Corset Anatomy/ Components Quiz

Incorrect. A modesty panel is an optional flap of fabric that often covers the gap in the back of a corset (most often in the same fashion fabric as the rest of the corset). It's designed to hide the wearer's skin or liner to give more "privacy", it can protect the lacer against pinching or rope burn (or from an allergic reaction if the wearer is sensitive to metal grommets), and it makes the back of the corset look more congruous no matter if the wearer has a large or small gap.

In other areas of the fashion industry, you might see "modesty panel" to describe a snap-in flap of fabric to raise the neckline and conceal one's cleavage, but this is not the original purpose of a corset's modesty panel.

Sorry, that's incorrect! The traditional term is flossing. Corset flossing can be used as embellishment, but it's also functional - it can keep the bone in place so it doesn't slide around in its channel, and it can hide a modification or repair previously made to the corset.

Sorry, that's not right. These slots are typically called bone channels. When you go shopping for corset supplies, you may find the term "bone casing" as well, which are long tubular tapes that can be easily sewn down.

Nope.  While there are corset makers who regularly make their corsets from twill, canvas or special broche, these may not necessarily have a herringbone weave. Coutil usually has a distinctive herringbone weave and is considered by some corset makers to be the best strength fabric for corsets. Coutil is a great strength fabric because it's usually 100% cotton (natural and breathable), it's very strong, and its herringbone weave resists stretching or warping in any direction.

Sorry, incorrect.

A busk may include a bone, but it's distinct from a bone because of its loops and pins!

Likewise, a "hook and eye" closure today (such as what's seen on the back of a brassiere) is usually not be anchored on a bone but rather flexible tape.

While buttons were sometimes seen on the occasional corset, their use was not a common occurrence as they were often not strong enough to hold the tension.

There is no component of a corset that is called "rod".

Incorrect. Cording is an area where a maker has threaded 'cord' through thin passages or channels. When you do this again and again very close together, it adds structure and body to the corset. It can prevent wrinkling and in some applications, can be used as a soft alternative to bones. Cording in antique corsets have been done with string, hair or even twisted paper!

While corduroy does look like it has cords, this is how the fabric is already made. Ribbing is also made by the weave of a fabric. Rumble strips are used on the highway to alert drifting drivers, and a Frottoir is another name for a rubboard/ washboard (for laundering or as a musical instrument).

Incorrect. More often than not, the laces are threaded through grommets or eyelets.