V346: How to Make a Victorian Bustle – Pattern and Instructions
January 2, 2013
Hi all! Okay, I’m going to attempt to explain how to make the lobster tail bustle I posted about last time. I want to stress that there is no right or wrong way to do this, and the way you put yours together may be different than how I did mine. You *will* need some patience and math skills, but anyone can make one of these tournures, so long as you are a little crafty and have some sewing know-how. Ready?
This pattern isn’t ready-made – you plug in your own measurements and draw it out. Luckily, though, it is mostly straight lines, and is very forgiving.
Make note of the 1/3 rule – you don’t want the bustle back coming all the way around to your sides, which is why it is 1/3 and not 1/4.
The “traingle” side piece can be any shape really. The purpose of it is to keep the bustle from shifting around at back
If you intend to add a ruffle or pleat guard, do it while the whole thing is flat, without bones.
Stitching the side back seams, with the tapes on top – that black tape is only there because I ran out of white, no special reason, lol
That’s the basics – customize to your heart’s content.
Here’s how it looks with the inner tapes tied together.
The finished piece – it sits 2″ below the waistline.
I’ve tried to be descriptive, but I’ve probably forgotten something, so if you have questions, go ahead and leave a comment, and I will try my best to answer them. 🙂
Miss Elizabeth L. recommended to me a stiff, strong fabric like taffeta. I didn't have any, so I used cotton, nice and starched. So long as it is lightweight yet sturdy, it should work. You want to avoid something like canvas, as it is too heavy.
Hi I looked up the pattern. But it says unavailable is there a way to create the pattern pieces to make the bustle? My new job we have to dress victorian I read your tutorial for the bustle skirt that goes over this is there a pattern for the pieces I love your whole skirt
I wear boned bustles like this- you have to sit straight down ("perch" is preferred"). note the loops hang, they aren't set with other boning to stay that far apart; when you sit the loops go up as you go down.
I am so impressed! Wow, looks like you put your New Years weekend to very ingenious use, unlike some of us pajama clad slug bottoms, who sat around trolling the costume blogs and watching historic fashion porn a.k.a. PBS, LOL!
It is so kind of you to share the pattern, too! let me know how the adjustable tape ties work for you, when wearing the gown, a real argument for that rather than my "pup tent" suggestion.
Many, many happy days are ahead,
Nancy N
Thanks so much for this fabulous tutorial! Our house museum is changing it's period clothing program from mid-Civil War to the more appropriate 1870+ era and I am in charge of sewing a complete new wardrobe for all the docents.
I couldn't even think of getting started until we had the proper foundations so I have been hedging, trying to think of how to do this without buying a pattern. Being a non-profit we have to budget every cent, and one less pattern bought provides a necessity elsewhere.
It turned out great, I 'ruffled' all but the top boning channel, so that we won't need quite so many (if any) heavily ruffled petticoats atop them. I am re-purposing the skirts from all our ratty 10 year old Civil War style dresses to make these bustle forms and scavenging the boning from all the old hoops, and we're reusing the boneless hoop skirts as extra petticoats. I love being green. Thanks for all your great work!
That is a very good idea. The more ruffles the better! Up-cycling old stuff into new is splendid, and very period correct as well. 🙂 I'm right there with you – why buy all new materials when you can cannibalize older tings for re-purposing? Genius 🙂
Hi Lauren,
So sorry to bug you, but I'm having a little problem with our first docent recipient of a bustlegown. She insists that the bustle form is causing her 'pain at work'. Lower back pain from the bustle, which weighs next to nothing. Now, I figured the skirt might be too heavy so I took 1/3 of the weight out of the skirt (as much as I could get away with and still have it look correct). NOW the gal says the bustle form is causing her abdomen and lower back pain, it rides down so this is what is causing it. I noted that according to your tutorial, it's 'supposed to sit 2 inches below the waist' and this gal swears it's falling off her (tiny waist, wide hips so huh?not likely!). Anyhoos, since I've yet to wear a bustlegown and cannot possibly relate to what she's going through, do you have any advice? Are these contraptions something one must 'get used to'? With the nature of gravity, I feel the form must surely be forced to ride somewhat lower in the back than the front. And this gal says that's a problem. Yikes.
