Ian's Shoelace Site – Corset Lacing

Traditional lacing for corsets in which the laces can be gripped and pulled very tightly via the middle loops. Effective – but looks unusual.

Eight pairs of eyelets

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2023 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique

• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the top eyelets. (See also Notes below.)

• At each eyelet pair, alternate between crossing under (on the inside) and out through the next lower set of eyelets or crossing over (on the outside) and in through the next lower set of eyelets until the ends emerge from the eyelets just above the middle of the shoe.

• The ends are run straight down on the outside to the next lower set of eyelets, leaving a long loop of slack shoelace at each side. These loops will be used to pull the lacing tight and tie the knot, so leave about 250mm (10").

• For the lower part of the shoe, once again alternate between crossing under (on the inside) or over (on the outside) until the ends reach the bottom of the shoe.

• Tie the ends together using a Reef Knot or other permanent knot.

Features

Extra tightening

Unusual look

Messy knot

“Shortens” ends

Notes

• Depending on the number of eyelet pairs (eg. 6 or 7 pairs), you may need to start with the top (grey section) on the inside in order for the lace ends to emerge through the middle eyelets.

• The lacing forms one long, continuous circuit of shoelace with two hanging loops. The extra grip of the fingers of each hand inside those closed loops allows very firm tightening.

• When tying the knot, each loop is held closed as though it is a double-thickness end of a single shoelace. The completed bow will have two single-loops and two double-loops. The single-loops perform the same function as the loose ends of a regular shoelace knot, and it is those single-loops that are pulled to untie the knot.

• This lacing usually requires longer replacement shoelaces because the doubled loops require more length than would be available using the original shoelaces.

Corset Lacing Gallery

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Corset Lacing Video

Watch video: How to Corset Lace your shoes

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Shoelace Lengths for Corset Lacing

Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	188 cm	74 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
7 pairs	178 cm	70 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
6 pairs	167 cm	66 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
5 pairs	157 cm	62 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
4 pairs	146 cm	58 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
3 pairs	136 cm	54 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in
2 pairs	125 cm	49 in	–27.5 cm	–10.8 in

NOTE: These are approximate shoelace lengths for using this lacing on an average sized sneaker. For more accurate lengths, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.

Comparative Length

• MUCH longer shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, this method effectively shortens the ends substantially.

The significant difference is due to the two long tightening loops, which result in a bow made of doubled segments. This typically means that the original shoelaces won't be long enough.

More details about length comparisons.

Visitor Feedback

I have one pair of shoes AND my skates laced up with the Corset Lacing, which work WONDERFULLY, especially for the skates, tremendous lacing method for skates!

– J.D. F., Apr-2022

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