petticoat for winter skirt

For those do-it-yourselfers...
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timemeddler
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petticoat for winter skirt

Post by timemeddler »

https://www.historicalemporium.com/store/006572.php
So I got this in navy blue for nearly half off, and since cold weather is coming up I want to be ready, I have a matching wool cloak, now for some extra insulation underneath. I've been watching how to's and it seems most Victorian petticoats are just box skirts made to go underneath, essentially a big slip, will be using nearly four yards of cotton fabric.(try fitting that much insulation under pants).

Now the part I'm wondering about is the weight. It's already fairly hefty and will be taken in about an inch and a half at the waist. I can always wear it over one of my corsets, but I was thinking, what making it like a suspender skirt? anyone tried anything similiar with a hefty outfit?
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crfriend
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by crfriend »

timemeddler wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 12:13 amhttps://www.historicalemporium.com/store/006572.php
So I got this in navy blue for nearly half off, and since cold weather is coming up I want to be ready, I have a matching wool cloak, now for some extra insulation underneath. I've been watching how to's and it seems most Victorian petticoats are just box skirts made to go underneath, essentially a big slip, will be using nearly four yards of cotton fabric.(try fitting that much insulation under pants).
That is a positively grand skirt -- I've got two, one in black and another in green. They're fabulous!

On the petticoats. The same supplier has a darned good selection, and I heartily recommend the various cotton ones. They're machine-washable and fairly hard-wearing. I had the waist elastics fail in one of mine, but merely ordered a replacement as I didn't want to deal with the fuss of restringing waistband elastic (which, with the design, would have been "difficult". Others have tie-down waistbands, which obviates the elastic problem.
Now the part I'm wondering about is the weight. It's already fairly hefty and will be taken in about an inch and a half at the waist. I can always wear it over one of my corsets, but I was thinking, what making it like a suspender skirt? anyone tried anything similiar with a hefty outfit?
Indeed, if that's the same design I have, that's already a 5+ pound skirt, and will have a substantial desire to "head south". As I've lost a lot of weight already (and continue to lose more as I age), I've resorted to men's clip-on suspenders (braces) to keep some of the skirts up. Those are available from several sources.
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timemeddler
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by timemeddler »

crfriend wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 12:25 am
timemeddler wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 12:13 amhttps://www.historicalemporium.com/store/006572.php
So I got this in navy blue for nearly half off, and since cold weather is coming up I want to be ready, I have a matching wool cloak, now for some extra insulation underneath. I've been watching how to's and it seems most Victorian petticoats are just box skirts made to go underneath, essentially a big slip, will be using nearly four yards of cotton fabric.(try fitting that much insulation under pants).
That is a positively grand skirt -- I've got two, one in black and another in green. They're fabulous!

On the petticoats. The same supplier has a darned good selection, and I heartily recommend the various cotton ones. They're machine-washable and fairly hard-wearing. I had the waist elastics fail in one of mine, but merely ordered a replacement as I didn't want to deal with the fuss of restringing waistband elastic (which, with the design, would have been "difficult". Others have tie-down waistbands, which obviates the elastic problem.
Now the part I'm wondering about is the weight. It's already fairly hefty and will be taken in about an inch and a half at the waist. I can always wear it over one of my corsets, but I was thinking, what making it like a suspender skirt? anyone tried anything similiar with a hefty outfit?
Indeed, if that's the same design I have, that's already a 5+ pound skirt, and will have a substantial desire to "head south". As I've lost a lot of weight already (and continue to lose more as I age), I've resorted to men's clip-on suspenders (braces) to keep some of the skirts up. Those are available from several sources.
Yeah, If i don't get around to sewing my own petticoat, I'll no doubt just order one, clip on suspenders sound like a good way to test the idea. Of course it's also no biggie for me to take it in, I usually order a size up with skirts if I'm on the size line unless it's elastic.
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by Seb »

I don't know if its any help but one of my skirts I made(the back pleated one) is about 3m*70cm of 200g cotton fabric. Its held up by a 38mm elastic band in a channel(so it can be replaced if needed) and belt loops for good measure. It stays up just fine with only elastic though. Clip on suspenders should work too ofc.

A lighter material as Organza, chiffon or tulle is often used too and have advantages and disadvantages.
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shadowfax
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Braces/Suspenders with buttons?

Post by shadowfax »

I saw that clip-on braces/suspenders to help hold up heavy skirts were mentioned in the posts above.

I wonder whether button braces would be a better idea? Less wear on the fabric of the waistband and more secure.
Buttons would need to be sewn onto the inside of the waistband of the skirt of course.
Image
Image linked from this website, where they sell other type of braces including clip-on braces and combi clip-on and button braces.
Grok
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by Grok »

Had been experimenting with a heavy denim skirt and the clip-on type.

Immediately after trying on the rig one clip-on failed, leaving the skirt at half mast on that side. I imagined the skirt falling to my ankles in public. :shock:

Discontinued that particular project after reaching the conclusion that I don't like denim skirts.
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by Grok »

BTW, I would suggest looking for the widest version of straps, to distribute the weight a bit more. With my experiment I found the thin straps pressing down uncomfortably on my shoulders
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by Mouse »

Seb wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 6:25 am A lighter material as Organza, chiffon or tulle is often used too and have advantages and disadvantages.
The long petticoat I recently wore out, is made from some smooth stiff material that was very light weight. I was surprised how warm my legs felt in the day, even though the material was so lightweight, I guess there was just a lot of it and the air between the folds was doing the insulating. Mine was just held up with elastic. https://amzn.eu/d/ayzneQl
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Seb
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Re: petticoat for winter skirt

Post by Seb »

Mouse wrote: Thu Oct 17, 2024 7:16 am The long petticoat I recently wore out, is made from some smooth stiff material that was very light weight. I was surprised how warm my legs felt in the day, even though the material was so lightweight, I guess there was just a lot of it and the air between the folds was doing the insulating. Mine was just held up with elastic. https://amzn.eu/d/ayzneQl
Yeah, I believe that one is Organza, lots of volume. Tulle is stiffer and tends to annoy skin (so you want to have a slip under it) but provides more volume per layer.
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