The Intricacies Of Corset Lacing: Plastic Tips And All

Corsets are intricate garments that require careful lacing to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. While the process of lacing a corset may seem daunting, particularly for beginners, it can be made easier with the use of bunny ears and other lacing techniques. Additionally, the type of lacing and the length of the lace can be adjusted to suit personal preferences and achieve the desired fit and style. One important aspect of corset lacing is the tip, which can be created using different methods, including stitching and heat-shrinking, to secure the lace and prevent fraying. The question of how much plastic to use at the tip of the corset lace is therefore crucial in ensuring a well-crafted and functional corset.

Different ways to get lacing into the plastic tip

There are several ways to get lacing into the plastic tip of a corset. One method involves using a needle and thread:

• Start by running a needle with a double line of thread (knotted at the end) through the cord about 3/4"–1" down from the cut end.
• Wrap the thread around the cord tightly until you reach almost the end.
• Tie it off and, without cutting the thread, use the needle to pass through the tipping tube, pulling the cord through until it's slightly past the thread wrapping.
• Cut both the cord and the tube to create a flush end.
• Apply heat to shrink the tip.

Another method involves using a safety pin:

• Start from the top of the corset and bring the laces through the grommets from the inside (lining side) out.
• Centre the safety pin while you lace the corset, and adjust the laces accordingly when finished.
• Cross the laces (left over right) and put the tip through the next grommet from the inside again.
• Repeat until you reach the waistline, keeping the laces flat to achieve a neat and professional look.

A third method involves using a pin:

• Put a couple of stitches in the end and put the needle through the opening.
• Gently pull the lacing through, being careful not to break the thread.
• Use a pin to push the lacing through.

Finally, you can use heat to shrink the lace tipping:

• Use a lighter or flame to heat up the end of the lace.
• Immediately roll the end with your fingertips so it squishes together.
• Roll it in to secure the tubing onto the lace.

Alternatively, you can use a candle or lighter to shrink the tip. Hold the tip about two inches away from the flame to avoid melting or burning it. Twist it slowly, gradually moving it closer to the flame if needed, until it melts all around.

Using heat to shrink the lace tip

To use heat to shrink the tip of your corset lace, you can use a candle or a lighter. Hold the flame about two inches away from the tip of the lace. Twist the lace slowly, moving it closer to the flame if it isn't shrinking. The exposed lace will melt into a ball, helping to secure the tubing onto the lace.

If you are using a lighter, be careful not to burn yourself. Keep the flame going for a few minutes. If you are using clear tubing on white or ivory laces, hold the tubing farther away from the flame to avoid discolouring it.

Alternatively, you can use a toaster oven, a regular oven, a heat gun, or an embossing heat tool to shrink the plastic tubing. If you are using a toaster oven, heat it to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Use pliers or an oven mitt to handle the hot tray. You can put your plastic tubing straight onto the tray, but using a piece of parchment paper or aluminium foil will help to protect the surface and allow you to slide the tubing off before it cools.

Your plastic will heat up in different spots at different times, so it may curl up. Don't worry, this is normal, and it will flatten back out. If the curling edges touch and stick together, gently pry them apart with pliers or forks, then put the tubing back into the oven. When your piece has flattened out, it is done. Remove it from the oven and let it cool.

How to lace a corset for beginners

Corsets have long been a staple of fashion, and lacing one up is much easier than you might think! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to lace a corset for beginners.

First, find the centre point of your lacing. Hold the two ends in one hand and slide your other hand along the length of the lacing until you find the middle. Your first "X" of lacing will be on the outside of the corset. Insert one tip of the lacing through a top eyelet, from the inside to the outside. Repeat with the other end, pulling both ends evenly until the centre of the lacing is in the middle of the corset, leaving a gap of 4-5 inches between the two halves.

Now, take one end and bring it diagonally to the opposite side of the corset, feeding it through the next eyelet down, from the outside to the inside. Repeat with the other end, pulling both ends evenly to create an ""X" shape between the two halves. Repeat this process, alternating between one "X" on the outside and the next "X" on the inside, until you reach the waist area. This method is known as the "bunny ears" technique and is perfect for beginners as it makes it easy to get in and out of the corset and adjust the tightness.

When you reach the waist, you will create the "bunny ears." Work with one lace end at a time, bringing it straight down on the same side of the corset and feeding it into the next eyelet down, from the outside to the inside. Pull it through until you have a loop a few inches long. Repeat on the other side, and you will have your "bunny ears"! Finish off with more "double X" lacing until you reach the bottom of the corset.

Finally, tie off the laces in a small bow at the bottom. Even out all the lacing, starting from the top down to the waist, and then from the bow at the bottom back up to the waist. Remove any safety pins used to hold the lacing in place and tie any excess lacing into a big bow. And there you have it—your corset is now laced and ready to be worn!

Corset lacing methods

Standard Lacing

Standard lacing is a straightforward method that can be easily done by oneself or with the help of another person. It involves crossing the laces from left to right or right to left through the grommets (small holes or eyelets) of the corset. This technique allows for extra tightening at the waist, making it more comfortable. The laces can be tied in a knot at the top or left with a small amount exposed, which can be melted into a ball with a candle or lighter to prevent fraying.

Three-Lace Method

The three-lace method is more advanced and suitable for those with some experience wearing or lacing corsets. It involves using three separate laces for the bust, waist, and hips, rather than a single lace as in the bunny ears method. This technique provides more control over the tightness of each area and can help achieve an hourglass silhouette.

Bunny Ears Method

The bunny ears method is ideal for beginners as it creates a corset that is easy to put on, take off, and adjust. It involves bringing the lacing out from the inside to the outside at the waist level, forming loops or "bunny ears" that can be used to tighten the corset. This method typically results in "'X'" lacing on the outside and alternate "X" lacing on the inside, making it easier to tighten and loosen the corset by pulling on the exterior "X" laces.

Other Considerations

When lacing a corset, it is important to ensure that the laces are threaded through the grommets in the same direction on both sides. Additionally, keeping the laces flat and untwisted results in a neater and more professional-looking finish. While thin satin tapes can be used for occasional wear, firmer lacing materials, such as the special hard corset tape provided with some corsets, are designed for more effective and long-lasting tightening.

Calculating the lacing length

Another way to calculate the lacing length is to consider the number of "X" crosses you will make with the lacing. Each "X" will require a bit of extra lace, as the lace is not going straight across but on an angle. So, if you plan to have 12 "X" crosses on the back of your corset, you would need approximately 336 inches of lace.

You can also use an online calculator to determine the ideal length of lacing for your corset. These calculators take into account your natural waist size and the corset size, and will give you the total length of lacing needed in either yards or meters.

When calculating the lacing length, it is important to round up to the nearest half meter or yard to ensure you have enough lace. It is also a good idea to leave a small amount of lacing exposed at the end, about 1/8 inch, to prevent fraying and help secure the tubing onto the lace.

Additionally, consider the type of lacing method you will be using. Traditional lacing methods, where the laces are gripped and pulled tightly through middle loops, will require longer lengths of lace. The "bunny ears" method, which is suitable for beginners, creates loops of lacing that come out from the waist of the corset, making it easier to tighten and loosen. This method may require longer laces to ensure the loops are long enough to grip and pull.

Frequently asked questions