Below the Waist: Pads, Hoops, Crinolines and Bustles provides a wide range of historical patterns and instructions to construct a range of underpinnings, simple pads, a farthingale, 18th century hoops, 19th century crinolines and bustles.

The silhouette that enables us to recognize and date historical female garments owes a great deal to the underpinnings that support the costume. Historical underpinnings were constructed to hold and shape the outer garment, creating a silhouette unique to a particular period. The examination of a wide range of original garments forms the basis for each pattern in this book and includes historical information to support each pattern, providing a unique shape that gives a wider choice for the costumer to create an accurate period silhouette. Many of the garments are from unseen collections and present new patterns for the reader. Clear step-by-step instructions, with supporting diagrams, will enable the reader to produce an accurate period undergarment.

Mandy Barrington‘s method of pattern drafting allows anyone, from students on costume construction courses to professionals working in the costuming industry, to draft and make an authentic historical underpinning.