3 Ways To Bustle A Wedding Dress - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Add a Bustle to the Back of a Wedding Dress PDF download Download Article Create a classic accent on the train of your dress Co-authored by Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Last Updated: April 16, 2025 Approved

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  • Traditional Bustle
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  • French Bustle
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  • Over Bustle
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This article was co-authored by Kpoene Kofi-Bruce. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 373,479 times.

Even though most wedding dresses don't come with a bustle automatically, it's important to bustle a wedding dress after the ceremony. A bustle pulls the back of the dress off the ground so it doesn't get soiled, it allows the bride to move around after the ceremony with ease, and it alleviates some of the fear of tripping over a long train. There are several types of bustles, each looks a bit different but benefits the wearer of the dress in the same basic way. Here are a few options for adding a bustle to your wedding dress.

Things You Should Know

  • Attach a tie to the seam of the underside of the skirt, so that it's not visible from the outside.
  • Sew an eye hook to the very end of the train, concealing the hook as best you can with embroidery or beading.
  • Attach the tie to the eye hook on the underside of the dress, pulling the tie so that the skirt bunches.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Regular (or Traditional) Bustle

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  1. Step 1 Decide whether you like the look of a regular bustle. 1 Decide whether you like the look of a regular bustle. With a regular bustle, the end of the train is folded up under the back of the dress. This creates the look of a bubble hem and a fuller back to the skirt.[1] A regular bustle may not even be noticeable to others, as it will just be assumed that your dress has just has no train and a full skirt.
    • Regular bustles are usually easier to create on a skirt that is full but does not have a ton of tulle underneath, as the tulle would make it more difficult for the dress to fall naturally when it is bustled.
  2. Step 2 Attach a tie on the underside of the skirt. 2 Attach a tie on the underside of the skirt. The tie should be positioned so that when your bustle is completed, your skirt hem will be just off the floor.[2] You, or your seamstress, can sew this into the seam of the skirt so that it is not visible from the outside. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Sew an eye hook to the end of the train. 3 Sew an eye hook to the end of the train. The eye hook should be concealed as well as possible. There are many that look like lace or decorative beading, so don't settle for an eye hook that is too obvious.
    • Remember that the eye hook needs to be sturdy enough to hold up the train of your dress, so if your train is really heavy, be sure to attach a sturdy eye hook.
  4. Step 4 Tuck the back of the skirt up and under your dress. 4 Tuck the back of the skirt up and under your dress. You will probably need someone to help you with this. Attach the eye hook to the tie on the underside. This will make your hem bubble and your skirt look fuller. Straighten out your dress, making sure that the back of it is lying as it should.
    • You may need to have more than one point of attachment to make the bustled hem look natural. If in doubt, hire an experienced seamstress to make this bustle.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Creating a French (or Under) Bustle

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  1. Step 1 Decide whether you like the look of a French bustle. 1 Decide whether you like the look of a French bustle. With a French bustle the loop and the button are both located under the skirt.[3] When connected, the finished look will have a puff in the middle of the back of your skirt with the lower half of the skirt lying straight down. This kind of bustle is very visible, creating a layer, or more, on the back of the dress that is full and puffy.
  2. Step 2 Attach a tie on the inside of the skirt, almost all the way up to the waist. 2 Attach a tie on the inside of the skirt, almost all the way up to the waist. The position of this tie will depend on where you would like the bustle puff on the back of the skirt of your dress. Just remember that the top of the puffy area will be where you attach the tie.
    • If you are planning on having multiple points of attachment, for instance if your train is really long or you just like the look of multiple sections of full puffy bustle, then you will need to attach several ties at the top of the inside of your skirt.
  3. Step 3 Attach another tie on the underside of the skirt, this time further down the skirt from the first tie. 3 Attach another tie on the underside of the skirt, this time further down the skirt from the first tie. This tie should be high enough to hold the skirt off the ground but far enough away from the first tie that when they are tied together is creates a pleasant puffy area. You may need more than one tie, depending on how long your train is.
    • When using multiple ties, use different color ribbons to color code which ties go together. This will make the job much easier and will also make the ties easier to see under all the layers of tulle and skirting. If you are afraid that the different colors could show through your fabric, just number the ends so that they correspond with the tie you will attach in the next step.[4]
  4. Step 4 Fasten the two ties together. 4 Fasten the two ties together. Make sure that they are secure and then fluff the back of your dress until it appears just right. If you have multiple ties, make sure they are connected to the correct corresponding tie.
    • It will be important to have someone help you with this kind of bustle. Assign someone to help bustle your dress for you on your wedding day. You will normally bustle your skirt between the wedding and reception. Have this designated person attend your dress fittings so they can learn how to properly bustle your dress. Generally, this person is the maid of honor or another member of the bridal party.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Creating an Over Bustle

