Sorry all,
Ive just flipped back several pages through here and I can't find peeps comments about how wide the bottom hoop of a farthingale/hoop skirt should be. Can someone please repost either the link or the answer? I have the link for the calculator that tells you where to put each hoop and its diameter, but Im also curious what the "typical" diameter/circumference is for a standard noble's gown. Even a range would be handy. Thanks!
There was a thread that did discuss this a bit.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=1991.msg29805#msg29805
I made my bottom hoop 116 inches in circumference.
Baroness Doune has a wonderful dress diary with great detail and pictures. http://www.karen.htmlcreators.com/farthingales.html.
I think mine was about 116" and it worked pretty well - except it kept folding in...which I still don't know how to fix. The 116 was just about perfect because it wasn't too big, but still made the dress have some volume.
I'm 5'6" and my bottom hoop is 112". I always think of it like a lamp shade-I'm shorter than the Baroness is and I have narrow shoulders, (under 14" across the back) so it makes sense that her hoop is larger than mine. It's a matter of proportions
You can always put a string or extra long measuring tape on the ground and adjust it until you find the size that feels right for you.
Quote from: broadwaygal24601 on August 22, 2008, 11:58:22 PM
I think mine was about 116" and it worked pretty well - except it kept folding in...which I still don't know how to fix. The 116 was just about perfect because it wasn't too big, but still made the dress have some volume.
What did you use for the bottom hoop? If the hoop folds in on itself, it usually means it was too light weight for the job. If you are wearing heavy fabrics over it especially, it's quit a good idea to use a heavy weight steel boning (the flat sort, not the spiral type) for the bottom hoop. It's more expensive than plastic, but worth it for the lowest hoop.
PS: Another trick is just to use a second hoop of lighter boning in the same channel, if there's room.
I remember having a discussion on this a month or so ago. Here is a site that was recommended and I found it very helpful...
http://www.margaretroedesigns.com/resources.html
Look for the link Farthingale Calculator It made the whole process sooo much easier. It calculates each hoops diameter for you according to your height. No guessing:) I took the diameter of my garb down a few inches as I dress in Middles and should not have as large a farthingale as a noble lady. I believe I made my bottom diameter around 116.
Thanks all, your suggestions really helped. My hoop was originally set to over 130 inches, so it would have looked a bit ridiculous. As I dont have alot of space in front of my mirror to help gauge such things, I couldnt get a good idea of the proportions.