Silly question, when did you use the interfacing? I would assume when you cut out all the ruffled pieces, the interfacing was sewn with the pretty fabric?
I'm curious about the buckles. What is the width and length of the straps you used? Also, does it do a decent job of keeping it closed? Oh, right, and when you say you added a "few" inches to your waist measurement, how many did you add?
I'm in the process of making my own bustle skirt for a steampunkoutfit. I've modified the directions some. If all works well I will post the skirt and the modifications I made to the directions. Happy sewing!
Now THIS is a true bustle! I'm a burlesque troupe myself,and so disappointed by all these "bustles" that don't have any BUSTLE! You can't call it a bustle if it doesn't have that signature puff to it.
I need to make one of these! But I have to comment also that I am intrigued by your mention of Burlesque lessons...I have never heard of such a thing. That's probably because I live in the sticks though lol
Loved this, so I made one too!, but in tartan, and it works great,Yeah I used a curved waist band, it sits on the hip better. Great tips from this thnx :0)
Making a deep purple version of this now, adding tulle layers 2" longer than each layer and one additional 25" layer to drop past my knees in the back.
I just made one last night using your pattern. Only I omitted the full base skirt, and just made the 3 ruffled bustle.
Came out beautiful. I'll post a photo soon.
I have this same problem with straight waist bands. A sway back is when your back is curved a little more than "Normal" and is actually a common condition in women. Make you wonder why they don't just make all patterns with sway back alterations built in, anyway.
You have to do a sway back alteration. Usually, I just use a waistband that's curved instead of straight. It hugs your waist better and no weird seams in unsightly places! Just take a curved waistband off a skirt pattern you already have and you can use that.
I am gonna try and make one me to wear to my friends wedding. Oof. The last time I used a sewing machine I made a pillow... my pillow was so crooked haha. I hope I can get some help making my lines straight.
Just in the middle of making one of these for myself! There's a pirate party tomorrow night, and I'm making it for that, but I can see it fitting in with a lot of other outfits! Can't wait to have it finished
I just finished mine for a steampunk outfit I'm working on. This is a great pattern for a person on a budget (like me). I'll post my version soon. Great job and thank you for the thorough tutorial.
Just finished my version my daughter loves it and couldn't wait to wear it. Can't upload my version though don't know why it won't let me put the photos on Thanks again Becca for the fantastic tutorial
I absolutely love this skirt and i am trying to make it at the moment. It is all cut out just got to start sewing it all together. Can I ask how you did the front. Sorry I not quite sure how the front works. Is there a seam at the front? or is it open or does it wrap over? Thanks
Well, that looks easy(ish) I shall have a go! When I say I shall have a go, I mean, it's almost finished, only got around to posting about it now!
Thankyou for the How To!
If you make a curved waistband it would eliminate the need for a dart in the back. You can do this by pulling an old t shirt over your hips and wrapping duct tape around your waistline then cutting it in half to form a pattern. We use this method for bellydance tribal belts.
Hey guys!! Thanks for posting so many great versions and comments!!! Sorry I don't get on here too often, I'm just getting back to your questions. A couple of notes about the skirt, after using it for a few years. I would make the waist band thinner so that it sits on your hips better. I would also use a different closure in front (such as snaps, like in my red one I posted on here). Otherwise it's fairing great!!
Lacey P: I ironed the taffeta to make a hem, then pinned the lace to the ironed hem & sewed. I then ruffled the whole piece (w/ lace already attached). Remember to iron your pieces before sewing w/ taffeta - it makes it sooo much easier!!! And you often avoid having to pin.
stephanie b: the longest ruffle is 20" long (see the diagram/pattern)
Ruya T: yeah, you could make the whole thing out of tule (like a tutu or petticoat) and wear it underneath another skirt. You could also make it longer & add more layers (as long as your fabric isn't too thick - tule: good, satin: too thick).
Cookies777 D: sometimes this website screws up the measurements. See my comment below (nov. 09) where I re-typed the quantities.
Jessica H: not sure about keeping the edges raw. I found that taffeta frays like a m-f!@&er. Good luck.
Fiona V: check out both photos I posted. Its a sort of wrap-around skirt that closes with a belt buckle in front (so think of how a belt closes).
Karen C: the little 2" piece is to make a bit of lace stick out between the waistband & the top ruffle (see photo 2)... maybe there's a better/easier way to do that... its also not totally necessary, just adds more lace
This may seem like a silly question, I just need this to come out as great as possible first time around, so I want to ask.
