circumference of waist circumference of hips distance from waist to mid-thigh distance from waist to knee distance from waist to mid-calf distance from waist to ankle
You can also use a simple math equation to figure out how long to make your boning strip. For example, if you want your skirt to be 30" across at the widest part, multiply 30 by Pi (3. 14) and use the rounded result (94inches) as your boning length. [2] X Research source
Consider the transparency of the dress you will wear the cage skirt underneath. If the dress or skirt that you will wear the cage skirt underneath is light or slightly transparent, you will want to choose a light color fabric for the cage skirt. Consider the ease of sewing with the fabric. You may have a hard time completing this project if you choose a slippery fabric like satin. To make this project easier, opt for a light cotton or some other easy to sew fabric. [4] X Research source
For example, a skirt that will be 35" long should have 7 hoops because 35 divided by 5 equals 7. You may end up using one less hoop than you calculate since you will need to leave 2 inches below your bottom hoop and a couple of extra inches above your top hoop.
Add up the lengths to determine how much boning material you will need to purchase.
1/4" plastic strapping material used for wood shipments. Home Depot throws this away so often they’ll just give it to you 1/4” steel or plastic boning material (look for it in the sewing sections at crafts stores) 1/4” poly tubing (look for it at a hardware store)
You will probably need to convert this number into feet or yards to make purchasing the ribbon easier. [8] X Research source
Do not close off the seam at the ends of the ribbon. Make sure that you can lift up the ribbon a bit and that you can slide the boning into the tube you have created.
Cut a small hole in the tube you have created. Attach a safety pin to a piece of ribbon and close it. Use the safety pin to help you work the ribbon through the tubing. When the safety pin comes out the other side, remove the safety pin and gently tug the ends of the ribbon to cinch the waist. You can even try on the skirt at this point to get the waist to where you will want it to be.
