+Ashley Juarez unfortunately I can't reply directly to your comment (your privacy settings are such that replies are not allowed outside of your circles) but Deanna Crownover gave some excellent information. I've lent the corset to a friend for an evening and it never fit me the same way again. If you just use the corset for occasional / fashion use and you don't care much about the exact fit of it, then sharing the corset with your friend is your prerogative, but if you use it for training or you care about it fitting you the same way afterward, I'd recommend not sharing. I have 2-3 corsets that I reserve to let friends and family try on (out of my collection of nearly 80) since they never fit me perfectly anyway, but my training corsets are all mine, haha. :)
Totally agree with you. One of my daughters ask me if she can use on of mines sometimes and I told her I rather buy her one for her own no matter if she only use it sometimes.
Great video. My corsets are more industrial in a sense that I do not make lingerie corsets. I have always been using the thin Para cord or the shoestring style laces and never had a break. The laces are the last part and I, often will give the customer a couple of different colors to decorate for the different occasion they will be wearing the corset for. Thank you for the review as most girls do not know what kind of laces are out there or what kind to get. Thanks. -James
Thank you James! And yes, it's fun to be able to switch between laces to suit the different occasions! When I still did commissions on a regular basis, I gave them a choice in the laces as well. :)
Thanks so much! I have 550 cord on one of my corsets and was looking for a replacement. I've also learnt why it's so annoying to use, your experience is the same as mine it appears.
I love the deliciously silky satin feeling of rattail and satin ribbons. Rattail can also be obtained in beading, craft stores, and the beading department of Wal-Mart. I have so far only used it for beading and kumihimo. I wonder how it would hold up as laces. My favorite brand of ribbons, especially of the double-faced kind, is Hendler’s. They have been in the ribbon business since the 1800s and have a large store in Manhattan, I believe. Their ribbons are so gorgeous and durable. They have serviced me for many sewing projects. I was fortunate enough to get a few 25 yard spools for only $1 each, but I do not really know how much they generally cost. They also have a website selling a wide variety of fancier and “designer-looking” ribbons. A more easily obtained double-faced satin is from a brand called Floral Garden, which I got from Dollar Tree. It is okay if you want a decorative lacing for special occasions. I would avoid the commonplace brand Offray and all of their single-faced satin. I have just had too many problems in dye-color variation and poor quality from their ribbons to consider the brand a decent seller of single-faced satin ribbons for sewing projects at the very least. Single-faced satin is generally not very durable anyway, so it might help to invest in something stronger for corsets. I understand that this kind is the most affordable available for many people, so maybe you could try a grosgrain or Petersham ribbon, which is much more durable and tends to fall within the same price range as single-faced satin ribbon at most fabric stores and retail places. The generic polyester flat laces are probably one of the best utility-wise laces for waist training. Cotton laces fray badly on me, and natural fibers, while they are more resistant to heat and do not melt, generally break under even small amounts of stress. 550 paracord is amazingly strong and versatile, but can be very bulky and annoying. I can already imagine how badly it would bulk up at the back of corsets. It does, however, have an industrial armor quality and aesthetic to it. I might use it for a camouflage military-style corset with wide grommets one day. I have also seen people use leather strips. How durable do you think that might be?
My puppy chewed apart the tubular black shoelace-like cord that came with my Orchard corset. Today my local chain sewing store was clearing out its stock of a certain brand of ribbon, so I pucked up an entire spool of 1/4" ribbon. The label didn't say double faced, but the back of the ribbon is almost as shiny as well the front. It glides smoothly through the grommets, and the polyester has no stretch. I'll let you know how it works.
Great video ! Satin laces are definitely amazing ! These are my favourite I guess. I'm a beginner and I just started to wear a corset for some weeks now, the fabric is thick and nice, the bones are strong but I noticed there's no waist tape ! Should I add one myself like you did when you made your own corset ? Thank you for your videos Lucy ! They're helping me a lot :)
I had some of the cotton lacing and I'm not sure what happened, but after being laced fairly tight (for me anyways), when I took the corset off, I noticed some snarls and that sections are now thinner than others. And it's not like the corset had sharp, splity grommets or anything. I guess they just got stretched out and some of the threads snapped. :/ I should probably switch them out. I also noticed that you said the double-faced ribbon was very strong. Would you recommend it as being a good option for a waist tape? What are the best options for waist tapes? Thank you for your videos and time, Lucy! ^-^
Hi Lucy. Thanks for the great video. I really love the double faced satin when corseting for extended period of time but was wondering what material you would recommend if you need to unlace quickly during a stage performance and is there a lacing technique that would best accommodate quick unlacing. Thanks in advance for your reply.
