For me this has to have been one of the most life changing, body modification experiences I've had to day. While me and IAM Bear/ Allan were in the of process of planning to do a double corseting on my back I don't think I realised the full implications of how it would change the way I see myself and life in general.
At A Glance Author Karen Contact Karen@bme.anon IAM Caged Crow When Three months ago Artist Allan Brown IAM bear Studio Allan house Location Hoylake The organisation of it was all pretty easy. Bear and I had arranged a date when we would both be free, not an easy thing considering we both work long and conflicting shifts. I have two reasonable large tattoos on my back and I didn't want the play piercing needles to go through these, as I did not want any damage done to them. We decided to do a two way corseting 'framing' my two tattoos one from my shoulder blade area curving down to the waist area and then one from the crack in my bum curving upwards to my hips.
That day I had gone out and purchased 8.5 metres of ribbon 7mm thick, 3.5metres in orange and 5 metres of ribbon in black. I spend the day having mixed emotions, from excited to scared to down right terrified. This would be my first adventure into play piercing of any kind, with someone I didn't know particularly well at the time sticking needles in my back.
We had arranged for me to get to Allan's house (roughly 50miles away) at about 7pm. I set off about 6.15pm after having a shower and something to eat shaking slightly but exited at going off into the unknown. As I got closer my nerves seemed to disappear, but only because I thought I was going to run out of petrol on the journey and couldn't find a petrol station. Once I had filled my car up with fuel the nerves hit me with a vengeance and I spend the last 20miles swearing to myself, both out loud and in my head which resulted in my getting lots of funny looks from other drivers.
I arrived at Allan's house doing an apparently good impression of calmness. A cup of tea was dunk in true British style, tea makes all things well. My internal monologue was screaming with one side just wanting to get on with it the other trying to delay. My eyes kept being drawn to where Allan had set up his glove, needles and other necessary equipment.
Finally, Allan asked me if I was ready it was now or never. He asked me if I would prefer to lie on the bed or sit backward on a chair, I chose to sit on the chair as I find lying on my back restricts my breathing, plus I have a very arched back which would have made it hard for him to put the needles in had I been laid down.
Off came my top. I also decided to take my trousers off and sit in my boxers as it was rather warm in the room and I thought it would help keep me cool, and more comfortable. Allan had a vague idea of the shape the corset would take as I had emailed him a photograph of my back for him to doodle on. Out came the ruler and drawing on my back was done. Allan took photographs after he had completed putting crosses on me so that I could get a general idea of the final result.
Once the marks were on me it was time for the needles. Allan explained to me how he was going to weave the needle through my skin so that a single needle went in, out, the in and out again i.e. one needle making 2 entrance holes and two exit holes.. Me being the novice that I was just nodded and agreed and took deep breaths. We used. 26 19gauge needles on the upper part and 12, 21gauge needles on the bottom half making a total of 38 needles..
We started on the right side at the top, the first few needles were quite painful mainly on the second entrance as the skin was being pull about, but nothing too unbearable and once had relaxed a bit this subsided. After each needles was put through a filter tip was put on the end of the needle to prevent any accidents. Allan carried on sticking needles in me shouting encouraging things at the same time 13 needles later and the first side was done. I found that the lower we got the less it hurt, probably due to added skin/fat that I have around my waist/ hip area.
I spend some time looking in the mirror quite proud of myself, and all excited as the endorphins kicked in, as Allan laughed at me being silly.
After being practically forced to sit down so that Allan could continue we proceeded to put the needles in the left side with no problems. I found I had what I can only describe as a heavy feeling in my stomach, it was like I had swallowed a rock, it was not an unpleasant feeling just very strange as if all the problems and worries I had been compounded into one big ball in my stomach. I felt quite empty other than this heavy feeling.
Once I had both sides of the upper part of my corset in I had another prance about in front of the mirror, Allan asked what I would like to do: put the ribbon in the upper part or continue with the lower corset. After a brief discussion we decided to continue with the needle fun while my endorphins where still going thus making it less painful.
I found that the lower part of the corseting around my hips and bottom was probably the most painful part and Allan had to push a lot harder to get the needles through due to the muscles in that area. About half way through the lower part we stopped so that Allan could unwrap some more needles from their sterile wrappers. I was quite enjoying the rest until I felt this sharp jab near my bum and jumped about 6 foot in the air. I though he was still unwrapping needles and so had not prepared myself for the coming needles. I was politely asked to keep still next time. I could feel as the skin got tighter down towards my bottom and poor Allan was wedged between the bed and the chair I was sat on with my arse in his face in order to reach that low down.
Now that the needles were fully in I had yet another prance about – I blame it on the endorphins then Allan got me under control enough to sort out the ribbon. It was about this point that the filter tips were removed and I was told to make no sudden movement or I would stab myself. I had decided that I wanted to use the black ribbon for the upper corset and the orange for the lower also the orange ribbon was slightly shorter due to me buying the last available orange ribbon in the shop. Allan found the middle of the black ribbon and with the help of a pair of tweezers pulled the ribbon through the middle bit of the woven needle. This was quite a weird sensation feeling the ribbon running again my skin. The ribbon was kept quite loose to begin with and then gradually tightened bit by bit.
I loved the feeling of moving around once the two corsets were finished almost like having some kind of exoskeleton, the way I could feel it pull all across my back when I moved one arm and the tightness of everything. I could have happily have kept it in all night moving and playing, although I'm sure I would have cause myself an injury with all those unsheathed needles in my back. Allan took many photographs moving me this way and that puling the ribbon tighter every now and again.
After about 30minutes of turning this way and that getting the feel for it all it was time to pull the whole thing apart. With my back to Allan he started pulling the needles out quickly bam, bam, bam. It didn't look like I was going to bleed as I hadn't bled one drop when the needles were being put in however about half way through taking the needles out it was like a flood gate had been opened and blood flowed down my back on to Allan's bedroom carpet. He jumped up and grabbed his dressing gown for me to stand and bleed on and after removing the rest of the needles and taking a photo he rubbed my back with a towel to stem the blood and took that opportunity to give me a hug and tell me how well I'd done. I then put the blood-stained dressing gown on and went for a shower to remove the blood trains from my back. It was only then that I realised that the heavy feeling had disappeared and I felt lighter than air as if all my stresses had just floated away,
The healing process was pretty easy; I washed my back gently with an antibacterial wash the first couple of nights and wore clothes that wouldn't rub on it.
My muscles aches for about 4 days afterwards but nothing major. Having never done anything like this before I had no idea what to expect all I had was a few bruises and very small scabs from the needles but after about 2 weeks there was nothing to see but the last remains of a bruise on my hip.
I couldn't quite put how I felt into words and it took me probably well over a week to process all the information and feelings that this experience had provoked, even now I find it hard for describe to people it was as if I had a fresh start I could put events of the past two years behind me and for the first time look forward. My corseting experience came to mean more to me than I ever though it would and was the beginning of me becoming more contented and happy with my life.