Outfit Revamp aka "Help, My Airship Crashed!"

So I've had the thought in the back of my head for years that I wanted to take a nice, pretty, Victorian outfit and just tear it to shreds and set it on fire and wear it.  I've seen it done for steampunk zombie costumes (sometimes really well!), but I wanted to do it as simply part of my steampunk character's life.

The original outfit, last March.

I was wearing something too nice for my situation and my airship crashed, because I'm The Baroness.  And naturally there was a fire and maybe my skirt got caught in some gears while I was trying to escape.  There may have been a pirate battle, I'm not sure.

And I had gotten bored with my black and silver outfit.  This is almost my oldest steampunk outfit, the oldest that I still wear in some form.  I've talked before about how the outfit has transitioned over time.  But ever since I "finished" it I've been kinda bored with it.  I don't wear it much.  It's kinda a winter outfit and I don't do much costuming in cold weather (cause there isn't much cold weather to find around here.)

The Petticoat, pre-destuction.  Notice Dremel and
Nerf gun on the floor, proving I'm a steampunk.

So I decided to rip it to pieces.  The first thing I did was make a new petticoat to go under it.  I knew I wanted the petticoat ripped, too, and I use my one petticoat under three outfits so I didn't want to destroy it.   So I used a white bedsheet from a thrift store and the Truly Victorian Victorian Petticoats pattern.  Last time I made this pattern I used the Natural Form Era version but this time I made the Early Bustle version with the fuller skirts and room for a bustle.  I wanted the most possible floof sticking out from my ripped overskirt.

So then I put the new petticoat over my bustle pad onto a dress form.  And then the patterned skirt over it.  And I looked at it for several days thinking about how I wanted to destroy it.  My cats developed a love for sitting under the skirt and were really pleased when I didn't stop them from clawing it.  Probably wasn't a wise move on my part to let them but I'm a pushover.

So finally I attacked the skirt with scissors.  I wasn't sure how the poly brocade would behave once I tore it and how much I might need to burn to keep it from unraveling.  But I didn't want the edges to look like burned polyester.  I actually didn't end up burning much.  Lots of threads came off the skirt as I tore and frayed, but it eventually reached a point it

Skirt pre-damage, with Weasel the cat
chilling underneath.

wasn't shedding much.

At first I thought I would just make some ragged slits in it, to show the petticoat underneath, but decided it needed to be more drastic to really "read" as a disaster victim outfit.  So I cut one large section away from the skirt, with several slits around the front half.  In the back I had less damage, but cut the ends raggedly.

The petticoat I cut less, making two large slits on the side-fronts under the slits on the overskirt.  I had considered tearing off parts of the ruffle, but couldn't really see how that would improve the look.  I wanted to add dirt to the white petticoat around the bottom, but I suddenly ran out of time and needed it for the next day.  So I coffee-dyed the bottom of the skirt.  It's a subtle dye and I hoped it would have been more uneven, but it spread into an even color that continues quite a ways up the skirt.

 Then I took it outside and burned it.  The cotton actually burned and I let it get brown spots before smothering the flames.  I burned holes in places and just burned the ragged edges in others.

For the rest of the outfit, I had less set plans.  I didn't want to do too much damage to the corset, and it was starting to look worn anyway.  I did add some ruffle trim to the top of the bust to help keep me from flashing everyone.  The bust has never really fitted me right in this corset.  Actually, it's fairly amazing how poorly fitted this corset is compared to the corsets I'm making now, two years later.

I made myself a capelet (using this pattern) to wear over the top.  I've never been totally happy with the jacket of this outfit, and it suffered a laundry mishap that removed all the lettering from the back.  So it was easier to whip up a capelet.  I basted on the ruffle of the pattern fabric, using fabric I'd cut from the skirt when ripping it.  I left the edge unfinished and pulled it to tatter it, and burned it away in places.  Unfortunately, I don't think that really comes across very well.

And that's that.  I wore this modified outfit on Saturday to the Texas Renaissance Festival for their Halloween weekend.  I didn't draw much attention, although I think that's partly how ungodly crowded it was.  I really only had one conversation about the state of my outfit, and I'm not entirely sure if the woman understood it was intentional damage, even when I repeatedly said it was due to my airship crashing.   (I had considered telling people my cats did it all, but I'm afraid people would think I was serious.)



