Time to Bustle it Up! - Making a HUGE Victorian Skirt - Christine’s Masquerade Dress (Phantom 2004)

[@morganscharman5027]

The way the fabric shears just glided through the silk taffeta was simply immaculate *chef’s kiss*

[@eerob1013]

I know. I want those shears.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I know right?! The perfect fabric for these shears! Here's the link to them (well worth the price!): amzn.to/386g7UD

[@diana7ofbnlmkvbirivera676]

@@eerob1013 dc l

[@wendysalisbury7580]

It is so satisfying to watch a truly talented person doing what they love to do.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks for watching! ❤️

[@gothempress]

The good news with the skirt is there's ample enough fabric in the bustle portion that you can theoretically unpick the twill tape and readjust the silk, then retwill tape it and the netting will help account for the fullness.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

True that!

[@maggiesue4825]

Why not put the skirt over the petticoat BEFORE cutting all that fabric off?

[@Ellaodi]

Honestly aside from how beautiful everything you make is, I love that you include the teeny tiny details of pressing open ahem seem first before turning it which even though after you said it it seemed obvious, I never thought of it before. When you share those teeny tiny details it makes a world of difference so thank you so much

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

That's wonderful to hear! I'm so glad that you find them helpful! ❤️

[@stellav3164]

I bet a lot of money that Micarah Tewers watched this

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, that'd be awesome!

[@anastasiamaliuha5481]

I find it endlessly adorable that you had to jump to make the skirt lay smoothly 😊 The finished dress is going to be sooo gorgeous! Can't wait for the embellishment video!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, yes! 😂 That's the best way I know how to do it without someones help!

[@estelledesigns]

That tip on sewing the netting with a zig zag stitch is genius! I will have to remember that for my live action Aurora dress! Also, HOW did handsewing your hem only take you a couple hours???!!!! I've been at mine for over a whole week now!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes, it really is a wonderful tip! I learned it a year or so ago! I know...I really don't know how I did it! I'm usually pretty slow at hand-sewing (like with my Belle dress, the bottom outer layer took about 30 hours to hand sew the hem 😅.) But with this, I think it's because there was a lining I was going into with the stitches...so I didn't need to worry about how much I was making the stitch show through to the other side!

[@canucknancy4257]

All the pink and the poofiness. It's a princess' dream. Gorgeous job! The pinked strips of the hem allowance are the prettiest of cabbage. Thanks for sharing.

[@julzgulz1992]

So... I am like nearly 40 years old but I really just want to come play dress up and have a tea party at your house. 😋 This dress is turning out so divine.

[@suzyqc7607able]

IKR!! I bet that is why sew guilds - or quilting clubs were a thing in the not so distant past..

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, yes! There's definitely something to be said for dressing up and tea, no matter how old!! ❤️

[@kytrvlnurse]

Thank you for showing how you create these projects. I just started sewing historical patterns. Now I know how to improve my placket and the hemmed edges of my walking skirts.

[@Ellaodi]

That placket game is sooo helpful

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Ah, that makes me happy! ❤️

[@10kaylabear01]

I've been wanting to make this dress for so long, you've fanned that flame to a roaring bonfire! It's looking beautiful!

[@AdamantErinyes]

When I went wedding dress shopping with my now sister-in-law years ago, we saw a dress with a back like that. She described it as a dress that says, "Here's my butt, and here's more of my butt, and here's the rest of my butt." XD

[@rixatrix]

I don’t know if I’ll ever sew a historical gown or costume gown but the tips and explanation you’re dropping for the order of pressing seams or why you pink the hem seams at different lengths are valuable to ANY sewist. I love this video so much. And of course, the skirt looks gorgeous!

[@Goldkehlchen20]

This series is awesome! I wish so much that this had been around 13 years ago when I was unsuccessfully trying to copy the 'Think of me'-Dress without any sewing skills whatsoever, it would have been really helpful XD

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Wonderful to hear! Haha, I wish I could have, but I'm afraid I was only 7 years old...😂

[@Goldkehlchen20]

@@BellaMaesDesigns There wasn't anybody around in general, no tutorials, no sewing videos, hardly any images of the dresses, no exhibits. I'm really glad there's a whole online-community now, it's a completely different world :)

[@TheRutheLa]

This is literally my dream dress to make, I'm so glad to see someone else making it! I hope you're enjoying the process!

