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.
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White Steel Boning
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Spiral Steel Boning
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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 – .014" thick
1/4" (6mm.) – .010" thick
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
Tips: Not necessary.
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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
Tips: Not necessary for pre-cut lengths. 1/2" or 1/4" metal tips for continuous spiral steel.
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Plastic Boning
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Hoop Bone Steel
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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.
Tips: Not necessary.
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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
Tips: Use Tipping Fluid to protect cut ends.
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Rigilene Boning
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Fusion Coated Boning
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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.
Tips: 1/2" or 1/4" Rigilene Tips. Black or White available.
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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.
Degree of Flex: Very little flex, one direction only.
Ideal for: Busk Reinforcement. Heavy support. Costuming.
Cleaning: Dry Cleaning recommended
Tips: Not necessary.
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Lacing Bones
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Extra Wide Bones
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Properties: Fusion coated carbon steel. Very rigid
Specs: 1/2" wide – .050" thick.
Advantages: Very strong, rigid boning.
Disadvantages: Cannot be sewn in curved channels.
Degree of Flex: Very little flex, one direction only.
Ideal for: Back lacing bones for corsets.
Cleaning: Dry Cleaning recommended
Tips: Not necessary.
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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
Tips: Not necessary.
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Q: So will I set off alarms at the airport wearing my corset that I made with your metal boning?
A: Metal detectors at airports are quite sensitive and will go off if you are wearing a metal boned corset. For time and convenience sake it would be recommended not to wear your metal boned corset when rushing to catch a flight. You may be detained and have your corset inspected, but at this time wearig a corset is still not considered a securtiy risk and you will not be arrested!
Q: Will metal boning rust?
A: Our metal boning is galvanized or coated to prevent rusting. However, if it is chipped or cut and not tipped with Tipping Fluid there is a chance it could begin to rust. For that reason you will see that most of our metal boning suggests Dry Cleaning as the recommended way to clean.
Q: Do I need tips for my boning?
A: Metal Bone Tips ARE necessary for tipping continuous spiral steel boining that you cut to length. We offer tips for both 1/2" wide and 1/4" wide widths. The Metal Bone Tips are also recommended for Hoop Boning in 1/2" width. Plastic Rigilene Bone tips are recommended for Rigilene Boning. We offer Rigilene Boning Tips in both black and white for both widths. These tips allow you to sew through them to anchor the tips in place.
Bone Tips are NOT recommended for White Bone or Plastic Bone.
Q: Can I sew through boning?
A: Rigilene Boning can be sewn through, however the other boning types cannot be sewn through.
Q: Do I need casing for my bones?
A: Yes, bone casing is recommended for all boning. Some people make their own casings, however we offer several different types of casings which is a much easier solution!
