Re: [h-cost] re:effigy corst: reeds/bamboo for stiffening

[WickedFrau]

When I was first starting back in the middle 90's and asking similar 
questions, Margo Anderson was very active on this list.  It was her 
opinion that there were very good modern boning materials specifically 
made for the purpose and not to waste a whole lot of effort on "jerry 
rigging".  (This BTW was before the corded corset "craze.")  I have not 
used zip ties myself and I know a very successful "off the rack" period 
clothes producer who does use them because he can get them from a 
construction buddy for almost free.  The biggest complaint I have heard 
about the cable ties is that if the ends are not properly treated (i.e. 
rounded off, melted or otherwise), they may still poke through.  (I have 
seen this on many other's garments) As you know once this happens, it is 
hard to render a repair that looks very nice.  I have long used both the 
enameled white bones and the spiral steel ones (still my favorite).  Yes 
they may be heavier, but I have never had one poke through, and from a 
cost perspective, I would bet my paycheck that they are no more 
expensive than the cable ties purchased retail.  I have a short 
pictorial tutorial on how to use the steel boning (putting the tips on, 
etc.) here:  http://www.saragrace.net/3E_4_QEW_Corset.html in case 
anyone is interested. 

Best of  luck!  If you do a comparison on bulk boning vs cable ties, I'd 
be curious to hear the cost comparison!

Sg
 

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