corset boning

[jackrocks]

I just finished doing myself up a corset pattern on the corset generator. I have material that is heavy, it makes me think of a light canvas, sort of.

My plan is to wear this red corset over a chemise I made earlier this year.

This is my first time, and Im not sure what to get for boning. This is mostly just for looks, not necessarily support, or as a "real" corset.

I have heard of using paint sticks as the busk, and that is what I plan to do.

I have no idea what to buy for boning, and I need something cheap. Like, very cheap. And easily available.

suggestions? thanks.

[isabelladangelo]

First, you want it for support.   If you are just wearing it for looks -the stays won't be comfortable.


Second, duct ties.  I've been using duct ties for five years -if not more- now and I don't think I can go back to steel.  The duct ties hold you in and get will conform to your shape so that the stays are comfortable.   Just go to your local hardware store (ie, home depot) and go to the duct section.  They should have the thick duct ties that are 36" or longer.   Zip ties won't work for stays. 

[gem]

You'll find that a lot of forum members are big fans of cable ties for boning.  Here's a great thread from a couple of weeks ago on the subject, with information on brands to try and where to find them, etc: http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15848.0

The important thing is that you're looking for the *big* ones--they should be about 3/8" wide and come in lengths around 36", not the little skinny things you use to organize cords or whatnot.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

The heavy duty Cable Ties for Corsets found in the Industrial Plumbing section of Home Depot and Lowes do work so well. I use them for reinforcement boning in Bodices to prevent Crinkling. Nothing worse than a bodice that crinkles when worn.

I am with isabella on the Steel Boning. I use them if the client requests them. They have gone up in price over the years per each.

[jackrocks]

thanks for the ideas. any ideas of how much these items would cost? Im kind of in the midst of some serious financial strain:(

another question.....this may well sound dumb. I have sewn quite a lot over the years, and always, always, its right sides together, wrong sides out.

but, the pattern for the corset generator says, "right sides out". Is that right? So Im sewing the wrong sides together, right sides out? and what, just covering up the raw edges? it just seems backwards to me:) lol

thanks.

Today was my last day of summer semester, and I get the first two weeks off since last Christmas, and I want to do something that *I* (not DH, not the kids) want to do, and what I want to do is make a pretty corset:)

[LadyShadow]

Talking with a person at JoAnns a while back, she said she used the green tie straps found at Home Depot that is used to hold the lumber together. She also went to stress that it is free, you just got to go get it/clean it up before the workers there do. She claims it works just as good as cable ties. I have used it for a thing or two, but little sewing items, not a corest.

[isabelladangelo]

I *think* Duct ties are under $20 for a very large packet of them.  I know I averaged out to about 79 cents a tie once but that was a couple of years back.  

As for the stays pattern -yes.   Just use bias tape around the edges.  It's pretty easy (time consuming,  but easy) to make your own.  

[isabelladangelo]

A quick google search showed that a 50 pack of HVAC Duct ties is around $12. 

[Betty Munro]

I use the duct ties at Home Depot. I give them a big thumbs up unless you are building corset as armor.  LOL!

I have made the corset from the online corset generator.  If it is the same one, I found that it was very tubular.  No waist at all, and I was told that is period accurate.  However, it is not extremely flattering, (I really really really like my waist), and to be honest, it was uncomfortable.  It cut in at my hips something terrible and I was almost ready to just throw it out after a day at fair.   Then I decided, to heck with H/A, and sew little half moons on the sides at the waist.  (I used upholstery thread and made 3 passes, it is in effect another seam.)  Voila.  It is now much more flattering, and amazingly comfortable.  The pull in at the waist allows the bones to curve out a little at the bottom, so they don't dig in anymore.   One more "hint", unless you sew the skirt to the bodice, you will need to wear your chemise over your skirt (like an apron).  Otherwise you will probably have gap between the skirt and the corset.   

Welcome to making garb.  This might be your first corset, but it won't be your last!!! 

[isabelladangelo]

I use the duct ties at Home Depot. I give them a big thumbs up unless you are building corset as armor.  LOL!

I have made the corset from the online corset generator.  If it is the same one, I found that it was very tubular.  No waist at all, and I was told that is period accurate.  However, it is not extremely flattering, (I really really really like my waist), and to be honest, it was uncomfortable.  It cut in at my hips something terrible and I was almost ready to just throw it out after a day at fair.   Then I decided, to heck with H/A, and sew little half moons on the sides at the waist.  (I used upholstery thread and made 3 passes, it is in effect another seam.)  Voila.  It is now much more flattering, and amazingly comfortable.  The pull in at the waist allows the bones to curve out a little at the bottom, so they don't dig in anymore.   One more "hint", unless you sew the skirt to the bodice, you will need to wear your chemise over your skirt (like an apron).  Otherwise you will probably have gap between the skirt and the corset.   

Welcome to making garb.  This might be your first corset, but it won't be your last!!! 

It sounds like you may have mismeasured.   Where we *think* our waists are and where they really are can be quite a difference.  Technically, you waist is where you bend at your sides -not necessarily the smallest point on your torso!   I'd suggest a duct tape dress dummy to experiment with.   

Also, I have never worn the chemise over the skirt with my stays.  If you cut everything to your measurements, you just stick the edges of the skirt under the bottom edge of the stays and it should be fine. 


cc29meandsteph by jubileel_insaneone, on Flickr

I designed the stays myself and the skirt is only 4 + yards of material that has been pleated to a waistband.  There isn't a gap anywhere between the stays and the skirt.  The entire outfit is H/A in cut.   

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

While I have never done a corset let alone sew much, one of the BEST bonings I saw was done with broom straw. Syrilla did this on a corset/bodice top and she said it was highly comfortable. I have a corset done with plastic ties and I will say this... it bits and it bites hard. Hard enough to leave marks for 2 weeks.

[Butch]

While I have never worn a corset myself, I have made 4 of them with cable ties and everyone found them quite comfortable.  I'm not sure where your bites are coming from.  Do you have an extra layer of cloth btwn your body and the boning channels?

Also, let me add that I have used cotton webbing (a military web belt) as the busk for all of my corsets.  The webbing is thick, stiff, and sturdy.  However, it is flexible and breatheable.  It allows the wearer to be just a bit more comfortable.

Give it a try, and good luck!

[Kate XXXXXX]

I am, after experimenting, very firmly in the 'use proper boning' camp.  It behaves better, looks better lasts longer, and as you can cut it to the exact length you want off the roll, there is little or no waste.  And it's works out very comparably per usable inch to the large cable ties I can get here.

For corsets that would have used baleen or withy, I tend to use a plastic trifold boning that comes in several widths.  The very narrow stuff looks great for things like the 18th C stays in the V&A.  I use a combination of this and flat steel:  two lengths of heavy 5/8"flat steel for the busk and one each side of the laces up the back, plus the plastic everywhere else seems to work fine.  This one, based on the corset generator pattern, is built like this: 

 

Internal shots:

 

[Betty Munro]

If you go with the duct tie plastic boning, trim the edges "round".  They will bite if you just cut them straight across.  I make my straight cut, then trim a little from each corner.  Each end gets 3 cuts.  I just read online to use a flame (candle or lighter) to slightly melt the edges to "soften" them.  Also, when determining how long to make your bone, give at least 5/8" on each side for the casing.  I think you are better to be a little short in the boning, than to be a little too long, which will cause the boning to eventually push through the fabric.

Kate, your corset is gorgeous, I think I should try that pattern again with tabs!  I see your boning goes all the way into the tabs - I bet that helps a LOT in the comfort factor! 

I didn't put tabs on my corset generator pattern, that would make a difference in covering the waistband and maybe helping it to stay put.  I will search for threads specifically about the corset generator pattern, I am delighted with the plethora of information that abounds with this group!!!

[Syrilla]

I still push straw, thin reeds, for straight boned corset. 

I now have two that I have used a total of 8 years, and will never make another for my renaissance corsets.  It is the most comfortable and best wearing straight corset that I have EVER worn.  Over the years it has lightly "molded" to my body, so when I put it on, I can relax into it much quicker and easier.  In fact, they both look like the extant one when layed "flat"

I do use metal for the boning area.