Nice and Plump, a Quilted Rump

Well, I've come to the conclusion that skirt supports are beneficial, very beneficial actually. Not only do they help prevent un-needed strain on the waistbands of heavy skirts, but they prevent discomfort on your waist as well. Plus, they give a nice poof, and help achieve a more period skirt shape.

For a year and a half now, I've been planning on make a "hip roll" or some other type of tie on "bum roll" to wear with Rev War outfits. This was my plan until a few months ago, when I saw Lauren's rump for under her wedding dress, and Merja's quilted bum pad. I should also mention this excellent post on 18th century skirt supports. After that I decided on more of a pad instead of a roll.

I had some linen scraps in the stash, so I put those to good use. For the batting I used cotton fluff. I apologize, but I did not take pictures of the beginning process. But to make one, you basically cut two pieces of fabric , the width of the back half of your body. or a little more. Then you quilt it in some manner, with fluff between the two layers, pleat the waist, and attach it to a tie. It's very basic, and overall does not take much time to complete.

Here is mine :)

the false rump quilted, but not pleated

quilting :)

close up of the waist pleats. My bum pad was substantially thicker than Merja's, so I was not able to do as many pleats as she did. I have a total of 4 pleats. 2 knife pleats and 1 inverted box pleat.

showing about where it came after I pleated it.

finished :) Madame is modeling it for me

If you've got a few hours on your hands, I suggest you make a quilted rump as well. I can see this being one of my new favorite items in my historical wardrobe.

~Theresa