What the dressmaker of yore would busy herself making? (6)

I believe the answer is:

bustle

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'making?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for bustle that I've seen before include "Hustle and fuss" , "Excited activity of subtle sort" , "Hurly-burly" , "Energetic activity" , "Hurried and noisy activity" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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