YourBestFemaleFigure I know this is a bit late, but maybe a silky ribbon like the double-faced satin in a simple bi-directional lacing might be easiest to remove quickly between performances. Satin just glides through. It is good for grommets with no splits to catch on. Double-faced should be more durable than single-faced when pulled and stressed during which changes as well. Another option is Lucy’s “loops all the way down method” which requires no external cris-crosses to pull to loosen or tighten, but just bunny ears. She stated that it was good for beginners, who might have trouble finding the cris-crosses behind them. Keep in mind that the all loops method might not give you as tight a lacing as the traditional methods.
+Lucy's corsetery Thanks for answering ! Yes I bought an underbust corset on the website Alt Noir. It was called Rufina I think. Anyway they show a diagram of the corset with all the different panels, bones etc and there's no waist tape. It might be hidden as you said.
When using 550 cord, especially milspec class III which had 7-9 interior stands, I will "gut it" and then melt the ends... Like someone mentioned, the outer weave is good for approx 300# of static force and it will lay more flat. Parachord also comes in different classes, diameters, and strength rating, 225 and 100 are much smaller and stiffer because they don't have a core... Personally I prefer the 225 for my leather corset and my 3 layer cotton waist trainers. They really hold, they don't slip, and they don't frey. Because it's small you can tuck the laces anywhere without the bulk. Concerning the rat tail cord... There is one that is made a little bit wider, flattened out, with a line of stitching down the length of it Making it stay flat. Costumers use it for corsets, especially at Renn Fests because it's durability. Hth.
Have you ever used SILK satin ribbons or do you know of anyone who does? My first corset, which was custom, came with double faced satin ribbon (I presume polyester, as most satin ribbon is, though I don't know that for a fact; it held up beautifully over 8yrs of moderate tight lacing & occasional use). I would think natural silk ribbon would be very strong, & I ask bc I prefer the look of satin ribbon but try to avoid synthetic materials as much as possible.
I think British army paracord only has seven strands inside and it tends to squash flat so it might be better for corsets. However it can be a bit slippery (ribbonish texture) and only comes in a sort of greenish brown colour which I think is lovely but others may disagree.
I love the laces on my Villena Viscaria corset. They are polyester grosgrain ribbons and I love how the ones she put are both narrow and thin so I can hide my bow easily.
Ooh, I haven't tried grosgrain ribbon for laces, although I know they are strong (they can be used for waist tape). Do you find that the ridges sort of add texture when being pulled through the grommets?
***** They add some texture, but laces on my corset are very narrow so it is barely noticeable. Wider ones would certainly add more texture, but they would need larger grommets. I am certain you wouldn't use them on finer corsets as they may be too harsh on more delicate fabric. I have quite a heavy duty underbust made of similar grosgrain material so this was a perfect fit.
Hi Lucy! First of all, sorry for any mistakes with my English, I'm Brazilian. I love your channel, and I've been watching you for quite some time now. I'm leaving a comment here because I want a hair-related opinion from you. I have really long hair too - as long as yours or longer, I don't really know. I love my hair, I've been growing it for years, I only trim the ends sometimes. My father's family is part Asian and I feel like my long hair gives some life to the Asian features in my face. Thing is, for the past 2 years or so, I've been getting a lot of bad feedback about my hair. I don't have a clear idea of what's going on, but everyone - literally everyone around me seem to have something bad to say about my hair. I imagine that there's something related to the fact that the standard for female hair's length in Brazil is like in the middle of the back. Brazil is absurdly prejudicial with anything that is different. Just like there's a "way too short" hair for women, there seems to be a "way too long" hair for women too. My mother hates my hair. She mocks me and fights me every single day about it, she desperately wants me to cut it. She keeps calling me a "religiously freak girl", it's just awful to see this coming from her all the time. My family and friends in general keeps telling me to cut it. I just recently got accepted in Law school, and even the teachers keep making sarcastic commentary about it. Everywhere I go, everywhere I walk around here people just need to tell me something not so good about my hair. Even the freaking mayor of the city. When he was elected, my family was invited to his party and it was like he chose me to be his scape-goat-clown or something, making fun of my hair all the time, and I had to laugh it off out of embarassment. I've been extremely sad about this lately. I really think I'll have to cut it even though I don't want to, but it's just too much pressure, and I'm worried I won't be able to get a job with my hair this long. But before I cut it or anything, can you give me your opinion about it? I've posted a short video in my channel showing my hair for you to see and tell me - what is wrong with my hair after all? You can be honest, I've been constantly listening to criticism about it, I'm used to it. Thank for taking your time to read me, and even though I'll probably succumb to the criticism, you are an inspiration to me.
