I suck at lucet braid too! I actually broke a wooden lucet once because my tension is waayyyy too tight. I mainly either to finger braiding or twisting the braid. I find it much cheaper than buying braid. It does take more time. I can do a few metres of fingerbraiding in a night. It is a good thing to do while watching telly...
I made all of the cording for D's doublet that way.
http://katerina.purplefiles.net/Dafydd/Dafydd%27s%20doublet%20embroidery.htm
and for this black padded doublet as well.
Bonus is I can buy yarn in the colour I want for the cording.
well worth the effort, I think.
:)
I also do fingerbraiding for most of my dress cords.