My me-made petticoat (under circle skirt)
How fluffy is too fluffy?
Last winter, I made a fluffy petticoat. I love it very much, and I’ve worn it relatively frequently, considering that it pretty clearly falls into the “stunt dressing” category.
But I’ve been thinking for a while that it’s just not quite fluffy enough. It’s made with soft tulle and chiffon, not the crispest fabrics out there, and it just doesn’t quite have the poof it used to. I even bought some more tulle to make another (or another layer to the existing one), although it’s still sitting in the stash at the moment.
Crinoline
Then, at Value Village the other day, this crinoline presented itself.
Fluffy! Thrift store crinoline.
It’s a perfect length for most of my circle-type skirts (okay, maybe a bit long, but nothing rolling over the waist won’t fix). And it’s got poof.
Plenty of it.
Possibly a bit too much poof for everyday… I already feel a bit like I’m taking up more space than I ought when I wear my me-made petticoat. I have a feeling this crinoline is crossing lines into square-dance territory, I fear.
But man, oh man, is it fun!
On the other hand, the kids have been wearing it around in a display of princessosity that hasn’t been seen since Syo finished Kindergarten. So I’m pretty sure either way it’ll get some use. And for $7, I’m not going to complain.
In other news, I have been bad (or good?) on the pattern front. I was lucky enough to win Heather of Sewing on Pins‘ giveaway a few weeks back, which netted me two nifty ffities patterns, my first from that era:
Patterns from Sewing on Pins!
Although I must admit, the skirt pattern barely qualifies. It’s basically a rectangle with some darts at the top. I do like how the ladies are holding up the pattern piece for show, though. The blouse is pretty cute and has an adorable V-back, with relatively little waist shaping. I’m curious to give it a try, but it may not happen before spring. Autumn has very definitely set in here…
Thrift Store Patterns
I also picked up a couple of patterns at the thrift store this week. What can I say? Fantasy life. Speaking of which, the baby pattern was strictly for “gee, I might want to make this up for someone who had a baby sometime” purposes. We are not expecting and do not expect to be (and even if it were I wouldn’t be getting it christened). Unfortunately, the instructions appear to be missing, unless they’re printed on the tissue sheets themselves, which are uncut.
I liked the range of variations on the Simplicity pattern, and it’s a junior size, which theoretically might be better suited to my figure. Or not. We’ll see. Tyo likes them, too, although it’ll be another year or two before she fits even the smallest of them.
Is that enough rambling? Can you tell I’m avoiding making Hallowe’en costumes?
Tanit-Isis Sews 
I say, the puffier the better! Great crinoline find.
Love the crinoline! I still haven’t worn my thrifted one, but one day… And I love that ’50s blouse pattern, so adorable! I thought the skirt pattern lady was holding some big art portfolio, thanks for pointing out they are pattern pieces 😉
Yay for stunt clothes. I think we need more of them. And the poofier the better, I say, on petticoats and circle skirts!
Hear hear, stunt clothes are the best! Even if they sit in the closet for too long, you never know when you need to just go take up space at the grocery store.
The problem is approximately 2/3 of my closet is various takes on stunt clothes…
I’m in the bigger is better camp. Making and wearing those fluffy skirts is kind of like crack. You keep needing more, more MORE fluffy in your life.
Or maybe that’s just me. I recently combined two of my medium fluffers for a mega fluffer, and I’m already thinking it could use another layer of tulle…
It is crack, isn’t it? I felt super-fluffy in my petticoat to begin with, and then after a couple of months I just needed *more*.
That blouse will be so cute on you! I need more stunt clothing- we all do!
I totally love the crinoline!
I love the concept of stunt dressing. Why don’t we have more of that?? And I don’t think it’s taking up too much space. It’s utterly cheerful.
I noticed the stunt dressing got a lot harder after high school. Suddenly I had more important things to do with my time than come up with the next rockin’ outfit. /sigh…
I’m now picturing you, like the little girl in Despicable Me, clutching the crinoline to your chest and saying, “It’s so soft and fluffy, I could DIE!”
I’m all for stunt dressing, although I would not be generous enough to allow my kids to play with my costumes. That’s just how I roll.
Juniors patterns have sometimes fit me better, in my skinnier moments, as I’m small of chest and straight of hip. You’ll want to watch the length though as they run short but that might not be a problem with your short torso.
Be happy you have boys… the girls have been into my clothes for years now (and Tyo had recently gotten big enough that some of them look better on her than me, too :P)
I made a dress from a Junior Petite pattern last winter and while I had to add loads of length to the sleeves and buckets to the skirt, the bodice length was spot on >_<
I saw a few crinolines around OCFF this weekend. More is better and it’s a bit cute to see a little poking out of the bottom if it’s a bit long.
Thanks for explaining that pattern piece, such an odd drawing. She sure looks happy to have the big box covering most her upper body.
The weird thing about the crinoline is that the top layer is the perfect length. The bottom layer is the same length, too, it’s just that because the upper layer is pushed out so far to the side, it shows the bottom a bit—like the underside of a sphere, if you know what I mean.
Maybe the pattern illustrator was just so happy that he didn’t have to bother drawing most of her upper body…
I like the look of the crinoline, although I have to admit I don’t wear mine (a red-and-black store-bought one) with my 50’s dresses either.
By the way, I did use a Burda pattern for a christening gown once. To create a ‘baby’s first gothic dress’ for a friend’s new-born girl 😉
Now THAT’S a good idea :D. Filed for future reference ;). My kids have a “Gothic Princess” gown a friend made them a few years back… I wonder how it would look with the crinoline…
I LOVE stunt dressing!
My grandma would have said “It’s snowing in the South” to let you know your slip or crinoline was showing.
I love the crinoline! You could even dye it for a flash of color:)
Absolutely adorable! And as long as it is fun then that is all that counts… I need a big puffy skirt in my life too! Wait, I’ve only just made myself one already 😀
Tanit-isis, I’ve passed on to you the versatile blogger award. There is no obligation to do anything about it, but if you want the details are on my blog here http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com/2011/10/photography-is-seamstress-friend.html
As someone who has been known to layer three petticoats for maximum pouf, I’m definitely of the mind that rarely can one have too much petticoat-volume! Certainly it poses hazards to small children and store displays, which is worth considering. 😉 lol. Great find on the $7 petticoat!
It looks awesome! Casey’s comment reminds me of reading about Dior’s first New Look show, where apparently the models skirts bowled over the ashtray stands!
I need to make one for a couple of skirts I have but have been procrastinating – it was my least favourite part of making wedding gowns.
yeah, that puffiness is perfect. i hate to say it, but i think your value village find is mocking your crinoline. if i were you, i’d keep them at separate ends of the closet.
Well, since the VV find doesn’t even FIT in the closet that shouldn’t be hard… they may even end up living on separate floors…
I’m not sure if this is true or not, but I was told not to hang crinolines – the poof falls out of them. I keep mine in a bag, in the back of the closet. Thanks for reminding me to get that thing out again!
Pingback: Experimental design | Tanit-Isis Sews
Pingback: Episode IV | Tanit-Isis Sews