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 (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:
(http://www.naergilien.info/coronation/front_testfitting_1.JPG)
or this (remote linking of the image seems to not work)
http://www.belladonna.50megs.com/photo4.html (http://www.belladonna.50megs.com/photo4.html)
or this (http://www.rejoycing.com/costumes/lizgown/bodice-sleeves/boning.jpg)
or more of a 'fan' like this (http://www.dandywinn.com/russet/facedbodice.jpg)
?
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.