Well thank you!!! =0) Skirts are so easy, I just trace the pattern onto the skirt with chalk (since it's dark) or a fabric pencil if lighter. On the folded length of fabric, I measure down the length of the skirt plus seam allowances and length for waistband if elastic. Then across the top measure out how wide you want it. If the skirt will be 3 panels, and you want it full at the waistband it's easy since you just measure out 1/2 the waistline measurement plus 1/2" seam allowance (or 5/8"). If you want the elasticized waistband, measure straight down the width of the elastic x 2, plus 1/8" for ease and another 3/8" to fold under as a seam allowance. Then from the bottom pt or top if using a separate waistband, using a yardstick draw a line down toward the far edge of the fabric so it's like a triangle, stopping at the desired length of skirt plus 1 seam allowance. Then depending on how extreme the difference if between the waist and the hem is and how heavy the fabric is, I take a little off that diagonal line, a teeny bit if a little, 1/2"-1" if big. Or you can skip that and just let the skirt hang overnight to let the diagonal seam stretch and then trim and hem. Anyway, so then draw a curved line from the diagonal line to the line on the fold, creating the hem bottom. For the skirt with a train like this, decide where you want the length to start. For a train just at the back, make the fold piece longer by as long as you'd like the train to be. Slope the diagonal line out to the fold. For this skirt, the length began further on the sides I think, since if the train is more than a little long or wide it will do weird things if the length is only at the back panel. If I remember correctly, the front panel fold was 41", then the diagonal lines for the front panel were 43", with the back fold at least 50". I played around with the bustling till I was happy with the effect by floofing and pinning where I wanted the bustle to be, then sewed the ribbons in at the waist and hand-stitched rings at the pin points on the inside. I hope this was helpful, I'm sorry if it was confusing!!! I haven't used these patterns, but have been drooling over them for ages, the "Truly Victorian" ones you might want to look into since they have neat bustle ones. =0)
and, I've heard only great reviews of the Truly Victorian patterns. ^_^ They say the woman who owns it, Heather...drafts the patterns when you order them. or at least, she used to. ^_^
Thank you somuch for your explanations!!! I wasn't expecting so much! It is very helpful and clear (since english is not my motherlangage, when it comes to technical explanations I have to read twice, very slowly, but can finally understand clearly ;-) ) I have bought one Truly Victorian pattern for my wedding gown and was very happy of it, but didn't really know how to make the "fluffy" bustling effect. You gave me a better idea of it. I suppose the personal experimentation is next step! ;-) I was just a bit afraid since there is such a huge quantity of expensive fabric involved (between 5 and 8 meters generally) and I don't want to waste it... but I will know if it works only with trying! Thanks again, you are so helpful.
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I wasn't expecting so much! It is very helpful and clear (since english is not my motherlangage, when it comes to technical explanations I have to read twice, very slowly, but can finally understand clearly ;-) )
I have bought one Truly Victorian pattern for my wedding gown and was very happy of it, but didn't really know how to make the "fluffy" bustling effect. You gave me a better idea of it. I suppose the personal experimentation is next step! ;-) I was just a bit afraid since there is such a huge quantity of expensive fabric involved (between 5 and 8 meters generally) and I don't want to waste it... but I will know if it works only with trying! Thanks again, you are so helpful.
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