What do you use to lace your bodice?

[Dinobabe]

So I am almost finished with my upper class garb.  Right now I am using an old shoe string to lace the bodice!   I put in large brass grommets with the intentions of covering them which will make the hole considerably smaller.  For those of you with upper/noble garb what do you use to lace it up?  Pictures would be very helpful!  Thank you!

[insidiousraven]

Although my garb is of a lower class, I am also curious.  I used to use ribbon, but that stretches.  I just recently purchased some what I think is called rattail chord?  Its fairly slippery, but much stronger.

[raevyncait]

I think most of mine are flat boot laces that came with the bodices.  I have also used a cotton blend cord I buy by the spool at Joann's, similar to this: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/zoomImagedetail.jsp?PRODID=6828370&imageType=m&itemType=sku

It's inexpensive, holds up pretty well, doesn't seem to stretch, and I wrap black electrical tape around the tips to create makeshift aglets.

[isabelladangelo]

Shoe laces.  :-)   I use the really long rounded black boot laces for most of my garb.   I did finally make some cord (lucet-ish) but shoe laces are cheap, easy to find, and have yet to break on me.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Ii find using decorator cording from Hobby Lobby works best, finished off with gold bolo tips so that the cord doesn't fray.

[Sorcha]

Same as Lady K.  Decorator cord.  I have tried rat-tail when I couldn't find the color of decorator cord that matched.  But that did break on the second lacing.

[DonaCatalina]

I use braided cotton/rayon ice skate laces. Mostly I use black and white, but the skate laces come in a variety of colors so I can occasionally match the fabric.
These are sturdy and stay tied, which seemed to be a problem with cords and ribbons.

[Lady Isabella]

DonaCatalina
Thats the best idea I've heard all year!!! I love using shoelaces but I have a hard time finding them long enough. Too cool!

[insidiousraven]

I couldn't get the decorator cord to stay in a knot. 

[Dinobabe]

I generally use the decorator cord (and really like it) but it is too big for the holes on this one, at least without having to really shove it in.

I was considering boot laces but was afraid they looked too modern.  Besides metal tips how do you cover the ends and still be able to lace?  I typically melt the ends of the cording with a lighter to prevent fraying.

I use a special hikers bow to keep things tied.  I have NEVER had one come undone.  Basically you tie a regular shoe bow but double the first knot (loops thru) and double the around the rabbit ear.

raevyncait I have that same cord.  I was thinking about using it.  Thanks.

[ArielCallista]

I use this stuff thats basically round non slick shoelaces on a spool of like 9 yards. That way I can cut it to just the right length.I buy it at walmart and have yet to see it anywhere else. Sadly my walmart has remodeled ad doesnt have a full size craft section anymore...I just buy walmart out of it everytime I go visit my parents.I'd link to it but walmart's website doesnt have it either, since they arent carrying it in the new/remodeled stores...as for aglets I use either bolo tips or black electrical tape, if I can't find aglets of any kind...For some reason aglets are hard to find in denton.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I bought spare bodice laces at Moresca! only $1 each! AHHH Moresca!

[Elennare]

I use some sort of cotton or cotton blend cord.  The synthetic stuff just wouldn't stay tied for me.

To keep the ends from fraying, I whip them.  If I REALLY want to make sure they stay, I coat them in clear nail polish afterwards.

Instructions here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_whipping 

[Rowan MacD]

  It has to be cotton or a blend that 'sticks' to itself.  Sometimes I will get a bodice that has the nylon cord stuff.  I get rid of it right away, since it won't stay tied, even when locklaced, and slips around a lot.
   I know this sounds weird, but if you have laces that won't stay where you put them, the bodice won't fit well.
   

[Lady Amy of York]

I use decorator cording or good strong shoe laces.

OO..i too like the idea of  skate laces.  Good suggestion.