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Forgive me if I have failed to sufficiently search this site for an answer to this question! I hope no one will be repeating herself in answering me.

Is there a pattern or need for a petticoat to go over the 1858 crinoline (TV 141)? I feel that the cages should have a patticoat to smooth the hard lines of the bones, yet I cannot find a pattern for a petticoat anywhere, not on TV, nor on any other historic pattern site. Is one simply to make one from a skirt pattern, using suitable material? Or are they just not used? I am especially confused by the Demi Fashions pattern for 1860s underwear, as it includes a petticoat to go over the TV 141 reduced size.

Thank you! I have ordered the round cage and early Victorian underwear set patterns, and am eagerly anticipating their arrival so I can start making them! Though I don't have much time due to school obligations, I am dying to make my own civil war dress, so I'll just fit in sewing where ever I can.

Victoria Rose

Just found, on http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/GAMC/FP/index.htm, instructions for a petticoat of varrying size. Would this work for the cage I mention above?

[Heather]

Yes, that petticoat should be just fine.

I do not have a petticoat pattern in full size. But I have been meaning to list instructions for making a very pretty one made out of eyelet, which is the same style as the DemiFashions one. In the morning, I will see what I can do about posting them here.

I kinda made my own based upon the Demi fashions petticoat. I made it with the top yoke section of three panels of 54 wide taffeta, then I pleated five panels on the bottom of the yoke. It's not over the cage crinoline, but one of my own:

Awesome! Thank you : )

As I won't be making the petticoat until I have made my corset, I guess I'll get to choose which pattern/instructions to use! I'll probably go for the one you put up, Heather, as 1) it will be tailored for the cage, and 2) I'm not fully comprehending the elizabethstewertclark instructions! When you post the instructions, where will we be able to find them?

Again, thanks so much for the replies and photos!

Victoria Rose

[Heather]

Ok, here you go, the diagram/instructions for the petticoat seen here:

http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/141pic.jpg

http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/eyelet%20petticoat.pdf

I will be adding a link in the catalog for these instructions, most likely on the TV141 page, and on the main hoop era page.

Great! Thanks so much, Heather!
I have one more question: Would it be appropriate time-wise to wear two petticoats over the cage? It would made a smoother line, I think, but would people have done this in the 1860s?

[Heather]

Absolutely, you can wear more than one. And most ladies did. I have read at least one article from the period advocating the use of only 1 petticoat, but it seemed to be a novel and not very popular idea.