CLARA'S SKIRT

In the mid 1800's, the idea of a separate skirt and blouse (called a bodice or waist) was introduced.  The common approach was "two waists to every  skirt", lending variety to a limited wardrobe.  At first the skirts were 126" around. By the Civil War they were 190" around, but after that they reached the immense circumference of 250" and ove! This skirt runs from 220" to 265", about 9 1/2 yards of fabric per skirt.  This skirt was worn over pantaloons and multiple petticoats.