I'm in charge of the fashion exhibit in my town's museum. There's an 1878-1882 bustle gown (with anglaise back) that's displayed on a wicker mannequin and has a bustle made of crumpled up newspaper. I originally had gotten the TV 101 and the bones for it, back when I thought it was early 1870s. Is there a way I could adapt TV 101 for this? Also, can I make this lobster bustle out of muslin (as that's what I purchased through the museum budget)??
Hi Gabriele – yes, you could absolutely make this out of muslin. As for adapting TV 101, this I do not know. This bustle is similar to the Truly Victorian tournure pattern, but I have not made TV 101. The concept is similar, so most likely. It may take some experimentation.
You say in the side piece 7 inch below waist band divide by 3 and mark on pattern. Does this mean your measurement aka hip measurement divided by 3? Forgive me I'm a tad confuzzled, too much pattern drafting in a weekend. XD
How do you "decide on the width of your hoops?" I'm a very plus sized lady, so I don't want to go with 20" and 30" and then look like I'm barely wearing a bump because 1/3 of my waist measure is 20". This is the big problem I come up with often for historical sewing; I'm nowhere near the "average" sized woman.
I’m making this for a friend and was wondering the same thing. I futzed around with the measurements a bit, and found that the total of the bottom hoop, should be about the same as the waist measure. and the top hoop should be 3/4 of the waist. I made the very top of the pattern piece about two inches shorter than the top hoop, but i still need to play around with it a bit more.
Hi, thank you so much for this tutorial. I have just finished making it for a 23 inch porcelain doll using cable ties for the hoops. Delighted with the result!
Thank you so much for this tutorial, it's amazing! One question I have is the instruction to put the bones in after you've sewn the side piece and ties to the back piece. How would you do that? Aren't the openings to the boning channels sewn shut at that point?
How does the length of the bustle tail effect the shape it creates? I'm going to try making this from my stash..not sure I have enough fabric for one as long as yours.
I’ve seen them as short as about mid thigh. i think the most important part is the top – to give that shape. The bottom is mostly there to keep the shape going down. this was also the era of the bustle pad after all 🙂
Hi there, thanks for this pattern, I've just used it for my HSF/M 2015 challenge 1 foundations. Great blog. Ally from honey pot creations http://honeypotcreation.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi there, thanks for this pattern, I've just used it for my HSF/M 2015 challenge 1 foundations. Great blog. Ally from honey pot creations http://honeypotcreation.blogspot.co.uk/
46 Comments
E. Waterman
January 2, 2013 at 1:21 AMYou win at life.
Lauren Stowell
January 2, 2013 at 2:35 AMI heart you <3
Vienna La Rouge
January 2, 2013 at 7:55 AMI'll second that 😉
Thanks for sharing the pattern!
Kat
January 2, 2013 at 1:36 AMThis is fantastic! Do you have any fabric recommendations? Or should we just avoid anything with stretch?
Lauren Stowell
January 2, 2013 at 2:37 AMMiss Elizabeth L. recommended to me a stiff, strong fabric like taffeta. I didn't have any, so I used cotton, nice and starched. So long as it is lightweight yet sturdy, it should work. You want to avoid something like canvas, as it is too heavy.
LaRene
July 26, 2022 at 7:18 AMHi I looked up the pattern. But it says unavailable is there a way to create the pattern pieces to make the bustle? My new job we have to dress victorian I read your tutorial for the bustle skirt that goes over this is there a pattern for the pieces I love your whole skirt
Jenny Wren
January 2, 2013 at 6:47 AMThis might be a noob question, but… how on earth do you sit down in that thing?
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:35 PMHaha, gooood question. A friend of mine demonstrated sitting where the tail is pushed off to the side. I haven't tried it yet…
Anonymous
January 6, 2013 at 4:36 PMI wear boned bustles like this- you have to sit straight down ("perch" is preferred"). note the loops hang, they aren't set with other boning to stay that far apart; when you sit the loops go up as you go down.
