We Have Panniers

Spent all day yesterday figuring out how to make panniers to hold out the Queen's skirts. Even though the gown is inspired by costumes from the Rococo period, I'm not a fanatic about historical accuracy, so am not going to stress over making everything exactly period perfect. 
All I want is something stable to hold out the skirts.

The first picture shows Asa with the basic pannier-slip I designed. The waistband hangs low at 
the waist in order to reduce bulk at the waist, as there's still another two skirts that have to go on top of it. There's two channels sewn on the inside for wires, and it needs padded hip rolls to fill out the upper sides. Without the wires it's hanging rather oddly, but with the wires and hip pads it will take on the proper shape. The hip pads had to be designed after the main pannier structure was wired, because I needed to know the exact size and shape of the space to be filled. After sewing and stuffing, I had to hand-stitch the pads into place.  Next time I need to make one of these it can be made altogether in one piece, and that should be a lot easier.

I'm thinking of making a doll stand with a wooden base so Asa will stand an extra 1/2 inch higher, allowing for a slightly longer skirt.   The underskirt is next.