Where to get items that give structure to stays, bodices etc

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:41 pm

Have looked in the only two haberdashery type places in Norwich, nothing to be found and no other places recommended by the apologetic sales assisstant. Can anyone recommend any places on the internet that sells boning? I'm after fake whalebone, plastic I believe, 4mm wide or there abouts, I can't remember exactly.

Any ideas?

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:04 pm

Vena Cava design.

I'll pass the link on

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:05 pm

Fankoo

is that where you got your steel boning for your kirtle from?

It was steel wasn't it...?

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:07 pm

I got mine from The Remnant Shop, but I don't think they do it anymore

And as if by magic here's the exact link you need that'll take you right to the bone section: http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/results.html?q=bones

Yes, I do suggest steel, and do as the TT says - 1/2" shorter than required length. It should stop 'em pokiing out over time.

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:13 pm

OK, I need plastic for stays rather than Tudor specific

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:17 pm

You mean something like this: http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/Product ... ?q=plastic ?

Neil of Ormsheim · Post by **Neil of Ormsheim** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:23 pm

Please take care when adding titles to posts.....

The thoughts of young ladies needing boning

New keyboard please!

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:24 pm

(:lol: )

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:24 pm

P.S. do you think Lidi will get it without me having to explain?!

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:28 pm

Nope, explain away!

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:33 pm

erm...well...errrr

its a reference of a sexual nature (again...hence why you dont get it).

Annis - with a dead foot..owwwwww!!

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:33 pm

BTW, that boning wasn't the same as Ian Chipperfield had, the stuff he used was smooth, and It was 4mm I'm sure..

I'll ask him.

Annis · Post by **Annis** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:36 pm

ooh I'm sorry, but I dont mind read!!!!

surely it wont matter? just as long as it does the same job! and a mm isn't a HUGE difference!

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:52 pm

P'raps not

m300572 · Post by **m300572** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:00 pm

Is Corset Angel still on the go - they did all manner of corsetry related stuff (as the name might suggest).

ragnaruhtredson · Post by **ragnaruhtredson** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:25 pm

Neil of Ormsheim wrote:Please take care when adding titles to posts.....

The thoughts of young ladies needing boning

New keyboard please!

Was wondering when someone might make a comment about the title - good job we are all gentlemen and ladies

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:34 pm

Quite!

Better?

Aitken Drum · Post by **Aitken Drum** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:40 pm

I love the way you re-worded your post subject

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:55 pm

And very hard too.... was going to use 'stiffening' but...

BACK ON TOPIC, PEOPLE!!!!!

Sophia · Post by **Sophia** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:07 pm

MacCulloch & Wallis in London do mail order and stock a wide range of corsetry supplies (under haberdashery section).

What you probably need is synthetic whalebone and as far as I know that is only available in 6mm and wider - though of course Ian may have a source I don't know about.

Soph

ragnaruhtredson · Post by **ragnaruhtredson** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:52 pm

lidimy wrote:Quite!

Better?

Matt_D · Post by **Matt_D** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:58 am

When I made my wee lasses bodice for ACW I managed to get some good strong covered steel boning from John Lewis'. I know there's one in Norwich cos me mam used to shop there.

Merlon · Post by **Merlon** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 9:32 am

Depending on the status of your character whalebone or equivalent might be a little over the top. Why not consider reeds as the stiffening in your bodies?

Mad Mab · Post by **Mad Mab** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:08 am

If you want cheap, narrow, plastic boning, cable ties work wonderfully and they're available from any DIY shop.
On the subjects of bents mind, my next project is a C17th pair of bodies and, since I'm aiming for as authentic an item as I can manage, a source for some period form of bents would be much appreciated.
mab

Calendula · Post by **Calendula** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:31 am

Chimera do corsetry supplies too....
http://www.chimera-costumes.co.uk/shop/shop.php

Merlon · Post by **Merlon** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:40 am

Ruth and Mark Goodman usually sell bundles of suitable Bents at TORM.

Myself I get them from the neighbours garden whenever she trims the flower beds down to size.
More of a grass than a reed shall check the variety.

Tuppence · Post by **Tuppence** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:30 pm

john lewis do trenslo plastic covered steel (you'll need copydex for tipping the ends) - 12mm.

vena cava does virtually everything, except reeds & wooden busks.

overseas suppliers include grannd garb & hedgehog handiworks (usa) and farthngales (canada).

another uk company worth looking up is devines (in the garter).

and as said, the goodmans do stiff reeds for boning.

personally I would advise against using plastic for anything historical, but I have a personal prejudice against it - I only even use rigilene when it has steels either side to back it up - mainly cos plastic works well in the medium term, but a few years down the line.... Have had to repair too many things.

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:30 pm

The boning I need is for 18 C, not Tudor btw (though it may end up being used for that too)

I'll have a look in John lewis

The narrower the better as I need it for very little stays and if the boning is too chunky it might ruin the effect of being small

Tuppence, what do you mean, repairs? What went wrong?

Tuppence · Post by **Tuppence** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:33 pm

after a long period of time plastic boning starts to bend, and eventually it has to be replaced cos it's not strong enough to stand up to the pressure put on it.

not a problem if it's something that's not going to be worn that often, but if it may be worn a lot, it's something to be aware of.

as I said, john lewis usually stock the 12mm stuff (depends on the sale staff, but they may look blank till you say hoop steel). vena cava's probably best for narrower stuff in all materials.

lidimy · Post by **lidimy** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:58 pm

Hmm, I think 12mm will be too wide.

And it's not for items that will be holding much in anyway - unless bears have busts