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I finally have pics of the skirt and petticoat I drafted with that Keystone tailoring guide. I'm sorry that they're not perfectly focused; my older sister was acting really rude and refused to take them for me, so I had to use the timer and hope I showed up in the frame. I also have my other three (slightly starched) pettis on underneath in the photos.



Agh! I just noticed the huge mess in the background....









Each flounce on the petticoat is bound with self bias, and the 18 foot hem is bound with store-bought bias. Each seam except the placket seam was serged, then felled to one side and stitched, which saved a lot of time. There's also a 3 inch toffee-coloured taffeta ruffle hiding underneath the bottom flounce.

The skirt needs ironing, and I need to sew a tie at the back to keep the gathers in place. The pocket openings need to be topstitched, as well, and I'm going to have to sew some snaps in the placket opening to keep it from gapping, but other than those minor details it's basically done. I love it, though, it's so dang full. That's a good four feet of fabric pleated or gathered at the center back of both skirts. And it really helps to make it look like I have hips. The netted hem facings really made a difference in the overall silhouette.

[Heather]

Love the shape that gives your skirt! Great job! I know you will get a lot of use out of the those pettis.

The skirt is a *really* nice shape and heck, I'm noticing the corset even more! Nice color and good look to it.

Thank you!

I just compared the last photo with Koshka's elliptical hoop; it looks the same size:





I ordered the patterns for the new dress, by the way, including the elliptical hoop! I can't wait for them to get here! *anticipation*

Heather: is that the type of petti I would need for the 1890s ripple skirt?

[Heather]

There is no "right/wrong" petticoat to use. But the layers/ruffles always help. Anything that gets you lots of fullness is good.

That is so beautiful. You are on your way to master tailor, my dear friend! Keep up the exceptional work! I would love a petti like that. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Lioness!

I made a bustle pad from the Laughing Moon hoops and bustles pattern--it helps to keep the skirt back from slipping down, and it makes my derriere look more curvy. It's made from an old green Salvation Army pillowcase with white bias for waist ties, and stuffed with eco-friendly bamboo fiberfill. Very soft, it wicks away moisture better than cotton or linen (and is therefore cooler). And it's naturally antibacterial.





It did flatten out a bit when the fiberfill compressed, but not too much--it gives a good shape without being heavily pronounced.

I really need to replace those pockets with black broadcloth pockets....that will come later, I guess.