Junior Rasmussen
A wedding dress bustle is a way of altering a bridal gown to lift the train, allowing the bride to move around and dance without tripping over her dress. This is especially important for dresses with a long train, which can be altered to function as if they had no train. There are several types of bustles, including the American bustle, French bustle, ballroom bustle, and regular bustle, each with a different look and level of complexity. Adding a bustle to a wedding dress typically costs between $75 to $250, and it is important to choose the right type of bustle for the silhouette of the gown, the amount of fabric, and how the bride plans to wear the dress. This process may require creative solutions for dresses with intricate lace or unique silhouettes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To lift the train of a wedding dress, allowing the bride to move around and dance freely without tripping over the fabric. |
| Types | American/Over, French, Ballroom, Regular |
| Attachment Points | Buttons, hooks, ties, loops, snaps |
| Attachment Locations | Underside of the skirt, waistline, hip line, back of the dress |
| Considerations | The type of fabric, weight of the train, presence of intricate lace or unique silhouettes, desired number of bustle points |
| Customization | Possible to customise the bustle style to suit the silhouette of the dress and showcase decorative elements |
| Preparation | Assign a person to help with bustling the dress on the wedding day and ensure they attend the dress fittings to learn the process |
| Maintenance | Keep an emergency kit with safety pins, sewing needles, clear fishing line, and tape for quick fixes in case the bustle breaks |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right style of bustle for your lace wedding dress
Choosing the right bustle style for your wedding dress is an important decision. A bustle is an alteration to the back of a wedding dress that lifts the train off the ground and secures it to the dress, allowing the bride to move around with ease. There are several types of bustles, each with a different look, but they all benefit the wearer in the same way.
Firstly, it is important to note that one bustle does not fit all, and there are many to choose from. The right style of bustle will depend on the silhouette of your lace wedding dress. If your dress has a lace border around the hem and train that you want to show off, avoid a train flip bustle. A dress with a lace overlay can be bustled in any style, depending on the silhouette of the dress. If your dress has buttons down the back, it is recommended to stick to an American or French-style bustle. Tulle wedding dresses look best with an American bustle, as a French bustle can make the train look bulky.
The American bustle, also known as the over bustle, is one of the easiest and most basic wedding dress bustle styles. It consists of one or more bustle points scattered at the gown's waist or hip line, meant to pull the train up and over the rest of the gown. This style can have one, three, or even five bustle pick-up points for an ultra-dramatic look. It is well-loved due to its versatility and can be used for any style of gown.
The French bustle, also known as the under bustle, is a great option if the majority of your gown's embellishments are situated near the waist. It is less desirable if you have intricate details near the hemline, as these will be far less visible once the bustle is applied. This style is also better suited to dresses with minimal trains, as it tucks under instead of over.
A ballroom bustle gives the illusion of no bustle at all. The train of the dress flips under the fabric and is pinned into itself, giving the illusion of a floor-length gown with an even fuller bottom.
There are also regular bustles, which are usually easier to create on a skirt that is full but does not have a lot of tulle underneath.
It is important to trust your seamstress to recommend the best type of bustle for your dress, and to delegate the task of bustling the dress on the day to a trusted individual.
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How to sew a loop to bustle your lace wedding dress
Sewing a loop to bustle your lace wedding dress is a simple and cost-effective way to alter your gown. It is a process that can be done by hand, without the need for machine sewing.
Firstly, place a safety pin halfway up the length of the train at the back of the dress. This marks where the loop will be sewn. Thread your needle with doubled-up thread, inserting it into the needle and tying a knot at the end to secure it. Insert the needle into the underside of the dress at the safety pin point, and pull the thread through. Make a small stitch and pull the thread most of the way through, creating a loop. Then, grab the loop with your fingers and pull the remaining thread through to create a knot.
This loop can then be hooked over a button sewn above it to lift the train of the dress off the floor. To ensure the button is secure, stitch it four times and make two knots. The button should be placed about one foot above the bride's knees.
If you are concerned about the weight of the dress, you can add reinforcement on the underside of the train to spread the weight and tension. This can be done by sewing through all the layers to add attachment points. Alternatively, you can use long strings or thin straps between the layers to ensure each layer is the correct length when bustled.
For a lace wedding dress, it is important to consider the visibility of the bustle. Buttons or hooks can be concealed with embroidery, beading, or lace appliqués. Ribbons can also be used to attach the train to the dress, but these are usually visible.
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How to conceal the bustle on your lace wedding dress
A wedding dress bustle is a technique used to secure the train, or any extra fabric, off the ground and into the back of the dress. This allows the bride to move around with ease and prevents the dress from getting soiled. While most wedding dresses don't come with a bustle, there are several types of bustles that can be added, each with a slightly different appearance but providing the same basic benefits.
