How to Install a Bustle in a Wedding Gown

Wedding Dress

While no longer part of mainstream fashion, a bustle can be a necessary---and very fashionable---addition to a wedding gown. The bustle creates the loops, hooks or ribbons in the gown to allow the train to be pinned up during the reception. Most gowns are not sold with the bustle already in them, because the bustle must be added to suit the bride. This means that a bride who would like to keep the train up after the wedding will need to have the bustle installed. Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it might sound. Adding a bustle to a wedding gown requires only a few measurements, some sewing knowledge and a little time.

Things You'll Need

• Gown, already fitted to the bride
• Ribbons, hooks or buttons
• Needle and thread
• Pins

Instructions

1. Select the type of bustle that you would like to use. Among available bustles are the ballroom bustle, the pick-up bustle and the tufted bustle. Each creates a slightly different look for the dress, so take the time to review the various styles and choose the best for your gown. Bear in mind that each form of bustling can require specific sewing skills, so consider the bustle that you prefer with your own sewing knowledge in mind.

2. Acquire the hooks or buttons that you will need. The hooks or ribbons will sit on the outside of the dress, so be sure that they match the color of the dress as closely as possible. Note also that while buttons can add a more polished appearance to the dress, they do not fit every style of gown. Choose the fastening element that goes best with the gown.

3. Mark the location of the buttons or hooks with small pins on the back of the gown. Bear in mind that the gown will be pulled up and fastened to these locations, so ensure that they are in the correct positions to get the train off the floor and to allow the bride to move around freely. When pulling the gown up to mark where it will be fastened, pull from the middle instead of the hem. Pin the gown to these locations and make sure it looks good from all angles. Be sure to mark not only where the gown will be pinned but also the corresponding place where you pulled the gown (the bustle points).

4. Sew the buttons or hooks to the marked locations and then attach ribbons to the bustle points. These points will be pulled up and hooked or buttoned to the gown. Fit the gown again and make sure the bustle is even all the way around.

Tips & Warnings

• While adding a bustle is not necessarily difficult work, it does require some familiarity with sewing and working with fine fabrics. Because wedding gowns are usually made of fairly delicate fabric, be careful as you pin and add the hooks or buttons because the fabric can be damaged easily.

References

• Leanna: The Great Bustle Debate

Resources

• Types of Bustles