I don't think it reads exactly like I intended.  As much tearing as I did, I think the cape needs to be torn, (although I wanted to remove the trim and reuse it at a later point) and I probably need some messy and bleeding make-up.  (I'm so bad at even normal make-up that I really am afraid to try for "effects".)

 So I guess I learned that if you want an extreme effect you need to go really "big" with your costuming.  On the other hand, I don't think this was the perfect environment for this costume.  At a steampunk con it would draw a lot more attention in contrast to people's more put-together costumes than at a Renaissance Faire where there is such a variety of costumes.  Anyway, I may work some more on this and try again some time, but it was a fun experiment.

Friday Finds: Craftsy Online Craft Classes

(This post sponsored by Craftsy.)

I only recently discovered the website Craftsy.  They offer a large number of crafting classes in a wide range of different crafts, from sewing to photography to cake decorating.  They also sell independent downloadable patterns and I'm selling my sewing patterns there now.

I haven't had the opportunity to take any of their classes yet, but they really look tempting.  Right now they have a number of "mini-classes" that are free to try.  Plus, TODAY ONLY they are having a Flash Sale on classes.

Here are a few classes that I thought might be of interest to my readers.  I know I have people visit who are interested in sewing, but don't know where to start and some of these may be perfect.


Free Mini-Classes

Sew Ready: Machine Basics - This class teaches the basics of how to use a sewing machine and how to deal with problems when they crop up.

Sewing Machine Feet from A-Z - I'm probably going to take this class soon, as I have a lot of feet for my new machine that I have no idea how to use.

Bag-Making Basics: Drawstring Bag and Bucket Bag and Bag Making Basics: Reversible Tote and Zipper Pouch - Both these free classes are good beginning projects.  I highly believe when you're learning a new skill you should be making something while you learn and bags are great projects.

Micro Torch Basics - This jewelry making course is an intro to the butane micro torch and it's use in jewelry, but it might be useful knowledge for a range of steampunk projects.

Paid Classes

Sewing Studio: Fashion Fitting, Home Decor and More - This in-depth beginning level sewing class teaches the skills necessary to make a pillow and a pencil skirt.

Tailoring Ready-To-Wear - This is a class every sewist needs.  How to take off the rack clothing and make it fit perfectly.  I'll admit I probably need to take this class because I sort of skipping learning to alter clothes and went right into making them from scratch.

Sewing Vintage: The Flirty Day Dress - I adore the style of this retro dress.  This class takes you through the patterning, fitting, and construction process to make your own.

Metalsmithing at Home - Learn to solder rings, bracelets and earrings in this jewelry making course that again could have wider applications.

Drab to Fab Furniture Upcycling - You probably know that I have an interest in slowing making my home's decor more steampunk, and furniture upcycling plays a big role in that.  If I ever have time to tackle another piece.


If anyone does try these classes out, please report back!  I'd love to hear feedback about them.

Where You Should Buy a Corset, Part 2

There are a million things to consider when buying a corset: style, shape, social responsibility...  But the most important calculation is cost versus quality.  Because corsets are an item (I like to compare them to shoes) that vary so widely in both cost and quality, the trick is to get the best quality you can at a price you can afford.

Obviously the price one can afford is different for everyone.  It also matters how you are going to use the corset and what quality you are going to need.  Just like shoes, if you're going to wear a corset every day you want to get something that is going to be comfortable and that is going to last.  Sometimes your needs might be equivalent to a pair of dress heels you're only ever going to wear once and you might be able to get away with something less expensive.  And you might not even be sure corsets are really for you, so you want to start with something reasonably priced.

So I will be offering a few corset sellers at a range of prices who I would recommend, based on everything I know about them.  Note that I have not ever personally purchased from ANY of them.  What I know is based on what I've been told by friends who are customers, internet research, and word of mouth.  This is also not at ALL an exhaustive list, but merely somewhere to start.  There are lots of small sellers as previously discussed, and some larger sellers who I simply don't know enough about to feel confident recommending.  (Also, I have received no compensation of any kind from any of the following companies, except where noted.)

1. Orchard Corset - This company has been around a while, but they've recently stopped selling
anything but their own brand.  Everything I've read about their corsets has been very positive.  They use spiral steels and strong twill fabrics with waist tapes.  The best thing is that they have three different silhouette levels depending on how curvy your figure is, so they can accommodate those of us with larger hip-springs or tightlacers with their "level 3" corsets.  No, actually the best thing is probably the prices.  Their underbusts start at $69 and overbusts at $79.  Those are extremely reasonable prices, actually lower than what Corset Story typically charges these days, and the quality is much higher.  So this is definitely my go-to recommendation for anyone who was buying from considering Corset Story (Corsets-UK, etc).  The only caution is that these may not be the most long-lasting corsets and I'm not sure if they would be strong enough for waist training.  Also it seems they still have some fashion corsets and off brands in their clearance section, so make sure whatever you buy has the CS prefix before the model number.

