I took a pattern design class at Mass Art this semester to understand fabric better. It was very useful.
Here's my final project.
The wire forming the bottom part of the skirt definitely need to be stiffer, but the only other wire I had that was suitable was way too stiff and thick to work comfortably with the fabric.
At the very end of the project the piece managed to discover a pen in my office. I could either patch it or go with it -- I went with it.