Tying a neat and secure bow on your corset helps keep the lacing in place and provides a decorative finish. The key is often in how you complete the second step of the bow.
Steps for Tying a Corset Bow
Follow these steps to tie a functional and aesthetically pleasing bow on your corset laces:
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Adjust Lacing Tension: Before tying the bow, ensure the corset is laced to your desired tightness and that the lacing tension is evenly distributed down the back.
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Locate Excess Lace: Gather the excess laces, typically at the waist or the designated tie-off point.
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Tie the Initial Knot: Cross one lace end over the other (e.g., left over right) and pull it through to create a simple knot. Pull gently to snug it against the grommets or loops.
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Create the Bow:
- Form a loop with one lace end.
- Wrap the other lace end around the first loop.
- Create a second loop with the lace you just wrapped around.
- Pull the second loop through the space created by the wrap.
Practical Insight: According to the video "CORSET BASICS: Tying correct knots and bows | Lucy's Corsetry," when forming the loops for the bow after the initial knot, if you tied the first knot left over right, "Next. Time when I'm making the loop. Instead of doing left over right it's" the opposite motion. This ensures the bow lies flat rather than twisting.
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Tighten the Bow: Hold both loops and both trailing ends, and pull gently to tighten the bow against the corset. Adjust the loops to be even in size.
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Arrange the Tails: Let the remaining lace tails hang down the back or tuck them neatly under the lacing or the corset itself.
Where to Tie the Bow
The most common and often most practical place to tie the bow is at the back waist. This is usually where the lacing tension is focused and where the excess lace naturally gathers. However, some corsets are designed to tie off at the top or bottom, or even with front lacing. Always tie the bow at the point where the lacing was designed to be secured.
Tips for a Neat Finish
- Ensure the laces are smooth and untwisted before tying.
- Maintain even tension throughout the lacing process before securing the bow.
- Practice makes perfect! Tying a neat, flat bow can take a few tries.
Tying the bow correctly, particularly paying attention to the crossing direction when forming the loops after the initial knot as highlighted in the reference, helps create a flat, secure, and attractive finish for your laced corset.
