Morua Corsetry & Couture

05/04/2021

The Sample Sale begins! Listings are in our stories for the next 24 hours : https://www.instagram.com/moruadesigns

This Sample Sale includes many one-of-a-kind Morua corsets crafted for photoshoots, as well as some gently worn and unworn fit samples in our classic shapes. Each corset is imbued with the same quality and construction techniques used in every Morua piece. This collection includes some treasured vintage lace and embellishments from Gerry’s archive, making these pieces true heirlooms to behold. These corsets are offered at a deep discount taking the individual corset’s condition into consideration.
Morúa corsets are known for their smooth, delicate lines, dramatic shaping and graceful proportions.
Our sculptural designs are hand-crafted from start to finish. Every corset is hand-cut from specialty and luxury fabrics, and stitched individually. Each is uniquely finished with delicate antique baubles, vintage trims or couture lace. The result is a cherished, little piece of wearable art.

Shipping & Invoices

All listings include domestic USPS Priority Mail shipping within the US. International orders require additional shipping costs. Illinois Residents are subject to an additional sales tax.

Invoices can be requested via DM or email. Please provide your PayPal email address. Invoices must be completed within 12 hours of submission, otherwise the piece will be re-listed.

Sizing:

Please note that these are the measurements listed are the measurements of the corset, not the body. All sizes in inches. Morua corsets look best with a 1-2 inch lacing gap at the center back.

To determine your corset size, choose the waist measurement you would like to have while wearing your corset, MINUS the gap at the back. The waist size of the corset should be 4-6 inches smaller than your natural waist.

For example, if you have a natural waist size of 27 inches and you would like to lace down to 24 inches, you should select a size 22” corset.

High Hip measurements are taken 3” below the waist. Low Hip measurements are taken 5” below the waist.

Please do reach out with any questions about sizing.

Construction: Morúa corsets are sturdy but not bulky. They are as light as possible while still maintaining the structure and strength needed for this specialty garment. Most Morúa corsets use coutil in their construction regardless of the fashion fabric.
Morúa corsets are b***d using a combination of spiral steel and spring steel boning carefully placed to provide the best support. Steel boning is ideal for corsets because it is strong, durable, and flexible.
Morúa Corsets are suitable for tight-lacing. Each corset will have: a waist tape; handmade bias binding or petersham ribbon; anatomically arranged two-part eyelets; and front modesty panel when a two part busk (front closure) is used. Typical construction methods include reinforced seams, interior or exterior boning channels, and hand basted and steamed shaping. These details may be invisible to the wearer, but they ensure that Morúa’s corsetry is of the highest quality.

Fit: Morúa’s philosophy is that a corset should be a supportive, enhancing garment, not an uncomfortable piece of armor. You should feel tall and feminine rather than fragile and uncomfortable while wearing a corset. A corset will feel more supportive and restrictive than modern clothing, but it should never feel uncomfortable or painful. Morua corsets perfectly are designed to mold with your natural shape, cinch your waist, and smooth your curves.

05/03/2021

Join us tomorrow 5/4 on our Facebook & Instagram pages for a Sample Sale! Some one-of-a-kind corsets including these beauties as well as fit samples will be available. We’ll start listing pieces at 12pm CST. Lots of treasures to show you...

09/26/2020

A little interview about life, design and my work :) Thanks to Adornment and Theory :)

Q: Where do you tend to find inspiration for your work or passion projects? A: History, both real and imagined. I am a lover of stories, characters. I’m particularly attracted to stories of women rooted in a specific time, places. I am inspired by the tangible monuments and objects they left behin...

09/26/2020

I’m so exited! I’ve been featured in an interview on ‘s wonderful series: “Five for@Friday”. Viviana and her team not only run a magic jewel box of a shop, but are incredibly supportive of fellow creatives in Chicago. Thank you. Have a read and see what I’m up to!

07/12/2019

12/19/2018

Winter 2019 Corset Making Workshop is now live!

CORSETRY 101-FEBRUARY SESSION

Beginning Corset Making February 16, 17 and 18, 2019 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Workshop cost is $595.00 for three days of instruction, lunch for two days and all specialist materials needed to make your first overbust corset.

