Spiral Steel Boning is used in period costumes, bridal wear, strapless bodices and gowns. It is constructed from coiled wire and the ends finished with metal caps on each cut length. These are inserted into sturdy bone casing which is sewn into either a corsellette to support an evening gown or into the bodice/corset itself.

The advantages of using spiral steel boning are that it is lightweight, flexes sideways as well as up and down. It is an important construction tool in gowns which have tight bodices attached to a ‘heavy’ or billowing skirt pulling downwards. The insertion of boning in a gowns bodice counteracts this movement and correctly placed - prevents the sag and shift of a bodice on the wearer.

Typical bodice shape and boning points(solid black lines):-

Below is an example of a finished strapless gown, its’ inner corsellette support is not visible from the outer garment.