After I finish my christmas sewing I want to start on a hoop skirt and bumb roll. I was planning to use muslin for the fabric. I wanted to see what you guys suggest for what to use for the hoops? I got some great advice from everyone when I made my corset and it turned out great. Some time I might have a change to post photos of some of me sewing projects.
I made my bum roll out of broadcloth. My farthingale is either broadcloth or something just a little heavier weight.
I used pillow ticking for my farthingale, just because I had it. Sheeting works well. You want something fairly light but hard wearing.
For the channels I used cotton tape, and I used cheap plastic boning for the hoops. After I made the farthingale, I got a really good tip from a wedding dress maker of long standing: Use something like Treslo trifold for all but the bottom hoop, and make that a good strong metal one. It works!
For the Hoop skirt or farthingales, as they are called, I use a Cotton Drapery lining. Cotton Drapery lining is heavier than regular broadcloths. For the hooping channels, I use Singlefold wide bias tape. 3 to 4 rows depending on the height of the client I am making one for. I use the same fabric for bumrolls.
Here is one I made for Lady Delaney this year.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs340.ash1/29166_428191811279_568686279_5911907_269918_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs340.ash1/29166_428192261279_568686279_5911912_5942592_n.jpg)
For the hooping itself, I recommend Hoop Steel. I may have seen some on eBay. I order mine through http://www.farthingales.on.ca/hoopsteel.php (http://www.farthingales.on.ca/hoopsteel.php) i was sure that there was a Los Angeles store.
The cheapest way is to use two king size,, all cotton sheets from a thrift store.
I made a nice, heavy linen farthingale, with 6/7 hoops (can't remember how many). Washes up beautifully, and worth every penny. It holds up very well, even under heavy velvet skirts. I used heavy hoop steel, because I don't like ending up with "Taco dress"! ;D
I would stay away from muslin, as it stretches a bit. You don't want stretch.
Lady Kathleen that farthingale is gorgeous. Boy I hope I can get to a point where I can get my garments to come out that nice. I have a few things that come out very well, but they always seem to be the items I'm sewing for someone else. The best piece I've done so far is an Elizabethan doublet for my brother. I'll have to get a pic of it to post.
I was finally able to post my first photo of one of my finished projects in the finished projects thread. I'm so excited! ;D