Hoop Skirt Question...

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

I've searched the forum (garbing) for an answer and can't seem to find what I'm looking for. 

I'm wanting a hoop skirt to wear under my garb and I have found one I like and a good price.

My question is....

I'm short.  As in 5'2".  How do I know what length to get?  The one I'm looking at is a 3 hoop and in the description it says the actual length of the skirt is 40".  I know that part of that length will "poof" out a bit, but I'm not sure if it will "poof" out enough that I won't spend the whole day tripping over it.  (Sorry about "poof", I'm not sure how else to describe it.    I'll just blame it on the fact...it's been one of *those* kind of weeks).

I'll be wearing this under a chemise and overdress and eventually an underskirt (as soon as I learn how to sew).

Thanks!!!!

[isabelladangelo]

I think you will be wearing it over a chemise and under a dress but I get your point.   

Measure from your natural waist down to above your ankle.  That's how long you want the farthingale/hoop skirt to be.   I'm going to guess in your case it's about 36" rather than 40".   Since it's underwear, it's okay if it's a little shorter than you expect but not longer - after all, you don't want it "snowing down south!"

[redkimba]

I am 5 ft tall.   I wear a hoopskirt for 1860s wear.  My preference is for the bottom hoop to be no lower than mid-calf - that way I don't trip over it or have my foot catch in the bottom rung.  (it's cage crinoline)  

EDIT - My hoop is 29 inches from the bottom of the waistband to the bottom rung. 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A Farhingale(Hoop Slip) made for Lade de Laney last year. Made from 100% Cotton Drapery Lining, with Single Fold Wide Bias Tape for the Steel Hoop Channels. She is tall, so 4 rows of hoop channels were needed.

For someone under 5'4", 3 rows should suffice. The expense is in the Hoop Steel, which is not cheap. This farghingale is very sturdy and made to last years.

[DonaCatalina]

I am 5'4" and I use one of the cotton civil war hoops that I bought off ebay. It has 4 hoops. It was a little long so I took off 2" from the waist. It has lasted me now for 4 years and 4 different fairs.

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

Thank you everyone!!  I may have a lead on one that will get me through for a little while (until I can save up to get a nice one!).  Luckily, (and if it works out) the girl I'll be getting one from is the same height as me.  Got my fingers crossed that this works out.  If not...it's off to ebay!

Isabelladangelo...definitely don't want it "snowing down south"!!!!  lol 

Lady Kathleen...your farthingale is on my wishlist!! 

[Lady Gryphon]

I have a sort of related question.  How big around should a Farhingale be?  say my skirts are 3 panels, should my under pinning be the same?  I thought of trying my hand at one, I have some lovely very light weight cotton here that would be perfect.

Thank  you ladies for ALL you help.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Farthingales tend to be 108"(3 yards) around depending how full the under and overskirts are, and how tall the wearer is.

[Lady Gryphon]

Thank you Land Kathleen, as always you are a Fountain of valuable information, and I for one appreciate the fact that you are willing to share it.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Believe it or not, Lady Gryphon, the above Farthingale is drawn onto the fabric, double folded, so that there are panels drawn on the Salvage Side as well as the Fold side. There are 6 panels in all. The hooping channels start at the bottom, then 10" apart from there on out. So that makes for the Bell shape. I  decrease the lengths of the Hoop Steel  by 10" to 15" as well for the other 3 rows.

The first row of Hoop Steel measures 120" so that there is plenty of fold over in the channel.