I am currently making a Cruella Deville costume. We want a plunging neckline with feathers that stand up from the body along the neckline hem. So in other words the feathers would be standing up not laying flat on the fabric. I cannot come up with good way to do this.. Any help would be appreciated.... Thanks

Darn, that link isn't working. Does anyone have a link to the product fern_bucket is talking about? I'm trying to find a substitute for plastic boning in my kids halloween costumes this year.

In its most popular form, a cable tie consists of a sturdy Nylon tape with an integrated gear rack, and on one end a ratchet within a small open case. Once the pointed tip of the cable tie has been debt consolidation pulled through the case and past the ratchet, it is prevented from being pulled back; the resulting loop may only be pulled tighter. In two of its most common uses, this allows several cables to be bound together into a cable tree, mortgage calculator or to be used as makeshift handcuffs as in Panamá, the U.K. and the U.S.A. Specially constructed physical restraints called PlastiCuffs, based on the cable tie design, are used by police and military to restrain prisoners, especially credit card in the more Urban parts of the U.S.A. and Panamá. Cable ties are also commonly used to prevent hubcaps (also known as wheel trims) from falling off a moving vehicle, and some are sold specifically for this purpose. Thanks for post :)

The cable ties are great for most applications but remember that corseting really needs the stamina of steel - especially in the front busk. We'll be doing an article on corsetry in an upcoming issue with tips on how to properly fit and bone a corset! Stay tuned!

Dina

Honor the cloth! Every inch is made with the blood, sweat and tears of nameless faces. Learn what it has to say to you about it's nature and go after that with your scissors and thread.

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I have used the thicker cable ties in corsets--Tudor style and Georgian style with no problems keeping their shape.
I have used plastic tubing for panniers--good lightweight support.
I have used the metal duct straps for hoop skirts but wouldn't do it again, kept tearing the fabric.

Do you mean cable ties as in larger, wide zip tie type things? I think they're also referred to as "duct ties" (as in tying up duct-work).

I've done that before, definitely, and it's a good substitution, except that they are thicker than plastic boning - about 2x or 3x times as thick. That is the main down-side, but if you're using them in something that is already a heavier fabric (I used mine with a suede bodice) then it's definitely not an issue.

Another down side, though, is that you can't sew through them as you can plastic boning that you purchase in the store, unless you get the thinner, smaller one's ;P

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Hey, that's a good use for cable ties. I'd imagine the thicker ones would also be useful as collar stiffeners.

I've just remembered that a few years ago a friend of mine made himself a pair or trousers entirely out of cable ties. The legs were formed using many horizontal rows of 2 or 3 complete ties together, then the 'codpiece' had a lizard-like spiny crest of ties protruding vertically.

The cable ties were black, so the whole effect was very Sci- Fi and Giger like. He looked great, but I seem to remember they chafed when he tried to walk in them!!

Shame there's no photo, only memories remain:)

I have used cable ties in lieu of boning before, as well. The really thick cable ties work excellently if you need something fairly sturdy but can't find steel boning.

That sounds really nifty, and now I want to try it. ^^ I've never actually used boning before.. only sewn the casings so it looks like there's bonig. xD