Dear Sir,–I have been very interested in the recent letters published in your topping paper about very tight lacing, and I would like to add my experiences to those others who are interested in the most fascinating subject in the world.
I was first attracted to tiny waists when I came to live with my aunt, about twelve months ago. She had been subjected to drastic lacing during the period of wasp-waists, and her description of the wonderful feeling of being very tightly laced excited me so much that I begged her to train my figure, and she willingly agreed.
She had kept all the instruments and corsets which had been used on her years before, so I was rapidly reduced from my quite untrained state to a 19 in. waist by means of long heavy corsets, worn night and day, and constantly this gradually reduced.
As my waist was reduced, the height of my heels was increased, and after six months’ training I was wearing heels varying between 4in. and 5½in. in height.
As my waist was gradually reduced, my aunt became keener and keener, that I should have a “pipe-stem” waist, and I agreed that she should do as she desired. (She would have done so in any case.)
The actual forming of my “stove-pipe” was at first gradual. Short, almost rigid corsets, being laced and reduced till I measured only 17½ in. round.
The first ceremony was not gradual, and this was the procedure. The corset, which had four lacings–back, front, and both sides, was just over 6in. deep, and was quite rigid, being steeled at tiny intervals, was placed in position and laced up till I measured 17in. and the openings were all even.
I was next prepared for the serious lacing a soft leather belt being strapped round me under my arms and attached to hooks hanging from the ceiling; and round my legs, above the knees, another leather band was tightly strapped, and by means of ropes attached to this belt and running through a pulley on the floor, my aunt and her helpers were able to stretch me till I felt I should pull in two.
My wrists were then tied together to be out of the way, and the lacing commenced. First back and front were reduced a little, and then both sides, till my aunt and her friend could pull in no more, and then the dreadful metal vice was put on. This is a metal band split in two, placed round the waist, and then forced together by means of longbolts and large thumb-screws. By this means they at last made all the lacings meet, and I had a real “pipe-stem” waist measuring just over 13½ in.
When I was released, I could not stand. My body felt as if it had no connection with my legs, and until a long supporting corset was laced on and I was dressed, I was quite helpless. Although it is dreadfully painful, the possession of a really tiny waist is wonderfully fascinating.
Please excuse the length of this letter. I hope it is not too long.
Yours truly,
ROSE.