I I took the limited-attendance class taught by the Truly Victorian ladies on how to make this pattern. For a fee of $60, I got the pattern and a complete kit with all the pieces marked and cut to my size, everything included except thread, plus an excellent, patient teacher. Pretty good deal, IMO!
See, I’ve always been intimidated by the boned bustle. It’s one of my favourite historical styles — I love that big, hard shelf created by this style of bustle, I love the hugeness of it all, I love that big ol’ butt. However, it looked too difficult to make for a perpetual beginner like me. The architecture of it seemed very complicated, something I’d never figure out on my own.
But man, this was dead easy! Ok, having everything cut out and pre-measured really helped. The sewing was basic straight lines, just sewing down rows of wide bias tape, then sewing side seams, and making a waistband. Even I could do that! And I did. Within the allotted class time of four hours even (not bad for the World’s Slowest Sewer).
So there it is, my big bustle butt. Now the really hard part happens — I need a dress to go with it! Also a ruffled petticoat, to hide the hard lines of the bustle. The class didn’t include the ruffles because that would have been more time consuming.
Rated 5 out of 5
Catherine –
Not recommended, but only for those with large waist-to-hip ratios.
I’ve made many Truly Victorian patterns, and this is the only one that hasn’t worked perfectly. The pattern goes together nicely and gives a great shape. I’m sure it would work fine on someone with a more proportionate figure. But I have, ahem, a lot of natural curve in my lower back – in at the waist, out over the fanny. And the interior stay that rests against my bottom is too tight, forcing the back of the bustle up and tilting the front hoops right down against my ankles. I’ve solved the problem as best I can by cutting the interior stay up the center and adding ties to the edges so I can adjust the tension. A lacing would work equally well or better, but I didn’t have any grommets in the house. This adjustment has made the shape acceptable, but has reduced the amount of “bustle effect”. It’s good enough but not quite what I was hoping for. I didn’t make the ruffles since I already have a flounced bustle petticoat.
Trystan L. –
I I took the limited-attendance class taught by the Truly Victorian ladies on how to make this pattern. For a fee of $60, I got the pattern and a complete kit with all the pieces marked and cut to my size, everything included except thread, plus an excellent, patient teacher. Pretty good deal, IMO!
See, I’ve always been intimidated by the boned bustle. It’s one of my favourite historical styles — I love that big, hard shelf created by this style of bustle, I love the hugeness of it all, I love that big ol’ butt. However, it looked too difficult to make for a perpetual beginner like me. The architecture of it seemed very complicated, something I’d never figure out on my own.
But man, this was dead easy! Ok, having everything cut out and pre-measured really helped. The sewing was basic straight lines, just sewing down rows of wide bias tape, then sewing side seams, and making a waistband. Even I could do that! And I did. Within the allotted class time of four hours even (not bad for the World’s Slowest Sewer).
So there it is, my big bustle butt. Now the really hard part happens — I need a dress to go with it! Also a ruffled petticoat, to hide the hard lines of the bustle. The class didn’t include the ruffles because that would have been more time consuming.
Catherine –
Not recommended, but only for those with large waist-to-hip ratios.
I’ve made many Truly Victorian patterns, and this is the only one that hasn’t worked perfectly. The pattern goes together nicely and gives a great shape. I’m sure it would work fine on someone with a more proportionate figure. But I have, ahem, a lot of natural curve in my lower back – in at the waist, out over the fanny. And the interior stay that rests against my bottom is too tight, forcing the back of the bustle up and tilting the front hoops right down against my ankles. I’ve solved the problem as best I can by cutting the interior stay up the center and adding ties to the edges so I can adjust the tension. A lacing would work equally well or better, but I didn’t have any grommets in the house. This adjustment has made the shape acceptable, but has reduced the amount of “bustle effect”. It’s good enough but not quite what I was hoping for. I didn’t make the ruffles since I already have a flounced bustle petticoat.