Boning Information Page
Everything You Wanted to Know About Boning, But Were Afraid to Ask...
There are many types of boning available and sometimes choosing the most appropriate type can be a confusing task. The comparison chart below is to help you decide what corset boning will be best for your particular project. Keep in mind that many times more than one type of boning will work for the same job... a lot of times the type of boning you select will be a personal preference of your own or of a clients.
Boning Comparison Chart
White Steel Boning
- Properties:
- A rigid bone made of nylon coated spring steel. 1/2" or 1/4" (6mm.) wide. Coating prevents rusting and is highly resistant to washing detergents, and other fluids.
- Specs:
- High carbon, hardened, spring steel flat wire. Ends are white plastic dipped. 1/2" wide - .015" (.38mm) thick core steel 1/4" (6mm.) - .012" (.30mm) thick core steel
- Advantages:
- A strong, rigid boning.
- Disadvantages:
- Cannot be sewn in curved channels. Can buckle or twist within casing.
- Degree of Flex:
- Moderate flex in one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Corset Boning. Costuming.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary for pre-cut lengths. For continuous cuts, file and apply tipping fluid. Bone tips are optional.
Spiral Steel Boning
- Properties:
- A sturdy, flexible bone made of galvanized spring steel wire. 1/2" or 1/4" (6mm.) wide. Available in pre-cut lengths or in continuous rolls.
- Specs:
- Hardened, galvanized, spring steel round wire. Pre-cut lengths are tipped with nickel plated brass tips. 1/2" wide - .035" thick 1/4" (6mm.) - .028" thick
- Advantages:
- A strong, flexible boning. Can be sewn in curved channels.
- Disadvantages:
- The flex in two directions may not be appropriate for all applications.
- Degree of Flex:
- High flex in two axis.
- Ideal for:
- Corset boning, frequent or long-time wearings. It's amazing stiffness when sewn into bone casing, coupled with its ability to flex in all axes, makes this boning ideal for areas that require mobility such as brassieres and curved corset seams.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary for pre-cut lengths. 1/2" or 1/4" metal tips for continuous spiral steel.
Plastic Boning
- Properties:
- Extruded plastic boning. Designed for flexible support and to prevent rolling of garment materials.
- Specs:
- 1/2" wide - .045" thick 1/4" (6mm.) - .080" thick
- Advantages:
- Plastic material is extremely durable and highly resistant to washing detergents and other fluids.
- Disadvantages:
- Very flexible, not suitable for "waist-reducing" corset. Cannot be sewn in curved channels.
- Degree of Flex:
- High flex in one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Costuming or garments that require very light support. Highly recommended for garments used in high voltage environments.
- Cleaning:
- Machine or Hand washing.
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary.
Rigilene Boning
- Properties:
- Polyester boning . Can be sewn through.
- Specs:
- 12mm or 8mm wide.
- Advantages:
- Soft edges for easy sewing by hand or machine. Flexible, durable, and will not crack.
- Disadvantages:
- Very light support.
- Degree of Flex:
- High flex, one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Specially created for giving shape and support to strapless garments, theatrical costumes, evening wear, beachwear, and soft toys.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Clean or Hand Wash without loss of stiffness.
- Bone Tips:
- Recommended: 1/2" or 1/4" Rigilene Tips. Black or White available.
Hoop Bone Steel
- Properties:
- Very rigid steel for Hoops, Panniers, and Tutus.
- Specs:
- 7.5 mm - 0.65 mm thick 5.5 mm - 0.60 mm thick
- Advantages:
- Will keep its circular shape when sewn into skirts.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires a specialized cutter. More suited for skirts than corsets.
- Degree of Flex:
- Moderate flex in one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Hoop Skirts. Costuming.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Use Tipping Fluid to protect cut ends. Connectors available to join finished ends.
Plastic Covered Hoop Boning
- Properties:
- Two pieces of 3/16" wide steel encased in a polyethylene plastic coating.
- Specs:
- 3/8" wide
- Advantages:
- Will keep its circular shape when sewn into skirts. Available in white or black.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires a specialized cutter. More suited for skirts than corsets.
- Degree of Flex:
- Moderate flex in one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Hoop skirts, tutus, and projects that require boning to keep a defined hoop shape.
- Cleaning:
- Hand wash or spot clean garments constructed with this boning.
- Bone Tips:
- 1/2" Bone Tips fit nicely. Plastic Hoop Bone Connectors are available to join cut ends.
Deluxe Lacing Bones
- Properties:
- Pre-drilled to accommodate standard grommets.
- Specs:
- 1/2" wide - .07 mm. thick
- Advantages:
- A good thickness to accept standard shank grommets. Larger selection of lengths.
- Disadvantages:
- Cannot be sewn in curved channels.
- Degree of Flex:
- Moderate flex, one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Back lacing bones for corsets.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary.
Fusion Lacing Bones
- Properties:
- Fusion coated carbon steel. Very rigid
- Specs:
- 1/2" wide - .050" thick.
- Advantages:
- Very strong, rigid boning.
- Disadvantages:
- The extra thickness can make it difficult to apply standard grommets.
- Degree of Flex:
- Very little flex, one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Back lacing bones for corsets.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary.
Fusion Coated Boning
- Properties:
- Fusion coated carbon steel. Very rigid
- Specs:
- 1/2" wide - .050" thick.
- Advantages:
- A strong, rigid boning.
- Disadvantages:
- Cannot be sewn in curved channels. Too rigid for many use cases.
- Degree of Flex:
- Very little flex, one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Busk Reinforcement. Heavy support. Costuming.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary.
Extra Wide Bones
- Properties:
- A rigid bone made of nylon coated spring steel.
- Specs:
- 1" wide
- Advantages:
- A strong, rigid boning.
- Disadvantages:
- Cannot be sewn in curved channels.
- Degree of Flex:
- Very little flex, one direction only.
- Ideal for:
- Busk reinforcement. . Heavy support. Costuming.
- Cleaning:
- Dry Cleaning recommended
- Bone Tips:
- Not necessary.
Covered Boning
- Properties:
- Specs:
- Advantages:
- Disadvantages:
- Degree of Flex:
- Ideal for:
- Cleaning:
- Bone Tips:
