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[thepurpleempire]

So, a week tomorrow till we leave for Coronation. My how time flies... we're getting there, everyone's under layer and middle layer are finished, or very extremely almost finished, and over garments well and truly begun.

I do have one quick question for the kirtle-makers amongst you - how do I stop my lacing from doing

Comments

[timted]

I'd suggest doubling the number of rings. I don't space my lacing rings more than 1" or so apart on something that I don't want gap-osis on.

And, yup! You're cat is adorable!

[thepurpleempire]

Nuts :(

Back to the tackle shop go I!

Thanks for the advice though :)

[thepurpleempire]

Grr... *frazzlerazzlebloodyhellstupidbloodyfrock*

[astemudfoot]

I had the same problem with one of my Cotehardies. I doubled the lacing rings, which helped but didn't totally cure the problem. If you find a second solution, clue me in!

[thepurpleempire]

At this point, I'm liking safety pins!!!

That was a joke, btw... just.

[astemudfoot]

Safelty pins are generally underated. If you wear garb held together with safety pins, you might meet a nice man who exclaims "You really should have a cloak pin for that cloak instead of a pin. Here have mine." It truly happened to me. I was stunned. And greatful.

Anyways, for a quick fix I've also just sewn myself into a front lacing kirtle. Works really well and surprisingly quick to do on yourself with a really big Chenille needle and some strong crochet cotton. I imagine that if you did it everyday you'd trash the fabric with time, but considering how often we actually wear our garb, it's a viable option for re-enactors.

[celsa]

Apart from putting in more rings, the only thing I can think of that might help prevent the 'gap-osis' (thanks vvestfirzka, excellent term) is to reinforce the fabric edges. Boning isn't what you want for this kind of garment, but if there were some way to apply the same principle... to stiffen the vertical resolve of the fabric somehow.

Anyway, that kind of thing is a structural issue that would have to be incorporated from the get-go, I suspect.

Good luck!

[auntyyolly]

Sorry, it's true. A veritable smegload more rings. Should be about 15mm apart max on each side. Make sure they are evenly spaced, and it doesn't hurt to offset them very slightly, ie one side about 2mm below the other the whole way up, always start lacing from the lower side.

Lacing from the bottom up is better, and, if you have a high bust-waist ratio (small waist, big boobs), a single knot around a ring below the breasts then keep lacing will help, too.

My tip for getting in and out of these kirtles faster is to have a really long lacing cord so you only need unlace a few rings at the top and can then just loosen it all off from there. Saves having to relace every time. Also, the sewing needles used for knitting with their blunt ends and giant eyes are great for putting lacing in.

[thepurpleempire]

Urgh,say it ain't so... lacing rings are my second least favourite thing ever, behind hemming :( At least, having looked at things, I can just add one between each one that is already there, thus saving me having to pull 21 lacing rings off only to sew them back on...

And thanks for the excellent advice re actually wearing the silly thing... the wool needle thing I was all over as its almost the only way to lace the Venetian, but I'd never thought of tying knots to keep things where they should be :) Nice one!

[astemudfoot]

Sewing lacing rings is so way better than eyelets. *grrr*

For cheaper lacing rings, see if any of your household have chainmail rings. You might have to ask them nicely to soulder (spelling?) them closed (and make sure they're the non-rusting kind like brass/bronze or stainless steel), but it's a way cheaper option than buying fishing rings.

The last ensamble I made used over 100 lacing rings. I didn't bother solduering them closed, but then, most of them weren't under any pressure.

Which reminds me, I've still got many more to sew on. *sigh*