Corset Care And Lacing
How to Care for and Lace Your Corset
Everyone admits that corsets are pretty and intense looking garments. To have the first glance on it, it will be difficult to tell that what is up, down wrong, right backward and forwards. If you are new in the world of the corset, then you can feel difficulties to put it on. But never fear, putting on the corset is easy if you know the steps.
Here the article below will explain to you the different parts of a corset and the simple process of lacing, tightening and loosening it. Every corset has different parts with a specialized name. Here the vocabulary words of a corset will help you to be familiarized with your brand new garment.
Bones: The bones of any corset are the vertical strips of metal which are usually made of steel. It gives a corset perfect shape and stiffness. Many corsets have one bone on each side of lacing so that it can provide more rigidity to back up the garment.There are two kinds of bones : Spiral Steel Bone & Flat Steel Bone . Spiral steel boned are used through out the torso area to give flexibility , Flat steel bones are used as lacing bones at back.
Busk: Busk refers to the front part of the corset where it remained as fastened and unfastened. A typical bust features simple hook and eye fastening which will allow quick removal of the garments if necessary.
Grommets or eyelets: Grommets are the metal filmed holes which remain at the back of the corset and lacing is threaded with it. Standard grommets are evenly spaced about 1 inch apart, the two sets of grommets at the waist are frequently close together to provide additional support to the waistline.
Lacing: This is the single length of ribbon which is threaded through the grommets at the back of the corset in an 'X' pattern. With the help of this lacing, you can tighten or loosen your corset. The common types of lacing which are provided here such as parachute cord and silicone or polyester ribbon. But any types of non-stretch materials can be used here depending on its size.
Modesty panel: This is made of the same material as the corset itself. It can be inserted behind the lacing so that no skin is shown here. Modesty panel is used here to prevent the lacing from rubbing against the skin. It is both available with your corset and also as an individual.
Waist loops or pull loops: Two loops or lacing are located at the waist and it can be pulled on to tighten or loosen the corset.
The first steps: before putting on your corset
This is tempting to put the corset on after getting in hand. But before you put it on, you should take some important steps. The below steps will help you to enjoy a long and successful relationship with your new garments.
- If you get your corset fully laced, then you need to loosen it before you put on. You are recommended to begin loosening your corset from bottom to upwards. You should not tighten it in the hip area from the ribcage area.
- If you want to use it for the whole day, then you are especially recommended to use a corset liner. It helps to protect the fabric of the corset from sweat and dead skin cells. Using a corset liner can extend the lifespan of the garment.
- If you do not wear a liner, then you can powder your skin with a light layer of baby powder or talcum powder. It prevents the corset from slipping throughout the day. If you are using the corset first, then the powder will help you to prevent skin itching.
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Try to put on the corset, when your stomach and bladder are empty. Eating large meals and storing urine in the body can cause bloating.
Lacing up your corset alone
When the necessary preparation is made, then it is the time to get into the corset. In that case, many people get nervous to put it on. They want someone to help them with this task. But this is possible to put on a corset by yourself with the following steps.
- At first, wrap the loosened corset around yourself with the busk unhooked. After that make sure that busks are in the middle of your chest. The lacings are in the middle of your back and pull loops are lined up with your waist.
- Once the corsets properly lined up, close the busk using the hook and the fasteners. You are recommended to begin hooking in the middle first and it will make the overall process easier. You can also close the busk from top to bottom or bottom to top.
- Then use the waist loops to tighten your corset until you have achieved a proper fit. After tightening the waist loops take some breath and make sure that the corset is not too loose or not too tight.
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Once the corset is being tightened, make sure that it has not slipped out of place during the adjustment process. The ribcage area is narrower than the hips, so your corset tends to shift upwards on the body rather than downwards. Finally, tie the waist loops in the bow so that it cannot be loosened.
When you set breaking in a new corset, then this is recommended for you to wear it by 1-2 hours per day then gradually increase the wear time. It will allow your corsets to mold itself to the shape of the body slowly and naturally over time.
Common lacing mistakes that you need to avoid
There are some common mistakes that people tend to make. But luckily these mistakes are avoidable and easily flexible. Here is a brief description to avoid these frequently made mistakes.
- Sometimes the new and experienced corset fans lace the corset too tight at the hip area to achieve a tight and consistent fit. In that case, you are suggested to leave slightly more space in the hip area. It can create a problem while walking and slipping.
- Many new corsets fans find that after tying the waist loops in a bow, if there is any excess lace is left over, then wrap it and tighten the leftover ribbon around their waist. But you need to know that it can be detrimental for the life of the corset. In that case, if you want a corset which draws focus only to the waist then you are suggested to take pre-sewn-in ribbon or lace patterns at the waistline.
If you can avoid these mistakes, then your corset can get along and successful life. Follow these tips and keep your corset healthy, happy and attractive.
Removing and storing the corset
When the day is done, then this is the time to get a good night's sleep and to prepare yourself for another exciting day with your fashionable, flattering garment. But do you know - how to take the corset off?
Don't worry, to take off a corset is extremely easy even more than putting one on. But before you take it off, read the below steps.
- When you are removing the corset, make sure to loosen the laces. Then untie the ribbon by pulling gently on each 'X' of lacing.
- Once your corset is fully loosened, then you can unfasten the busk to remove the garments entirely. Before storing the corset, make sure to tighten the laces, re-tie the bow at the waist loops and re-fasten all the busk clasps. It will help to maintain the shape and rigid stiffness when it is not in use.
- Now let your corset in your drawer and make sure that there are no delicate garments which are stored in the same drawer. If your drawer is small then make the corsets fold into thirds vertically.
- If you have large corset collection, then place the corset in a laundry basket or other plastic bin. This is the ideal way to keep them together and organized.
- If you own only one set of corset then give it special treatment. Use a mannequin body to keep them in its shape. You can purchase a mannequin body online or from stores.
Cleaning your corsets
At some point, you may find yourself to clean the corset. Here are the guides to clean your corset.
- Never put your corset in the washing machine. Because in one wash, it can bend the bones and leave your corset useless. If it gets too dirty, then take it to your trusted dry cleaning service.
- Once you finish wearing the corset, before storing it, hang it over the back of a chair or the arm of a sofa to air out. If you have several corsets then rotate them and avoid wearing the same for several days.
- Many corsets lovers recommend to gently spray filtered water on the interior of it. Some of them recommend washing it in a mixture of water and unflavored vodka. Vodka helps to kill unwanted odors fast from the water.
- If your corset gets any stains, then you are recommended to clean the spot using a soft, ideally un-dyed cloth soaked in warm water. Gently pat and rub the affected area until the stain is gone.
So there is nothing to wait. If you maintain this guide them you don't have to fear for your fashionable garment. If you are ready to commit, then just visit a store and buy your corset today.