Unknown
April 17, 2013 at 4:02 AMI agree with you I have one and it all folds up as you sit and it is very hard to do anything other than perch as your corset limits you.
Skye
January 2, 2013 at 10:29 AMThank you SO much for posting the pattern and the instructions!
MrsC (Maryanne)
January 2, 2013 at 11:00 AMIt's so clever, but I do feel it needs to be bright lobster red! 😉
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:38 PMI agree! A bigger, badder, bright red taffeta tail!
AuntieNan
January 2, 2013 at 12:54 PMI am so impressed! Wow, looks like you put your New Years weekend to very ingenious use, unlike some of us pajama clad slug bottoms, who sat around trolling the costume blogs and watching historic fashion porn a.k.a. PBS, LOL!
It is so kind of you to share the pattern, too! let me know how the adjustable tape ties work for you, when wearing the gown, a real argument for that rather than my "pup tent" suggestion.
Many, many happy days are ahead,
Nancy N
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:38 PMI haven't worn the thing yet, but I may be wishing I did the pup tent method. I hear the ties can be annoying…
Mutemouia
January 2, 2013 at 3:56 PMThank you so much for sharing the pattern ! You make wonders ! ♥
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:39 PMYou are welcome, and thank you!
Isis
January 2, 2013 at 8:30 PMThat's wonderful! Thank you!
Beara
January 3, 2013 at 4:20 PMThat's the thing I was searching for and didn't found. Thanks a lot.
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:39 PMYou are most welcome. I am glad I could help 🙂
Robin's Egg Bleu
January 3, 2013 at 6:42 PMThanks so much for this fabulous tutorial! Our house museum is changing it's period clothing program from mid-Civil War to the more appropriate 1870+ era and I am in charge of sewing a complete new wardrobe for all the docents.
I couldn't even think of getting started until we had the proper foundations so I have been hedging, trying to think of how to do this without buying a pattern. Being a non-profit we have to budget every cent, and one less pattern bought provides a necessity elsewhere.
It turned out great, I 'ruffled' all but the top boning channel, so that we won't need quite so many (if any) heavily ruffled petticoats atop them. I am re-purposing the skirts from all our ratty 10 year old Civil War style dresses to make these bustle forms and scavenging the boning from all the old hoops, and we're reusing the boneless hoop skirts as extra petticoats. I love being green. Thanks for all your great work!
Lauren Stowell
January 4, 2013 at 10:40 PMThat is a very good idea. The more ruffles the better! Up-cycling old stuff into new is splendid, and very period correct as well. 🙂 I'm right there with you – why buy all new materials when you can cannibalize older tings for re-purposing? Genius 🙂
Robin's Egg Bleu
March 26, 2013 at 4:21 AMHi Lauren,
So sorry to bug you, but I'm having a little problem with our first docent recipient of a bustlegown. She insists that the bustle form is causing her 'pain at work'. Lower back pain from the bustle, which weighs next to nothing. Now, I figured the skirt might be too heavy so I took 1/3 of the weight out of the skirt (as much as I could get away with and still have it look correct). NOW the gal says the bustle form is causing her abdomen and lower back pain, it rides down so this is what is causing it. I noted that according to your tutorial, it's 'supposed to sit 2 inches below the waist' and this gal swears it's falling off her (tiny waist, wide hips so huh?not likely!). Anyhoos, since I've yet to wear a bustlegown and cannot possibly relate to what she's going through, do you have any advice? Are these contraptions something one must 'get used to'? With the nature of gravity, I feel the form must surely be forced to ride somewhat lower in the back than the front. And this gal says that's a problem. Yikes.
Unknown
July 7, 2013 at 9:51 PMIs she wearing a corset? If not, the weight of the skirts might be making it cut into her abdomen and hang weirdly.
Anonymous
January 3, 2013 at 10:21 PMThank you!!!!! You just saved me from having to buy one! 😀
Unknown
February 5, 2013 at 8:14 PMThank you very much for this amazing pattern. I have one question – what kind of boning did you use? What kind is best? 🙂
Karen A.
February 21, 2013 at 4:11 PMThis is amazing!
