So non-period criss-cross lacing has *one* advantage, at least...

[DonaCatalina]

yes. Its a little dizzying to look at the diagram, but that's it.

[gem]

I also found this image, which looks more like traditional spiral lacing, allows you to use parallel (instead of offset) holes, and still ends up with two ends to tie together:



The guy at the website claims to have "invented" spiral lacing and has actually gotten a patent on this!

I haven't quite figured out what's going on with it yet, but Milord is good at stuff like this, so I'll consult him.

[Butch]

Gem, I tie it off at the top with two half-hitches, then at the bottom I tie it off with a slip-knot (or slippery-hitch).  Then, I coil the remainder of the slack around 4 fingers and tuck it up inside the corset at the lower seam near the elbow.

You can start at the top or the bottom.  You wanna start at the area you want more support (according to some of the research I read).

Good luck, maybe I'll see you Sunday?

[Rowan MacD]

I also found this image, which looks more like traditional spiral lacing, allows you to use parallel (instead of offset) holes, and still ends up with two ends to tie together:

The guy at the website claims to have "invented" spiral lacing and has actually gotten a patent on this!

I'm wondering how he got a patent on something the military has been using for decades.  This is what was called 'quick lacing'  in the days before hooks and before we used zippers, LOL.
  Don't know why it never occurred to me to use it for corsets *head slap*

[gem]

I tried it yesterday on my curved-front/corded dress, and it worked... but it's not a great choice for that particular dress, which laces through lacing rings, with a small gap in the laces. It essentially looks like sloppy crisscross lacing:



It would probably look fine on something that laces completely closed, but for the amount of brainpower it took, it's definitely not an improvement in this case!

[Butch]

Ah, using the lacing rings, I see!  I installed them onto the backs of Michael's two new trousers.  They work great!

[gem]

I was pleasantly surprised by how sturdy they are! I thought I would need to tack them down in the ring part, too, but these babies aren't going *anywhere.* (Which is good, b/c half of them are sewn *through* a hemp cord, and my thumb insists that it is absolutely finished. LOL)

I have some photos of Michael in the parade on Opening Day; I was thinking of posting them for you in the Finished Projects thread, since he looks so terrific!

[DonaCatalina]

I finally found the picture I was looking for that shows the lacing pattern we use. This is my daughter; but DH did her lacing exactly as he does mine.

[Butch]

Gem, that would be very nice of you!  Thank-you!  Also, did you see that he's in the printed program this year?  He's really enjoying himself!

[peacewing]

Faux ladder lacing?

[Captain Teague]

Not to make slight of any of this, because I know Period is what we all try to achieve, but Lord Dragon is not a goods Lady's Maid.  I'm lucky if my bodice it tied to a nice fit and I can breathe at all, asking him to learn lacing techniques is something I think would be too much.  Now if I ever hit the lottery, I'll hire a Lady's maid and a Valet.  Who can drive, cook and clean as well.  LOL. 

*Sniff*
*Shuffle kicks a rock*