I'm on Facebook!

Good afternoon all!  Taking a break from the current project to let you know that Dreams of Empires is now on Facebook.  Check it out here!
I hope to have a custom website up sometime in April so stay tuned for further developments!  At that time I'll have items available for purchase or will do custom orders.

Oh, and photos soon of the latest outfit.

Nearly finished

I've been working on a new jacket pattern.  The prototype is nearly done.  I like it so much I may be wearing this to work.

What do you think?  It is made of a washable, tooled suedecloth.
It still looks a bit rough as it needs hemmed and a final pressing.  And it fits better on me than it does on the dress form (since the form is currently sized for one of my models).

Ladies vest

I whipped up this little gem this weekend (after recovering from the flu and finishing the last jacket).  It is destined for Justine to coordinate with her walking skirt.

The collar and pocket welts are the same fabric as her skirt and the patterned fabric is, amazingly enough, some cotton I had in my quilting stash. Not bad for a day's work.  But I do need to get a better photo.

For the military gentleman

My darling husband.  So accommodating even though I had him model this while still wearing his jammies.  15 button lined jacket.  I had originally planned for 22 buttons but the layout looked odd on the short jacket.  But this leaves plenty of room for insignia and medals for the war hero.

Another walking skirt with jacket

I love three day weekends.  Even though I had plenty of other things to do (including being out of town all Sunday afternoon and evening) I was able to complete another outfit.  This one is a walking skirt that has a bit of a train to it and a matching bolero/jacket.
What do you think?

 It is a lovely purple with black lining and trim on the jacket.

 The train in the back is only about 3 inches.

A close-up of the jacket.  I can't take credit for the lace blouse except that it is from my closet.
This is for one of my models. I do hope she likes it.

Walking Skirt

Last night I finished the Victorian Walking Skirt I was making for Justine.  She says it's very comfortable.

 From the front

 and back.  There are insets between the gores to make it more full as well as a box pleat in the back.

 And from the side.  I think the next one will have a slight train to it.

And finally, a gratuitous cat photo.  But I can see that I need to dust the treadle table.

Skirt with bustle

I finally had time to finish the skirt I started over the New Year's break from work. I'm rather pleased with it.

It is a rusty-red shantung skirt with ruffle, overskirt and flounces on the side.  The bustle is detachable and the bustle and flounces have black contrasting lining.

This is my favorite of the few photos we took.  Too bad the flash didn't go off.  I'll be sure to get better photos when it isn't dark and 20 degrees outside.  I'll also need to get some from the back so you can see the bustle better.