My next costume is going to have one of these…
Thank you for sharing.
BiolArtist
February 23, 2013 at 10:27 AMThank you!
Gabriela Salvador
July 28, 2013 at 2:50 AMI'm in charge of the fashion exhibit in my town's museum. There's an 1878-1882 bustle gown (with anglaise back) that's displayed on a wicker mannequin and has a bustle made of crumpled up newspaper. I originally had gotten the TV 101 and the bones for it, back when I thought it was early 1870s. Is there a way I could adapt TV 101 for this? Also, can I make this lobster bustle out of muslin (as that's what I purchased through the museum budget)??
Lauren Stowell
July 28, 2013 at 6:27 AMHi Gabriele – yes, you could absolutely make this out of muslin. As for adapting TV 101, this I do not know. This bustle is similar to the Truly Victorian tournure pattern, but I have not made TV 101. The concept is similar, so most likely. It may take some experimentation.
Unknown
August 25, 2013 at 1:16 PMYou say in the side piece 7 inch below waist band divide by 3 and mark on pattern. Does this mean your measurement aka hip measurement divided by 3? Forgive me I'm a tad confuzzled, too much pattern drafting in a weekend. XD
Anonymous
September 5, 2013 at 11:47 PMHow do you "decide on the width of your hoops?" I'm a very plus sized lady, so I don't want to go with 20" and 30" and then look like I'm barely wearing a bump because 1/3 of my waist measure is 20". This is the big problem I come up with often for historical sewing; I'm nowhere near the "average" sized woman.
Trold
August 30, 2023 at 8:43 AMI’m making this for a friend and was wondering the same thing. I futzed around with the measurements a bit, and found that the total of the bottom hoop, should be about the same as the waist measure. and the top hoop should be 3/4 of the waist. I made the very top of the pattern piece about two inches shorter than the top hoop, but i still need to play around with it a bit more.
Teresa
November 3, 2013 at 6:45 AMHi, thank you so much for this tutorial. I have just finished making it for a 23 inch porcelain doll using cable ties for the hoops. Delighted with the result!
GELI
February 17, 2014 at 4:48 PMEnhorabuena!!!!!
Unknown
February 20, 2014 at 9:56 PMThank you so much for this tutorial, it's amazing! One question I have is the instruction to put the bones in after you've sewn the side piece and ties to the back piece. How would you do that? Aren't the openings to the boning channels sewn shut at that point?
M'lady
July 28, 2014 at 8:04 PMHow does the length of the bustle tail effect the shape it creates? I'm going to try making this from my stash..not sure I have enough fabric for one as long as yours.
Trold
August 30, 2023 at 8:46 AMI’ve seen them as short as about mid thigh. i think the most important part is the top – to give that shape. The bottom is mostly there to keep the shape going down. this was also the era of the bustle pad after all 🙂
Unknown
September 22, 2014 at 4:29 AMHi !
Is it important to cut center back as two pieces instead of on the fold?
Thanks !
Unknown
October 14, 2014 at 7:58 PMThis is a great article! I also made a reference to Bustle a detailed illustration of you! Thank you
M'lady
October 15, 2014 at 8:48 PMHere is my bustle complete http://stitchintimeandspace.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/hsf-2014-challenge-19-hsf-inspiration.html
Unknown
February 4, 2015 at 8:38 AMHi there, thanks for this pattern, I've just used it for my HSF/M 2015 challenge 1 foundations. Great blog. Ally from honey pot creations http://honeypotcreation.blogspot.co.uk/
Unknown
February 4, 2015 at 8:40 AMHi there, thanks for this pattern, I've just used it for my HSF/M 2015 challenge 1 foundations. Great blog. Ally from honey pot creations http://honeypotcreation.blogspot.co.uk/
Naughtygnome
November 24, 2015 at 1:47 AMHow long are the tapes and how did you finish the inside seam where the tapes are attached
lvanwyk
September 7, 2018 at 3:23 PMOut of curiosity, what width boning did you use?
Corinne
October 18, 2018 at 9:52 AMBonjour
Vous n'auriez pas les dimension en cm svp ?
Cordialement corinne