1880s Garnet Taffeta Bustle Dress

This is one of the few cases where I broke my rule never to use synthetic fabric.  I found this fabric in JoAnn’s clearance bin marked way down.  It originally came from the Home Dec department, and they had it in four flavors: plain, pinched, embroidered, and rusched.  I bought all they had in stock.  What can I say?  It grabbed me by the throat and insisted, MAKE ME INTO A BUSTLE DRESS!!!   NOW!!!!

So … since I have A LOT Of this fabric, this will be a very versatile dress.  I started this as part of Jennifer Rosbrugh’s Bustle Day Dress class.  The class is long over, but it is still evolving.  Here are the patterns I am using, all from Truly Victorian:

Foundation Skirt – TV261 – 1885 Four-Gore Underskirt
Overskirt #1 – TV365 – 1883 August Overskirt
Overskirt #2 – TV363 – 1887 Summer Overskirt
Train – TV361 – 1880s Butterfly Detachable Train
Day Bodice – TV463 – 1884 French Vest Bodice
Evening Bodice – TV460 – 1885 Cuirass Bodice
Ballgown Bodice – TV490 – 1892 Ball Gown Bodice
Hat: TV551 – 1880s French Bonnet Frame Pattern
Mantle (Outerwear): TV500 – Talma Wrap

Check back to see this wardrobe grow!