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From: OrigamiFox
Date: 02-24-2007, 10:04 AM (1 of 9)
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I'm making a strapless dress for my petite yet busty daughter. How and where do I put in boning to help the dress stay where it should? The bodice is a shoulder-princess design, and the dress itself will be made from satin with a chiffon overlay, with a china silk lining. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated! Beth |
User: OrigamiFox
Member since: 03-07-2005 Total posts: 10 
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From: smessier
Date: 02-24-2007, 12:47 PM (2 of 9)
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Sounds like the dress will be gorgeous! When I made my dgd's wedding gown, it was based on a strapless gown. There were two boning channels in the front that went right over the bust, a channel on each side and two in the back. Just be careful to leave about a quarter inch at the top seams so the boning doesn't try to poke out! Hope this helps. Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-27-2007, 07:32 AM (3 of 9)
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I agree with Sandy. You'll have to consider which kind of boning you want, too - steel or Rigilene? I believe Rigilene has some plastic boning that you can actually sew through, which makes the process easier. But plastic boning will retain its shape less well than steel, because of body heat. It all depends on how much support you want.
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
From: OrigamiFox
Date: 02-27-2007, 07:59 AM (4 of 9)
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Sandy and Isabelle, Thanks for your help. I did purchase Rigilene to use for the boning. Do I sew in some wide bias tape channels in the lining to hold the boning in place? I've made a muslin to check the fit of the bodice--could I put the boning in this muslin and sandwich it between the fashion fabric and the lining?  So many questions, and so completely clueless!!  Thanks again for your help and advice! Beth |
User: OrigamiFox
Member since: 03-07-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-27-2007, 08:41 AM (5 of 9)
Beth - you can do both  Just do whatever you're most comfortable with.I made a corset 2 years ago and I researched a lot on how to insert boning, what kind to use, etc. Since I had a lining, I ended up sewing channels between the outer layer and the lining, rather than applying bias tape. Is this (http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/Products/Rigilene_Polyester_Boning.html) what you purchased? In that case you can even sew directly onto the boning. It's even easier! You'll be amazed at how easy this is, as opposed to how tricky it seems Now we'd love to see pictures when you're done!
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
From: smessier
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:05 AM (6 of 9)
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Well, I just learned something. I'd never heard of the Rigiline, and it wasn't in the fabric store when I was searching for boning. It would have been much easier! I used plastic boning that came with it's own tubing. I cut the boning to size (a little shorter than the tubing) and removed it from the tubing. I sewed the tubing in place on the underlining using it as the channels for the boning. Thanks for the info, Isabelle! Next ttime I'll look for Rigiline. Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: smessier
Date: 02-27-2007, 10:08 AM (7 of 9)
Oh, I forgot! I did sew the boning into the muslin bodice first, to get a good fit. But since my muslin was made from leftover yellow check fabric,  I couldn't really use it as an underlining, so I had to rip it out transfer it to the underlining fabric.
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User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: OrigamiFox
Date: 02-28-2007, 08:03 AM (8 of 9)
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Rigilene is indeed what I bought. Since I have a light colored muslin, I think I will try stitching the Rigilene to it and using it as an underlining in the dress. Again, thanks SO MUCH for your help and encouragement! Now to face actually cutting out and sewing this dress... Beth PS. If I ever get the dress actually done, I'll try to post some photos. |
User: OrigamiFox
Member since: 03-07-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-28-2007, 08:38 AM (9 of 9)
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I'm sure you'll do great, Beth. Using the mockup as an underlining is a great time saver. That's what I did for my corset too. Now have fun creating that beautiful dress for your daughter. 
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
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