Spiral lacing

[gem]

Do you know, we have NEVER had a dedicated topic on this on these boards? Well, I say it's time for one!

I've put it off as long as possible; it's time to do the eyelets on the purple damask kirtle. I want to do spiral lacing, but I'm a little nervous about the eyelet placement. Of course I've been over and over Jen Thompson's Zen of Spiral Lacing, and I also found this site that discusses various techniques, as well.

One thing I'm concerned about is that my kirtle laces up the side-backs, and so the top edges aren't level--the back piece is much higher than the side piece. So I'm not really sure how to space the eyelets. That site shows this picture, which illustrates the situation I have:



Anyone have suggestions? Or just general tips or commentary?

Gramercy!!

[isabelladangelo]

Take a ribbon and lay it out on the closed "opening" to the gown as if it were the lacing.  Pin it at the points where you'd place an eyelet.  Take a piece of chalk and mark where the ribbon is pinned.  Unpin the ribbon and make sure to put the lacing holes where the chalk is. 

[gem]

Wow! Isabella, that's brilliant. 

[Master James]

Actually we did have a section dedicated to spiral lacing but I think that was on the other board that got hacked.  Given that however you are correct for this iteration of the board and its about time we did because I, as does my wife, find that spiral lacing holds longer, takes less cord, is easier to get tight and is more comfortable.  The only difference I'd make from the diagram up top is that we have found that lacing from the bottom to the top works far better than top to bottom.  Other than that, its fine.  The other item is can you lace a standard setup (standard lacing with holes across from each other) with spiral lacing?  The answer is YES you can.  You simply go straight across and then up, then straight across and then up and so on.  Hope this helps.

[amy]

I love this, and I plan to use spiral lacing on my side open bodice this year.   Quick question though,  does anyone else use 2 laces like I do?  I admit to creating a figure I don't really have with my bodice shape and I often lace from my bottom rib up and then from my bottom rib down so that it stays tight where I want it slimmest.    Any one else cheat that way?

[isabelladangelo]

I only use one long lace for each opening.  I tend to go with the very long boot shoe laces (at least 45"). 

I tighten the lace along the way, yanking it as I slowly lace it down.  I've found lacing it down, rather than up, makes life easier in the long run.   You can hide the ends of your laces better for one thing....

[gem]

Thanks, everyone!

I've just come from an evening with my local sewing group, where I spent the whole night working on eyelet placement. After some trial and error, I have something that should work!

I really like the idea of the extra bit of lace at the end to tie off with; my 18th century stays have this, and it's brilliant (also the stay lace is sewn down!). I need to do an actual fitting before I decide whether I'll go bottom up (which I usually do) or top down, or what all.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Thanks gem for reposting this .

[DonaCatalina]

Thanks Gem!
His Lordship laces me into everything. He actually says that for him its easier to remember the spiral lacing patterns.
Below is an example of a finished dress. You can see how neatly it lays.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

When I get working on the Elizabeth Bathory gown wnawmblw, I am going to recommend Spiral lacing for the back. That will work slick.

[DonaCatalina]

When I get working on the Elizabeth Bathory gown wnawmblw, I am going to recommend Spiral lacing for the back. That will work slick.

wnawmblw?

[Lady Kett]

When I get working on the Elizabeth Bathory gown wnawmblw, I am going to recommend Spiral lacing for the back. That will work slick.

wnawmblw?

My typoese translator translated that as ensemble. YMMV!

[DonaCatalina]

well, I did wonder if you said something naughty and the filter got it.

[Kathleen MacLeod]

Gem, you're always just one step ahead of me! I've been toying with the idea of spiral lacing for a while and then you just happen to post a thread about. Thanks

Are there significant benefits or negatives to spiral lacing as opposed to the criss-cross style? It seems so much easier I have to wonder why we ever do it any other way!

[gem]

Well, this article on Facebook offers some pros and cons of various lacing types based on how tight they stay after done up, etc.

Of course, it's really hard to beat "easy enough for Milord to lace me up without a lot of explanation and drama" as an argument in favor of standard (shoelace-style) lacing!!

[DonaCatalina]

Well, this article on Facebook offers some pros and cons of various lacing types based on how tight they stay after done up, etc.

Of course, it's really hard to beat "easy enough for Milord to lace me up without a lot of explanation and drama" as an argument in favor of standard (shoelace-style) lacing!!

Other than that, for some reason there does to be less slippage. But that could also be because His lordship likes to do a double spiral. (Or as a design engineer might say; a double helix)

[operafantomet]

well, I did wonder if you said something naughty and the filter got it.

Haha!

As for benefits of spiral lacing VS X lacing.... well, I like both. But I think it's easier to tighten spiral lacing. Not quite sure why. But I know from the past that X lacing is easy to get tight in the bottom and on top, but the middle tend to bulge. I never have this problem with spiral lacing.

[Tygrkat]

When I get working on the Elizabeth Bathory gown wnawmblw, I am going to recommend Spiral lacing for the back. That will work slick.

Heeheehee...I can honestly say I've not ever worn a "wnawmblw" before ~ I am looking forward to it  and I agree; I think spiral lacing will work beautifully with it!