Math and Hoopskirts
So I finally got ahold of the Secret Formula for Hoop Width (thanks to Ann from the Sick Pups meeting!). Apparently the trick is to measure a figure's height and skirt width, then the width of skirt will be 60% of the height.
I am 5'4", thus 64 inches. Say, 66 with the heels. 60% of my height is... *grabs calculator* 39.6.
Okay. So my skirt's diameter should be...call it 40 inches. Now I use that to get the circumference. Shoot -- I used to know how to do this; it's something involving pi, right? Pi r squared? No...that's area. 2 pi r? Okay, that sounds right. 2 x pi x 40. Shoot -- my calculator doesn't have pi on it! Rar! Okay...2 x 40 x 3.14 = 251.2? That's an awfully wide skirt! The pattern at its longest is only 150! Something's wrong.
...wait. Diameter is twice the radius. So I was doubling something that was already doubled.
*divides original answer by 2*
Okay, 125.6. That's a lot more sensible. And I think it's pretty close to the measurement of the bottom hoop of my hoopskirt once I shorten it properly. Who knew those old geometry classes would actually come in handy?
I am 5'4", thus 64 inches. Say, 66 with the heels. 60% of my height is... *grabs calculator* 39.6.
Okay. So my skirt's diameter should be...call it 40 inches. Now I use that to get the circumference. Shoot -- I used to know how to do this; it's something involving pi, right? Pi r squared? No...that's area. 2 pi r? Okay, that sounds right. 2 x pi x 40. Shoot -- my calculator doesn't have pi on it! Rar! Okay...2 x 40 x 3.14 = 251.2? That's an awfully wide skirt! The pattern at its longest is only 150! Something's wrong.
...wait. Diameter is twice the radius. So I was doubling something that was already doubled.
*divides original answer by 2*
Okay, 125.6. That's a lot more sensible. And I think it's pretty close to the measurement of the bottom hoop of my hoopskirt once I shorten it properly. Who knew those old geometry classes would actually come in handy?