The Sewing Place

A boning question

b15erk

A boning question
« on: May 03, 2018, 12:10:13 PM »
Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but mods, feel free to move....

I'm making the tail part of the Mermaid costume which has to be boned.  The instructions give no clear or usefulinstructions, so I'm pretty much winging it.

Firstly, I need to make a casing.  Now is this usually made using the seam allowance, or shall I use some binding? 

Then I need to deal with the boning itself.  The stuff is just curling round on itself.  Is it possible, or advisable to iron it flat?

I have read and re-read the instructions, and I'm getting little information from them.  :(

If anyone can help, I would be very grateful.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Sewsuzie

Re: A boning question
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2018, 13:26:06 PM »
Hi Jessie,
If your seam allowances are big enough you can use them as a casing. Or quite often the boning is just stitched to the seam allowance. To stop it prickling through the fabric, I usually fold and iron a square patch of firm vilene over the ends if it's Rigilene. Or use a firm fabric folded over the ends. It just helps to stop it cutting through the main fabric.
With regards to taming the curl, yes you can press it, but don't overdo it or it ends up curling the other way. Been there, got the t shirt. This is assuming again that it's rigilene.
Good luck with it.

Suzie  :vintage:
Never let your sewing machine know you're in a hurry

b15erk

Re: A boning question
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2018, 13:39:44 PM »
Thanks Suzie, that's just the kind of info I needed.  I have a feeling that the boning I have is too springy....

I'll soon find out!  ;)

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

BrendaP

Re: A boning question
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2018, 22:08:05 PM »
I've never made anything which requires boning but just a couple of days ago I was reading an article in an old Threads magazine, and there are several different types of boning - rigilene, spiral, plastic covered whalebone, plastic covered steel, and it comes in different widths too.

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/11/02/boning-not-just-for-corsets

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/2012/02/20/three-ways-to-attach-boning

https://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/c/815/boning-busks?p=1&q=815&me=p
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.