I'm so sorry that everyone around you can't look past what's "popular / fashionable / common" and see the fact that you're beautiful the way you are. Ultimately it's your choice whether you cut it or not, but I'm afraid I don't know what to say regarding your mother, who sounds like she's willing to ruin a healthy relationship with her daughter over a difference of opinion on HAIR of all things. I often wear my hair up in a bun or French twist, and I get complimented by strangers on my hairstyles even when they have no idea how long my hair is. They simply think it's voluminous when it's all tied up, or that my hairstyles take 10 minutes (when in reality they take less than 2 minutes). But honestly, it sounds like the people around you (even your teachers and mayor) are incredibly prejudiced and immature. I'm sorry you have had to experience that kind of bullying at all, never mind have "gotten used to it." :(
Don't cut your hair! Super long hair is absolutely gorgeous, so feminine, and rare & previous these days. Mine is hip length & I'm aiming for at least knee length, if possible.
Don't cut your hair! Rapunzel hair is absolutely gorgeous, so feminine, and rare & previous these days. Mine is only hip length (I have to be careful not to sit on it when it's down, likewise when bending over if I don't want it to touch the ground) & I'm aiming for at least knee length, if possible. I don't know how long yours/Lucy's is but don't listen to those critics. They are very likely jealous. The only reason to cut is if your hair is scraggly or damaged, & then only cut the minimum. Btw, most men love really long hair, so that's another bonus. And I agree completely with Lucy's hairstyle tips; I almost always wear my hair in a braid to protect it & bc it tangles very easily, & I often wear it under my shirt so you can't tell how long it is. Hope you didn't succumb!
I just recently started waist training my natural waist is a 29. When I put on the corset no matter how tight I pull I can not get it past 28 inches. I think I saw one of your videos were you said to go three to four inches from natural waist size. I am afraid I might hurt myself if I pull it tighter. Should I try to get my waist to a 25 with the corset on? Also I want to know if you think a waist of 25 inches is a healthy goal I am 5'5 and my weight fluctuates between 130-140 pounds.
A reduction of just 1 inch over the corset is enough to season it anyway. Remember that your corset needs to be broken in gently, like a pair of shoes. The theory of training down the waist means that over a long time (months or sometimes years) you gradually lace the corset smaller, it doesn't usually cinch down all in one go. 25 inches is a good goal, but remember to be patient - training doesn't happen in a day! I have a playlist of corseting for beginners here: th-cam.com/play/PLC6B380E5D1D41A14.html
A friend of mine has bought me round satin rat tail lace, but I sort of hate it. It's very slippery, it cuts into my hand, it slips when I try to lace... It has no spring, and perhaps it would be better if it was wider, but, meh. I'm using it for my 28 inch Orchard Corset, cause I close it easily even with this lace. However, my new Mystic Corset has a way too elastic flat lace, and I wanna try something else. I'm very torn between some nice colourful Paracord or some double-face satin, especially that I don't know where to buy satin ribbons so that quality is ensured.
kalacs32 If you can't find laces at your local JoAnn's (or other sewing and notions store) try Orchard Corset - they sell double-face satin ribbon by the yard. :)
Thanks for the education, Lucy. I have a question. If I can't find the lace to my requirement or insufficient in length, can I make my own cord? I was thinking about using self fabric (or satin or cotton) bias cut to cover shoe lace (or even raffia). Have you ever done that?
+SuperModerngranny Hello! I have never made my own lacing before. I'm lucky to have a fairly well-stocked Fabricland near me which carries laces and ribbon on rolls of 100 meters so fortunately I've been able to get sufficient length laces! When I couldn't find the color or texture I was looking for, a quick search on Amazon, Ebay, etc have been sufficient. My concern with self-made laces is that the the seams would be lumpy going through the grommets, and it may be delicate (if they catch on a split grommet, it could potentially ruin the lovely cover of your laces).
Kim Richards Gilchrist I have found glow-in-the-dark and rainbow paracord sold in bulk online. If I had the money and a use for it, I would buy it all and play around with it every day. Oh, I suppose glow-in-the-dark might be cool for a decorative addition to a corset worn to raves, clubs, concerts or performances. It might also make it easier to lace up and off if you were in completely darkness or something.
Hello! A friend of mine wants to use a corset of mine, she's a 36 and im a 33 (originally a 35 b/4 the corset). I wanted to know if it will harm my corset b/c even though we are kinda the same waist size, she has fuller hips than mine (she's hourglass w/o the corset and I am a rectangle w/o it). So I want to know, can you lend corsets? I don't want it to hurt her or hurt me when she returns it.
Do you have a video about trimming the laces for your corsets? I have a corset that I have a hard time lacing because the laces are way too long. They constantly get tangled up and I end up giving up on it. However my other corset doesn't have this problem.
