1880s Victorian Bustle Gown PDF Sewing Pattern – Braid-Trimmed Wool Skirt

1888 Bustle Skirt Pattern – Wool Dress Trimmed with Braid (Reproduction)

Product Overview

This pattern is reproduced from an original 1888 design published in Harper's Bazaar, carefully redrawn, organized, and enhanced with detailed construction notes by Vera Rena. It captures the quintessential late-19th-century bustle silhouette, featuring an integrated built-in bustle, a two-layer skirt system, and braided trim detailing. Ideal for historical reenactment, period costuming, or special occasion wear.

Design Features

· Integrated bustle petticoat – Three built-in spring-steel wires (15, 18, and 20 inches) create a natural rear fullness – no separate hoop skirt required
· Two-layer skirt – A lined foundation skirt (with wool hem facing and box-pleated flounce) supports an elegant draped outer skirt, cut according to original Figs. 18 and 19
· Braid trimming – Sixteen rows of narrow braid (originally gilt-threaded) ornament the front and hem
· Shaped fit – Front darts and hip pleats, back upper edge gathered to 6.5 inches, left side slit of 11 inches

What's Included

· Full-size 1:1 pattern pieces (printable on A4/Letter for tiling, or A0 for large-format printing)
· Comprehensive sewing instructions (cutting, seaming, gathering, waistband attachment, steel-bone installation, and more)
· Layout guide and assembly diagram
· Calibration test square to verify print scale (must measure 3" × 3")

Size & Material Requirements

Item Specification
Bust sizes 34–44 inches (drafted for 34" bust, proportionally scaled)
Corresponding waist 21½ inches
Fabric requirement 7¾ yards of 48"-wide wool
Lining requirement 2½ yards of 48"-wide lining fabric

Important Sewing Notes

· Seam allowances are NOT included – please add your own
· This is a reproduction of an original vintage pattern and may retain minor drafting quirks from the original. A test garment (muslin/toile) is strongly recommended before cutting into your final fabric
· Please calibrate the test square before printing – it must measure exactly 3" × 3"

License & Copyright Notice

· The original 1888 diagram has entered the public domain. This reproduction is Vera Rena's historical restoration and reissue of the original design.
· All newly added content – including sewing instructions, structural notes, layout design, and digital redrawing – is the intellectual property of Vera Rena.
· This pattern is licensed for personal home sewing and non-commercial use only.
· Prohibited uses include: resale, mass production, digital or physical distribution (including email sharing, cloud storage transfers, or any other form of redistribution).
· Please encourage your friends to purchase their own copies – your support helps keep this small business thriving.

Contact & Inquiries

For questions, source recommendations, or any inquiries, please reach out to:
📧 minaxu20021102@Outlook.com

Happy Sewing!