How do I get that inverted V?

[iain robb]

So I'm making an Elizabethan gown for my wife, and I almost have the bodice done. I was planning to cartridge-pleat the skirt all the way around and then I started thinking. Dangerous thing, thinking. Anyway, it seems to me that if I cartridge-pleat all the way around, instead having an open inverted V in front, the skirt would close up.

The patterns I'm using -- Simplicity 2589 and 3782 -- have just a few smaller pleats in the front and cartridge pleating in the back. Is that so the inverted V opening is there?

Or is there another answer? Am I overthinking this?

[Margaret]

The easy answer is Yes, you are over thinking it.   

When you attatch the skirt to the waistband via cartridge pleating, the curve of the farthingale will cause the skirt to split open in front, thus giving you that inverted V shape.

So, keep doing what you are doing - it's all good.

[iain robb]

Oh, of course! Thanks!

Now I need to figure out how much fabric I need to make it all the way around, cartridge-pleated...

[Rowan MacD]

  That is determined by how full you want the skirt to be.
The waist edge is pleated down to the waist band measurement, just distribute the pleats accordingly.  Most cartridge pleating is not done all the way around the waist. 
   Stop about about 5-8" from the front (finished) opening on each side. This will leave you with the front hanging flat.

[Rennigirl]

  That is determined by how full you want the skirt to be.
The waist edge is pleated down to the waist band measurement, just distribute the pleats accordingly.  Most cartridge pleating is not done all the way around the waist. 
   Stop about about 5-8" from the front (finished) opening on each side. This will leave you with the front hanging flat.

What she said.   

I have skirts made of thin dupioni silk that have 6 yds in them as well as skirts with thicker material where I have used only 4 yds.

For some reason (for me) it has always been a 4" space in front before I start the cartridge pleating.  It is something where there is no hard and fast rule of "It is historically correct to have a blah blahblah...."  It's whatever you feel good with.

[iain robb]

Thank you. This has been very helpful. You know, when you're doing something new, it's really nice to be able to go to people who have been there, done that. What a great group of people here ...