Finally, we can return to the top strap created by section 1. We’ve waited this long because invariably, while tying, the dress has slipped a little. Make any adjustments, and then adjust the back knot so that it rests just above the zipper corset of section 3.

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Section 5 is the actual dress/skirt portion of the outfit. It uses the long loop from section 2 as the center post for the zipper tie.

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Take the running end from section 2 and split the lines.

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Section 3 is a basic zipper corset, using the short loop from the partially completed, section 2. Since this runs over a very large expanse of varied flesh, it is recommended that the zipper corset be built using a doubled over rope. This allows the construction to proceed from the narrowest part of the body, discouraging the rope from collapsing on itself during the wrapping.

Double the rope over and tie a lark’s head around the small loop from section 2.

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Section 2 is the lynch-pin of the dress. It anchors section 1 to the dress, is the center post for sections 3 and 5, and provides some flair to section 4. However, it is only partially tied at this point. 

It starts with a doubled over rope.

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Section 1 is the decorative neck and strap tie. It can be made arbitrarily complex because it can be done in advance and almost entirely in front of the wearer. 

Double over your rope, then double it again.

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Materials : rope. lots of rope. 

If you have to ask, you probably don’t have enough rope. For my brat, we ended up using 54m (6 lengths) black and 45m (5 lengths) of red.

Skill Level : moderate.

Two of the five sections are any real challenge, mostly just a lot of rope to deal with.

Time : significant. (1.5 hours, total)

Lots of rope takes lots of time to wrap.

Ties : square knot, double-coin knot, lark’s head, basic weave, zipper corset.

Overview

This dress is designed to be assembled in five sections. By building in sections, one can more easily adjust the fit as the night wears on. Each section is rather simple, consisting mostly of the zipper corset tied in front. The dress is designed to be removed from the thigh up.

If you want to go dancing, you can take off the lower section and dance. Come back, put it back on.

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Dyeing nylon rope is easy. Hell, there are even Two Knotty Boys rips of it, even though they provide them on their site. Take a gander at it. Here are some thoughts of my own to augment their seminal (snicker) work.

I actually cut and fuse my ends first. I find that working in the normal lengths is easier to manage. I’d also recommend loosely daisy-chaining the ropes. It keeps the tangle under control.

Once they’ve been soaking in the vat for a bit, you will likely notice a mottled pattern. 

You bought your rope at a big box hardware store, didn’t you? That rope isn’t actually pure nylon. It’s a blend with some poly-razmatz* that doesn’t take the dye for shit. Your best bet is online. This place has 3/16” pure nylon, but the 5/16” is not. I can’t speak to the 1/4”. If you find the pure shit, buy it. 

But, you know what? That bit of color is still often better than the same old white (unless that’s your thing). It can still be pleasing to the eye.

If you’ve got pure nylon, then you’ve got nice, rich colors!

The above picture has both pure and blended ropes that were dyed using the same Rit dye. In case you couldn’t tell: the pure nylon bind the blissed-out bottom, the blended ropes above.

* I’m a mad-scientist, I never said I was a mad-chemist.

i have yet to find an example of this corset tie anywhere online or in my various books, so until someone can tell me its “official” name, I’m calling this a zipper corset. Why? You’ll see.

1. Form a bight from what will become the standing end. The running end will be wrapped around this. I tied this on the front for this illustration, but usually I tie it in back.

2. Pass the running end over the standing end and around the torso. When you get back to the standing end, wrap the running end (over/under whatever, just be consistent) and return the running end back the way it came.

3. Repeat the wrapping, adjusting the tension as you go. Repeat until you are a rope’s width away from the end of the bight.

4. When you are near the bight, pass the running end through and pull the standing end to tighten the bight on the running end.

5. You are now done. Dress the dangly bits to make it perrrrty. I will usually tuck the spare rope between the zipper teeth.

6. To remove: return the running end back through the bight, then pull the standing end, hard. You will be reward with a most excellent reveal. I was going to post a video of the unzipping, but it looks as though my camera frak’ed it up. So, the unzip will be left as an exercise for the reader. :)