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....

Wow, you're brave.

Yes, brave.
Here's one I tried and fucked up earlier.
After much swearing and yelling at innocent family members, it looked good.

http://www.farthingales.on.ca/bustle_1800s.htm

There's a few patterns on this page, so hopefully one will suit your fabiric and style.

PS, I did the first one.
The last one is just stupid.

Although, wire is great, but in may case it was for a bride who expected to sit down on her big day (honestly, wuss). It really depends on your situation, but I re-inforced the curve a little bit with a thin plastic strip, the sort they use for boning basques.

Thank you. I have taken a few ideas from that website but I never can seem to get the damn wiring to go where I want it to, heh...

You could prove useful in handing me some pointers and stuff if you're into that sort of thing.

http://www.darkforum.com/showthread....46#post1393346

I started a thread all about what Im doing and what I have done so far. I would love it if you could offer me some friendly ideas... Only if you want to.

Oohh, I've been to your thread, ignore my nasty plastic and get back to your lethal metal.
Make your great, great grandmother proud!

Im thinking dried reeds also... That screams 1800's... Dried reeds for boning... But they don't bend so I can't put them in a bustle... DANGIT! Metal pisses me off! Anyone know where I can find whalebone? If anyone says 'in a whale' Im gonna scream....

(he he he...I'm a whale..)


It would probably be easier to get hold of heroin, what with whaling being outlawed and all. However, some dresses and such from the fifties, sixites, might have some whale bone in their bodices, and so if you found something in a junk shop you could take it out.

It's either that or get yourself a big boat and go out killing some whales, although, I am a member of Greenpeace, so I might get in your way....hehehe