These are the hoop and petticoat made to go under the dress of Lady Elizabeth Villers (pictured). In truth a dress worn in 1841 would have had a crinoline and petticoats to support it rather than a hoop. I tend to make hoops to go with my dresses. Crinolines consume a great deal of labor and materials and numerous petticoats are heavy. Having petticoats tangle around your legs is uncomfortable if you are not used to dancing in them and I do not expect anyone to spend hours starching and ironing a crinoline. Hoops are faster, lighter, and produce a more predicable shape. They are easier to store and launder. This hoop is very small to match the narrow bell shape of the early 1840s. The circumference of the bottom hoops is a mere 90". It is made from a sturdy cotton and self casings. The petticoat is made from a shot rayon and prevents the lining of the dress skirt from grabbing on the cotton hoop. It has a nice finished looks and could be worn separately for some other purpose.