[@Andrew_in_the_garden]

There is something very satisfying about seeing the seams get pressed open

[@lafayettekirkegaard]

This is so calming and beautiful! I’m so happy that you did this dress, Phantom of the Opera (2004 movie) was my childhood favorite, and you told me it’s not impossible to make the beautiful gala gown!

[@TheSuzberry]

I admire your industry and everything else it takes to manage 6,000 yards of fabric. I’m getting anxious just watching.

[@seanaghpalmtree]

oh my goodness that skirt is a work of art!! It's somehow even more gorgeous than I imagined it looking (I'm really looking forward to seeing it with the flower embellishments!). So beyond excited to see the next part of this project.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! Yes! I can't wait to attach the flowers!

[@LadyB_20]

I'm so excited by the mention of the embellishment video. So much time and effort has gone into this and it will be so magnificent at the end!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes, me too! :)

[@noeraldinkabam]

Bella there are no words to express my admiration! Beautiful!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Awwwww! ❤️

[@louisecole3822]

I have never considered a facing to hem a skirt! It’s such a genius way of finishing the hem. I can’t wait to try it on my next project!

[@eerob1013]

I really want to learn to drape, but I just feel so self conscious about it. I agonize over the most simple drafts. I had to learn to draft my own patterns off from the start since I don’t ever find commercial patterns in my size. The large size of my panels means if I mess up it costs so much more. I love how you explain the why of what you are doing. It helps with understanding it so much.

[@suzyqc7607able]

Miss Erin. If you live in the States, a charity shop like a "goodwill" is your answer. The goodwill type shops have a huge selection of donations - so it's wise to go to several if you are able. Much of the fabric would be hidden - draped on hangers in odd ways - But - you've got a huge selection sometimes of fabric's that are pure silks, muslin, taffeta, all kinds of weights of cotton too.. from lengths upon lengths of lawn to gingham, etc. lace, & Heaps of buttons & clasps and embroidered bits. I find it quite fun to hunt for all the treasures. My friend needed me to show her the trick to seeing the fun in it - Because she got so overwhelmed, But - Once she could "see" what I could see, She now hounds me to go all the time .. I usually start out early fall each year. We make a day of it going to different second-hand - or - donation shops on Saturdays. I hope this helps a little.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes, it can be a little scary! But definitely using a cheap fabric is the best way to learn. I actually draped this skirt with old bed sheets1

[@cvasoyan6065]

Los Angeles Trade Tech College is now offering online draping classes. If you deside to take the class. Take the class with Mr. Naranjo. Mr. Naranjo actually worked; in Paris, at a Coulture House. Resident college fee per/unit $46, out of state $282 per/unit and it's 4 or 3 units per semester.

[@iasonshade1724]

It's turning out so wonderfully. I cannot wait to see the rest come together. Each video makes to end product more tangible, and the anticipation swell. Keep up the great work! You've done a beautiful job thus far. The finished dress will be stunning, I'm positive. Artfully, Iason

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thank you! ❤️

[@earlenewallace8445]

Just so beautiful. I breathlessly await the next installment of the making of Christine' s gown 💗💗✂👗

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Thanks! Coming tomorrow!

[@PandaLily3]

The filming and editing of these videos are beautiful

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thank you!

[@louiselill1528]

I love the skirt the way the bustles turned out are gorgeous . Quite sad it's nearly the end of this beautiful dress and under garments

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! I know!! But there's be another project starting soon after it ends!

[@Cipkrea]

this is literally my favorite dress of all time and that movie is super super dear to me. thank you so much for making this!!

[@nataliewhittaker3824]

I love how you drop in useful tips as you go along!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I'm so glad! ❤️

[@nancyruizalvarez4982]

Everything you do is always so beautiful!!! thank you for allowing us on your journey!!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thank you! It really is my pleasure!

[@BeverleyButterfly]

Oh my goodness you are so patient all that fabric I think I would just cry! Looks incredible though wow

[@sarahmae277]

You're getting so close! 💪🏻 You're SO BRAVE! I would have been so worried about that lengthy but you removed. It's really looking beautiful and I can't wait to see you finish it!

