Noble Children Underthings

[LadyFae]

I will be starting to make my girls their noble garb soon and I am wondering what they should wear under their skirts.  Hoop skirts?  Crinolines?  Just a bum roll?  Do their ages have bearing on your thoughts about this?  They are 1, 3, and 5 and all tiny for their ages.

[isabelladangelo]

None of the above.   

http://dic.academic.ru/pictures/wiki/files/80/Pieter_Bruegel_d._%C3%84._041.jpg

The above is a link to a painting called "Childern's Games" painted by Bruegel in 1560.  You can see several little girls in the painting with their skirts up over their heads (I saw a little girl doing this in Church not to long ago.  She was about two or three and decided the skirt made a perfect way to play peek-a-boo!).  You can see they all have smocks on, boots, and their skirts are lined.  The dresses are very simple -two front pieces and a back piece with an attached skirt.   Even the little ones wear aprons and coifs. 

If you want them to have "princess" dresses, I'd have the sleeves made out of a fancy material, have a pretty sheer for the apron, and just make the dresses out of a good brocade or jacquard.   The basic cuts and style stay the same, though. 

[LadyFae]

So do you think that pleating would give them enough "oomph?"  There gowns will be similar to what I am wearing in my avitar picture.  It has always been my understanding that children were clothed as mini-adults and so young girls would still have the extra poof and support under their heavy skirts.

[isabelladangelo]

What you could do, if you really want the skirts to go "out", if add a bit of stiffened wool or some heavy fiber to encase inside the hem of the skirt.  (heavy denim or duck cloth both work)  This will allow the skirts to have a more a-line view but with minimal "accessories" for both them to wear and you to make.   

You might be interested in http://www.larsdatter.com/children-renaissance.htm to see more kids clothing in period.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I am not a seamstress, but I am a mother (of boys, now grown).  However, a mother is a mother.  Don't forget, as pretty as your little girls will look, you will have to take them to the bathroom.  It's hard enough for an adult wearing many layers.  My suggestion:  keep it simple.

[LadyFae]

LOL, Renee!  Yeah, I know!  The gowns I'm planning will actually be less layers than what they normally wear to Fest as fairies-layers and layers and layers of tulle, organza, ect. along with wings, pouches and whatnot.
I was thinking that I could get away with just a bum roll for each of them because I will be cartridge pleating the skirts, but should I skip the cartridge pleats and box or knife pleat them instead?

[operafantomet]

What you could do, if you really want the skirts to go "out", if add a bit of stiffened wool or some heavy fiber to encase inside the hem of the skirt.  (heavy denim or duck cloth both work)  This will allow the skirts to have a more a-line view but with minimal "accessories" for both them to wear and you to make.   

I recommend this too. I do it for my own skirts, and it makes such a difference. Adding a removable tuck or two in the hem will stiffen it further, as well as allowing the skirt to "grow" with the child. I've written about it here:
http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/doppia.html

You can make a small bum roll to wear under the skirt as well. It's not a must, as pleated/gathered semi stiff fabric will usually be enough for a small body. But it might give just a tad more oomph, it depends on the "class" the children are supposed to belong to.