After pinning the lace down, is that when you sew the lace (or trim for my sake) and then ruffle or do you sew it on later? I just can't find in the steps where you hem the ends of the ruffles and trim... Obviously the base skirt at the end but what about the others? =\
Obviously it's amazing and sexylicious by itself, but can it also be worn underneath a longer skirt to actually serve as a bustle? I'm into petticoats right now. :p
I wanted to ask, on your "You will need" list, the objects needed have a number such as "2.0", what does that mean? I was thinking measurements,but if I'm right, is it by feet, yards, etc.?
Hi,
I'm pretty new to garment construction but have had luck with a few projects recently and am planning to make this skirt. I am using taffeta, and i wanted to keep the raw edge on the ruffles. Does anyone know if I can simply run a zig-zag stitch along the raw edge to keep it from fraying down to nothing? I want some fray, but i don't want total disintegration! Thanks!
This is a beautiful project. I used the ruffles to create an underskirt bustle for a costume for a small town production of Sweeney Todd. Becca K., you rock!
hey there! beautiful skirt! it is exactly what im lookng for. just a quick question though, where is the base skirt's side seam? i was going to make the skirt but i just realised i dont know where the base skirt closes. thanks
This is lovely, but is there any way you can post a diagram of how the pieces are connected?
The wording gets me confused, which really isn't that hard to do. X.x
Hi there from the UK
What a gorgeous skirt, I have just discovered Steampunk-type clothing - and have an outfit in mind that I'd love to make. Your no-nonsense tutorial is fab and I'll be using this idea in my design. To those that have said they cant sew, what a shame, start practising! The first thing I ever sewed was BY HAND, so no machine is no excuse ;) and it was a pair of night clothes(pyjamas)....and I was 7! So if your mental age is more than 7 and you have full use of your hands....get sewing )
This is fantastic!
I've just made it from scratch in less than 3.5 hours from a black satin bed sheet that someone gave me. Tomorrow I'm maiding at my hubby's Vivid Soda Burlesque Revue and it will finish my outfit perfectly - thank you!!
Wow, I'm not sure what's up with the materials, when I go to edit it, its correct. Well... in case this problem persists, here's what you need:
3.5 yards Fabric (taffeta or similar)
1 yard Interfacing
12 yards Lace
10"x10" piece of Leather (or similar) -- only for belt-like closure
2 Buckle(s) -- or snaps or buttons or hook/eyes
Hi Courtney N,
Wow, thanks for calling attention to that, the list of materials is really messed up!
No, the skirt is made of taffeta (or whatever material you like that can kind of 'stand up on its own'), only the little belt-like clasp in front is made of leather...but you can use any closure you like - for my red one I used snaps, you could use a hook/eye, buttons, or whatever.
Love this. I have been ogling the skirt this is based off of for ages, and I'm glad I know how to make it now. I've saved Over $60 just making it myself! I'm working on my variant of this skirt now and it's turning out so cute. Thanks for the tutorial! ♥
first off, love this skirt. i really want to make one of my own now.
but, is the main fabric of the skirt leather? i was reading the materials and i got a little confused.
This is skirt looks amazing and your instructions are fantastic. I've bought some fabric and I'm determined to give it a try. Thanks so much for providing such an interesting project!
heyy I absolutely ADORE this skirt, and was just wondering about the fastening before I attempt it, is it essentially a wrap around skirt? or did you sew it together and is just the waistband wrap around? tyy!
Hi Kristin J,
Thanks for the advice. I think the ironing would definitely work with a fabric like taffeta... or something that's easy to iron down. But I'm not sure about the brocade - that stuff is a lot more heavy duty than I expected. I think sewing in a few more lines on the ruffles themselves (before attaching the waistband) is the key!! Great idea!!
Nicely done! You asked how to flatten the ruffle tops for easier sewing since they are so thick? If you've pinned them with all metal pins -- NO plastic balls on the end -- then you can iron the pinned tops flat before sewing it all together. Just be careful not to iron down past the pin-line and onto the ruffles themselves. You can then also sew the ruffles to each other before attaching them to the waistband, and sew 1 or 2 more parallel lines in the seam allowance to completely flatten the tops. All those stitch-lines will go into the waistband and be hidden.
wow, definatly sure what im going to go as for that fancy dress party, i cant afford to pay 40 pound to buy the outfit from the shop so thanks for the great how to so i dont have to spend so much money
Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us - it is not something I would make for myself, but if ever get the opporutnity to make one for someone else, I will keep this in mind.
Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us - it is not something I would make for myself, but if ever get the opporutnity to make one for someone else, I will keep this in mind.
Thanks! Can't wait to get started on my version!
To hobby lobby, AWAY!
Came out beautiful. I'll post a photo soon.
I have this same problem with straight waist bands. A sway back is when your back is curved a little more than "Normal" and is actually a common condition in women. Make you wonder why they don't just make all patterns with sway back alterations built in, anyway.
