September 26, 2011

lacing strips for mock ups


I've had a few questions about what I use to lace up mock ups so I thought I'd share my lacing strips.


Pretty low tech, just folded over denim with a couple of seams to make boning channels, and some grommets. They are 13 inches long, just long enough for to use for fitting, but I often think I should make a longer set. These were made for fitting my very first corset six years ago. I pounded the grommets while sitting poolside in Carlsbad, California. Good times.

For fittings I place the folded edge along the the center back of the mock up and stitch the strip to the back panel. Since I don't use a busk on fitting toiles, I wrap the mock up around myself with the lacing strips to the front, then thread the lace through the grommets. When I reach the top I tie the laces together and twist the corset around my body until it sits properly with the laces in back, then I start cinching. It is not an elegant process. But I've found this works better than lacing the corset first and slipping it over my head. After experiencing a couple horribly claustrophobic moments with my arms pinned above my head once the corset reached my shoulders I started putting on toiles corsets the way a twelve year old puts on a bra. Has anyone figured out a better way to get into a buskless toile?

5 comments:

  1. I usually end up sewing a heavy duty separating zipper into the front, because I don't have the patience to keep re-lacing while doing fittings.

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  2. I do the same thing. I use a lacing strip (also from an old corset), and sew a heavy duty zipper to the center front.

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  3. As a person who's just getting inspired to make a corset, is there anyway to fit one without making the test lacing strips? I'm not certain how many grommets I can pound before my neighbors would take up arms... :D

    of course, if there's no other way...it's time to take over a convenient sidewalk!

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