How to Insert a Steel Busk Into a Corset

Busk closures can be used in costumes or modern corsets.

Corsets come in almost as many sizes and shapes as their wearers. Front busk closure corsets were introduced in the mid-19th century. A busk closure fits in slots made in the corset fabric down the center front of the corset. One piece of the busk has a series of metal eye fastenings spaced along its edge. The other busk piece has a series of hook fastenings spaced along its edge. The hooks and eyes line up to provide a closure for the corset.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Seam ripper
• Sewing machine
• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors
• No-fray liquid

Instructions

1. Measure the total width of each busk piece, from the edge to the the farthest point of the fastenings. The center front corset slots will need to be at least this width. If they are not, sew a new slot and pick out the old slot stitching with a seam ripper.

2. Insert each busk piece with the fastenings facing the center front of the corset. Make sure the fastenings are facing the right way so they can lock together once the project is complete.

3. Mark where each fastening touches the edge of the corset fabric. Remove both busk pieces. Cut a very small snip with the tips of your scissors at each fastening marking.

4. Reinsert each busk piece and ease each fastening through the small snips. Make the snips larger if you need more room. Sew a new seam along the edge of each busk piece without the fastenings. This will keep the busk pieces from moving around in the slot.

5. Remove the original slot stitches with a seam ripper. Sew the top of the slot closed. Treat the raw edges around the fastenings with a no-fray liquid. Let the liquid set before trying the corset on.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't cut or alter a steel busk. This could leave dangerous sharp edges.

References

• Farthingales Corset Making Supplies: Corset Busks
• Richard the Thread; Corset History; 2010