You have to do a sway back alteration. Usually, I just use a waistband that's curved instead of straight. It hugs your waist better and no weird seams in unsightly places! Just take a curved waistband off a skirt pattern you already have and you can use that.
One note- using a fabric that you decide to line makes sewing everything together rather interesting.
Thank you for sharing your work.. (=
Blessings!
Thankyou for the How To!
Lacey P: I ironed the taffeta to make a hem, then pinned the lace to the ironed hem & sewed. I then ruffled the whole piece (w/ lace already attached). Remember to iron your pieces before sewing w/ taffeta - it makes it sooo much easier!!! And you often avoid having to pin.
stephanie b: the longest ruffle is 20" long (see the diagram/pattern)
Ruya T: yeah, you could make the whole thing out of tule (like a tutu or petticoat) and wear it underneath another skirt. You could also make it longer & add more layers (as long as your fabric isn't too thick - tule: good, satin: too thick).
Cookies777 D: sometimes this website screws up the measurements. See my comment below (nov. 09) where I re-typed the quantities.
Jessica H: not sure about keeping the edges raw. I found that taffeta frays like a m-f!@&er. Good luck.
Fiona V: check out both photos I posted. Its a sort of wrap-around skirt that closes with a belt buckle in front (so think of how a belt closes).
Karen C: the little 2" piece is to make a bit of lace stick out between the waistband & the top ruffle (see photo 2)... maybe there's a better/easier way to do that... its also not totally necessary, just adds more lace
After pinning the lace down, is that when you sew the lace (or trim for my sake) and then ruffle or do you sew it on later? I just can't find in the steps where you hem the ends of the ruffles and trim... Obviously the base skirt at the end but what about the others? =\
I'm pretty new to garment construction but have had luck with a few projects recently and am planning to make this skirt. I am using taffeta, and i wanted to keep the raw edge on the ruffles. Does anyone know if I can simply run a zig-zag stitch along the raw edge to keep it from fraying down to nothing? I want some fray, but i don't want total disintegration! Thanks!
Do you have a picture of the front? I cant quite envision how it actually does up?
Thank you for such a well explained tutorial
Do you have a picture of the front? I cant quite envision how it actually does up?
Thank you for such a well explained tutorial
The wording gets me confused, which really isn't that hard to do. X.x
Great project...
and got introduced to this website. :3
I had to instantly make a profile to compliment it.
This skirt is amazing, and I hope someday I can make my very own burlesque skirt. <33
What a gorgeous skirt, I have just discovered Steampunk-type clothing - and have an outfit in mind that I'd love to make. Your no-nonsense tutorial is fab and I'll be using this idea in my design. To those that have said they cant sew, what a shame, start practising! The first thing I ever sewed was BY HAND, so no machine is no excuse ;) and it was a pair of night clothes(pyjamas)....and I was 7! So if your mental age is more than 7 and you have full use of your hands....get sewing
I've just made it from scratch in less than 3.5 hours from a black satin bed sheet that someone gave me. Tomorrow I'm maiding at my hubby's Vivid Soda Burlesque Revue and it will finish my outfit perfectly - thank you!!
3.5 yards Fabric (taffeta or similar)
1 yard Interfacing
12 yards Lace
10"x10" piece of Leather (or similar) -- only for belt-like closure
2 Buckle(s) -- or snaps or buttons or hook/eyes
Wow, thanks for calling attention to that, the list of materials is really messed up!
No, the skirt is made of taffeta (or whatever material you like that can kind of 'stand up on its own'), only the little belt-like clasp in front is made of leather...but you can use any closure you like - for my red one I used snaps, you could use a hook/eye, buttons, or whatever.
but, is the main fabric of the skirt leather? i was reading the materials and i got a little confused.
Oh and by the way, thanks for showing me another clothing site to drool over and not be able to have because of the prices! A girl can dream!
CO + K User
You're right, it is basically a wrap around skirt + waistband.
Thanks for the advice. I think the ironing would definitely work with a fabric like taffeta... or something that's easy to iron down. But I'm not sure about the brocade - that stuff is a lot more heavy duty than I expected. I think sewing in a few more lines on the ruffles themselves (before attaching the waistband) is the key!! Great idea!!
very cool!
xxxx
hmm... I think I know what I wanna do this year for Halloween ;D
This shirt is SO friggin hot!
I absolutely love it
I wanna make one too
Thanks for the tutorial
<3!
Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us - it is not something I would make for myself, but if ever get the opporutnity to make one for someone else, I will keep this in mind.
Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us - it is not something I would make for myself, but if ever get the opporutnity to make one for someone else, I will keep this in mind.