Yes! I offer both made-to-order items and custom commissions. 

I can recreate nearly everything I’ve made over the years, bring one of my past sketches to life, or create something unique by combining elements from my extensive collection of original patterns.

Click here for information on custom and made-to-order items.

I tend to use the term “custom order” broadly – but there is a distinction.

Made-to-order means the design is complete, I have pictures to show you, and you are choosing from fabric and trims I have on-hand.

Custom orders involve modifying an existing design, combining features from multiple designs, or creating something new using my patterns.  If we have to have a conversation to work out the details before purchase, it’s a custom order.

If you have seen a design in my past work that is not currently listed, feel free to ask – it may be something I can bring back as made-to-order.

Completed-to-order means that most of the work has already been done, but the final steps are completed after you place your order. I prepare many of the time-consuming construction steps ahead of time, but hold off on the parts I want you to be able to choose (colors, embellishments, and other finishing touches).

It’s my way of combining the best of both worlds.  Since I’m not trying to store every item fully assembled, I’m able to offer a much wider variety of designs and colors.

The simple answer is because made-to-order items take longer to make.

I do most of my sewing and crafting in batches, which is quite a bit faster than making things one-at-a-time.  For example, when sewing a batch of shrugs – I’ll sew all the sleeve pleats, then all the shoulder seams, then the lace trim, and so on.  Once I get into a rhythm, I’ll move through the batch much faster.

Made-to-order items don’t get that efficiency boost, so creating each one takes more sewing time.

I hate sticker shock, so I’m glad that I can simply charge the same price for made-to-order items on my website as the corresponding ready-to-ship item on Etsy. You get the exact thing you need when you need it, and I get enough to cover the extra time it takes to make your piece one at a time.

Made-to-order items typically take several weeks because I work through orders in the order they come in. There may be orders ahead of yours waiting to be completed before I can begin your item.

The actual sewing time for a new batch is usually about 2 weeks, but your total wait depends on how many orders are ahead of yours when you place your order.

Yes! I offer payment plans through Klarna at checkout. Klarna allows you to split your purchase into smaller payments, but I will receive your full payment up front.  I’ll be able to add you into my sewing schedule immediately, and you can pay for your order via the schedule you choose through Klarna.

I offered custom orders on Etsy up until 2020, but unfortunately Etsy isn’t what it used to be.  Sellers who continue to sell on Etsy face risks and issues that can shock the unaware – unexpected mandatory fees, automated buyer-protection that enables scams against small custom creators, and aggressive payment reserves that can freeze thousands of dollars from made-to-order sellers overnight.  It’s genuinely unsafe for a small business like mine to offer high-value, labor-intensive custom work on their platform. 

The risk of a ready-to-ship item being affected by these new policies is much smaller – the only policy that applies equally is the unpredictable fees.  So I sell my ready-to-ship (or near ready-to-ship) items in both places, and my made-to-order and custom collection exclusively on my website.

Frankly, I can provide a much better custom order experience for you here on my website!  No need to try to figure out where Etsy buried the listing description this week. 😜  Just peruse the pictures, check out the options, and find the answers to every single one of your questions right there on the page in the product FAQ.  And finally, when you’re ready to check out, you’ll get my very best price for your handmade treasure, as I will get to keep more of your payment!

I make the vast majority of my designs by hand, including my signature skirts, costumes, and accessories. I also offer a small selection of coordinating items from carefully sourced suppliers. Anything not handmade by me will be clearly disclosed in the product description.

I hate fussy clothing, so I choose fabrics that are as easy as possible to care for!  With the exception of corsets and petticoats (which are fussy by nature), everything I make can be machine washed, and you shouldn’t need to iron it afterward.

Like any woven fabric, though, my skirts and other structured pieces can pick up some temporary creases if they’re packed tightly, stored folded for a long time, or spend several hours underneath you in the car. If you’re traveling to an event, just give your skirt a quick smoothing before you sit down and you should be good to go!

My stretchy pieces – mermaid skirts, garter leggings, and bell sleeve shrugs – are naturally wrinkle resistant, so they don’t have this issue.

Yes!  In fact, my designs are made for curves.  Corset dresses bring a level of transformation that ordinary clothing just can’t match, and the effect is particularly spectacular on plus sized women.  You’ll lace up, and do a double take when you see yourself in the mirror!  

Here are my size charts:

My designs are available made to order in all of the sizes above,  Some of my skirts come in extended plus sizes – up to 6X.

I wish there was an easy answer to this one! Unfortunately, US dress sizes are not standardized.  Every brand uses its own sizing system, so a “size 12” can mean very different measurements depending on where you shop.
For the best fit, ignore the dress size number and compare your bust, waist, and hip measurements to my size chart. If you’re unsure, send me your measurements and I’ll help you choose the best size!

I have created a guide to help with that, complete with detailed diagrams and even a page you can print to write your measurements down. Find it here.

Absolutely.  In fact, if you’re used to cm, I prefer it this way.  I have spreadsheets set up to easily convert customer measurements from cm to inches.  Measure yourself the way that’s easiest for you, I’ll handle the math!

On that note, here are my size charts in cm:

Absolutely. Reach out, send me your measurements, and tell me what you’re interested in purchasing.  I know exactly how my designs fit on different figures, and the process I use to draft my patterns makes it easy to make adjustments or tweaks.

On that note, yes, I make gowns for trans women and drag queens! Please reach out before purchasing – I’ll need to get some vertical measurements from you and we’ll most likely want to talk about what I have available in longline corsets, which are made for taller torsos.