2. Timeless Trends - This brand of corsets is very popular, both online and as sold through their many distributors.  You often see these corsets being sold by small vendors at Faires, conventions, etc.  The good news is that from everything I've heard, they are well made and very durable.  They have a lifetime exchange guarantee, even!  Everything else is similar to Orchard Corsets in that they use mostly spiral steels and twill fabric for strength.  They have a range of corset styles and a huge number
of fabrics available.  My main complaint is that a lot of their corsets seem to have the same shape (I typically identify them on sight, but then again that's true of lots of brands) and don't have a very large hip-spring.  They seem to work best on slim to average figures IMO, although they have a line with laces over the hips to adjust for larger hips.  (Personally I'd rather buy a corset that fits to begin with.)  Prices for underbusts start at $99.

3. Isabella Corsetry - Isabella Corsetry makes both custom and "immediate" standard sized corsets.  Her corsets are very attractive and curvy in shape and I'd say quite influential on the corset world.  Materials are similar to others in this price bracket and I believe all of these are handmade, unlike previous entries on the list.  The only drawback is that because they aren't mass-produced, limited colors, fabrics, and sizes may be in stock and there may be a wait for custom work.  Prices start at $160 for underbusts and go up from there.





4. What Katie Did - What Katie Did is a UK based company (that has a US branch) that sells all kinds of awesome vintage lingerie.  If you want bullet bras or girdles for a pin-up look, you should go to them.  They also carry a line of very nice corsets.  I've said before online that if I was going to buy an OTR corset, I'd probably buy from them and that's (probably) still true.  They cater to "vintage" figures which means large hip-springs (hey look, it's hard to shop for a corset when you have a 14" hip-spring, ok?). Many of their corset designs use hip gores to give it extra curve and strong hips.   My favorite feature of their store is their "Design Your Own Corset" section where you can take one of their corsets and chose your fabric, add contrast casings, waist stay, lace overlay, etc.  You can create something individual for you that matches your needs!  Prices are in the $200-300 range, although custom additions add extra, of course.

(Note: I am an affiliate for What Katie Did.  This means that if you buy something from them after clicking my links or the banner on the right I will get a commission.  I became their affiliate because I love their corsets!)

And those are the recs!  I think that once you hit the $300 range you should probably be looking at the smaller corset makers and seriously considering having something made custom.  As I said, there are other brands and options out there in these price ranges, but either I just don't know much about them or what I've heard has been mixed.

So I hope you've learned something through this series, and feel more confident going into any future corset purchase.

See the rest of this series: 

Corset Buying Guidelines and Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 1

Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story

Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 1

Friday Finds: Airship Art

It seems that art is one of the most difficult things to source on the internet because it's so frequently stolen.  So I've done my best to find sources for these images, but had some problems.

Suspended Cities by J. Otto Szatmari 

Unknown artist 

Sky Barge by Ian Mcque

High Society News by Voitv

Concept Drawing for Vacuum Airship by Levin

SHIP SHIP by ChangYuan

October Steampunk Blog Link-Up

It's time for the October Blog Link-Up! What has everyone been up to this month? Any good Halloween projects?

<a href="http://steamingenious.blogspot.com/search/label/steampunk%20blog%20link%20party" target="_blank"><img alt="Steampunk Blog Link-up" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8z0oIeHxbYIICYGOlULo2COmuNwHW52aGN9lu_iI5ke5TG2gSBQhEL6BSSSZT3lFxeVYhxFhLcXZ8sLTnljWhDMKLkehW8xM-5uxLlk3OGy-su1NcUgtUPnXD4KgbnaeB8VvmlUcBnZj/s288/steampunkbloglinkup.jpg"/></a>

Where to Buy a Corset, Part 1: Independent Makers

So I've talked about some general corset buying guidelines, and where NOT to buy a corset, but where SHOULD you be looking?

Now there are a lot of great, reputable, quality shops, websites, and makers out there.  I can't list all of them, even if I was aware of all of them.  So I'm going to first talk about buying a corset from a independent maker and then in later posts I'll be recommending a few websites to buy OTR (off-the-rack) RTW (ready-to-wear) corsets.





