How can i make my dress do this? PLEASE HELP?

Question

im making a costume for a convention and i am making this dress

http://www.cosplaymagic.com/chchbrdrco.html

and i need my dress to go out at the bottom like in that picture...

i was thinking crinoline but that stuff annoys me and i have to walk around all day and then i started thinking wire but i figured that might lose its shape when i sit down and when i get bumped into because the conventions are really crowded

so i wondering if you guys had any ideas on what to do or any wire that wont lose its shape...

thanks,

kayleigh

Answer 1

Horsehair braid trim is designed for this - except nowadays it's usually synthetics instead of actual horse hair.  It's used in evening/bridal gowns and 50's skirts to keep the flair out.  You can find it at any fabric store.

Answer 2

If you use felt as your fabric and cut it from a circle pattern it will stand out on it's own. Then just put a full slip underneath it.

a crinoline slip will not loose it's shape from you sitting. A bridal slip is going to be  full length with the fullness at the very bottom.

You could cut it out of felt first, then use a stiffer interfacing as a lining.

Answer 3

Crinolines or square dance petticoats would be best.  If you're afraid of scratchiness, there are non-scratchy petticoats, and you can also get ruffled pettipants to wear unde them as well.  These don't crush as easily as you might think, either.

Answer 4

What about some kind of plastic tubing? It could be sewn into the bottom to help keep the circle shape but if someone bumped into you it would flex without getting lumpy like wire would. I bet Home Depo would have it.

Answer 5

Actually, the full crinoline will be the most comfortable if you're going to wear it all day.  You can enclose or line the tuile fabric so it's not scratchy.  If you use plastic like you might for a costume, then when you sit the skirt is going to ride straight up.  The horsehair braid will hold the skirt out with some body but probably not with the degree you need.

Try a cheap bridal shop like David's to see if they don't have a full half slip that would work and is comfortable.

Answer 6

If you wear a slip or some shorts under the crinoline, you won't even feel it.

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