Boning is one of the most useful items of Haberdashery in our collection and is used by tailors and dressmakers for a number of different purposes. When you think of boning you automatically imagine bustiers and structured evening gowns, however boning can also be used   to add light structure to your formal garments and for holding in place embellishments and decorative details such as ruching. Boning has been a popular Haberdashery items from as back as the 16th century when corsetry was at its most prominent - a wooden busk would be placed down the front of a corset in order to mould the upper torso into a more rigid shape. Steel boning, much closer to the boning we know and use today, was first used for corsets during the mid 19th century and is still one of the most popular types of boning alongside nylon, rigilene and plastic. Boning is a popular type of Haberdashery for bespoke evening and bridal gowns as it helps a garment to maintain its shape and lifts and supports the bust making it possible to wear without a bra. Boning has long been used by ladies hoping to achieve a desired "hourglass" shape and is still used for this very reason today. [caption id="attachment_3989" align="alignleft" width="109"]corset Our Haberdashery department carry a wide range of boning items ideal for costume making and much more.[/caption] Not only for special occasion wear, boning is also a useful item of Haberdashery for everyday clothing designs. Boning is often sewn along the hips of a pencil skirt to prevent it from riding up or into a wide neckline to prevent it from draping. A useful addition to handmade accessories, boning can also be used to add structure to decorative items including hats, fascinators and bags and is also a particularly popular choice with costume designers for period costume designs. Our Haberdashery team have sourced a wide range of boning items and waistbands such as rigilene and peter shame, useful for a wide range of projects: Cotton Covered Boning - ideal for stiffening ribs in garments and for creating hoops in crinoline petticoats, cotton covered boning is widely used for bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Plastic Covered Steel Boning - a popular alternative to cotton covered boning, steel covered boning is used for stiffening ribs in garments and for hoops in crinoline petticoats and is ideal for creating the desired volume and shape in bridal gowns. Polyester Boning - popular for use within corsetry, polyester boning is used to create rigid shape and structure required for a traditional corset. Polyester boning is particularly easy to work with as it cuts well and is easily attached to all kind of fabrics of varying weights. This boning is the perfect item of Haberdashery for a achieving a high quality and professional finish and is particularly useful for evening gowns. Rigilene Boning - designed so that you can sew straight through it, rigilene eliminates the need for making your own casing. Rigilene is extremely flexible and durable and is almost unbreakable. Particularly comfortable and lightweight, rigilene is not only ideal for dressmaking but is also perfect for craft projects and structural art. Curved Petersham - specifically designed for low waistline trousers and skirt, curved petersham is easy to sew and requires no tacking or notching meaning no gathering or press marks will ruin your designs. Petersham is a versatile item of Haberdashery and is perfect for a variety of projects including dressmaking and accessories.