HELP NEEDED PART 2 - skirt for crinoline - panic over

[Engineer]

My wife recently acquired a crinoline type peticoat for a wedding dress. Can anyone direct me to a good (and preferably simple to make) skirt pattern to go over this? Somthing that billows out a bit to get the full advantage of the crinoline.

I don't need the pattern to be fancy, as a large gausy bustle will be used to finish the costume off. If the pattern doesn't waste too much material in ruffles/pleats, etc. then all the better, as we have some really nice silk in mind for the skirt (but in limited quantity).

[frances]

Have you a picture of what you have in mind?  A bustle at the back of a crinoline?

[Engineer]

Have you a picture of what you have in mind?  A bustle at the back of a crinoline?

Ignore th bustle comment, as that confuses the issue (all will become clear when with a final photo). We have one of those man-layered & pleasted wedding crinolines and need to come up with a top skirt to cover it.

[Hez]

I don't mean to nit-pick but I was trying to figure out how a man-layering was different than other layering.  Eventually I figured out "y" I was having difficulty.
Try this first on cheap liner so that you know if it will sit right.  
The easiest pattern I can think of is to measure the circumference of the petticoat (wearing it), devide that number by 6 (front (1), side front (2), side back (2) and back(1)) Measurements should be closer together (say 2") for the first 12 inches from the top then every foot or so to the hem.  Add extra for gathers and freedom off movement and so the skirt doesn't cling to the petticoat.
                    
             /      \              24"       >4"      +   1.5"  =5.5"                            
          /            \           27"       >4.5"   +   1.5"  =6"                            
       /                  \          30"      >5"     +   2"    =7"                        
     /                      \                                                                  
    /                        \        45"     >7.5"  +   2"    =9.5"                        
   /                          \                                                            
  /                            \     66"    >11"    +     2"  =13"                

Draw out the resulting triangles, remembering to add seam allowances and hems, sew the triangles together and gather the waist to fit.  
Tweak the results on your cheap fabric.  If your silk will allow you may be able to cut it as \/\/\/\] with very little wasted fabric.  Remember to fold one end to get the double width front panel.

Disclaimer - the above drawing is merely an artist's (ha!) rendering and any attempt to sew a garment based on the given measurements will result in wasted fabric, lack of shevelment and general humiliation.

[frances]

I suggest that you plan for a padded/wadding layer between in the crinoline cage and the outer layer so that the boning does not get to show through when wearing it, particularly when sitting down.

Plan for one hoop to be at finger-tip level so that when wife is going up a hill she can easily grab hold of the hoop and lift it up - else she can easily trip over the hem as it drags on the ground.

Also try not to have a hoop directly under her behind when she sits down.  That can lead to embarrassing moment of undies-showing.

How many hoops does your crinoline cage have at the moment?

[Engineer]

Panic over!

A successful foray to the collection of vintage clothes shops in Bournemouth netted a large satin skirt that works perfectly with the big petticoat, so I don't need to make a skirt just yet.

Hez - thanks for the pattern - I will try that out when I get some free time without distractions. Fortinately i now don't have to rush anymore before Lincoln.

Frances - thanks for the useful comments. As commented before, its not actually a hooped crinoline but a huge petticoat that we have (apologies for the confusion). However, when we visited my favorite vintage shop at the weekend they did have such a hooped beast hanging up and we may well pick that up if its still there next time