Okay, here's how you tight-lace a corset by yourself:
1) Loosen the corset by pulling the edges apart and moving your hands in an up/down motion. The important thing here is that the two long loops should be about the same length. Sometimes you have to work at this as it's very easy for one of the loops to get much longer than the other.
2) Attach the corset and fasten each of the busks. If the corset isn't loose enough this can be very difficult to do (so return to step one if you have trouble). Also, make sure the corset is on right-side up! Depending on the corset it is sometimes difficult to tell. The "knot" of the lacing is generally at the bottom. If you do put it on upside down it will be VERY uncomfortable (I know from experience here).
3) Now grab the two hanging loops of cord and hold them in in front of you. Each loop has a "top" and "bottom". The "top" is the one that goes into the top hole, the "bottom" goes into the bottom hole.
4) Let go of the loops, reach both hands behind you and grab the "top" string of each loop right at the holes. Pull them gently forward (and slightly down) till they are at your sides. The "top" strings control the upper half of the corset. To tighten them you will pull the strings DOWN (toward your feet). Before you pull, suck your gut and chest in as much as you can. Then pull both strings AT THE SAME TIME down toward your feet.
5) Now repeat with the "bottom" strings. Only here you will pull UP (toward your head). Remember to "suck your gut in" before you pull. A well made corset will hold its position between the pulls so you don't have to try to keep it from slipping back.
6) Repeat (both top and bottom, alternating) until you can't pull anymore (or until you reach your comfort level).
7) The excess string can be quite long. Corsets are designed to be tied in the back but I find that can leave a pretty big bulge on your back. What I do is wrap the cord around my waist (sometimes twice, depending on the cord length) and then tie it in the front. I cover the corset with a compression garment (really helps smooth the lines) before getting dressed.
That's it! I hope the instructions are clear enough. I may try to make a video at some point for others just starting.
1) Loosen the corset by pulling the edges apart and moving your hands in an up/down motion. The important thing here is that the two long loops should be about the same length. Sometimes you have to work at this as it's very easy for one of the loops to get much longer than the other.
2) Attach the corset and fasten each of the busks. If the corset isn't loose enough this can be very difficult to do (so return to step one if you have trouble). Also, make sure the corset is on right-side up! Depending on the corset it is sometimes difficult to tell. The "knot" of the lacing is generally at the bottom. If you do put it on upside down it will be VERY uncomfortable (I know from experience here).
3) Now grab the two hanging loops of cord and hold them in in front of you. Each loop has a "top" and "bottom". The "top" is the one that goes into the top hole, the "bottom" goes into the bottom hole.
4) Let go of the loops, reach both hands behind you and grab the "top" string of each loop right at the holes. Pull them gently forward (and slightly down) till they are at your sides. The "top" strings control the upper half of the corset. To tighten them you will pull the strings DOWN (toward your feet). Before you pull, suck your gut and chest in as much as you can. Then pull both strings AT THE SAME TIME down toward your feet.
5) Now repeat with the "bottom" strings. Only here you will pull UP (toward your head). Remember to "suck your gut in" before you pull. A well made corset will hold its position between the pulls so you don't have to try to keep it from slipping back.
6) Repeat (both top and bottom, alternating) until you can't pull anymore (or until you reach your comfort level).
7) The excess string can be quite long. Corsets are designed to be tied in the back but I find that can leave a pretty big bulge on your back. What I do is wrap the cord around my waist (sometimes twice, depending on the cord length) and then tie it in the front. I cover the corset with a compression garment (really helps smooth the lines) before getting dressed.
That's it! I hope the instructions are clear enough. I may try to make a video at some point for others just starting.