RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: gem on June 21, 2009, 06:01:09 PM

Title: Lacing strips questions
Post by: gem on June 21, 2009, 06:01:09 PM
I'm wondering if the next step in my mockup is going to be replacing the seam allowances + pins with actual lacing (Milord will feel better about lacing tightly than pinning!).

I understand how to make the lacing strips, but I'm kind of iffy on their actual use.    I tried them once before, but found myself sort of thrown off by the seam allowances or something.  I'm not asking this well.

So, like, in this picture from Jenny LaFleur's dress diary (http://www.jennylafleur.com/diary/ren02/2003_1115_01.jpg), it looks like the laces are going through the yellow, and not just through the blue lacing strips.  But I'm sure that's not right.

Um... could somebody maybe start from the beginning and walk me through it? Ha!

Thank you!!
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: operafantomet on June 22, 2009, 01:49:19 AM
Jennifer Thompson did it like this:
http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/diary/images/strips.jpg

(from her 1515 Florentine dress diary)

What you need it a strip of solid fabric (maybe two layers) and grommets. The grommets are inserted into this fabric, and then you whipstitch the fabric into your dress mockup. I haven't tried it myself, so sorry for the lack of good advices or detailed info... But other people seem to like it a lot, so it's worth a shot.
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: mollymishap on June 22, 2009, 09:11:13 AM
Alright, Gem, here ya go, just for you (tho anyone else that wants to play can have a look-see, too):

Scroll down to the bottom of this page on my website (http://www.myfairelady.com/?page_id=134) for an explanation of how I do it. 
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: sealion on June 22, 2009, 11:03:25 AM
Molly explains it perfectly!
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on June 22, 2009, 11:25:31 AM
Quote from: mollymishap on June 22, 2009, 09:11:13 AM
Alright, Gem, here ya go, just for you (tho anyone else that wants to play can have a look-see, too):

Scroll down to the bottom of this page on my website (http://www.myfairelady.com/?page_id=134) for an explanation of how I do it. 

Great.  I like that you have cable ties/bones in: this gives a good idea of what the finished back will be like.

I think this might be one time I really DID machine baste...  :D
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: gem on June 22, 2009, 11:57:22 AM
Molly, that's fantastic.  Thank you!!

One question: if I'm thinking about spiral lacing for the final product (I haven't decided yet, and I've never done it before), should the lacing strips also be set up for spiral lacing?  I mean, will the type of lacing affect the fit?
Title: Re: Lacing strips questions
Post by: operafantomet on June 22, 2009, 04:34:08 PM
Quote from: gem on June 22, 2009, 11:57:22 AM
One question: if I'm thinking about spiral lacing for the final product (I haven't decided yet, and I've never done it before), should the lacing strips also be set up for spiral lacing?  I mean, will the type of lacing affect the fit?

I would do spiral lacing for the mock-up if the finished result will have spiral lacing. When you've spent so much time to get it right, it would be silly to let such a minor thing bug up the look.