So I finally finished these stays. I never did manage to find just the right shade of blue/grey fabric for the bias binding and in the end I just gave in and went with a pale blue, otherwise they may never have been finished.
It doesn't matter how bendy your joints are, or even if you're a direct descendant of Houdini, getting in and out of back lacing stays is just too difficult without help. So, I really wanted a front lacing pair of stays to be able to put them on myself without needing an assistant.
I also made the straps front and back lacing for extra prettiness.
I love stay-making, it's so theraputic and satisfying to see them come together, so much to entertain the eye.