Andrea has a tutorial on how to cut down your corset laces: th-cam.com/video/PTQeAudkFnE/w-d-xo.html And if you want to tip your laces, I have a tutorial on that: th-cam.com/video/-dKhP_iN_c8/w-d-xo.html
Smaller grommets exist but they're hard to find, and they're not very practical for corsets (the laces have to be able to glide through them with reasonable ease).
+Ashley Juarez Unless you're willing to give up the corset, don't lend it. I'm sure Lucy will tell you the horrors of lending a corset and will tell you the same thing (and I learned NOT to by her losing a lovely corset to a friend that wasn't careful.) I think it's a lovely gesture, sharing something so expensive and very unselfish of you. In corsetry however, you have to be a bit selfish, especially if you've only got a couple corsets in your collection. You'll find that the most malleable part of the body, under corset, is the waist. My neighbor with a 36" waist can get into my 24" corset (the old one I don't wear any more) but she can't lace it over her ribs and hips. She's got enough fluff that she can get the 12" reduction, but only in the waist and that damages the corset. Since your skeletons are different, it will affect the way the corset lays on your body after another person has worn it.If she's larger in the hips, it will not fit snugly around yours once it's adjusted to the extra width. If she has an asymmetry, the corset will season to that asymmetry and may not lie straight on your torso any longer. It's a tragic thing to hear someone's lost their corset to a friend, by them either not appreciating what it takes to purchase and season a corset and being rough with it, warping the boning in the channels, tearing the fashion fabric or getting something spilled on it...a million things could happen to that corset..but the biggest problem is how you're going to feel toward your friend. Friends are more important than corsets (most of them are anyway) and I have always gone and purchased a non expensive OTR corset for anyone that's (seriously) asked to borrow mine. (Mine are asymmetrical anyway so they only fit me.) Orchardcorsets.com is a great place to spend just a teeny bit of money and save a friendship AND a corset at the same time! (None of their corsets fit me at all, but I've purchased eight from them, giving them as gifts at Christmas...that way we know who's up to corseting and who just likes to stare!) Again, I think it's a sweet thing your'e considering, but it's like lending your only car out to a friend...can you replace it? It's better to put away a few dollars a week and buy her one or have a bespoke made for yourself and give her your old ones, (like I did).
That is so great of you! I too have a few lesser expensive ones in different sizes for friends who want to try one on or borrow for a day. I find I love showing someone how comfortably they actually are, and I love seeing them fall in love with corsetry as well!
Why don't any OCs fit you? Curious! We sound similarly sized in the waist, at least (I started with a 24" & now own 22" & 20" corsets). I WISH I had friends who liked corsets enough to want to borrow mine; I'd gladly buy them a good OTR one. But completely agree about not loaning, unless it's not actually tightened & worn briefly. But definitely not quality bespoke ones...ouch!
I hate rat tail for lacing, it only lasts 10-12 for a tight lacer. It is the satin weave that makes it and the ribbons snag, the long segments of the yarn fibers are exposed to the surface.
Really? I still have the original rat tail cord in my Madame Sher mesh cincher and I've easily worn it 40+ times. Perhaps the grommets in your corset are particularly snaggy?
They could have been. I found more info on Paracord: 550 paracord is rated to hold 550 pounds. The individual components of parachute cord consist of the paracord sheath, with a rating of about 300 pounds, and the 7 inner strands, each with a rating of about 35 pounds.(The inner strands are made from twisted pairs of smaller strings, each with a rating of about 17.5 pounds.)
+Ashley Juarez unfortunately I can't reply directly to your comment (your privacy settings are such that replies are not allowed outside of your circles) but Deanna Crownover gave some excellent information. I've lent the corset to a friend for an evening and it never fit me the same way again. If you just use the corset for occasional / fashion use and you don't care much about the exact fit of it, then sharing the corset with your friend is your prerogative, but if you use it for training or you care about it fitting you the same way afterward, I'd recommend not sharing. I have 2-3 corsets that I reserve to let friends and family try on (out of my collection of nearly 80) since they never fit me perfectly anyway, but my training corsets are all mine, haha. :)
Totally agree with you. One of my daughters ask me if she can use on of mines sometimes and I told her I rather buy her one for her own no matter if she only use it sometimes.
Great video. My corsets are more industrial in a sense that I do not make lingerie corsets. I have always been using the thin Para cord or the shoestring style laces and never had a break. The laces are the last part and I, often will give the customer a couple of different colors to decorate for the different occasion they will be wearing the corset for. Thank you for the review as most girls do not know what kind of laces are out there or what kind to get. Thanks. -James
Thank you James! And yes, it's fun to be able to switch between laces to suit the different occasions! When I still did commissions on a regular basis, I gave them a choice in the laces as well. :)
Wonderful practice. Very stress. Thank you so much!! 🙏
This was super helpful! Thank you so much. Like someone else said, it looks super long but feels crazy short!
