I think she has potential, but what I'm seeing is the same old shapes, with what appears to be an attempt to discover a new way of doing them. Everyone ood and awed over Rucci's worm, but honestly they were being sewn back in the 1850's on dresses, bonnets and such. Nothing new, but he presented it in a way that seemed new. I think that's what she's attempting to do here, only the crooked look just isn't my cup of tea.
Honestly I can't speak for all women, but I took to sewing my own clothes because everywhere I looked I'd see clothes that looked dumpy (t-shirt and jeans), frumpy (the horribly over-sized fashions which does not hide a plus size shape, it accentuates it and makes them look boxy instead), or the new asymmetrical designs, which to me looks just like a shirt that's been buttoned on the wrong button and they didn't realize it yet.
If you like those fashions, that's fine. But for me I'd love to see more feminine designs. More blouses made of lace, more embroidery that isn't just a quick slapped on trim. I'd love to see something bold like the return of the bustle petticoat only as a skirt instead of underskirt for a change. Or retro that goes farther back than the 1940's.
Just my two cents.

quote-'hondamom1 writes: Can someone please suggest a source for a nice 1/2 scale mannequin?'

I think I've seen one at JoAnn's. I wasn't sure if it was a pin cushion or what, but it was about quarter scale size, and looked just like a mini dress form.
If you're up for a challenge, there's a book called Creative Cloth Doll Making by Patti Culea. While it may not sound like it would help, I was thinking just yesterday that the body part, minus the arms, legs and head might make a nice shape for making my own doll dress form. I work with cloth dolls, especially vintage but usually wait until one's finished before working the clothes. I'd use the doll for the mannequin part, but now I'm thinking just the boy, a dowel rod of the right length, and something like a round piece of craft wood for the standard and I could craft my own mini dress form.
After reading this article I'm wondering if I should just drop the doll part and try working with the fashion instead. That really is where all the excitement in making art dolls is. The whimsical fashion garments that just complete the theme perfectly. Which is also the most detailed part of the doll. I just never thought anyone would be interested in the clothes without the doll.
This article has definitely given me something to think about :) Two going on three years and I'm still finding something new and exciting in Threads.

Hi. I just wanted to say it's a beautiful dress
But from looking at it, I knew something was a little off, period wise. I thought perhaps the color choice and the way the skirt hangs.
I ran it by our group at The Sewing Academy, where several of the members both re-enact history, from 1840 and on, some professionally, and they have a combined expertise in this field that is outstanding.
I thought you might be interested in both the group and what they had to say about your dress.
Their comments can be found here:
http://thesewingacademy.org/index.php?topic=4068.0

It really is a lovely dress, and everyone praised how well it was sewn.