (I was born in Czechoslovakia), I visited Prague this summer and got to admire this building, and lastly, the building's shape representing female body would make the work easier for a beginner like me. At the time I was struggling with finishing my first corset and this image of "The Dancing Corset" has motivated me to finally complete it.

The Construction

I used the Sophia kit from Sew Curvy for the underbust corset. For the top layer inspired by the actual building I used taffeta stiffened by acrylic wood polish, painted with Coliro watercolors and acrylic paints. This layer was whipstitched to the corset bias binding.

The kit was a my main source of information, but I couldn't do it without the videos on YouTube by many amazing corset/costume makers I watched and rewatched. Aside of the boning channel making, my top challenge was to figure out how to make the shape of the house I was inspired by. Acrylic polish was something I had at hand and so I improvised.

What was it like to compete this year? What would you say to someone who is on the fence about entering next year?

To be honest - scary! But it also got me excited and pushed me to work harder and to get things done.

My comments Subscribe RSS

galadriel 3 months 18 days

These textures are glorious. Gorgeous work :)

Maruska Marusakova 3 months 7 days

I appreciate your comment so much - it just warmed up my heart to see MY first ever comment and it being so positive - my dear heart! Thank you so much for finding such kind words!

jema 3 months 18 days

Your design does really dance! It was a hard building to interpret, and I love that you used texture and an impression of the build with the flow of the fabric, good solid corset construction too :)

certainsundries 3 months 18 days

I really love how you captured movement in the overlays. It reminds me of the building very nicely, but also of the Vltava River right across the street from it-- undulating and beautiful!

damaris 3 months 18 days

this is such an interesting and inspiring approach. I love the draping, it is so unusual (in a good way) to the most corsets as you try to stay as narrow to the body as possible. It compliments the body AND has a beautiful three dimensionality.
Also, it looks very neat and well done, so I think you did a great job! I really like it! <3

rebecca_robinson 3 months 18 days

The colours you have painted onto the overlay section are so complimentary, I love the shapes you've set into it too.

sharon boucquez 3 months 18 days

I saw this building a few months ago, and also thought this could be very good inspiration for this competition. I love how unique and creative your interpretation is. I'm amazed about the acrylic polish technic used on the taffeta! I can imagine this corset on a modern dancer. Good job!

bernadettebanner 3 months 18 days

Wow!! I love how you interpreted the inspiration building--it's so literal in the most wonderful way! I love your choice to only do one 'glass' half, and the shape is so perfect!

royalblack 3 months 17 days

Great job, Maruska!
I'm always impressed by organic draping (as that is something I'm personally not good at all) and you have achieved great texture and dimension here. It really looks like dancing shapes and I think it's a great interpretation of your inspiration source.

lyrisdesign 3 months 17 days

A fantastic interpretation of your inspiration, and clever technique in stiffening the taffeta! Just beautiful, and lovely construction on the base corset.

catherine 3 months 17 days

Your corset is so neat and smooth; you should be very proud! And you really captured the Dancing Building's shape in a stunning way!

ggis 3 months 16 days

What an interesting idea, that building already looks like a garment, and you executed this idea very recognizable and accurate, good work!

kitty mortensen 3 months 16 days

I adore your wonderful interpretation of the building, stunningly made.
You should be very proud! It is gorgeous.

theperfecttouchvictorian 3 months 16 days

Beautiful interpretation of your inspiration! And so well executed!

lemieux 3 months 14 days

The side by side picture of your corset and the building really show how you successfully delivered on your interpretation of the building. Well done!

Mariya Lilith 3 months 12 days

I like your interpretation of the Dancing House in Prague. I agree that it does mimick the shape of a woman's body. I was impressed with your use of materials to create this work of art. Beautiful!

greenmartha 3 months 11 days

It's an incredible exemple of a simple and strikingly effective design. Your piece conveys the idea of movement and the image of the building beautifully !

kirstymitchell 3 months 9 days

You can definitely see how this building has inspired your corset. The draping really exaggerates your waistline and adds great texture and dimension to the whole thing. Really nice.

linapiprek 3 months 9 days

The colors and textures on the overlay are stunning! A beautiful interpretation of the building.

June 3 months 9 days

I love your interpretation of the building, the colours that you used are amazing, the blue against the black is fabulous

paulay71 3 months 9 days

The visual shape of the inspiration is clear to see and yet the organic flow of the fabric gives it another level, reminds me of reflectionsof the sky in mirrored glass buildings, lovely interpretation.

unhabit 3 months 8 days

This is such a great idea! The corset is aptly named - it is really full of movement and texture and really reflects your original inspiration. I love that you created an outer layer for your design - it plays with different coverage (overbust/underbust) and allows you to really work with the fabric in interesting ways while not getting into too complex patternmaking.

twob-design 3 months 8 days

This is just wonderful work. The fitisperfect and the colours make me fall in love with it straight away. I've never been to Prague but your corset makes me want to go there! Big hug from Germany to Germany!

lorisunrise 3 months 8 days

I love how you approached and ultimately captured the look and feel from your inspiration! Well done!

reiray 3 months 7 days

It's amazing how your inspiration and your corset match! Great job! I really like everything about your piece!

lcostigliolo 3 months 7 days

Wonderful interpretation!

marloes dadswell 3 months 7 days

Really cool sculptural detail with the taffeta! Well done on making such a great translation between the building and corset.

andi_sunrider 3 months 6 days

Echoing paulay71 abut window reflections here, as your beautiful corset makes me feel like I'm looking into the window reflections!! I really love how it's Very. Much. Not. Smooth. Like. Glass -- and that the texture seems to be fundamental to obtaining the texture that actually makes it look like the windows! It has the dimension and movement that mimics how windows would look with the world moving around them. You did a fantastic job!!

peacecat3 3 months 5 days

I love how you painted the fabric! Your inspiration really comes to life in your creation.

vanyanis 3 months 4 days

I love this entry! Well done for diving in and pushing yourself and "making do" with some of the materials. I hope you're very proud of this piece that you've created <3