[@marloncervantes2512]

Best laid plans always come with snags. That's a beautiful bustle! The color is perfect. The great thing about this era is that one cannot have enough embellishments so its very forgiving when it comes to adjustments here and there. Congratulations!

[@DipityS]

Just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I'm happy to learn I'm not the only one fretting and nibbling on my nails nervously when you snipped off the hem - I'd never get anything done because I'd be too afraid to commit and just do what needs to be done!

[@rhondamast3441]

That’s so much fabric to wrestle. 😁 It’s absolutely beautiful-as always.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, yes! Thanks! ❤️

[@1nerdyknitter]

I love this so much, it is absolutely gorgeous! My daughter just told me she wants me to make this dress too, lol!🤣

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! That's awesome! ❤️

[@lidialippold9274]

I have a Victorian dress I am supposed to make for my friend. Who has been patiently waiting for it for over 5 years now. I am starting it when I am done with my summer final college class in two weeks. You are motivating me to get started Thank you.

[@lidialippold9274]

Oh and I am new to your video. Love it.

[@tiffytattoo2450]

The colour is just breathtaking! So beautiful! I could either sew or film, you do both! Amazing :) thanks for sharing!

[@faithfilipp8081]

I want to know how many yards of fabric went into this project after it's finished. I always see these wonderful projects and think about that.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Around 10-12 yards went into the skirt! I haven't calculated it out yet, but it's around there!

[@eddie9420]

I've been inspired to make myself a victorian era chemise when I can get the material. I hope it comes out well when I make it.

[@castoputa]

Oh gosh this is so beautiful! You could wear it at any stage in its journey and it would look incredible... dare I say it’s better than the original

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thank you so much! ❤️

[@foamandfog3112]

These videos are what have been getting me through the weeks😂😂😂. Beautiful work as always, and thank you for the constant stream of inspiration and art.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Awwww! I'm so happy to be sharing! ❤️

[@SarahJareth]

I am living for your channel during quarantine

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Awwww! ❤️

[@susanlein7849]

Oh that must have been so painful when you realized your mistake with the netting hem! Good job sticking with it!

[@belindacoba5158]

Yes I got scared too!! Afther all that hard work the peticoat is showing through, but she had such nice and brave attitude ...👏👏👏 She is such a profesional!!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes, the netting was a bummer! But at least it's fixable! Belinda, the white petticoat will be covered with a dark pink petticoat, so I actually did mean for the skirt to be that way. :). Though, I did mess up with not leaving the netting long enough for the hem!

[@sewesme4866]

Awesome video!!! Gorgeous skirt!! just even out the hem to the shorter cut and then add a gathered hem.

[@laureneliset]

I've been so confused about how to make a bustle skirt so thank you for making it make sense

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, that makes me happy! ❤️

[@kari8187]

I have so much respect for your talent and skill!

[@omggiiirl2077]

Utterly enchanting!! Its magical I applaud you dear!! If only we had some type of tradition to wear such beautiful dresses.

[@Faeriehood]

Love all of the hand sewing! Brilliant job on the skirt 👐

[@vickinoeske1711]

Wow! Beautiful fabric, beautiful skirt. Cant wait to see the embellishments.

[@charlarp]

I have to admit that bustling still eludes me but wow so gorgeous!

[@MuffinTin36]

So amazing! I just discovered your channel and I am blown away! Great job! Filming was great too!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thank you! Welcome! ❤️

[@patrickishotxd8775]

The dress looks amazing and I can't wait for the finished product 😀👍

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Thanks! Me too!

[@gracer130]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is magnificent! I'm super inspired now.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I'm so glad! ❤️

[@matrixiekitty2127]

There was so much good advice! This dress is going to look so stunning!!

[@shadipro7492]

I really liked the way you design because you care about the smallest details 😍😍... You are really amazing ... Keep this creative going ❤️❤️😇

[@AR-gg2su]

I was fascinated by the under construction of the skirt.

[@TheMonsterGirlD]

Loved it!! I'm amused with the quantity of fabric that you're handling (i would be overwhelmed trying to do the bustles), and delighted with the video itself because it came out so pretty and satisfying to watch. I'm excited to continue in this journey!!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! I know! 😅 Though I've had some practice with sewing the Cinderella dress 5 times...there's A LOT of fabric to handle with that dress!