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  1. Step 1 Decide whether you like the look of an over bustle. 1 Decide whether you like the look of an over bustle. An over bustle is perhaps the simplest type of bustle. It is created by simply attaching the mid point of your train to a button on the upper part of the back of the skirt of your dress, all on the outside of the dress. This can be done with one point of connection, especially on dresses that are light and do not have a long train, or through multiple points, for a heavier fabric or longer train.
    • This is the best bustle if your train has a lot of details or embroidery, because it will all still be visible once bustled.
    • This is also known as an American bustle.[5]
  2. Step 2 Attach an eye hook or button on the outside of your wedding dress. 2 Attach an eye hook or button on the outside of your wedding dress. It should be attached high up on the train, near your lower back. A good one will be hidden in seams with creative decoration.[6]
  3. Step 3 Attach the lower tie about halfway down the back of the skirt. 3 Attach the lower tie about halfway down the back of the skirt. Ribbons are not usually used for an over bustle, as they would be very visible. Instead people tend to use hook and eye systems.
  4. Step 4 Connect the hook and eye you have attached. 4 Connect the hook and eye you have attached. Once connected, the underside of the skirt should be off the floor completely. Straighten out the train, making sure that any details on the tail of the train are arranged pleasingly.
  5. Step 5 Attach more sets of hooks and eyes if desired. 5 Attach more sets of hooks and eyes if desired. The skirt may have several bustles to lift the back of the dress to display any decorative work on the train. If that is the case, you must tuck in each of the folds so that with the final tie the dress will be neatly layered.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Should you bustle the layers of a wedding dress separately? Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer Expert Answer Yes, they often do. Lining layers can be very heavy and are sometimes even a different shape than the dress, so you want to get those out of the way first, and then your top layers can be bustled in a way that is more attractive. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 10
  • Question What type of bustle should I choose? Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer Expert Answer The main two types of bustle are the American, which folds up on top of the gown, and the French, which tucks under. Which bustle you choose, and where you choose to place it (like at the waist, in the middle of the skirt, or at the hem) depends on the shape and construction of the gown. The right answer is always whatever gets the fabric out from underneath the bride's feet. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question What kind/size of hook and eye should be used for a full train that is lots of tulle? How do I attach it so it will not show? Tj Armstrong Tj Armstrong Community Answer If you are talking about bringing it up for moving about more easily after the ceremony, put an elastic cuff dead center of the train about 6 to 12 inches up on the inside that can be wrapped around the bride's lower arm to carry the train to the side off the floor for the most part. It does not show when the train is down, and is not particularly difficult to locate when she needs to gather it up to carry, as it will be much too heavy for hook and eyes if very full at all. If not, make a waist strap to snap it into by adding a couple large snaps at an inconspicuous area under the arm near the waist and snaps inside the lower train. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 17
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Video

Tips

  • The manufacturer does not put bustles on the wedding dress, so it must be added by a seamstress. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
  • There are many different styles of bustles. Talk with your seamstress about the options for your particular dress, as they will know which kind of bustle will work best for the style of your specific dress. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBzY2KclK8E
  2. ↑ Kpoene Kofi-Bruce. Couture Bridal Designer. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Kpoene Kofi-Bruce. Couture Bridal Designer. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdOD3Ip6U8k
  5. ↑ Kpoene Kofi-Bruce. Couture Bridal Designer. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://leanna.com/Bustle/Bustles.shtml

About This Article

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Co-authored by: Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer This article was co-authored by Kpoene Kofi-Bruce. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane. This article has been viewed 373,479 times. 19 votes - 86% Co-authors: 13 Updated: April 16, 2025 Views: 373,479 Categories: Sewing Dresses Article SummaryX

To bustle a wedding dress, attach a tie on the underside seam of the skirt so that when your bustle is complete, your skirt hem will just be off the floor. Next, sew an eye hook to the end of the train. Then, tuck the back of the skirt up and under the dress, so you can attach the eye hook to the tie on the underside. Alternatively, create an over bustle by attaching an eye hook or button on the outside of your dress, near your lower back, and attaching the lower tie about halfway down the back of the skirt. Connect the hook and eye to draw the skirt off the floor. To learn how to create a French bustle, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Margaret Carter

    Margaret Carter

    Aug 23, 2018

    "This dress had 3 layers of tulle and about 3 more layers of under dress fabrics. I did 3 separate bustles. The..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Co-authored by: Kpoene Kofi-Bruce Couture Bridal Designer Co-authors: 13 Updated: April 16, 2025 Views: 373,479 86% of readers found this article helpful. 19 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Margaret Carter

Margaret Carter

Aug 23, 2018

"This dress had 3 layers of tulle and about 3 more layers of under dress fabrics. I did 3 separate bustles. The..." more Rated this article: Anna Woods

Anna Woods

Jul 24, 2016

"This was very helpful in letting me know that I can create a bustle to my train and wear my wedding dress with..." more Karen Henry

Karen Henry

Jul 9, 2020

"Our dress came as a sweep train style with bride holding the train. This was not what she wanted and we were able..." more Lorie Schur

Lorie Schur

Jan 3, 2017

"I have worked on many wedding dresses over the years, and was looking for more ideas for bustles. Thank you! This..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Sep 1, 2017

"Although I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, the pictures did help some, thank you!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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