But first let's talk about some common corsetry terms and what they mean.

OTR/RTW- As spelled out above these mean "off-the-rack" and "ready-to-wear" respectively.  These terms are used pretty interchangeably to mean a corset that is made to a standard size, from a standard pattern.  They are made/sized before you ever enter the equation.  Corsets are sold by waist measurement, meaning the measurement of the corset fully closed.  Therefore you will buy a corset with a waist size probably several inches smaller than your natural waist.   How curvy the corset is (and therefore what the rib/bust and hip measurements are) depends on the pattern and can vary a huge amount.

Made to Measure - (Sometimes called semi-custom) In the corset world, this means that you give a corsetiere your measurements and they make you a corset to those measurements.  This means they are drafting a pattern to fit you personally, but typically is only available in a certain style or choice of fabrics.  This is a good compromise between OTR and full custom corsetry as it takes less time and is therefore cheaper than a fully custom corset.  Beware, some unscrupulous websites have been known to advertise made-to-measure corsets which are actually just standard sized corsets which they pick based on the measurements you give.  They aren't made to fit you.  So beware of prices that seem too good to be true.

Custom (or full custom) - A custom corset is just that, completely customized to the buyer.  This may involve a corsetiere creating a completely new style/pattern to your specs, using any fabric(s) or embellishments you want, one or more mock-ups and fittings, and in general meeting whatever needs you have.  The main difference from made-to-measure is the mock-ups and possibly more tailored patterning, for example to address any assymmetry in your figure or acheive your designs.  Full custom will involved a lot more back and forth with the maker and a lot more time to make sure everything is perfect.  Which is why it's obviously the most expensive option.

Independent Corset Makers

So the first place I have to recommend that you purchase your corset is from an independent individual maker of handmade corsets.  For one thing, I am such a maker, so it's in my interest to encourage this.  But there are a lot of us out there trying to make a living or just some extra money by making corsets.  Corsets appeal to a niche market of individuals and buying mass-produced corsets takes business away from the small corset businesses out there who really need it.  

But it's difficult to talk about buying from independent makers because there are so many of us out there and makers vary so widely in style, specialty, price, and how we do business.  On the high end, there are corsetieres who offer incredibly time-consuming works of art to a few luxury customers for well over a thousand dollars.  If you're able to buy from them, that's awesome.  Have fun.

On the end of the scale are corset makers who sell either custom, made-to-measure, or OTR corsets for relatively cheap prices, probably somewhere around $200.  There are lots of Etsy sellers who offer these services.  There are a lot of reasons why corset makers sell their corsets cheaply: they are just starting out and need experience, they need portfolio work, they are testing their patterns, or they just make things for their friends.  I myself fall somewhere in this group.  I charge what I do for my corsets because I need experience fitting bodies that aren't my own, recently because I'm working on a standard corset pattern and need guinea pigs, and sometimes because I just happen to really need the money.  

So this is one of the reasons why it kills me that people pay close to $200 for a Corset Story corset when they could get a much higher quality corset for nearly the same price.  Now, dealing with an individual corset maker isn't as easy as clicking a button and adding a corset to your cart.  You might not be sure of the quality of what you're getting if you buy from a random individual on the internet.  If you are getting something made custom, you might be afraid of not getting the fit of your dreams, particularly if you're working long-distance.  These are somewhat valid concerns, particularly if you're trying to find a deal over the internet.  

To pick a corset maker, you can look at various things: reviews of their work online, feedback from other buyers, examples of their previous work.  And you can use some of the guidelines I posted earlier to help you ask about things like materials and construction to make sure you're getting what you think you are.  

Ultimately, when you hand someone your money, you're placing faith in them.  You have to trust that they are going to give you something worthwhile.  Not every corset you buy can be the ideal corset of your dreams because there is so much variation in shape and style and options that it can take years to find what suits you best.  But hopefully you'll be getting something worth what you paid, that meets your immediate needs.  

(Ok, I could write a whole post about what to expect when ordering a custom corset and what to do and not to do.  And maybe now I have to write that post.  Damn. ) 

Anyway, the point is that buying from an individual can be a little scary and we aren't as used to a transaction that is more personalized than buying something from Amazon, but with good communication and some luck, you can get truly exceptional things.  

So besides Etsy, where else do you find corset makers?  Well most corset makers have a website of some kind.  There are various lists of makers, such as Lucy's Corsetiere Map where you can find corset makers near you and Corset Fakery's List of Reputable Corset Sellers. 

