I think it's called a busk

[Dinobabe]

Many years ago at Bristol during a clothing demo one of the women pulled a flat, wooden piece out of the top of her bodice.  Do any of you use this piece?  I would like to incorporate it into my new bodice.  Do you have any advice or comments?  Thanks!

[Master James]

Yes you are right it is called a busk.  It is appropriate for Elizabethan ladies to wear in order to maintain the flat front that you really want.  M'lady however does not wear one as she uses enough steel boning to ensure that it stays flat instead so don't know how they work or how to install them.  Sorry.

[Genievea Brookstone]

I have used 2 wooden paint sticks taped together so they dont shift and have an opening in the top of my bodice so I can remove them for washing.

[bellevivre]

interesting info:

Busks were originally secured to the corset with a ribbon either at the top or bottom (otherwise, they have a tendency of 'walking' out of their channel. It was quite a compliment for a lady to give a gentleman her busk ribbon (and proves how little of a lady she was!) and there are theories that this busk ribbon is the ancestor of the silly little center bows on most modern bras.

[Dinobabe]

interesting info:

Busks were originally secured to the corset with a ribbon either at the top or bottom (otherwise, they have a tendency of 'walking' out of their channel. It was quite a compliment for a lady to give a gentleman her busk ribbon (and proves how little of a lady she was!) and there are theories that this busk ribbon is the ancestor of the silly little center bows on most modern bras.

Great info, thanks! (I hate those bows!)

I just thought it would be a fun, historical piece to add.
And yes, I am going to use a paint stick!

[Aunty Lou]

Busks were often carved by sweethearts and husbands as intimate gifts (Slightly more intimate than a pair of scented gloves, being a more intimate part of the body!), and in some museums ( The Victoria & Albert, where I saw a small selection) they were painted, chip-carved and inscribed with love poems...  *Sigh*

[Dinobabe]

Busks were often carved by sweethearts and husbands as intimate gifts (Slightly more intimate than a pair of scented gloves, being a more intimate part of the body!), and in some museums ( The Victoria & Albert, where I saw a small selection) they were painted, chip-carved and inscribed with love poems...  *Sigh*

This gives me some ideas... 

[Sir Sebastian Phoenix]

interesting info:

Busks were originally secured to the corset with a ribbon either at the top or bottom (otherwise, they have a tendency of 'walking' out of their channel. It was quite a compliment for a lady to give a gentleman her busk ribbon (and proves how little of a lady she was!) and there are theories that this busk ribbon is the ancestor of the silly little center bows on most modern bras.

You learn something new every day

[Syrilla]

Yes, I use one on my normal faire corset, and love it. 

[Anna Iram]

Busks were often carved by sweethearts and husbands as intimate gifts (Slightly more intimate than a pair of scented gloves, being a more intimate part of the body!), and in some museums ( The Victoria & Albert, where I saw a small selection) they were painted, chip-carved and inscribed with love poems...  *Sigh*

I never knew this about busks. How utterly lovely and romantic....yes,  BIG *sigh*.

[verymerryseamstress]

http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/corsetry.htm - the wooden piece in the picture at the top of the page is a busk.  I've used them in bodices too - very fun!  Some of my customers have done really elaborate woodcarvings on them. 

[mariab4]

I have used a wooden busk in my garb but I've moved away from it this year.  It is very Elizabethan and really does make a smooth, flat profile.  My busks are lovingly made for me by my husband, the carpenter. 

[FortuneRose]

I have one corset that has a busk in it.  Yikes, my grandfather in law made it!!!      So much for the romantic part, lol.   Maybe I should tell my hubby to at least put a love note or poem into it..  haha

[Anna Iram]

I wonder if the more ornamental busks were the types of thing that were handed down and worn from mother to daughter etc. ?

[Celtic Lady]

I know this is going to sound silly (since I don't really sew and in truth I am still quite new to the ren world) but what is the difference between a corset and a bodice? Does one wear the corset under the bodice?

[Dinobabe]

I know this is going to sound silly (since I don't really sew and in truth I am still quite new to the ren world) but what is the difference between a corset and a bodice? Does one wear the corset under the bodice?

Short answer, yes.  But I will let the more informed and experienced answer in more depth!

[Anna Iram]

I'm not as informed as many of our dressmakers, but I'll have a go.

The corset is the undergarmet that gives you the fashionable shape of the times and defines your sillouette, just as todays modern bra does. This is where the busk is placed: down a front channel of the corset. The bodice was the outer garmet with some boning as to maintaine it's shape, but not nearly as m uch as a corset.

Todays faire garb often combines the two into one heavily boned bodice, though many ladies do wear corset and bodice. I have several "bodices" that are designed to be worn as outer wear but are direct copies of the Queen Elizabeth Effigy Corset. I also have a corset designed to be worn under a gown. This would be considered more historically acurate, but it's all good.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Yes: corset, like the modern equivalent, is underwear, used for supporting and controlling the shape.  A bodice CAN be made to do the same job, but is usually far less boned or stiffened.

[Lady_Claira]

But wouldn't all those definitions of bodice depend on the setting in which you are talking about a bodice? Okay, I worded that badly. I took a costume construction class and according to our text, the bodice is the upper chest/back part of the garment, without the sleeves.

Or... (and this is a thought coming to me just now) does our modern faire idea of the term bodice come from what Anna Iram was referring to with the corset being the undergarment and the bodice being the overgarment. Bodice then being the proper term for that part of the outfit/dress/piece even in the sewing terms my book gave me... The term then later evolving when faire lovers started building the corset functioning into the outer layers of the garb.

Or am I too tired to make any sense anymore? Lol

[Anna Iram]

Well, actually, I think the term used in Elizabethan times were "pair of bodies" for a corset. I  don't know if "bodice" was a term used at all to describe part of the gown.

Like I said, I know there are others with way more knowledge here.

[Margaret]

But wouldn't all those definitions of bodice depend on the setting in which you are talking about a bodice? Okay, I worded that badly. I took a costume construction class and according to our text, the bodice is the upper chest/back part of the garment, without the sleeves.

That is correct, in any time period and setting.  In modern times, we usually don't use 'bodice' to refer to the top part of a gown or a dress, but that is still what it is.

Or... (and this is a thought coming to me just now) does our modern faire idea of the term bodice come from what Anna Iram was referring to with the corset being the undergarment and the bodice being the overgarment. Bodice then being the proper term for that part of the outfit/dress/piece even in the sewing terms my book gave me... The term then later evolving when faire lovers started building the corset functioning into the outer layers of the garb.

Or am I too tired to make any sense anymore? Lol

A corset will always be underwear and a bodice will always be be outerwear.  What has happend in 'faire ware' is that some people have designed bodices with heavy boning in them so they can eliminate the corset.  They are *still* bodices however.  You may also see corsets worn as outerwear.  My friend Nikki makes the most beautiful corsets that get worn on the outside - but at the end of the day, they are still corsets.  http://mayfairemoon.com/

[LadySeasan]

Busks were often carved by sweethearts and husbands as intimate gifts (Slightly more intimate than a pair of scented gloves, being a more intimate part of the body!), and in some museums ( The Victoria & Albert, where I saw a small selection) they were painted, chip-carved and inscribed with love poems...  *Sigh*

This gives me some ideas... 

same here! i didnt place enough boning in my bodice, so now i need to add a busk. and i think i am going to get all mushy and have my husband write his handfasting vows onto the busk and place it in my bodice

[Syrilla]

awwwwahhaaaaa