This was so informative and throughly explained! Just what I needed. Thank you!
Thanks so much! I have 550 cord on one of my corsets and was looking for a replacement. I've also learnt why it's so annoying to use, your experience is the same as mine it appears.
Super useful video, thank you for taking the time to describe all the different lacings available to corsets!
I love the deliciously silky satin feeling of rattail and satin ribbons. Rattail can also be obtained in beading, craft stores, and the beading department of Wal-Mart. I have so far only used it for beading and kumihimo. I wonder how it would hold up as laces. My favorite brand of ribbons, especially of the double-faced kind, is Hendler’s. They have been in the ribbon business since the 1800s and have a large store in Manhattan, I believe. Their ribbons are so gorgeous and durable. They have serviced me for many sewing projects. I was fortunate enough to get a few 25 yard spools for only $1 each, but I do not really know how much they generally cost. They also have a website selling a wide variety of fancier and “designer-looking” ribbons. A more easily obtained double-faced satin is from a brand called Floral Garden, which I got from Dollar Tree. It is okay if you want a decorative lacing for special occasions. I would avoid the commonplace brand Offray and all of their single-faced satin. I have just had too many problems in dye-color variation and poor quality from their ribbons to consider the brand a decent seller of single-faced satin ribbons for sewing projects at the very least. Single-faced satin is generally not very durable anyway, so it might help to invest in something stronger for corsets. I understand that this kind is the most affordable available for many people, so maybe you could try a grosgrain or Petersham ribbon, which is much more durable and tends to fall within the same price range as single-faced satin ribbon at most fabric stores and retail places.
The generic polyester flat laces are probably one of the best utility-wise laces for waist training. Cotton laces fray badly on me, and natural fibers, while they are more resistant to heat and do not melt, generally break under even small amounts of stress.
550 paracord is amazingly strong and versatile, but can be very bulky and annoying. I can already imagine how badly it would bulk up at the back of corsets. It does, however, have an industrial armor quality and aesthetic to it. I might use it for a camouflage military-style corset with wide grommets one day. I have also seen people use leather strips. How durable do you think that might be?
Oh that would be a gorgeous military chic piece! I'd love to see it.
My puppy chewed apart the tubular black shoelace-like cord that came with my Orchard corset. Today my local chain sewing store was clearing out its stock of a certain brand of ribbon, so I pucked up an entire spool of 1/4" ribbon. The label didn't say double faced, but the back of the ribbon is almost as shiny as well the front. It glides smoothly through the grommets, and the polyester has no stretch. I'll let you know how it works.
Those are great. How do you feel about 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon for lacing? It's pretty sturdy I've found and looks good too...
This video could not have come at a better time. I'm dressing up as Ruby from RWBY for Sakura Con and am searching for laces. Thank you so much!
Hurrah for synchronicity! That costume sounds like it's going to be awesome too. :)
I might give that rattail lace a try next, if I can find some here. Very informative video, i enjoyed it.
Great video ! Satin laces are definitely amazing ! These are my favourite I guess. I'm a beginner and I just started to wear a corset for some weeks now, the fabric is thick and nice, the bones are strong but I noticed there's no waist tape !
Should I add one myself like you did when you made your own corset ?
Thank you for your videos Lucy ! They're helping me a lot :)
Do you remember the brand / name of the corset you bought? It might have a hidden waist tape, sandwiched between the layers of fabric. :)
This was so helpful! Thank you!
I had some of the cotton lacing and I'm not sure what happened, but after being laced fairly tight (for me anyways), when I took the corset off, I noticed some snarls and that sections are now thinner than others. And it's not like the corset had sharp, splity grommets or anything. I guess they just got stretched out and some of the threads snapped. :/ I should probably switch them out.
I also noticed that you said the double-faced ribbon was very strong. Would you recommend it as being a good option for a waist tape? What are the best options for waist tapes? Thank you for your videos and time, Lucy! ^-^
Hi Lucy. Thanks for the great video. I really love the double faced satin when corseting for extended period of time but was wondering what material you would recommend if you need to unlace quickly during a stage performance and is there a lacing technique that would best accommodate quick unlacing. Thanks in advance for your reply.
YourBestFemaleFigure I know this is a bit late, but maybe a silky ribbon like the double-faced satin in a simple bi-directional lacing might be easiest to remove quickly between performances. Satin just glides through. It is good for grommets with no splits to catch on. Double-faced should be more durable than single-faced when pulled and stressed during which changes as well. Another option is Lucy’s “loops all the way down method” which requires no external cris-crosses to pull to loosen or tighten, but just bunny ears. She stated that it was good for beginners, who might have trouble finding the cris-crosses behind them. Keep in mind that the all loops method might not give you as tight a lacing as the traditional methods.
