How To Make an 1870s Bustle Skirt

Quick & easy method to puff up the skirt back for 1870s bustle costumes. You can see still photos of the skirt at www.HistoricalSewing.com/tutorials

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bustle
• 1870s costume
• sewing
• tutorial
• historical clothing
• historical costume
• bustle era

[Chris25rod]

2 questions.

1~ Can that be worn as an over skirt?

2~ Do you hand stitch where the pins are?

[HistoricalSewing]

@Chris25rod Q1: Yes, you can make this as an over skirt or even a separate train to wear over an underskirt. Q2: Depends on your fabric and hand sewing skills. I've done both. Hand tacking stitches can be made as a prick stitch so they can be as obscure as possible. If you don't care, I machine two small rows of stitches across the tape.

[KendraDesigns]

What I am trying to figure out is how to make the bustle itself for a project I am hoping to do fro one of my textile classes. Do you have a video for that or some tips I can use?

[HistoricalSewing]

@KendraDesigns My bustle here is from the Truly Victorian bustle petticoat pattern. Hoop wire is placed inside casings made from 1" wide twill tape and sewn to the inside of the petticoat back panel. Tie strings attached to each side seam of the petticoat help hold the short wires into a rounded shape at the back. You can google bustles and find lobster tail designs too.

[ilithya231]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This tutorial is a godsend for someone who has never draped on a form before! If I end up using it, I will be sure to send you pictures as a thank you! :)

[HistoricalSewing]

@ilithya231 Please do! Good luck!

[heavensvampire]

Thank You for Posting!

[Dabadoo306]

I'm so glad I found this tutorial!! I am making a steampunk doll and I really wanted her to have this type of bustle skirt but I had no idea how to create it! Thanks so much for the video, very nicely and clearly explained!

[maryruthm]

Excellent! Well done and easy to follow; thank you!

[Traybuff]

@HistoricalSewing

Hi, yes I have a hoop, I can she is wearing some sort hoop/crinoline that used a crinkle Red fabric. Anyway I managed to slow the dvd right down when she's dancing and can see the buslte is compleltey seperate, though you can only see it for a split second. I find your advice on using tulle give extra puff if needed might be needed. I have seen someone else try doing the dress and her bustle just sagged and floped very badly, like it needed stuffing. finding fabric at minute.