I’ve been MIA on the Simplicity 18th Century Pattern Hacks lately, due to moving, but I’m back! Time for more helpful hacks and hints for constructing Simplicity 8161 and 8162 in a more historically accurate way.
Today I’ve got a short video on inserting the boning into your stays.
To recap, I’ve cut and sewn the pieces of my Simplicity 8162 stays, have drawn a new boning pattern and stitched all the channels, and now I am inserting the boning.
I am using zip ties for my boning, but you can also use reed or steel. Please note that the method I’m showing in the video is for zip ties only.
At this point the only construction variation from the Simplicity pattern instructions is when I re-drew the boning pattern. We won’t diverge from the pattern instructions until we get to the binding next.
In the video I demonstrate cutting the boning, sanding the ends, and inserting into the channel. It’s straightforward. Two tips – use canine nail clippers to cut your boning, and cut your boning about 1/4 – 3/8″ shorter than the channel on each end, to leave a bit to stitch the binding to.
Note – the strap is sewn on after the boning is all inserted.
Another Note – The seam allowances are tacked down after the boning is inserted.
If you have questions, please leave them in the comment below!
26 Comments
Anonymous
June 25, 2016 at 4:35 PMWill this method also work with plastic boning?
Thank you.
Lauren Stowell
July 6, 2016 at 4:07 AMThis method should work with any plastic.
Rachel
June 26, 2016 at 3:22 PMI'm using zip ties as well. What do you do when you get to the boning channels that are triangular? aka wider at the bottom and then get to a point at the top. Do you just put the boning in as high as it'll go, or cut the boning to the shape of the chanel?
Lauren Stowell
July 6, 2016 at 4:07 AMI only put the boning in the straight channels that are a consistent width. Triangular shapes that are left over from stitching in all the boning channels I just leave empty.
Unknown
June 27, 2016 at 6:31 AMThis comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown
June 27, 2016 at 6:32 AMThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown
June 27, 2016 at 6:32 AMThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown
June 27, 2016 at 6:33 AMnice articleThank you for sharing!
So beautiful flower...
Unknown
July 4, 2016 at 2:46 PMI would like to use chamois to bind tge edges of my stays. Do you recommend prewashing the chamois?
Lauren Stowell
July 6, 2016 at 4:05 AMI also used chamois to bind my edges – I'll show how in a future video – but I do NOT recommend washing it first. Chamois, like doe skin, will stiffen when washed.
Papercrow
August 18, 2016 at 1:23 PMWhat width do you cut the chamois for binding?
Mrs. Schurr
July 6, 2016 at 3:57 AMAre your stays made out of twill? What weight (light, heavy, etc) and what are you using for the lining?
Lauren Stowell
July 6, 2016 at 4:04 AMMy stays here are made out of an upholstery cotton, interlined with linen, and the tacked-in lining (not shown here) is muslin.
Mrs. Schurr
July 6, 2016 at 4:29 PMWould twill work? (No upholstery material near here that is suitable).
Lauren Stowell
July 6, 2016 at 7:16 PMYes, any medium weight, non-stretch material will work perfectly- twill, jean, coutil, lighter weight canvas.
Unknown
July 20, 2016 at 12:48 PMHow long are the zip ties you bought ?
I'm looking for that and I find 95mm, 200mm and 300mm long
Thank you
Joy Flasher
August 7, 2016 at 4:02 AMI'm a 40 bust but narrow across the chest above the bust and across the back so I combined two sizes to get a great fitting pair of stays. They went together easy. I did the full boned stays. I made one little change in the construction. I stitched on a facing to the center fronts and center backs so I could set my grommets early on in the construction process. I still need to attach the lining and binding. Great pattern, Lauren, and great tips.
Anonymous
August 21, 2016 at 3:44 PMFinally have time to work on the chemise today! the pattern notes 3/8 seam allowance. Does that apply to just the neckline (the comment is near the neck) or does it apply to all the seams for that pattern piece?
Cheers!
Lauren Stowell
August 21, 2016 at 5:37 PMThe narrow seam allowance is only used where noted. The rest of the seam allowances should be 5/8" unless otherwise noted.
Colette
October 20, 2016 at 7:58 PMI wish had time to sew the eyelets but I'll be using grommets. The pattern says 34 grommets. but doesn't specify what size. Most I've found seem too big–what size did you use?
Also any recommendation for grommet setting tools? (First pair of stays anxiety!) Thank you!
Lauren Stowell
October 20, 2016 at 8:32 PMI use size 00 grommets with washers purchased from CorsetSupply.com and use the little metal tool and a hammer.
Colette
October 20, 2016 at 9:40 PMThanks Lauren! Appreciate the quick reply, too 🙂
Carol_G
April 23, 2017 at 2:04 AMWill heavy duty zip ties work? Or will they be too stiff? I didn't realize I got heavy duty ones because I was focused on length and width. I'm worried fully boned will be too stiff.
Neak1
April 30, 2017 at 7:20 AMThe binding, how much did you use? Pattern states 2 packets, but what length are in the packets? I am in New Zealand and our stuff is probably different to American amounts
Jen in Oz
September 1, 2018 at 2:00 PMMay be a bit late, but I used about 4m for each side of the stays for binding them.
Christine Streenan
September 6, 2018 at 10:31 PMWould using sewn-in rings instead of grommets be historically accurate for the bodice? If so, what type of rings should I use? Also, I already used grommets on the stays and was thinking about going over them with thread or embroidery floss to give them a more authentic look. Would this work?