Bodice Laces

[Cateyes]

For something cute I use cheap ribbons that I braid to make stronger.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

i just purchased my first bodice and i got looking and decided that i wanted to know what it would look like with a wider ribbon in it. so i found some cheap ribbon at Michaels and totally loved the way the new ribbon i got for the sides looked that i also put it in the front. now i can't wait until April

[analise]

For one bodice, I use the cotton (I guess?) cord it came with.

I've also used shoelaces and ribbon. The ribbon especially if I want to dress it up a bit.

[Lady de la Warr]

I have those thin metallic cords in one, shoe laces in another and the twisted cording in yet another.

The metallic cords and shoe laces are wearing well and have not been replaced even though they've been worn quite a bit.. The twisted cording.............the jury is still out on that one because I've only worn it a few times. Although I will say, I replaced the original twisted cording that came in it with the current one because the one that came it it was shredding before I ever wore the gown.

[Tygrkat]

I have one with the twisted soft cording with aiglets at the ends, which has been worn only once but looked beautiful and held snug for a very full day at Faire...one with a  long, wide ( about 1/3") leather thong which has held up nicely for the couple of years that I've had it, and my very first bodice (purchased in 2004) that came with the thin, rat-tail type of cording that only lost a little piece this summer when DH was lacing me up, and to be fair there was quite a bit of tension on the cording (and the bodice - I'm a bit more ample now than when I got that particular bodice  )

They've all worked well for me, I would go with what you like best (if H/A is not a concern) and just bring a back-up length of whatever you choose if you're not confident it'll hold all day...

[Lady de la Warr]

That's a very good idea - bring along a backup if you aren't confident in the strength of your laces.

Although, if you are at faire it's not hard to find something if you do break a lace. Just about any clothier who sells bodices or corsets will have laces and usually they will only charge you $2-3 for one - if that. I've had them even give me one for free a couple of times! 

[gypsylakat]

... a bodice lace breakage would be bad on a day i'm a fairy or anytime one of my friends wears a bodice (no chemise)... So you can imagine what I was thinking at this... the puppies! they're Running Loose!!!!

Anyways, I've actually been using Military Parachute cord (550 Cable) which as the name may suggest has a tensile strength of 550 pounds.... I'm less worried about that breaking than when I walk across bridges...  I was introduced to this stuff by my bf's dad who is in the Army, I use it for a LOT of things... It's nylon cord with 6 white strands on the inside that also hold a bunch of weight... You just run a flame on the end to melt the ends together..

But yeah... It's great

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

For Bodices, I use the cBraided cording with aglets or Bolo tips.

For corsets, I get the Athletic Shoe strength shoe laces. Haven't had one break yet.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Ice skating shops are supposed to have nice long shoelaces in lots of colors - I'll never personally be able to check this out as there aren't a lot of calls for ice skates in Houston.

[mieljolie]

...I just wrap the ends with some thread and a tiny bit of super glue to hold and works fine.

That is a great idea!  I was alway pondering how to shorten laces without losing the ends.

I bought a wholesale lot of extra long shoelaces in many colors on eBay really cheap.  I also like braiding my own cords out of embroidery floss, crochet yarn and other string.  I agree that leather is not so good.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Ice skating shops are supposed to have nice long shoelaces in lots of colors - I'll never personally be able to check this out as there aren't a lot of calls for ice skates in Houston.

There must be places to buy them on line...

Wow!  Laces for PIRATE skaters!      http://www.skateasylum.co.uk/acatalog/skate-laces.html#searchlet

Just black and white, but verrrry long!  http://www.icesk8.com/access8.htm

More colours, different lengths:  http://www.usaskates.com/figureskatelaces.html

That's just from a quick google...   

[Anna Iram]

Now that is just what I was looking for a few months back! Regular shoelaces are not quite long enough for a few of my bodices. Never thought of skate lacing. Don't come across many of those shops in Florida either, though Inline skate shops might have them.

I've tried the rattail and it does tend to slip loose if it's relied upon to corset you in, not just to lace a bodice closed. I spent an entire season constantly retieing the thing.

[Morrigan]

Wow...  I must be in a little universe all by myself, because to this date I have never found anyone else who uses MY favorite lacing material:

Double Fold Bias Tape!!!

Either buy it double folded, or buy single fold and fold it once more yourself.    Put your sewing machine on a long zig-zag stitch, and just stitch down the length along the edge (this is just to keep the fold closed).  This takes approximately 90 seconds.  Either put points on the end, or just knot it.

It's strong, it's cotton so it holds a knot or bow without slipping, it's durable as all get-out, it's got a slight amount of give so it won't pull your grommets out, and it comes in every color under the sun!   Oh, and it's cheap and easy!

I've used this religiously since I started costuming 17 years ago, and it has NEVER frayed, broken, or otherwise failed me.

[Cerarienh]

I get my laces from Moresca.  They are slightly wider than normal shoe laces and they come in many many many different colors.  AND . . . they are very reasonably priced.

www.moresca.com

[PurpleDragon]

Macrame cord works as well.  This is what I use on the corsets I make and sell (custom orders only).