How to Make a Boned Lacing Panel
Making the Lacing Panel – Horizontal Support Pattern
Make a vertically oriented tube with the core fabric.
Turn the seam allowance to the inside and iron it flat. Stitch the boning channel on one side.
Flatten out the panel, stitch the vertical boning channel on the other side. Then stitch one side of a horizontal boning channel, approximately 5/8″-1″ in from the top edge of the panel.
Insert the horizontal bone and seat it against the sewn side of the boning channel. Stitch the other side of the boning channel, taking care to stay alongside the bone. I strongly recommend keeping spare needles on hand in case you hit the bone, but if you sew straight and use the sewn side for your guide, you should be able to stitch the seam without striking the bone.
Sew one side of the next channel, marking the sewing machine so the bone on the opposite end of the panel may be sewn in the same location. (If you use Sharpie to make the marks, it can be removed using rubbing alcohol.) Insert the bone, and stitch the other side of the channel.
The number of horizontal bones you use depends upon the height of the panel. I recommend placing one bone every 3″-4″.
After you pass the center of the panel, insert the bone and push it towards the center before sewing the first side of the channel. That will allow you to use the same mark you made when stitching the first half of the panel.
After all the horizontal bones are in place, insert the vertical bones and stitch them in place. I use vertical bones that are at least 1.5″ shorter than the panel. This will allow for trimming later.
To sew the cover/lining layer, with right sides together sew the edges together.
Turn the cover layer and slip it over the boned core layer. Carefully stitch along the vertical bones to secure the cover layer in place.
Mark a curve at both ends of the panel. It should be edging distance from the ends of the vertical bones at the sides, and in the center it should cradle the existing edge. After making sure the marks are even, stitch along the marks.
Trim close to the stitched marks. By creating the curve, the corners of the panel will not stick out over the edges of the corset when it is worn.
Edge the panel to match the corset.
This panel was made with white coutil and tea-stained to match the corset. Because there is no separate cover layer, all the boning can be seen.
im not certain where/how you added the panel to the actual corset. im trying to make a corset and my grommets like to break apart or rip the fabric, when i try to lace it up. any tips?
The panel is usually separate from the corset, is positioned while tightening, and is held in place by the pressure of the corset.
It sounds to me like your grommets may not be set tightly enough if they are breaking apart or catching the fabric and tearing. They should be set tightly enough to hold completely snug where they are set, and be able to take a lot of pressure. Have you seen my tutorial on grommeting?