Absolutely.  I’ll reserve your slot in my schedule when you place your order.  When I finish with my backlog (orders which came in prior to yours) and am ready to start sewing I’ll reach out to get your measurements.  Or you can send them to me when you’re ready.

US-based customers, please subtract 10 weeks from the date you wish to receive your gown, and place your order on or before that date. International customers, please subtract 14 weeks.

Halloween is the exception! The “Great Halloween Rush” is a whole different beast, so it’s best to have Halloween custom orders in by the end of July. At some point in August, my custom-order schedule will fill up through Halloween.

Missed the deadline? Don’t panic! Reach out and I can let you know whether I have a made-to-order or completed-to-order option that might work for you

I’m afraid that I don’t make copies of movie gowns, gowns from fantasy art, gowns by other designers, or pieces from a photo or artwork that I didn’t draw. Instead, I create bespoke designs from my own collection of steampunk Victorian fantasy patterns, all designed with interchangeable pieces that allow you to create a unique look.

Click here for information on custom and made-to-order items.

Usually, yes – but it depends on the fabric.

For my Steampunk, Victorian, and Fantasy corset dresses, absolutely! Before purchasing your first piece, let me know what you plan to build. I’ll check how much fabric remains on my current roll and whether future fabric is likely to be a perfect match.

For my stretch clothing (garter leggings, bell sleeve shrugs, etc.), I recommend purchasing everything at once. Stretch fabrics are often limited editions or closeouts, and even reorderable lace can vary slightly between dye lots.

I’m afraid not. Although there is an aspect to working with rare, vintage, and one-of-a-kind fabrics that makes my muse go starry-eyed with delight, my practical side knows better!  After decades of sewing, I’ve learned that every fabric has its own personality, and even fabrics that look and feel similar to fabrics I already use can behave unexpectedly once they are cut, sewn, or gathered.

For that reason, I only use fabrics I have already tested and know will work for my designs when creating customer orders. I experiment with new fabric only when creating photoshoot pieces, where I can test the results and explain any unique characteristics in the listing before you purchase.

I appreciate your interest in my designs! At this time, I do not offer free products for influencer collaborations. My focus is on creating pieces for customers who are purchasing them for events, costumes, and special occasions.

Typically it’s not actually retired – I had an idea for how to improve it that requires drafting the pattern again from scratch!  Since that’s the most time-consuming part of the process, it can result in quite a long wait to get it back online again.

If you see something you really like from a past photo, feel free to let me know!  I won’t be able to make one for you until after the new pattern is created, but your message can help move it higher on my priority list.

…So many ideas, so little time!

My Etsy shop contains a huge number of sold-out items, some of which can be remade and some of which can’t. There is a pattern to it, though!

👗 Costumes / Corset Dresses / Gowns: Most likely! I can usually remake these, although the corset style may have changed.

👒 Hats and Fascinators: Decorative elements can usually be recreated, but several of my past hat shapes are no longer available. Fascinators can typically be remade with slight changes in adornments.

👑 Other Hair Accessories: Headbands and crowns can typically be remade, although the jewelry adornments may be slightly different. Hair falls are all closeout items made with discontinued yarn and cannot be remade.

Is it this one?

Unfortunately, this design has been sold out since late 2013. I found that fabric locally and travelled to three states to get all I could! I’ve been looking for something comparable ever since.  My red stripe garter leggings are made with the closest fabric I’ve been able to find:

(coming soon!)

The leggings can also be custom ordered here, and the rest of the set is available made-to-order as well (coming soon!)

Typically, yes!  The exception is any design featuring a brocade corset or fashion corset.  I no longer offer either of those corset styles, but I do have alternatives.  

I have a form set up to make it easy to request a made-to-order photoshoot gown.  Find it on my custom orders page.

Processing time varies depending on the item you order. If it’s ready to ship, I usually ship next business day – and always within 2 business days. Completed-to-order and made-to-order items take longer; the estimated processing time is noted in the product listing.

Once your order ships, your delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose:

📦 Free Ground Shipping
USPS Ground Advantage is typically about a week, but please plan up to two weeks in transit, just in case.

🚀 Priority Mail
Priority Mail typically takes 2-3 days in transit. I recommend allowing an extra day or two in case of delays.

⚡ Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail Express takes 1–3 business days and includes a USPS delivery guarantee.

Need your order by a specific date? Send me your ZIP code and what you’re ordering, and I can help you choose the best shipping method.

I ship to the US, Canada, the UK, and a few other countries.

Unfortunately, I’m currently unable to ship to the European Union.  EU regulations require businesses like mine to have an “authorized representative” located in the EU, along with additional complex compliance requirements, each of which seems to repeat for each type of product you offer. For my plethora of beautiful designs, that adds up to way too much compliance! 😅

EU customers, I am very sorry – I do receive requests from over there, and I wish I could ship to you!

Unfortunately I can’t provide progress photos. Stopping in the middle of construction to stage and photograph an unfinished garment adds time to every order, and many garments don’t look anything like the finished piece until the final stages of construction. I’d rather spend that time sewing your order.

If your order encounters an unexpected delay or I need information from you, I’ll contact you right away. Otherwise, the next update you’ll receive is your shipping notification with tracking.

Almost!  I close them down during the months of September and October due to the “Great Halloween Rush” – that time of year when I morph into a tiny Halloween factory running at maximum capacity.

During September and October, I can’t take any custom orders.  Occasionally I have time to fit in something made-to-order, if what you want happens to fit in well with my “quick-like-bunny” restock that happens late September.

Completed-to-order items are available year-round, even during my Halloween rush.

Because made-to-order items are created specifically after purchase, they may be subject to different return conditions than ready-to-ship items. If you need to return a made-to-order piece, please see my full return policy for details.