275 Paracord might be great Compromise between Strength and Thickness.
+Lucy's corsetery
Thanks for answering ! Yes I bought an underbust corset on the website Alt Noir. It was called Rufina I think. Anyway they show a diagram of the corset with all the different panels, bones etc and there's no waist tape. It might be hidden as you said.
thank you.. I am just gathering all the products to make my first corset!!
When using 550 cord, especially milspec class III which had 7-9 interior stands, I will "gut it" and then melt the ends... Like someone mentioned, the outer weave is good for approx 300# of static force and it will lay more flat. Parachord also comes in different classes, diameters, and strength rating, 225 and 100 are much smaller and stiffer because they don't have a core... Personally I prefer the 225 for my leather corset and my 3 layer cotton waist trainers. They really hold, they don't slip, and they don't frey. Because it's small you can tuck the laces anywhere without the bulk. Concerning the rat tail cord... There is one that is made a little bit wider, flattened out, with a line of stitching down the length of it Making it stay flat. Costumers use it for corsets, especially at Renn Fests because it's durability. Hth.
Thanks Phoenix, very helpful!
Always gut your paracord for corsetry!!!
Wise words!
Have you ever used SILK satin ribbons or do you know of anyone who does? My first corset, which was custom, came with double faced satin ribbon (I presume polyester, as most satin ribbon is, though I don't know that for a fact; it held up beautifully over 8yrs of moderate tight lacing & occasional use). I would think natural silk ribbon would be very strong, & I ask bc I prefer the look of satin ribbon but try to avoid synthetic materials as much as possible.
Walmart has the 550 paracord. I have changed my laces on a couple of my corsets to red & white paracord.
I think British army paracord only has seven strands inside and it tends to squash flat so it might be better for corsets. However it can be a bit slippery (ribbonish texture) and only comes in a sort of greenish brown colour which I think is lovely but others may disagree.
Pure kaki!!!
I love the laces on my Villena Viscaria corset. They are polyester grosgrain ribbons and I love how the ones she put are both narrow and thin so I can hide my bow easily.
Ooh, I haven't tried grosgrain ribbon for laces, although I know they are strong (they can be used for waist tape). Do you find that the ridges sort of add texture when being pulled through the grommets?
*****
They add some texture, but laces on my corset are very narrow so it is barely noticeable. Wider ones would certainly add more texture, but they would need larger grommets.
I am certain you wouldn't use them on finer corsets as they may be too harsh on more delicate fabric. I have quite a heavy duty underbust made of similar grosgrain material so this was a perfect fit.
The video seemed much shorter than it actually was.
I'm glad for that, lol! :)
I've found paracord at Hobby Lobby although I can't remember what lengths it comes in.
Hi Lucy!
First of all, sorry for any mistakes with my English, I'm Brazilian.
I love your channel, and I've been watching you for quite some time now.
I'm leaving a comment here because I want a hair-related opinion from you.
I have really long hair too - as long as yours or longer, I don't really know. I love my hair, I've been growing it for years, I only trim the ends sometimes. My father's family is part Asian and I feel like my long hair gives some life to the Asian features in my face.
Thing is, for the past 2 years or so, I've been getting a lot of bad feedback about my hair. I don't have a clear idea of what's going on, but everyone - literally everyone around me seem to have something bad to say about my hair.
I imagine that there's something related to the fact that the standard for female hair's length in Brazil is like in the middle of the back. Brazil is absurdly prejudicial with anything that is different. Just like there's a "way too short" hair for women, there seems to be a "way too long" hair for women too.
My mother hates my hair. She mocks me and fights me every single day about it, she desperately wants me to cut it. She keeps calling me a "religiously freak girl", it's just awful to see this coming from her all the time.
My family and friends in general keeps telling me to cut it.
I just recently got accepted in Law school, and even the teachers keep making sarcastic commentary about it.
Everywhere I go, everywhere I walk around here people just need to tell me something not so good about my hair.
Even the freaking mayor of the city. When he was elected, my family was invited to his party and it was like he chose me to be his scape-goat-clown or something, making fun of my hair all the time, and I had to laugh it off out of embarassment.
I've been extremely sad about this lately. I really think I'll have to cut it even though I don't want to, but it's just too much pressure, and I'm worried I won't be able to get a job with my hair this long.
But before I cut it or anything, can you give me your opinion about it?
I've posted a short video in my channel showing my hair for you to see and tell me - what is wrong with my hair after all?
