HOW TO LACE YOUR CORSET

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Having your corset properly laced will let you lace tightly with more ease and may extend the life of your corset.

1. First lay it down on a flat surface. Count the number of eyelets, this is important because it dictates which side you start on. In this example there is an odd number of eyelets so the lace is started from the inside, if it had had an even number you would start on the outside.
Once you have pulled the laces through the top two eyelets, with the straight lace on the reverse, make sure the free ends are the same length.

2. Next, take the lace on the left side and cross it over to the right. Draw it through the second eyelet on the right. Make sure that when the lace comes over it forms a line that stays outside, NOT over then under. Repeat for the right lace. The lace ends are now both on the inside, and there is an 'X' on the outside.

3. Now cross over the laces on the inside and bring them through to the outside. The lace ends are now on the outside and there is an 'X' on the inside.

4. Repeat the last 2 steps until you get to the waistline (on some style lengths you might want to go one or two eyelets up or down from the waistline, but generally keep to the waistline). It is here that you make the loops you will use for tightening.

5. To form the loops, which must be on the outside, you very simply slip the lace ends in through the next eyelet down on the same side. Just don't pull it all the way so it leaves a loop. The lace ends are now on the inside.

6. Now just continue to lace in crosses to the bottom, in the same way as at the top. Adjust the slack between the sides so you can set the loops at the length you want them and have enough to tie off the bottom.



You can tie off the bottom to secure it in a bow, or you can put a large solid knot in the end of each lace to stop it coming through the hole. If you are going to do that though you better make sure its secure, remember your corset is subject to levels of tension that no other clothing is.

To tighten, pull on the loops until completely closed (or as close to that as you wish to be). When closed with this style of lacing you will see a series 'X's down the back.

The other way to lace is the "training shoe method" which is similar to this but without the laces crossing outside the corset, just like you would lace a training shoe. This method is not incorrect, though believe it or not there is much debate on it. The reason I favour this method is that it reduces friction on the laces so it is easier to pull on them, and there is nothing inbetween the two sides of the corset so they can get closer together without putting extra pressure on the eyelets. This makes it ideal for tightlacing.
However the training shoe style is prettier to be honest, and if you don't intend to tight lace, or even close your corset fully, then you can choose between them as you wish.

Return to the corset wearing guide to continue.

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