How to Make a Bustle With Buttons & Loops
When shopping for the perfect wedding gown, one does not typically consider the bustle. This gathering of the train helps brides maneuver around the reception without the fear of a guest stepping on her gown. Adding a bustle is an option that most gowns require; however, the alteration cost is expensive in comparison to a typical waist cinch or sleeve shortening. Add a ballroom bustle to the dress which consists of using covered buttons and fabric loops with only the minor cost of supplies. Additionally, it will ease your mind as you mingle with your guests. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dress form
- Flexible tape measure
- Fabric pins
- Covered buttons
- Fabric loops
Instructions
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1
Slide the dress onto a dress form and turn the form around. Spread the train out to obtain an idea of how much fabric needs to bustle against the back of the dress.
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2
Hold the train of the dress up so the hemline under the dress is exposed. The bustle buttons will attach along the hemline on the underside of the dress.
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3
Find the center of the hemline under the dress. Measure upwards two inches and insert a fabric pin. Depending on the size of the train, there will be five to seven fabric pins. These pins will indicate where the button is sewn onto the train. The button will attach to the fabric loop under the dress.
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4
Space fabric pins on either side of the center pin. Each pin will be five to ten inches from the center pin depending on the size of the train. Place equal amounts of pins on either side of the center pin.
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5
Gather the center of the train at the center fabric pin along the interior hemline. Pull the train upwards, under the dress to the point where you want the bustle point. The bustle point will vary from dress to dress to accommodate the different train lengths. Most ballroom bustles will drape under the dress, attach just under the lower waist and be even with the front hemline. Insert a pin at this point on the interior of the dress.
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6
Pull the side pins along the interior hemline under the dress to determine bustle points. For every pin along the hemline, a bustle point must be made under the dress. Like the center bustle point, adjust the dress until the hemline is even with the front and the dress drapes according to your satisfaction. Repeat the process for each pin along the hemline.
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7
Sew covered buttons at each fabric pin on the underside of the train. Use thread that is the same colors as the dress to avoid drawing attention to the bustle buttons. Tug slightly on the buttons when complete to ensure they are attached.
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8
Sew fabric loops at the bustle points on the underside of the dress. Like the buttons, use coordinating thread the same color as the dress. Tug slightly to ensure a snug fit. Bustle the dress.
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Tips & Warnings
Request the assistance of a friend to help hold the bustle while pinning.
Play around with the pins until you find the right bustle shape for the dress. Once the fabric loops are sewn onto the fabric, it is hard to move them around.
Use a seam ripper to remove buttons or fabric loops if correcting a mistake.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
