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Boning can give lightweight support to your garments to give them structure and keep their shape. It also keeps embellishment details, such as ruching, in place or adds structure to accessories, such as hats or bags. Think outside the corset box, and learn why boning is great for all kinds of garments and accessories.

The two most readily available boning products found in sewing stores are also the easiest to apply. They give garments structure but are not appropriate for giving the body heavy shaping.

1. Precovered Boning
The most available boning is 1⁄4-inch-wide plastic wrapped in a fabric casing (sometimes called Featherlite). While it doesn't provide much support to the body, it serves to hold fabric in place and give some structure. It is generally used vertically in lightweight bodices and dresses or knit garments. 

A common installation method is to remove the boning from its casing, edgestitch the casing to the fabric layer underneath, and then reinsert the boning. An alternative method is to make channels or casings from the garment's fabric and insert the boning.

2. Rigilene Boning
Rigilene boning is made of woven nylon rods and can be stitched directly to fabric, without a casing. It is available in widths from 1⁄4 inch to 3⁄4 inch, and comes rolled; flatten it with an iron before stitching. 

This boning type is commonly used in strapless ready-to-wear formalwear. Generally, it is stitched onto a firm cotton underlining that is then sewn into the gown. It can be stitched directly to the fashion fabric, but that is not a common method. I've seen as many as 19 pieces applied vertically on a bodice starting from the top edge through the waist and ending at the high hip. Rigilene supports the bodice structure and gives light shape to the body. 

Pad the boning ends with tightly woven cotton squares to prevent the rods from poking out. The cut ends can also be melted with a match to smooth them, but it's a bit messy. 

The narrow, 1⁄4-inch-wide Rigilene can be shaped into an underwire for light, bralike support. But, when used horizontally across the bust apex, it can give an unnatural, stiff shape.

Threads Magazine, editor
Posted on Feb 20th, 2012 in sewing, online extras, how-to, fundamentals, threads magazine, threads issue 159, boning

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Comments (15)

elzbet writes: It difficult to apply flame ot a finished garment. Do you have any suggestions to finish plastic boning that is already poking out.

Sarah
Posted: 1:52 pm on October 28th

tutudiva writes: I have one question for Patricia; is there a reason you did not mention the steel boning? Just thought you might have a better idea? Thawnks, Also years ago when I first started making costumes for the studio where my daughter took ballet; they used bias tape as the "boning tape" maybe it was easier to get, or less expensive; but after I went to tutu school at tutu.com I have used the boning tape that I can get from them.
Posted: 10:38 am on April 3rd

tutudiva writes: I agree with tntmade and tarsier; as a ballet costume designer I only use the steel boning. tutu.com has the steel boning and the boning tape. It last longer and gives a better fit. I had a mother of the bride suite that had the plastic boning in the bodice; when I wore it a 3rd time, the plasdtic started to poke thru the seam.....it hurt all thru dinner. I finally went to the ladies room and pulled it OUT .....ouch!!! But I will also say that I went to a Charles James display at musume exibit; The had put several of his pieces thru an MRI machine to "look" at his construction. Plastic boning was new; and for his CLOVER dress he ran the plastic horizonally ; he used heat to shape it into the form he wanted ; cool display
Posted: 10:33 am on April 3rd

Serral writes: Steinlauf &Stoller on 39th Street in Manhattan has boning, caps etc. They have been there forever! They are within a block or two of B&J, Paron, & Mood..heaven!
Posted: 6:31 pm on February 25th

tntmade writes: Rigelene won't last! Body heat and time will break down the structure. If you're putting together a garment you want to last, use steel boning. Richard the Thread and Tutu.com both carry steel boning and the tips for finishing the ends, as well as pre-cut and finished lengths.
Posted: 12:18 pm on February 23rd

Blackfabric writes: Where would we be without boning! My favorite place in N.Y. That sold boning supplies went out of business. :( You could try Richard the Thread. They have the ends to cap off steel boning. I Think they also sell tipping fluid and other supplies. I haven't ordered from them but a costumer told me about them as a good source. I don't know if they have any minimums for ordering.
Posted: 1:06 am on February 23rd

Eprizant writes: tarsier, you can go to a hardware store and get tool dip, which is used to create a rubbery-plasticy coating as a handle on tools. If you use tin-snips and a grinder (i've used just sand paper before) to round the edge of the steel bone, then dip the very end in the tool-dip, it creates a smooth edge just like the original. Ideally, you want the dip to be white, but in my limited experience buying it, there usually aren't choices. Hopefully your casing will be thick enough to hide any bright hardware store color. To dry, I've taped bones off the edge of a cardboard box or stuck them with magnets to a board, and let them air dry overnight. Good luck!
Posted: 11:41 pm on February 22nd

Yumjo writes: Great article! I love using boning, but have a difficult time finding it locally. Steel boning has not been on fabric store shelves in our area since the mid 60's and plastic boning is quite rare. I recently ran across some horsehair braid in the clearance bin which I scooped up for my "rare notions" stash. I would do the same thing if I ever found boning in the clearance bin. Many sewers today don't know what boning and horsehair braid are or how to use them. Sources would be appreciated.
Posted: 7:14 pm on February 22nd

tarsier writes: My sister-in-law is a costume designer, and she taught me to put in steel boning for much more predictable support, especially in very structured garments like wedding dresses. I like it so much that I will rip out poly boning from a garment that someone else made, and replace it with steel.

Even with "finishing" the ends, they can wear through the fabric over time, so I agree with the advice to add a heavier fabric. This is also true for underwires in bras that will see a lot of use.

Question for shoensox: the steel boning I use is all in pre-cut lengths. If you are cutting steel boning down to size, what do you do to finish the ends? THANKS.
Posted: 9:55 am on February 22nd

grdanecrazy writes: Now you have this article, LOL. I knitted a hat, and did not like the fact that the top would not stay up, so I go to my local fabric store. I was lucky they had the ridgeline in black, it was the first time I have ever used boning! It was so easy to use. I have always been afraid to use boning before, not now!
Posted: 9:20 am on February 22nd

agatha44 writes: Thank you for the article and all the added information from the fine sewers.
Posted: 8:01 am on February 22nd

shoesnsox writes: As a costume professionnal I have used many different kinds of boning over the last 30 years. Any time I put rigilene or poly boning into a garment I cut the end into a curve and then I melt the ends together over a flame. This prevents the ends from poking out of the casing and poking the wearer. I have had to alter many costumes that people made without finishing the tip of the bones and I've had to remove these bones and replace them with properly finished bones. I would never put in spiral or steel bone without properly finishing the tips.

It would be helpful for your readers to have this information before they end up getting poked by a piece of boning.
Posted: 12:14 am on February 22nd

dressed2atee writes: I use whatever size needle my garment calls for when sewing rigilene boning; however, after I use it sew boning I throw it away. The needle is usually jagged and more than likely will mar the fine fabrics so I always change the needle when I use it to see boning!

Posted: 7:07 pm on February 21st

Ravenwing999 writes: I work both at home and at a shop as a contractor. I use whatever needle is currently on the machine for boning. I do change needles frequently though.
Posted: 5:44 pm on February 21st

Majick writes: Hello Patricia
Thank you for this article, which I have but scanned. Given that serious seamstresses change their sewing machine needles for each new project I am always left wondering "which needle does one use when sewing through rigilene"? It seems to me that a leather or denim needle might be in order or does one simply have a needle for the project and a needle for the rigilene?
Thanks
M
Posted: 5:15 pm on February 21st

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