stronger boning for hoop skirts?

Hi,
I am trying to make hoop skirts for my three young neices, but I can't find any boning that will support the fabric weight. I have tried two types of plastic boning from Joann's Fabrics, and these both buckle the skirt into a cresent moon shape (even when doubled). Next, I tried quarter inch diameter plastic tubing from Lowes with a connecting barb. The tubing is definately better, but now the skirt is a little too stiff and bulky. Any other suggestions for boning or boning substitute for skirts?

thanks!
ecila

 

Lacis offers steel hoop boning. It runs rather expensive ($30), but it wouldn't buckle the way the plastic does. There are other suppliers that sell steel hoop boning too (I believe Alter Years is one) - you might want to try searching for "hoop skirt supplies" on google.

 

Farthingales carries hoopsteel starting at around $1.70 per meter -- their prices are listed in Canadian, so they'll appear slightly higher than they are.
They also carry connectors for closing the ends of hoops together.



-sg

 

[beavis&butthead]Huh huh. huh huh.[/beavis&butthead]
Sorry, but I had to. Just couldn't help it.


That wasn't appropriate.

 

You can get it by the 12 yard reel from Amazon Drygoods (call their 800# on their website) Clickie I think it is around $2.00 a yard there.

If you don't want or need that much--This place Here Sells it by the yard for around $2.50 and will sell any amount you need--they do mail orders too. I would call their 800# as well.

~Ferd

 

I just used PVC plastic bathroom piping with clothes hangers inserted into them for more strength. Any home hardware megastore will have several sizes to choose from - I think it was less than $1 a yard.

 

deliciouscorsets.com also carries it, along with corsetry.com, both faire gal pals of mine.

Some places will have kits for farthingale or hoops with plastic pieces the ends of the hoops feed into, so that the boning can be removed. Their awesome! I have some for Elizabethian Garb I've made.

 

I sell hoop skirts on ebay. My seller name is ramblin-jack. The Hoop skirt I list is a 5 bone but if you buy it I can substitute a 4, 3, or 2 bone skirt. They are priced the same. The difference, besides the number of hoops is that the lessor bone models fit smaller sizes, ala children. If you (or anyone) need to contact me direct; my email address is: ramblin.jack@verizon.net

 

Danka, I'm keeping you in my address for when faire season starts, cause the ones I made were a pain in the buttocks!