How do you bustle Maggie Sottero Victoriana Wedding Dress?

Question

I need help! I have the Victoriana style wedding dress from Maggie Sottero (http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=victoriana&line=m&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=8&style=J1082) and it doesn't seem to have any hidden buttons or hooks for a bustle. The only thing it came with was a long ribbon, probably three quarters of an inch thick by two feet long that almost looks like the tie on the back of the dress.

I was told by the shop I ordered it from that they could either bustle it under or up so that the crystals on the back bottom come up to the top, but I'm really confused as to how this happens. Am I going to have the have the person doing the alterations sew in hooks or does the mysterious ribbon have something to do with all of this? If anyone at all could help I would really really appreciate it!!

Answer 1

That long loop is for hanging the dress.

You need to get an experienced seamstress to set up the bustle - usually buttons and loops.

http://www.leanna.com/Bridal/Bustles.htm

http://www.brides.com/forums/thread.jspa...

Answer 2

Your best bet is probably a french bustle, where they sew in a set of ribbons that are tied to bustle the dress. Word of advice, take someone if not many people with you to learn how to bustle it.

Answer 3

Its possible the ribbon can be sewn very simply up into to the dress (forming a very loose know) using a few stitches and you will pull your dress through that. Just let the dress shop figure it out so you don't get stressed.  :)

You can also email or call the designer and ask them what this random ribbon is...

Answer 4

The bustle has to be sewn in by your seamstress.  There are two types of bustle - overbustle and underbustle.

I would use a french bustle for that dress (also called an underbustle).  These are usually done by having buttons/loops or ties sewn into the lining of your dress.  The button/loops or ties are then connected after the ceremony to make the bustle.  Ties are better for heavier dresses since a button/loop setup can sometimes "break" (the button or loop comes unsewn from the lining).

The ribbon on the back of the dress is probably used to hook the train of the dress onto the hanger so it doesn't drag when hung up (this is what my Maggie had).

Check out the following two webpages for more bustle ideas:

http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...

http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...  

Answer 5

I would take it back to the bridal shop and ask them. When you do be sure to take your maid of honor - she is going to be the one who has to bustle the dress and it can get kind of complicated. It's best if you have her practice at the bridal shop - I know my maid of honor was glad that she did.  

Answer 6

A seamstress will add the bustle. Go to the store where you ordered the dress, or to a seamstress that you trust, and let her look at the dress. As others have said, a French bustle (underbustle) will likely be your best bet - this style basically cinches up the skirt from underneath using a few ribbon ties, so there aren't any buttons or hooks on the outside of your gown.