Nylon Plastic Continuous Boning – 10 Meters – (6mmW)

Product Information

Perhaps my favorite thing about synthetic whalebone is that it allows for fully boned stays without the inconsistencies and breakage of reed, and without the weight of fully boned steel stays (which is something we just won't do). The 4mm width is particularly effective for this, because it allows us to copy the extremely narrow channels on extant stays. For example, whalebone is perhaps the most rigid and well-known boning method of the era. Despite its name, it’s not made out of actual bone, but of keratin, which is the same material that makes up our nails. Like our nails, it becomes more pliable under heat and moisture. When placed inside corsets (which are right beside warm skin), this material naturally follows the shape of the body, regardless of the wearer’s body type.

Plastic Boning - Etsy UK Plastic Boning - Etsy UK

When I wrote this article, dated March 2014 it was a long time before the current popularity of the plastic material known as 'synthetic whalebone' and I was referring to the more commonly available Rigilene, the plastic boning of choice for many a dressmaker over many a decade, a product which at that time sold in much more quantity than synthetic whalebone (or 'whale' as we call it at Sew Curvy HQ). It still sells by the heap and because not all of my customers are corset makers, attracts queries on an almost daily basis, the most common of which is 'what's best for boning this wedding/prom dress i'm making, rigeline or spiral steel?. I always reply that, in my opinion, steel is best but sometimes I will recommend the synthetic whalebone as a suitable alternative to steel - it depends on the purpose and desired outcome. Much like the clothes of today, different types of corsets were worn for different types of activities. The design would likely depend on the social class of the woman wearing it. If you want to create historically accurate corsets, what should you keep in mind? Different Corsets for Different Eras A Threads article where Susan Kalje uses steel boning as support in garments in surprising ways (probably some of which I would use plastic boning for) Creating your own is a rewarding hobby, letting you gain new sewing skills, practice crafting techniques, and also acquire an intimate and comprehensive understanding of history.Foundation of a gown from the V&A Ballgowns Exhibition a number of years ago - you can clearly see that it is lightly boned with narrow spiral steel because the grey of the steel is showing through the pale foundation fabric which is made from a few layers of tightly woven cotton bobbinet. Videos depicting modern-day renditions of historical clothing can provide great insight into how corsets would have functioned in their own eras. For example, Bernadette Banner and Karolina Zebrowska often record their progress and wear their finished products to show how the garments would have behaved.

Plastic Boning for Corsets - Etsy UK Plastic Boning for Corsets - Etsy UK

Available in six widths 5mm. 6mm, 7mm, 10mm, 12mm and 13mm. Offers very reasonable cost saving when compared to other boning. The boning of choice for couture houses from the golden age, right up to the present day (and I supply many of them with steel boning, never plastic), is steel. Why? Steel boning is more widely available than decent plastic boning and it is much more flexible for curvy areas such as over the bust. Also, steel does not degrade in the same way that plastic does over time, and what I mean by this is that spiral steel retains it's original properties for a very long time, plastic does not. So although we all know that once plastic is made, it can never be 'unmade', the properties which made it useful when new, will degrade over a relatively short period of time. Therefore, apart from the other environmental considerations,plastic boning will not produce an heirloom garment.This type of top needs boning to support the structure, as it has no straps. So I’m also going to show you a few ways to insert the boning, too. Sounds good? Let’s get drafting then. Quite tough and kink resistant. Washable and dry cleanable, has passed the Oddy test so suitable for use in museum collections.