You can also find corset sellers in the flesh at costume events, conventions, and other gatherings.  Different corset makers cater to different communities and might be found at steampunk events, reenactment events, goth events, pin-up events, etc, etc.  Sometimes they will have a booth and sometimes they might not, but you might strike up conversation with anyone wearing a particularly nice corset.  I know I'm personally almost incapable of accepting a compliment about my corset without somehow blurting out "I MADE IT" in what is probably a really awkward way.   At the least the corset wearer may have had theirs made for them by someone they can refer you to.  Having a corset maker in your area is always great because it can allow for in-person fittings which will improve the ultimate fit of your custom piece.

And I suppose that's enough blathering for today.  Next time, I'll recommend a few RTW corset sellers in a range of prices.

See the rest of this series: 
Corset Buying Guidelines and Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 1
Where Not to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story
Where You SHOULD Buy a Corset, Part 2

Some Recent Yard Sale Finds

I want to take a short break from my series on corset buying to share some of the awesome finds my husband and I have made at yard sales and estate sales recently.

Locally it's yard sale season again after a break due to extreme heat.  We've had a lot of luck in the last couple of weeks and mostly I just want to point and say, "Look at this cool stuff!"

First up, my husband went to an amazing estate sale of a woman who was obviously a big sewer.   He managed to buy me the most amazing sewing machine for a great price.

It's a Singer 401A, made in 1956 from the research I've done.  This photo was taken right after I got it, with no cleaning.  I was excited to discover it was in good working condition and really quite clean inside.  Over the last couple of weeks I've been working on cleaning it up and replacing the parts that need it.  I did some research on what maintenance it needed and discovered it probably just needed to be cleaned.  I wanted to avoid taking it apart because I'm afraid it'd never go back together again, and wanted to spare the expense of taking it to a professional unless I had to.

I've had a lot of luck cleaning it without taking it apart. The knobs that control the stitch type for the built in zigzag were frozen solid, but after lots of WD-40 and some industrious use of q-tips, they now move smoothly.  Everything I can reach has been cleaned and the old gunked up grease removed, new oil and grease applied.  It's very exciting.  I'd show you an "after" shot but it pretty much looks the same since I haven't really done anything to the outside.  I did have to order and replace two plastic spool pins, the rubber feet on the bottom, and got some more bobbins.  I haven't actually used it to make anything yet, but I'm so excited to try it on a corset because this is a tough little machine.  I think we've decided that the cabinet it came in needs too much refurbishing for our skills, so we'll probably end up giving it away somehow.

At the same estate sale, I also got a ton of thread, two large containers of buttons, a box of bias tape, and various other sewing odds and ends.  Plus a couple of nice old hats!  Estate sales are so great.

This past weekend there were a ton of yard sales, so my husband prodded me out of bed at the ungodly hour of 7AM and poured Red Bull down my throat until I could sort of function and we went to hit a LOT of sales.  None of them were all that amazing, but we found SOMETHING at many of them.

 I got some more sewing notions (for nearly free because the lady wanted someone who would put them to use and told me to take anything I wanted), some ugly but good quality bed sheets to use for mock-ups, several Nerf-type guns, some make-up, a curling iron, bed risers, etc.

I also got some cool steamy items.  I bought a lovely but torn brown and ivory lace skirt, a couple of nice hats, a purse with nice brass hardware I will repurpose, a clock to dismantle for gears, and some small decor items.  Also what I'm just going to call a vampire-killing stake although it's actually an antique tool of some sort.

My favorite find was a gorgeous vintage clutch purse with beaded embroidery of peacocks.  It is genuinely old and in great shape and was probably the only antique item in an otherwise boring sale.

Finally, to prove that you never know what you might find, here is a bi-plane clock made of clock parts that my husband found at a totally random sale.

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever found at a yard sale?  Best find?

Where NOT to Buy a Corset, Part 2: Corset Story or Corsets UK

In my previous post on this topic, I gave some general guidelines on corset buying and mentioned the first two places I think you shouldn't buy a corset.  Today I'll tackle my opinion of the most popular online seller of steel boned corsets:

 Corset Story or Corsets UK

My opinion on Corset Story (I'll use that name, since I'm in the US) has changed a lot over time.  A few years ago I would have encouraged you to shop there and said I think their corsets were a good option for someone on a budget.  But things have changed my opinion over the years.