[@suzyqc7607able]

Bella Mae, It's beautiful !!! This is almost finished - I am SO terribly excited for you!!.. You have, I believe - Plenty of fabric left In the skirt for any play you may need to adjust the hem to the ideal length., & It's Simply Gorgeous!! It really is the Perfect salmon pink.. I love - love - Love the Pinked ribbons you "made" trimming the allowances. they were all so even & pinked & adorable.. I'd have kept those for other projects & used them as frilly bows for dolls or wreaths as gifts.. Cabbage is so fun to play with for other little things.. Bella Mae.. This has been a wonderful adventure - Thank you so much for working so diligently on this dream of yours.. to accomplish a dream - is so inspirational - Thank you for documenting it beautifully.

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! Yes, it is and I'm so excited!

[@pengdubit]

Very pretty I can't wait for the flowers and crystals and that dark pink red petticoat

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Me tooooo!

[@emily94762]

You make this look so easy even though I know it definitely isn't

[@TheePinkExplosion]

that pink silk taffeta is GORGEOUS

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I know, right?! It's was such a perfect find!

[@alaskacosplay]

A suggestion for next time if you plan on fixing the skirt length, have a lot of excess fabric so it would be a lot longer unbustled and when it is bustled, you can trim the fabric to the length you need it to be. It tends to be a lot better to have it too long than too short. Also the ribbon tapes might be too short (I could be wrong though) thats why it’s probably not long enough in the back. I tried this on a similar gown I am working on and the mock-up showed that it was not long enough either since I didnt add enough ease to the hem. I think adding some hem allowance is best for this style of dress. Good job on makimg the skirt!!!! It came out so beautiful and I absolutely adore the pink silk taffeta.

[@Fairgard]

The pink plus the netting looks amazing!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

The netting adds so much!

[@venus6041]

I even watched the Phantom of the Opera after your series of videos. You did a great job!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Wonderful! I've actually only seen the movie once (many years ago!) I think I need to watch it again! 😂

[@marloncervantes2512]

Gorgeous work!

[@Dorlinedainwen]

Never trim until you have all your underpinnings on a dress form and can drape!!! It's a great lesson though! Looks lovely and can't wait to see when you get this completed!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Absolutely! (And that's what I did! 🙂My white petticoat acted as the silk petticoat that I needed to make.) My silk trimming was actually fine, I wanted it to have that shorter spot at the side to reveal the under petticoat.

[@tralaritralarajiju2652]

Sooo beautiful🌸

[@jakubserwin8208]

wow you really have to like this phantom movie to make an entire costume from it!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, I think I more fell in love with the costume! I've only seen the movie once, and I liked it, but REALLY fell in love with this dress and the think of me dress!

[@TheFalconoflight]

[@abandonedpast6410]

Almost there!! Looking great!!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I know, so close! ❤️

[@angelartamesia2]

Beautiful! I wish I could make that too~

[@evelyn_r]

Lol runaway fabric! 😂👏💖🥰 lol thanks for including that bit in the end. Beautiful work as always but that was the cherry on top! 💖👍

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Haha, yes! The fabric just wanted to slip away! ❤️

[@robinturnbull1731]

Imagine if this was a white wedding dress 🤍🤍🤍

[@megs7019]

Love watching this video for this dress

[@238Tina1]

This is my dream wedding dress skirt (before the bustle) 😍

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes, I was actually thinking the same thing before I bustled it up!

[@pedinurse1]

gorgeous color and dress

[@taylorcapozzoli3081]

this is so so gorgeous!! i'm in love with the pink. if you remember, what store did you get the silk taffeta at (LA fashion district right?)?

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Thanks! Ummm...it had "luxury" in the name. They had a lot of silks and it was a fairly organized store.

[@taylorcapozzoli3081]

@@BellaMaesDesigns ah thank you! I'll have to check it out next time I go. The fashion district always scares me 😂

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

@@taylorcapozzoli3081 Haha, yes! It was my first time and SO OVERWHELMING!

[@cvasoyan6065]

@@BellaMaesDesigns its unfortunate but the LA Garment District has changed so much due to online. Do you recall the street name?