Sign up at: http://www.moruadesigns.com/instruction/

Fascinated by corsets? Always wanted to learn how to make a corset but found it daunting? Registration is now open for Beginning Corset Making Winter Session 2019.

Gerry Quinton, the Chicago Corsetière behind Morúa has years of corset making, fashion industry, and teaching experience. Her corsets renowned for her graceful cinched silhouettes, elegant detailing and remarkable fit. In 2014, she moved her business to Chicago after almost a decade of working in London. Since then Gerry has established and grown her practice and expanded into the world of lingerie.

In Corset Making for Beginners you will gain the knowledge you need to a make real, quality, Victorian inspired corset. You will make an over bust corset, fitted to your body, from a Morúa corset pattern, optimized for modern bodies. Classic techniques and observations from the study of antiques will be explored.

Each three day workshop will be held at the beautiful Morúa shop and studio: Department of Curiosities. The workshop is located in Chicago’s trendy Logan Square neighborhood, a hub of great restaurants and innovative watering holes in one of America’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Class is strictly limited for an optimal learning experience.

Winter 2019 Session.

February 16, 17 and 18, 2019. 10am to 5:00pm

IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL:
• Learn about real steel b***d corsets: shaping, function, the best materials to use.
• Learn how to take precise measurements.
• Alter a pattern to fit your body.
• Make a mock up or “muslin” version of a corset to test the pattern for for fit.
• Learn how to trace and cut you corset fabric accurately.
• Explore techniques for stitching strong, smooth, wrinkle-free seams, and accurate boning channels.
• Learn how to insert a traditional corset busk fastening.
• Use tools to cut and tip steel boning so that you don’t have to rely on pricier pre-cut lengths.
• Learn how to set two part eyelets. (Also known as grommets)
• Tips and tricks for binding and finishing your corset.
• Methods to lace, condition and wear your corset.

Corset Making for Beginners also provides:

Access to a specialty design studio and tools during the course: but also the knowledge of how to use simpler tools at home to achieve professional results.

Opportunity to study a range of finished corsets, explore a working fashion studio, and access to study materials.

Lunch and refreshments for two days. On the last day we will explore one of the Logan Square’s many restaurants.

MATERIALS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE:
•Black or white coutil: a special corsetry fabric. Please specify you color choice when registering.
•Overbust Corset Pattern. You will make your corset from a proprietary Morúa pattern. This pattern is not commercially available, but you will be able to take a personalized version home.
•Pattern paper, cotton “toile” fabric, hardware, fittings, bindings and trims.
•Two part steel busk closure.
•German spring steel and spiral boning.

Boning and coutil is provided by Sew Curvy in the UK. A range of samples from this excellent supplier will be available to the students.

REQUIREMENTS:
Intermediate sewing skills. You should be familiar with a sewing machine and able to sew basic garments. This is an intense course, and the instructor will not have the time to dedicate to basic sewing skills.

11/26/2018

Mock ups are a good corsetiere’s best tools. They are rough drafts, or as friend says, fabric sketches. They help me decide what needs to change and why. The best way to highlight an asymmetry, a painful spot, flexible ribs; is through making a mock up. I learnt so much about bodies, patterning and each individual client by making a toile of a bespoke corset. Sometimes it takes one mock up, sometimes many. It depends on the individual and the cut of the corset.

11/14/2018

This fantasy of a corset was made for a beautiful client who flew in all the way from California in 2017 to have a corset made especially for her. It is fully bespoke, made to her measurements and made to wear under a historically inspired gown. Once we decided on the feel, colors and direction she gave me complete freedom with the embellishment. It is a single layer of sumptuous satin decorated in vintage, antique and fine new laces. The roses are vintage hand stitched embroidery. Swarosky crystals. The tulle overlay creates an ethereal halo.

11/14/2018

I've taken quite a long break from posting here, as I've not had a spare second. Now that orders are winding down for this year I'll be back to sharing again after my long absence! To start I' think I'll start with some client photos, with their permission. First up is a made to measure corset. (No mock up). Single layer black rosebud coutil with silk outer casings. Love the shape of short hip underbust!

10/01/2018

One of my favorite corsets I’ve ever made. Sheer mesh with organza, silk tulle and Edwardian lace with a splattering of crystals.