Hi all,
We’ve made a little guide to help people when lacing their corsets, but would love to get some feedback from you. What do you think of the following guide?
Do you think anything is missing?
Thanks 
12 Likes
Looks really good, I’ve never had to tie a corset, so probably sound really silly with the bit I don’t completely get. In frame 2, it says “evenly” does that mean make sure each one is as lose as the others, or work evenly up and down, I.E. do 1 at the top, 1 at the bottom, so on and so forth?
This is a very good guide and to be honest very much needed for some items. Cant think of anything to add. Good effort guys.
S & D
1 Like
1 and 2, fine, I agree. 3, no! If you just pull from the middle it is not going to tighten evenly top to bottom! It is going cinch in the middle and stay too lose at the top and bottom. Once on and hook and eyes fastened at the front, start top to middle and then bottom to middle and tighten each lace one at a time… then repeat… then repeat again and maybe again until you are happy with the fit and lacing all the way. Then stage 4.
Ideally there’s another stage between 3 and 4 where your friend comes to help you, you kneel, she sticks her knee in your back and repeats my stage 3 
.
Seriously, though, if you do stage 3 as shown in the diagrams you are not going to get lacing that looks like stage 4.
2 Likes
I agree it’s good - the middle pull area is essential to squeeze in the body and give the shape
Haha, your added step is so true! I’ve never once had the patience or long enough arms to lace up a corset, needed 3 people once to get one on. That was a fun time 
3 Likes
Looks really clear overall and the step by step layout makes lacing seem less intimidating, especially for people who are new to corsets. The visuals help a lot and I like that it doesn’t push rushing or extreme tightness.
I agree with the comments that step 3 might need adjusting it another step adding.
One small extra thing that might be worth adding is a reminder that it should feel supportive rather than painful, as a lot of people worry they are doing it wrong if it feels firm, or from exposure to corsets in media think it isn’t tight enough if they aren’t having all the breath forced out of them and struggling to breathe. The note about loosening the laces in part 2 is useful, but it might help to flag it a bit more clearly for people skimming, or have it included at the start.
1 Like
Um I just learnt I have been doing it wrong this whole time so don’t ask me. I would love to know if there is a way ro prevent the boning bending if you have a curvy body. Perhaps tying this way helps?
Honestly, this is a nice clear guide!
Your guide looks very clear and straightforward. I would possibly add a comment in step 3 as you might need to repeatedly tighten each individual lacing. The rest of the steps look amazing, thanks for the work you do!
As a fashion designer here, I think it’s pretty well informative 
Maybe worth a mention the two ends of the strings once threaded onto the corset will need tying in a knot…
Looks good to me for a simple starting method. @Peitho makes a good point about step 3 though. I usually use the method as you described which, as Peitho says, doesn’t result in even lacing. Personally, I don’t want completely even lacing because my hips are much wider than my waist so I need a bit more space at the bottom and a bit less in the middle. Whether someone wants the lacing straight or not will depend on the shape of the person wearing the corset. I do the method you suggest in step 3 followed the method explained by Peitho to adjust the tightness according to my needs.
1 Like
Since this is likely a solved problem, would it be worth contacting people in the fetish/goth/cosplay or other similar communities to find their solutions? Is there a standard they all adher to?
And failing that, you can’t beat giving your average Joe/Josephine a copy of your clearly written, unambiguous, fool-proof instructions to make you question your sanity. We found students often made good testers. Eager to provide actionable feedback and having a broader range of intelligence and experience than you might assume.
2 Likes
I get mine laced for me, She starts at top and tightens slightly then the bottom half and so forth when she has the corset meeting she ties it of and puts the locks in place.
Buying a steel boned corset is better for this…where every single bone is steel. The plastic ones bend.
They are worth every penny. I have several.
1 Like
Totally agree with a knee in the back…works every time.
I also double knot the bow as insurance purposes. I’ve worn them a lot at fancy dress weekends with several outfits and wanted to avoid anyone thinking it would be clever to try and unlace it.
1 Like