Bodice boning placement help

[Tixi]

I'm boning a bodice for a side-closing Elizabethan outer bodice with side closure *kind of* like this:
http://akachestylarue.typepad.com/photos/the_catalog/karm-purple-dress-030.html

It is going to be worn over a supporting, fully boned corset. It will have at the very least 4 bones around the lacing holes (it's side closing, so one on each side of the front and one on each side of the back)

First Question:

What would you recommend as the ideal boning placement with a minimum of boning but most effectiveness in keeping it wrinkle free and properly shaped?

Second question:

Do I need to extend the boning into the tabs at all? or not?

Here are some examples I was able to find:



or this (remote linking of the image seems to not work)
http://www.belladonna.50megs.com/photo4.html

or this

or more of a 'fan' like this
?

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'd go with the fan shape of your second example.  And yes, bone the tabs: it helps to keep them a nice shape rather than curling up at the edges.

Make sure you have a good layer or two of something like domette or flannelet between the bones and the fashion fabric, to stop them showing through.