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?