You can be honest, I've been constantly listening to criticism about it, I'm used to it.
Thank for taking your time to read me, and even though I'll probably succumb to the criticism, you are an inspiration to me.
I'm so sorry that everyone around you can't look past what's "popular / fashionable / common" and see the fact that you're beautiful the way you are. Ultimately it's your choice whether you cut it or not, but I'm afraid I don't know what to say regarding your mother, who sounds like she's willing to ruin a healthy relationship with her daughter over a difference of opinion on HAIR of all things.
I often wear my hair up in a bun or French twist, and I get complimented by strangers on my hairstyles even when they have no idea how long my hair is. They simply think it's voluminous when it's all tied up, or that my hairstyles take 10 minutes (when in reality they take less than 2 minutes).
But honestly, it sounds like the people around you (even your teachers and mayor) are incredibly prejudiced and immature. I'm sorry you have had to experience that kind of bullying at all, never mind have "gotten used to it." :(
Don't cut your hair! Super long hair is absolutely gorgeous, so feminine, and rare & previous these days. Mine is hip length & I'm aiming for at least knee length, if possible.
Don't cut your hair! Rapunzel hair is absolutely gorgeous, so feminine, and rare & previous these days. Mine is only hip length (I have to be careful not to sit on it when it's down, likewise when bending over if I don't want it to touch the ground) & I'm aiming for at least knee length, if possible. I don't know how long yours/Lucy's is but don't listen to those critics. They are very likely jealous.
The only reason to cut is if your hair is scraggly or damaged, & then only cut the minimum. Btw, most men love really long hair, so that's another bonus. And I agree completely with Lucy's hairstyle tips; I almost always wear my hair in a braid to protect it & bc it tangles very easily, & I often wear it under my shirt so you can't tell how long it is. Hope you didn't succumb!
I just recently started waist training my natural waist is a 29. When I put on the corset no matter how tight I pull I can not get it past 28 inches. I think I saw one of your videos were you said to go three to four inches from natural waist size. I am afraid I might hurt myself if I pull it tighter. Should I try to get my waist to a 25 with the corset on? Also I want to know if you think a waist of 25 inches is a healthy goal I am 5'5 and my weight fluctuates between 130-140 pounds.
A reduction of just 1 inch over the corset is enough to season it anyway. Remember that your corset needs to be broken in gently, like a pair of shoes. The theory of training down the waist means that over a long time (months or sometimes years) you gradually lace the corset smaller, it doesn't usually cinch down all in one go. 25 inches is a good goal, but remember to be patient - training doesn't happen in a day! I have a playlist of corseting for beginners here:
th-cam.com/play/PLC6B380E5D1D41A14.html
A friend of mine has bought me round satin rat tail lace, but I sort of hate it. It's very slippery, it cuts into my hand, it slips when I try to lace... It has no spring, and perhaps it would be better if it was wider, but, meh. I'm using it for my 28 inch Orchard Corset, cause I close it easily even with this lace. However, my new Mystic Corset has a way too elastic flat lace, and I wanna try something else. I'm very torn between some nice colourful Paracord or some double-face satin, especially that I don't know where to buy satin ribbons so that quality is ensured.
kalacs32 If you can't find laces at your local JoAnn's (or other sewing and notions store) try Orchard Corset - they sell double-face satin ribbon by the yard. :)
Thanks for the education, Lucy. I have a question. If I can't find the lace to my requirement or insufficient in length, can I make my own cord? I was thinking about using self fabric (or satin or cotton) bias cut to cover shoe lace (or even raffia). Have you ever done that?
+SuperModerngranny Hello! I have never made my own lacing before. I'm lucky to have a fairly well-stocked Fabricland near me which carries laces and ribbon on rolls of 100 meters so fortunately I've been able to get sufficient length laces! When I couldn't find the color or texture I was looking for, a quick search on Amazon, Ebay, etc have been sufficient. My concern with self-made laces is that the the seams would be lumpy going through the grommets, and it may be delicate (if they catch on a split grommet, it could potentially ruin the lovely cover of your laces).
Thanks for the tip. :)
Great video, Lucy, thank you!
I've found the paracord at home improvement stores. The color options might be more limited than online though.
Great tip! :)
Kim Richards Gilchrist I have found glow-in-the-dark and rainbow paracord sold in bulk online. If I had the money and a use for it, I would buy it all and play around with it every day.
Oh, I suppose glow-in-the-dark might be cool for a decorative addition to a corset worn to raves, clubs, concerts or performances. It might also make it easier to lace up and off if you were in completely darkness or something.
