Yeah, its not often you see me post on here but maybe you sewing literates could help me out a little.

Im needing some advice on bustle making. (If you dunno what a bustle is then you shouldn't be reading this thread.) I am, at this moment in time making a three piece bustle dress and Im totally stuck on how to make the under bustle.

So far I have tried Attaching ribbons to the petticoat and loops to the waitsline then attempting to tie them up to the waist to see if it will fluff out a little and it ain't working.

I have also tried to make an add-on (seperate to the petticoat) and place pleats to see if it will ruffle but no luck there.

I have nearly given up after my last attempt at metal boning it at the back to see if the frame will hold but unfortunately the metal tends to have a mind of its own.

So can someone please help me by sending me to a link that has an actual pattern and directions for a bustle dress or at the very least help me with creating an effective bustle that won't go flat once I have put the skirt over the top of the bustle...

Any help is greatly appreciated....