The bottom line is that I wouldn't recommend purchasing a corset from their store, for a few reasons.

1. Shape - All of their corsets are made from the same general pattern.  It has very little curve that at best gives a gentle backwards parenthesis shape.  For many/most women, this shape is actually LESS curvy than their natural one. It's a corset shape that I would only really recommend for very straight boyish figures (I would say thin, but I've known thin women with curvy hips and small waist), or apple shaped figures that want to get their shape closer to a straight up-and-down shape.

But generally, when I see someone in a Corset Story corset, I think, "Wow, your shape could be so much curvier and you could look better!"  I really, really have grown to hate that the vast majority of women in corsets these days all have that same, boring shape.  All of our bodies are vastly different.  Trust me, when you start making corsets you realize how much variation there actually is, even between two people who wear a similar size.  And custom corsetry, or even OTR (off the rack) corsetry made along different patterns and chosen wisely, celebrates those differences.  Everyone is going to be comfortable in a different style and shape of corset, because our rib cages are different, our waists are positioned differently, and we squish differently.  So I resent that Corset Story forces people into a One Shape Fits None mold.

Lastly, of course many of us have specific body types or features that mean we just aren't going to be comfortable in a Corset Story corset anyway.  I am too busty to comfortably wear them, and my hip spring is so huge I could seriously hurt myself if I tried to lace down in one of them.  Many women report they have pain in their hips or on their hip bone when they wear OTR corsets.  This is because they are not curvy enough and don't have enough room in the hip.  This is also why it is absolutely NOT recommended that anyone try to waist train in a Corset Story corset.  You cannot get a serious waist reduction from their corsets because there is not enough of a difference between the waist and the hip.  I often have women ask me how I get such a waist reduction and the truth is that I'm not doing anything other than wearing a custom, well-designed corset.  It shows off my natural shape and cinches me at the place I am most squishy.  If I put on a CS corset, it would look WAY different.  (See this photo of a side by side comparison of someone in a CS corset and a high quality OTR corset.)

2. Bones and Materials- I've never purchased or worn a CS corset, but I've handled them and had friends wear them, and been fairly impressed with their weight and durability.   But I've only recently learned more about what they are actually made from.

Corset Story is very vocal about the fact that their corsets are steel boned, but that's mostly all they will tell you.  (I'm excluding their "fashion corsets".  They are similar to the Ebay corsets discussed previously.  Do NOT buy them.) Maybe I'm naive, but I assumed that their steel boning was the same type of steel boning that corsetieres use.  I was wrong.

First of all, the majority of the bones in any CS corset are not spiral steel.  Spiral steel looks like this.  It is extremely flexible in all directions and will not develop any permanent bends or curves.  Most quality corsets are made predominantly with this type of steel.  It allows for very curvy shapes, and is very comfortable.  It also lasts forever because it doesn't develop curves or bends.

The other type of steel that corsetieres use is called flat steel, spring steel, or white steel.  It is made of spring steel, and usually is coated with a white substance to prevent rust.  It comes in lots of different thicknesses and strengths, but is also generally very flexible, but only in one direction.  It is therefore used at the front and back edges of corsets for stability and support.  Over time it can develop permanent curves or bends, but it takes quite a bit of wearing to do this, as spring steel will "spring" back to it's original shape much of the time.

From thecorsetauthority.tumblr.com

CS corsets are boned with steel, but it isn't either of these types.  It is flat steel, in that the boning is made of flat pieces of steel.  If there is any spiral boning in a CS corset, it is usually only 1-2 bones, usually only the ones over the bust.  (Their "waist training" line apparently is made with spiral steel and that is the only difference. The shape is still not waist training appropriate.)  The rest of the boning is very stiff steel, but it's not standard corset steel.  It appears to be laser cut from steel sheeting or scrap steel.  Now, beyond this I can't speak to what it actually is.  I've only seen pictures of it on the internet, and I don't know exactly what their bones are made of or where they source it.  But it is emphatically NOT standard corset spring steel made for the purpose.  It is not the same thing you would get in a handmade corset.

This steel is the reason (beyond patterning) why there is so little curve in CS corsets.  It makes them very stiff, and does not yield to the shape of the body in the way actual corset steel would.  It doesn't allow the freedom of movement that spiral steel does, will put much more pressure on your ribs, and be more painful.  It may (may!) be a reasonable cheap alternative to corset steel, but you should know that just because something says steel, doesn't mean it's the same as more expensive options.