At 20:23 08/09/2005, you wrote:
Joan:
>I made my corset using the 3/16-inch cable ties from the hardware
>store (package of 10, 34 inches long) which are easy to cut to size
>with sturdy craft scissors. They actually flex a lot like whalebone
>and are a lot lighter than steel bones.
really? I've heard this claim a lot, about once a year on this list.
I decided to test it. Thru the methods of experimental archaeology (a
nod to Marc & Fran, et al here), I went off to test this claim.
I held several early 19thc whalebone handled sterling ladles (I'm and
incurable silverware collector) and, with permission, flexed the
handles. They barely moved. I made a point of asking the proprietor
about whalebone since he'd been head of the silver department at
Sothebys (the shop was in Lechlade, UK -- not sure about the
spelling). He said that these whalebones were typical of whalebones in
old silver.
Now, in real life, I'm a silicon valley s/w engineer, with all sizes
of cable ties in my garage. Not even the stiffest cable tie fails to
bend. If they did, they be pretty useless for tying cables.
My point is that this common modern substitute, while available,
cheap, workable, washable and all those other positive qualities,
fails to act like real whalebone. It doesnt look right either, not
that you'd see it in a corset. Totally the wrong color & texture.
I am sorry to disagree with you, but whalebone for corsets is totally
flexible. I inherited a gross whalebones from a corsetiere - they are
maybe from the 1940's or 50's. They flex like Rigilene. They are much
finer that cable ties, and behave differently. I produce one when I
do lectures on corsetry. No-one believes how whippy they are until
they try for themselves - you can bend one in half without it
breaking. (And they twist too - I can well see why it was used for corsets.)
I also own a reproduction mid 18th century, fully boned corset made
before the banning of whalebone, and it is very firm, but flexible.
Suzi
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