LACING YOUR CORSET

Most experienced corset wearers will tell you that bi-directional lacing is the proper (and only) way to lace a corset. This style of lacing refers to the back to front and then front to back directions that the laces will travel through the garment. The reason this is the accepted way to lace a corset is simple. With directional lacing (like tennis shoe lacing) the corset cannot be laced completely shut because the laces cross through the center panel and interfere with closing the corset. There are other reasons as well such as the ease of tightening, the look of the X pattern, and (with patience and practice) the wearer is able to lace their own corset. There may be slight variations as to the pattern for the center pull loops, but the following is a basic concept.

BI-DIRECTIONAL LACING INSTRUCTIONS

First, I suggest that you view the video above for a quick and easy way to understand bi-directional lacing. Next, grab a corset, the lace of your choice*, and follow these steps.

1.Starting at the top, pull one side of the lace from BACK to FRONT through the first grommet (hole) on each side. Continue pulling the lace through the holes evenly until you have reached the end of the lace.

2.Take the lace from the right side and feed it through the next grommet down on the left side from FRONT to BACK. Repeat this for the left side. You should now have an X on the outside of the corset. 

3.Next, take the lace from the right side and feed it through the next grommet on the left side from BACK to FRONT. Repeat this step for the left side. You should now have an x on the inside of the corset below the first outer X. 

4.Continue this pattern of outside X and inside x until you reach the center of your corset (the narrowest point of your waist). This will normally be on after the 3rd set of X's on an overbust or the 2nd set of X's on an underbust corset. 

5.After the last pair of X's your laces should be on the outside of the corset. Take the lace from the right side and feed it through the next grommet down on the same (right) side and pull only partway through. (approximately 18 inches of lace). Repeat for the left side. These loops are called pull-loops and will be used to tighten the corset and tie the bow. 

6.Take the lace from the right side and feed it through the next grommet down on the left side from BACK to FRONT. Repeat for the left side. This should give you another x on the inside. 

7.Repeat the lacing pattern from the top of the corset with the inside x and the outside X. Alternating from FRONT to BACK and BACK to FRONT. 

8.Continue this pattern until you reach the bottom of the corset. The laces should now be on the inside of the corset for an overbust (outside for an underbust). Tie a bow or a knot with the ends of the laces. Pull this knot/bow tightly so that it will not come undone when tightening the laces. This bow/knot should be on the inside of the corset along the lacing guard (outside for an underbust). 

9.Go back up to the pull laces and take out any slack by pulling on the individual outer X's. Tie a large bow with the pull loops in the middle for a traditional feminine look or tuck the laces underneath the X pattern for a more tailored look. 

10.Never wrap the extra laces around your waist and tie a small bow as this may damage the fabrics and will bend or misshape the boning.