Steels

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To keep confusion to a minimum we use one term only and that is "bones".

SEE ALSO HOOPSTEEL AND PLASTIC BONES.

To better decide on the
Steel you need, read
Working with Steel
in Costume Building

Spiral Bones

Spiral bones are made of steel, looking as if a fine coil of steel has been flattened. They are available in two sizes, Ľ" (7mm) and 7/16"(10mm). The Ľ" comes either by the metre or in pre-tipped lengths and the 7/16" is sold only by the metre.Spiral bones have the most flexibility of all bones, being able to move both forwards and backwards and side to side. They are the best choice for a bodice that requires boning but is going to be worn for dance or other motion activities. They are not a good choice for front panels of bodices/corsets for women who wear a c-cup or more, unless you are using the 7/16" size. Spiral bones are the most flexible and least supportive. Bodices with these can be dry cleaned but not laundered with water.

*Spiral bones have come from two manufacturers and one has unfortunately been sending us inaccurate lengths. We are no longer dealing with them but some of there product is still in our bins so please accept that some lengths will not be exact..

The same problem exists with the 28-8201 series of spring steel known as “light bones”.

	Spiral Bones Ľ" by the metre 47-8000-96
	Spiral Bones Ľ" pre-tipped lengths 47-8000-04 to 47-8000-18 (see price list for details)
	Tips for Ľ" Spiral Bones 91-8015-06 Used for the covering the ends of cut spiral bones.Can also be used on cut ends of spring steel bones. CLICK FOR TIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

	Spiral Bones 7/16" by the metre 50-8001-96 This size can also be used in the top of a farthingale as it can be curved on its flat side.
	Tips for 7/16" bones 91-8016-11 CLICK FOR TIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

Spring Steel Bones

Spring Steel Bones are also known as "white" bones, this is for the obvious reason; they are white. The white however is only a plastic like nylon coating that protects the steel and inhibits rust. Spring steel bones should be quite rigid; able to flex but not easily bent. They flex only forward and back not from side to side. The thickness of the bone is very important, more so than the width. Our spring steel bones come in more than one thickness to accommodate as many needs as possible. The standard or most popular size is series #50-8206-_ _; these are 6mm wide X .6mm thick and come in various lengths. (6mm is equivalent to Ľ") These are the most rigid of the small bones. We also stock a slightly wider bone; 8mm wide but only .4mm thick so despite being wider it is more flexible as it is not as thick. Both these bones come in several lengths measuring from 10 cm up to 42cm and these are the most commonly used spring-steels. Garments made with these bones can be hand washed; never put any boned garment in a washing machine. Spring steel should be used down center back of all corsets.

For complete size selection on the following bones please see the price list.

Spring Steel Bones 6mm (1/4") X .6mm

50-8206-10 through to
50-8206-42
Increasing in 2cm increments.
Note: this size is also available by the metre, please see, "hoop steel" section
#50-8406-01

Spring Steel Bones 8mm (3/8") X .4mm

50-8308-10 through to
50-8308-38
Increasing in 2cm increments.

Spring Steel Bones 11mm (7/16”) X .5mm

50-8511-24 , 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

This is a new mid size bone. It’s not as thick as the 8206 series and not as thin as the 8308 series so it’s right in the middle for when 50-8206 bones are too rigid and 50-8308 bones are too flexible. A limited selections of sizes are available at this time

Spring Steel Bones 18mm (11/16") X .8mm

50-8518-32
50-8518-34
50-8518-36
Very heavy wide steel with limited flex. Can be used as 18^th century busk.

Bone Casing Tape

Bone casing looks like a ˝" wide ribbon. It is in fact a channel into which bones up to 3/8" wide can be slid. The advantage to bone casing tape is that two layers of coutil are not necessary. The bone casing gets stitched to the garment by machine before the bones are slid into the casing. Made of tightly woven 100% cotton, bone casing is dyeable and durable. Certain time periods saw single layer corsets with casings.

Bone Casing

91-7258-01 5/8"white
91-7578-01 7/8" white
Flat, woven, tube used to encase steel or plastic bones/hoops for corsets, bustles, crinolines etc. Made of 100% viscose. This casing has a natural sheen.

Bone Casing tape

34-7212-01 ˝" white
34-7212-90 ˝" black
34-7234-01 ľ" white
34-7234-90 ¾" black
Flat, woven, tube used to encase steel or plastic bones/hoops for corsets, bustles, crinolines etc. Made of 100% cotton.

Bone Casing and Bone/Hoop Steel Chart

CASING #	WIDTH	BONES - that fit	HOOP STEEL - that fits
34-7212-01 34-7212-90	˝ inch or 13mm	50-8206- 50-8308- 50-8125-05 50-8125-07 47-8000- 91-8140-07	50-8406-06
34-7234-01 34-7234-90	ľ inch or 19mm	50-8313- 91-8140-10	50-8405-10 91-8403-13
91-7258-01	5/8 inch or 16mm	50-8206- 50-8308- 50-8125-05 50-8125-05 91-8140-07 91-8140-10 (tight fit)	50-8406-06
91-7278-01	7/8 inch or 23mm	50-8125-11 50-8125-13 50-8313- 91-8140-10	91-8403-13 50-8406-14 (tight fit)