You've always wanted to make your own empire style dress, but would like someone "on tap" to answer your questions as you go along. Or maybe you've got one of "those" patterns that you're just not confident working your way through. Perhaps you've got a basic pattern, but you'd like to alter it to fit better -- or you'd like to change some of the details or style to make a dress like no one else's. Maybe you're not a confident sewer, but you've found fabulous fabric . . . and now you're afraid to cut it! Or you're one of us busy sorts, and you just need a good excuse to set aside some intensive time to get that new dress that's been on the back burner for years done at last. Whatever the case, here's your chance to get away for a weekend and come home with a dress. We'll start with making and fitting a muslin of each person's dress to ensure that each detail is perfect, then make the transition from muslin to fine fabric. Next, we'll work through the complete construction in fine fabric, and end up with all of the hand finishing techiques that ensure that your dress has a true period look. Participants are requested to bring their own pattern, fabric, and notions, as well as a sewing machine, scissors, pins, and all of the usual sewing accoutrements. An iron and ironing board will be supplied. A basic knowledge of machine sewing is required for this workshop.