How to Starch a Crinoline

Crinolines were originally made of linen and horse hair. Appropriately, the name in Latin means "hair flax." Although through the early 19th century, crinolines were stiffened with whalebone or steel, they contained many ruffles that had to be starched into shape on top of that. Today, crinolines are still worn underneath formal wear and wedding dresses. To that end, knowing how to starch a crinoline can come in handy.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon gelatin

Instructions

1. Bring 1 cup water to boil.

2. Dissolve 1/2 cup sugar in water.

3. Add 1 tablespoon gelatin to mix.

4. Wash and rinse crinoline.

5. Soak crinoline in mixture.

6. Let mixture dry in crinoline without rinsing. This mixture will stay stiffer longer than starch.

References

• The Costumer's Manifesto
• Civil War Reenactor's Homepage

Resources

• Crinoline wikipedia entry