Seem busy making attire for the period piece (6)

I believe the answer is:

bustle

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'piece' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for bustle that I've seen before include "Victorian fashion" , "Hustle and fuss" , "Scurry - frame worn under skirt" , "A show of hurrying, or old skirt back padding" , "A subtle sort of commotion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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