Lacing Issues

[Auntie Bellum]

So I was bored and sick over the holidays and pulled out some fabric that I had bought last year and started working on a new gown. I've about got the bodice finished and put the lacing up the back and now I have issues. Not that I don't have issues all the time, but those I have just come to realize are mine. But this is a whole new one. I usually lace from bottom to top but I put beading lace on the neckline and the ribbon that goes through it ties at the top in the back. So theres the bow for the ribbon and then the bow from the back closure. Too many bows and not enought space. So what to do?

1. Lace the dress from the top down and have the bow at the bottom for the dress closure.

2. Cut the ribbon on the beading and now have a ribbon bow at the top.

Is there a norm when it comes to lacing the things up? Or do I just get the choose? I love choices. Cake for lunch, pie for snack, pie for lunch cake for snack.... Humm too many choices

[Lady Fleur]

lace top down and tuck the ribbons under the bottom of ther bodice....

[Auntie Bellum]

That's what I did. I remembered the scene in Gone With The Wind where Scarlet is hanging on to the bedpost and Mammy is lacing up her dress and I was sure it was at the bottom.

It looks just fine.

Thank you so much

:ty

[Lazy K]

You can do what ever you want! I lace from the bottom up and tuck the bow to the inside.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

I made a ballgown (my second one actually) that laced up the back and I laced it from the top to the bottom and left the bow exposed because the ribbon was pretty.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

OMG!!! I just looked at that plaid and how poorly it matched up. Well, it was only the second ballgown that I ever made, so I can chalk it up to inexperience.:rofl:rofl

[Nellie Bly]

Oh, Fannie, it's a beautiful dress!

Isn't it wonderful to look back at our old projects and see how far we've come?

[Tatted Lady]

Sew the ends of the beading ribbon at the edges of the back, and pull the excess to the front middle or side, cut and tie the bow there.

Then lace the back, bottom to top.

Just a thought

[Ida Hands]

Hmmm....Cake for lunch..pie for snack...Pie for lunch..Cake for snack? http://georgehernandez.com/h/xComputers/Communicating/eSpeak/Media/y6/39.gif

[Allie Mo]

Pie a'la mode for breakfast is what I'd do!

Oh, laces...I can't get into anything that laces up the back. That's why I never wear my corset. :(

Auntie, don't forget to show us the finished product. :waiting See what you started? :lool

[Drusilla]

Hmmmm, sounds like you have it fixed. Corset laces are supposed to be laced from the middle, you start from the bottom to prevent slippage later. Dress bodices are tied at the bottom, but whatever works for you individually is OK. The reason corsets are laced from the middle is to get maximum leverage and even pressure throughout the body of the corset, and tieing the laces around the front is a no, no, that breaks down the stays unecessarily.
I have one dress that laces in the back, it's lovely, but doing that one up alone is a pain as I have to unlace it halfway to get it on, then thread the laces through the grommets and tie it. Mirrors are such a blessing!

[Auntie Bellum]

It's almost done, just have a side of pleats to set and then the hooks. I'll post pictures as soon as the tree is down. The tree is sitting where the dresses normally sit.

So it's back to the needles and thread.

I put the bodice on Edna (my dress dummy) and I surprised the heck out of myself. It looks good and I almost think it's easier than all the hooks.

Photos to come and a new dress diary to follow. You've all inspired me and I picked up the burda pattern for their bustle dress. It looked fairly simple and straight forward until I opened the envelope. I just don't have the same brain as those across the pond so I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. The directions seem pretty sketchy. They have never been my favorite patterns to work with but I wasn't sure if I'd like making a bustle dress, but everyones are so pretty I thought I'd try.

[Drusilla]

TV patterns really are the easiest to comprehend for bustle patterns, can't wait to see your work!

[Dixie McCan]

Yeah, lacing issues - Being aprehensive to start a corset, I opted for a corselette! I love the finished look, but getting in on & off is a pain in the patootie! I make it loose enough to pull over my head, but then tightening the laces into place seems to take forever, I'm so not patient! any suggestions?

[Nellie Blue]

Make a corselette with a busk in the front. :D Actually I guess it's an under-bust corset instead of a corselette then...but I LOVE them! :D

Laughing Moon #113 (http://www.lafnmoon.com/113_underbust_corset.html)

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

You could also use hook and eyes on the corselette and then make a faux closure that has grommets and lacing in it that snaps over top of the H & E.................no one would know!!!

[Dixie McCan]

What A GREAT SOLUTION! THANK YOU FANNIE! You've saved my 1890's Ripple Skirt & Eton Jacket with matching corselette!

NELLIE - Thank you for a whole new idea on the matter! This is what I see you wearing quite often , itsn't it! Oh, you are a plum!

Big Hugs to you both!