My favourite is a thin nylon braid that is easy to tie and untie and lies flat when laced. It looks like a narrow flat kind of shoe lace, not the solid round cords. This stuff will not shred even on metal eyelets thatare perhaps not as well hammered as others- I tested a small piece on the edge of a plastic card stand and it would not fray or shred.
I have used rat tail before. This was on stage when I really needed to unlace quickly. I did a triple knotted bow to keep it secure but even then it was easier to undo and unlace than a regularly knotted bow. It also just slipped through the lacing holes. So it does have its place, but you need to make sure the bow is very secure! On the whole I prefer a flat plaited braid over a cord as it lies flatter and generally won't slip through the lacing holes as easily. I personally find this helps me get the lacing even all the way. I do though like a thin ribbon for my effigy stays, Even if I wind up cutting the ends to get out quickly. That has a little to do with my small eyelets but also a lot to do with the lacing sitting on the front where my hooks and eyes in my doublets do up. Regards, Michaela http://glittersweet.com _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
