i don’t like my bustle.

I’m no seamstress, but it would seem to me like they could place the bustle lower to align more with the trumpet part of the dress (see pic). If you’re very unhappy with it, I’d ask another seamstress for her opinion.

I've seen someone on here post a picture of their bubble bustle. I couldn't find a proper picture, but it seems to be where they bustle under the first layer of skirt instead of over.

I would imagine you could also do 3 points instead of 1 so it lays flatter and less bunchy.

View Quoted Comment Yes! I agree with this suggestion.

I’m not generally a fan of bustles, but my seamstress is doing an 8 point on my dress and I love it

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. There are defininately better ways to do the bustle to it fits more naturally on the dress. Did you express your concerns do the seamstress? You two should play around with different bustle ideas at your next fitting to see what works.

Yep! Using the same hooks you have now, do the center piece first, then do the two outside pieces so that they are on top. This wouldn't need any changes in the hooks. You could also do a 3 point bustle which I think looks really pretty with a slimmer dress like this.

They should’ve had the bustle lower and added more points to still get the hem off the ground or barely touching the ground. Maybe they were trying to save you money but it does look awkward.

There are many options for wearing a bustle! I agree with others a 3-point one would look better.

My dress was very similar and I had a 5 point over bustle (yours needs to be lower) with a 3 point under bustle to take some of the bulk out.

My dress is almost exactly the same as yours, they gave me three options

1) Just how yours is now

2) To put the bustle under the first layer of tulle to hide it completely

3) To have a three point bustle because the bottom has so much volume she would put three points (two lower to the side and one higher in the middle)

I don't even have my dress back yet so I have no idea what it will look like yet but I imagine the 3 point bustile will be a. most convienent and b. most flattering.

Good luck! Beautiful dress

This is the best picture I have of it.

There are tons of ways to bustle, I would go to another seamstress.

Ok, I’m long-winded, and I apologize in advance for that…

I used to do alterations in a bridal shop, and bustles were my favorite! Some dresses are styled/sewn in a way that it does limit what will work with the train, but in general, there are multiple ways to do it, and there are pros/cons/things to consider with each variation. Some seamstresses may not be skilled enough that they can really play around with a bustle & try it different ways. Can’t hurt to check around & see if there are other places in your area that do bridal alterations.

Just some things to consider:

- The number of bustle points needed varies greatly depending on the style of the dress, length of the train, fullness (width) of the train, and even the height of the bride. I only point this out, because if you see a pic of a bustle you like, it would be unrealistic to expect a seamstress to recreate it in a way that it looks exactly the same or has the exact same number of buttons on your dress. Your dress is unique & will have it’s own unique look when bustled , even if inspired by another bustle.
- The higher a bustle is positioned, the less points are needed. The lower a bustle is positioned, the more points are needed to get all the fabric up off the floor. Neither is right or wrong, just different. And of course, this affects both look and price.
- You could have your bustle pinned so that the train is mostly OFF the floor, like kinda lined up with the rest of the hem, & it kinda “swishes” around as you walk & move. OR, you can have it pinned so that some of the train intentionally drags a big, like it becomes a little sweep train. A little sweep train is pretty in my opinion, but also higher risk of being stepped on (which could rip out a bustle point… Have safety pins in your emergency kit).

Another thing to consider, especially looking at the pics of your dress… There are a few different layers all bustled together, which creates added fullness. Looks like there is a satin/lining layer underneath, and then the lacey organza on the outside with maybe a netting layer between the two (hard to tell). I would look at possibly bustling the satin separate from the outer layer (they might be tacked together, but the seamstress can just clip the tacks to separate them). This would reduce how much the outer bustle pops out, like it would lay a little more smooth. The under layer could be bustled whatever way is cheapest and easiest, because you won’t see it.

Then maybe have the traditional bustle on the outside re-pinned to line up more with the fullness of the skirt. There would need to be more bustle points to get it all up, but you might like the look better (or not, once you see it, who knows?). After pinning, it’s all about how you fold/cascade the layers of each bustle point over each other, from the middle point working outward. Granted it won’t stay picture-perfect like that when you start moving & dancing, but it helps.

If all else fails, have a wrist loop added, and you can carry your train *shrug*. That’s a valid option. (FYI – if you see a loop already there UNDER the train, that is NOT a wrist loop! That is just for hanging the train on the hanger. People have used that as a wrist loop, but then you’re carrying around your train with the underside showing instead of the pretty outer fabric… I mean, to each their own, but…) How I’d do a wrist loop: Lift the train from the center-back area to figure out where about would be the best place to hold it from. In that spot, seamstress would sew a nice satin wrist loop securely to the UNDERSIDE of the dress, so it’s hidden when down. Then she creates a discreet, reinforced opening on the center back seam where the loop can be pulled through when it’s time to use it.

Hope some of this helps maybe, or even just gives some perspective. Once you get a bustle you’re happy with, post pics please!

I’m doing something like this because I’m not a fan of the over bustles. Seems like your dress is similar to this one. Maybe consult a different seamstress.

Following. My FDIL just asked me last night my opinion on which bustle to use with a similar dress. Great information from all of you, thanks.