The making of a bustle skirt for Agatha Stabbenslash- Dirigible Seamstress

Several months ago- a friend came to me and asked me about possibly double dating to a fundraiser style ball being held in October.
After looking into the Team Wench Goblins and Gears Ball that supports MS research, I quickly agreed and then had a moment of panic.

 I realized that it would be ME who would be putting together 4 full costumes for 4 adults to go to this ball.
So while helping my friends and my other half develop their characters so we knew how to dress them properly, I started on my own costume. If you have followed any of my previous posts, you will have seen my second version of the 1872 Basque.  I am in love with this jacket and am continually trimming it.

Now that my friend Lauren had a chance to do some character development with some help from yours truly, we got to work planning fabrics and ideas. What exactly would the seamstress upon a dirigible wear?!

Well this is what we've come up with:
First up- was the patch work apron. Again, see my previous posts on making that. It was fun and cute. Even gave me an excuse to get a gathering foot for my sewing machine.

Now came the big piece for her costume. The skit. Of course she wanted the bustle skirt. What Lady does not dream of covering herself in yards of fabric!

So on we went. Since this is a steampunk event, and not a historical event, I decided that I was just going to draft up what was in my head instead of turning to a pattern.
There are three plain panels- on center front, and one on each side. And then a fourth back panel that created the bustle.
I kept the sewing fairly simple, and put together the three plain panels, and then marked out the back panel where I wanted the gathers, put in the gathers, and then sewed that to the other three.

I also decided I wanted a waistband for some added support and detailing.

So I made up a waistband and added chocolate brown velvet ribbons to the back of it to tie it together. I think they look just lovely hanging down the back over the bustle.

Once the waistband was on, I put some tenative marks in for the bustle and then fit it to my friend. We decided then that they needed some adjustment.
Well, after getting it back home, and properly attaching the waistband now that the garment had been fit, I realized i HATED the way the bustle looked in the back. It was aweful.
So, onto a dress from we have at work, and I spent 45 minutes one evening after work adjusting it.
I am very pleased with how that turned out, and while its not perfect, it is quite nice for my first bustle skirt and no pattern.

So, I give you the pics from my process as well as the finished skirt with the affore mentioned apron over it.

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