Thanks for your very kind comments. I will attempt to answer some of your questions.
No I didn't use a pattern proper pattern, the top part is from a pattern for a fitted skirt with waistband and I cut to about 20cm. Made from poly cotton.
The next tier is three layers sandwiched together. The poly cotton was 112cm (44") wide so I ripped off four strips about 20cm wide across the width of the fabric. Joined two into a large circle gathered and gathered the top, so it would fit onto the upper skirt. Then repeated this with the other two pieces. I had 2 metres of nylon net so I cut a piece about 20 cm wide and kept it 2m long. I made this into a large circle and gathered it to fit the upper part as well the sandwiched it between the two layers of poly cotton and attached them all together to the top part of the crinoline.
For the lower level it was eight pieces of poly cotton and 4 lengths of netting. The poly cotton was joined into 2 circles of four lengths and the net was 2 circles of 2 lengths. All gathered to fit the layer above. The poly cotton was attached to the inside and outside layers only and both layers of the net were attached to the middle layer of net.
I did not have any particular problem sewing the net. I made sure I had changed the tension so it was loose on top to make it easier to gather. I took it slowly until I felt I was happy with how it was sewing. I do have a very good machine so that may have helped too.
The completed length of this crinoline is about 64cm (25") waist to hem. I have tried it out under a few different skirts. If the skirt is a very light weight material it helps if the crinoline is nearly the same length as the skirt, as the skirt will hang a little differently where the crinoline stops.
An example of a light weight skirt is here:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=176436.0With a heavier fabric it is not so critical but the weight of the fabric will press the crinoline down more so may no look as puffy.
This is the dress I originally made the crinoline for:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=165403.0It is quite a bit longer but generally it is hard to tell where the crinoline stops.
How much fabric did it take? 2m of 150cm wide nylon net and about 2.6m of 112cm wide poly cotton.
How long did it take? I made it over two days but a lot of that was figuring out what it was I was doing and how to get the result I wanted with the amount of fabric I had available. Also gathering over four metres of fabric really does take some time.
I am contemplating making one without the net too. I am travelling to the UK in late August early September and would love to take my dresses but the crinoline would be impossible to take just for the fun of it. Possibly I'll make one with two or three layers of poly cotton only and make it a similar length. Should be better for everyday type wear and more practical for packing. I am also considering making one in black.
Don't be afraid if this project, technically it was very easy, though it got a little awkward working with the bulk by the end. I'm very happy with the end result.
Good luck.