Hello! A friend of mine wants to use a corset of mine, she's a 36 and im a 33 (originally a 35 b/4 the corset). I wanted to know if it will harm my corset b/c even though we are kinda the same waist size, she has fuller hips than mine (she's hourglass w/o the corset and I am a rectangle w/o it). So I want to know, can you lend corsets? I don't want it to hurt her or hurt me when she returns it.
I also want to add that the corset goes a bit to the hips
I never would have guessed that cotton laces would snap, but yeah, they did on me once.
Do you have a video about trimming the laces for your corsets? I have a corset that I have a hard time lacing because the laces are way too long. They constantly get tangled up and I end up giving up on it. However my other corset doesn't have this problem.
Andrea has a tutorial on how to cut down your corset laces:
th-cam.com/video/PTQeAudkFnE/w-d-xo.html
And if you want to tip your laces, I have a tutorial on that:
th-cam.com/video/-dKhP_iN_c8/w-d-xo.html
Awesome! Thank you!
Super excellent video!
Thank you! :) Oh, and I received your postcards in the mail - thank you. I love them so much, they're on display on my corkboard!
***** I'm so glad you received them and like them. :)
Is X00 the smallest grommets that can be used ? Or is there a smaller size ?? 🤔
Smaller grommets exist but they're hard to find, and they're not very practical for corsets (the laces have to be able to glide through them with reasonable ease).
I find the paracord OK. It gets the job done. :-)
That's fair! :)
Are overbust corsets comfortable to wear?
As long as it was made to fit properly. :)
Thanks very much!
+Ashley Juarez Unless you're willing to give up the corset, don't lend it. I'm sure Lucy will tell you the horrors of lending a corset and will tell you the same thing (and I learned NOT to by her losing a lovely corset to a friend that wasn't careful.) I think it's a lovely gesture, sharing something so expensive and very unselfish of you. In corsetry however, you have to be a bit selfish, especially if you've only got a couple corsets in your collection.
You'll find that the most malleable part of the body, under corset, is the waist. My neighbor with a 36" waist can get into my 24" corset (the old one I don't wear any more) but she can't lace it over her ribs and hips. She's got enough fluff that she can get the 12" reduction, but only in the waist and that damages the corset.
Since your skeletons are different, it will affect the way the corset lays on your body after another person has worn it.If she's larger in the hips, it will not fit snugly around yours once it's adjusted to the extra width. If she has an asymmetry, the corset will season to that asymmetry and may not lie straight on your torso any longer.
It's a tragic thing to hear someone's lost their corset to a friend, by them either not appreciating what it takes to purchase and season a corset and being rough with it, warping the boning in the channels, tearing the fashion fabric or getting something spilled on it...a million things could happen to that corset..but the biggest problem is how you're going to feel toward your friend.
Friends are more important than corsets (most of them are anyway) and I have always gone and purchased a non expensive OTR corset for anyone that's (seriously) asked to borrow mine. (Mine are asymmetrical anyway so they only fit me.)
Orchardcorsets.com is a great place to spend just a teeny bit of money and save a friendship AND a corset at the same time! (None of their corsets fit me at all, but I've purchased eight from them, giving them as gifts at Christmas...that way we know who's up to corseting and who just likes to stare!)
Again, I think it's a sweet thing your'e considering, but it's like lending your only car out to a friend...can you replace it? It's better to put away a few dollars a week and buy her one or have a bespoke made for yourself and give her your old ones, (like I did).
That is so great of you! I too have a few lesser expensive ones in different sizes for friends who want to try one on or borrow for a day.
I find I love showing someone how comfortably they actually are, and I love seeing them fall in love with corsetry as well!
Why don't any OCs fit you? Curious! We sound similarly sized in the waist, at least (I started with a 24" & now own 22" & 20" corsets). I WISH I had friends who liked corsets enough to want to borrow mine; I'd gladly buy them a good OTR one. But completely agree about not loaning, unless it's not actually tightened & worn briefly. But definitely not quality bespoke ones...ouch!
Rit Dye More will dye synthetic fabrics.
helpful - thanks!
Where can I find the 550?
Try Orchard Corset, they have paracord
I hate rat tail for lacing, it only lasts 10-12 for a tight lacer. It is the satin weave that makes it and the ribbons snag, the long segments of the yarn fibers are exposed to the surface.
Really? I still have the original rat tail cord in my Madame Sher mesh cincher and I've easily worn it 40+ times. Perhaps the grommets in your corset are particularly snaggy?
They could have been.
I found more info on Paracord:
550 paracord is rated to hold 550 pounds. The individual components of parachute cord consist of the paracord sheath, with a rating of about 300 pounds, and the 7 inner strands, each with a rating of about 35 pounds.(The inner strands are made from twisted pairs of smaller strings, each with a rating of about 17.5 pounds.)