create and accentuate the shape. Boning was used wholly for the support of the shape created by the cut of the fabric. Bones were most commonly made of steel by this time, and were often placed in pairs within casings that did not follow the placement of the corset's seams. By the 1910s, the cut of corsets had become longer though less complex, and boning in corsets became merely a means to keep the corset's fabric taut. By the mid 1910s to 1930s, the emphasis was placed on comfort and the rigid steel boning was almost completely replaced by the more flexible spiral steel boning. Modern steel bones come in two basic varieties: "flat" steel boning (sometimes called just "enamel" or "rigid" boning) and "spiral" steel boning. Spiral boning is flattish but thicker than flat boning because of the tips required on the ends. Flat boning bends in only one direction, while spiral steel boning bends easily in two directions. Spiral steel boning may thus be used on curved channels or where a more gentle support is acceptable. Both varieties are rigid lengthwise. Modern corset makers differ greatly in the type and size of modern steel boning that they use. For those unable to procure steel boning, there are several alternative options, depending on the style of the corset desired. Cable ties (found in 36, 48 and 52 inch lengths) from a hardware store can be used in a pinch. Traditionally plastic boning such as featherweight and Rigilene are considered low quality and unsupportive. New advances in plastic boning have brought about what is known in the costume and historical spheres as synthetic whalebones. Providing a much more flexible shape synthetic whalebone comes in variety of historical sizing. 4mmx1mm is most suitable for pre-19th century stays and bodies especially fully boned stays. 6mmx1.5 is most suitable for 19th century corsets. References External links Corsets at Chicago History Museum Digital Collections 16th-century fashion 17th-century fashion 18th-century fashion 19th-century fashion 20th-century fashion Corsetry History of clothing (Western fashion)