There are numerous approaches to lacing a corset but for corset training, sticking to a criss-cross technique from top to bottom is the most hassle free option. If you use the rabbit ears technique (also often called bunny ears), this makes tight-lacing even more practical and makes the whole process easier, especially if you put on your corset unaided.
The criss-cross corset lacing pattern is very like lacing a shoe, with one distinct difference – One of the laces doesn’t enter the hole from above on one side, then across and down one to enter again from above on the other side and so on, entering each hole from above to be brought across from beneath.
When lacing a corset, if the lace goes in from above the hole and is then brought across from underneath to the next hole on the opposite side, it then enters that hole from UNDERNEATH, and vice versa – if a lace is entering a hole from below it will come out on top and must then enter the next hole from on top. The other side should then be laced symmetrically to make a column of crosses sitting on top of the corset. Tightening up your corset is thus made much easier as you can now put a finger under each cross, hook on to it round its middle and pull on it to narrow the gap. The slack is then taken up by pulling the next cross down and so on till you reach the bottom and tie the laces.
Bunny ears are huge loops of lace left in the middle of the line of crosses on both sides at the level of the waist line (the waist is the thinnest part of the corset). The lace is brought up through the hole as normal, but rather than reaching across to the other side it goes down into the hole below it on the same side. Rather than pull the lace all the way through, you leave an excess of a foot or more so theres a large loop. This is your rabbit ear, after which lacing continues as normal down to the bottom, the same is repeated on the other side so your ‘ears’ match. Make sure the ears are long enough to loosen the corset just enough to put it on, then tie the laces together at the bottom of the corset and cut off the excess if you wish.
When you put on your corset use the slack in the ears to get it loose enough to do up the busk at the front, then tighten your corset by pulling at the crosses from top to middle and bottom to middle, pulling the slack into the rabbit ear loops and then tie the rabbit ear loops together in a knot or bow. If your wearing a corset training corset and require a tight fit, you may want to make several passes from top/bottom to waist to pull in the corset enough before you tie the loops.
There are various other pretty lacing techniques devised by corset designers, but if your a corset pattern designer, or just make corsets for friends who waist train, your clients will probably thank you for sticking to this style of lacing as nothing really beats it for ease of use.
Corset Training
Rabbit ears method for lacing
