Tips & Tricks

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"Lacing Rings" are "D-rings" that have been mounted on a tab that has a hole in it, the hole is there to allow you to attach the ring to the corset, either by sewing or riveting.

Instead of using grommets or eyelets to lace up a corset you can use "Lacing Rings" or "D-rings" and the best way to attach either lacing rings or d-rings is to use rivets. You could sew them on using a button hole stitch and quilting thread but rivets are more secure.You can also decorate a corset with rivets. It's best to attach rivets with a rivet setting die on a press or twist machine.

For security give serious consideration to using lacing bones with your riveted "lacing rings", the lacing bones mean the rivet will be secured in the steel bones rather than just in the fabric.

The photo shows all the parts without the fabric; white steel lacing bone, rivet base, rivet cap and "lacing ring" or D-ring. All are in an "antique brass" finish.

I'm not using fabric so that you can see exactly what is happening. Imagine the bone is in your finished corset. (See "How to use Lacing Bones", in the Tips and Tricks section if needed) .

Place the rivet base through the lacing bone hole from the wrong side (inside) of the corset.

Place the "Lacing Ring" (D-ring unit) on top. Keep in mind your lacing bone is encased in the corset fabric. As you can see in the photo below, the rivet is fairly long but depending on the bulk of your fabric (especially if you're using heavy upholstery fabric) you may have a problem so always check before you try and set the rivet.

Now add the rivet cap.

Once the rivet cap is placed on top take the unit to the rivet setter. Some people do use a mallet (a metal hammer will crush the rivet cap/head) but the best set is with a rivet setting die on a machine.

Consider switching colours around. Here we show a brass rivet with a black lacing ring.