To conceal the bustle on your lace wedding dress, consider the following options:
- Choose a bustle style that complements the silhouette of your dress. A lace dress with a lace border around the hem and train that you want to showcase may be better suited for certain bustle styles over others. For example, a train flip bustle may not be the best option if you want to show off the lace border.
- Opt for discreet fastening methods such as hooks, ties, or buttons that can be concealed within the seams or decorative elements of the dress. For example, an eye hook can be concealed with embroidery or beading to match the lace pattern.
- Consider the placement of the bustle points. The American bustle, for instance, can have one or more bustle points scattered at the waist or hip line, pulling the train up and over the rest of the gown. This can create a draped look that complements the lace fabric.
- Consult with a professional seamstress who can advise on the best bustle style for your specific dress and help execute the bustle discreetly. They may suggest custom bustling techniques to ensure the beauty of the intricate lace details is preserved.
- Practice bustling the dress before the wedding day. Familiarize yourself or the designated "bustler" (usually a bridesmaid or family member) with the mechanics of the bustle to ensure a smooth and seamless process during the event.
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How to prepare for your lace wedding dress bustle breaking
A wedding dress bustle is a clever way to secure the train of your gown, giving you the freedom to move around with ease. However, no matter how carefully your seamstress stitches your bustle, there's always a possibility that it can break during your reception. Wedding dresses can be very heavy, and you're relying on a few delicate bustle points to hold the whole operation in place while dancing, walking, and mingling. So, it is always better to be prepared for your lace wedding dress bustle breaking. Here are some tips to prepare for such a situation:
Assign a designated person to help with bustling:
It is nearly impossible to secure a bustle while wearing a bridal gown, so enlist the support of a trusted person to help you with this task. Assign someone to help bustle your dress for you on your wedding day. Generally, this person is the maid of honour or another member of the bridal party. It is a good idea to have this designated person attend your dress fittings so they can learn how to properly bustle your dress.
Understand the different types of bustles:
There are several types of wedding dress bustles, each with its own unique style and functionality. The American bustle, also known as the over-bustle, is one of the most popular and simplest styles. It involves lifting the train over the back of the gown and securing it at the waistline. The French bustle, on the other hand, pulls the train fabric up and under the gown, creating a cascading effect. Understanding the different types of bustles will help you choose the best option for your dress and prepare for any potential issues.
Have the necessary supplies on hand:
Prepare an emergency kit with safety pins, a sewing needle, and a clear fishing line. If your bustle breaks, these supplies will come in handy for quick repairs. Opt for thread or fishing line that matches your dress colour to make any fixes invisible. You may also want to include a thread and needle kit in your emergency kit to handle last-minute repairs or reinforcements.
Plan ahead and practice:
Set a plan and ensure you've given yourself enough time between the ceremony and reception to bustle your dress. Decide when and where you'll be bustling your dress, and make sure your designated helpers are available at that time. Practise bustling your dress beforehand, and consider taking videos or notes during your dress fittings to refer back to on the day of your wedding.
Work closely with your seamstress:
Your seamstress will be your best resource for choosing the ideal bustle option for your dress. During your wedding dress alteration appointments, they can help you determine which types of bustles will work best with your gown. If your dress has intricate lace details, they can advise on the best way to preserve the beauty of the design while adding a bustle.
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How to bustle a lace wedding dress with a train
Bustling a wedding dress is a way to alter it so that the train is lifted, allowing the bride to move around and dance without the train getting in the way. There are several types of bustles, each with a different look, but they all benefit the wearer in the same way.
A lace wedding dress can be bustled in any style, depending on the silhouette of the dress. If your gown has a lace border that you want to show off, avoid a train flip bustle. A dress with buttons down the back may also make certain bustle styles more difficult, so it is recommended to stick to an American or French-style bustle.
The American bustle, also known as the over-bustle, is one of the simplest and most basic wedding dress bustle styles. It consists of one or more bustle points at the gown's waist or hip line, pulling the train up and over the rest of the gown. This is the best bustle if your train has a lot of details or embroidery, as it will still be visible once bustled.
The French bustle, also known as the under-bustle, is the opposite of the American style, with the train folding under itself instead of over. This style is formed with bustle points that pull the train fabric up and under the gown, creating an understated two-layer hem with a design in the back.
To bustle your wedding dress, you can either sew hooks, ties, or buttons onto the back of your dress, or use a Trainloop to pin and hook the train up without any sewing. If sewing, you can attach a tie to the underside of the skirt, positioning it so that when the bustle is completed, the skirt hem will be just off the floor. Then, sew an eye hook to the end of the train, concealing it as best you can with embroidery or beading. Finally, attach the tie to the eye hook, pulling the tie so that the skirt bunches.
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