[@cvasoyan6065]

Shopping

[@LaHayeSaint]

Bella, another stunning creation. I'm wondering what occasion I would want to wear the skirt. The colours are light and could easily become marked in the wrong environment. The skirt may experience problems in the washing machine, so I don't know what to do. But I do love the volume and that it's re-created Victorian. I cannot pin it down to a particular decade though. Overall, brilliant!

[@jordanjnw]

Will the next video be coming out soon? Really excited to see the next installment

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes! Coming out tomorrow morning! :) ❤️

[@Flomidipy63]

Je ne sais ce qui m'impressionne le plus : la quantité de tissu utilisée, la quantité de machines que tu possèdes ou la magnificence de tes projets.

[@RealAngelOfMusic]

I really want to sew this beautiful dress with the right undergarments, but I'm not experienced enough with sewing yet 🥺😢 ever since I saw this dress for the first time, I have wanted to wear this

[@601salsa]

Question... did you put the skirt on the hoop and petticoat when reviewing it or just on a body stand?

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Absolutely yes! I wanted to make sure they looked perfect with the structure the skirt would be laying on!

[@lilibetp]

May I ask why you chose to use ribbon to support the bustle from the waist instead of more twill tape? Wouldn't twill tape make it stronger?

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

I chose ribbon just because it looked nice! I suppose twill tape would be stronger, but they don't have a bunch of weight on them. I'd be more worried that my hand-sewing would break before the ribbon. :) But yes, it really was just a "look" thing!

[@lilibetp]

@@BellaMaesDesigns gotcha!

[@kashfiaislam9995]

Corsets are much more comfortable than underwire bras. 🎭🩰🎨

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

It looks lovely

[@menneciercorinne2675]

Hello well done for your tutorial. could you tell me how to get the complete pattern of this wonderful dress please kind regards

[@bosse1998]

Very impressive! As a Dress Historian, I wish I could create too!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Aw, thanks! ❤️

[@deedee8983]

Beautiful!

[@ameenababar3927]

Heyy! I was wondering when you will make videos on the Cinderella dress(I remember you saying something about making it in August)

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

With the masquerade dress taking longer than I expected, it's looking like it will be mid-September for the Cinderella dress!

[@elizabethlee4776]

@bellamaedesigns where can I find the pattern you used for the skirt! I don’t want to bustle it 🤣 I just want an insanely glorious train! I want to make it so bad!! 😍❤️

[@ガンコ]

Does anyone know how much fabric is needed to just make only the skirt? Want to know before I attempt this thing.

[@kaitycrudup7591]

What’s the purpose of using the jagged edge scissors vs. regular scissors?

[@HarryLovesRuth]

Edges cut with pinking shears are less likely to unravel. It seems counter intuitive, but it has to do with interrupting the connection between the threads. If one catches, it can only pull for a few millimeters before it ends. Trimming back seams and notching them at curves also reduces bulk and helps the seams lay flatter. I will som times pink a seam that is curvy just to quickly have all the notches notched in one go.

[@sarahmcdonough7713]

wow i didnt know fabric also does the wrapping paper scissor glide thing lol

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

Yes! It's me favorite! Though only some fabrics work...mostly it's silk taffeta, and sometimes cotton!

[@tabbypanda82]

I wish to get married in a dress like this one day❣️ it’s so beautiful 😍🥰

[@Fabi_72]

I would leave iT like iT is... not put up... love pink color!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@_xxsimoxz_7310]

Hello! I am planning to make a dress that has the skirt constructed pretty much like this. How did you calculate that the pleats would match your waistline? I mean, how many cm’s did you add when you cut the fabric, so that they would match your waist line exactly? Hope that it makes sense! Also the skirt was made from skirt “bell shaped” panels or was it just a long rectangle? Thanks!

[@BellaMaesDesigns]

So on this one, I made my draft/mock-up with a lot of extra room in the waist and then played around with it till the pleats looked good! The skirt panels were a combination of those two shapes. (I'm selling a scaled version of the pattern if you're interested.) bella-maes.com/product/masquerade-dress-pdf-pattern/

[@_xxsimoxz_7310]

Bella Maes Designs thank u so much I’ll definetly consider buying it 🥰

[@rainbowrosechristensen6410]

What type of shoe are ya wearing an where ya buy it at ?

[@tlaloc27]

How long did it take to make 😮

[@cakepop.1]

I have a question hopefully you can answer. Can you provide a pattern of the skirt?