Empire Styles
 
Empire styles are those in which the waist appears just under the bust. Garment Designer offers you an Empire Bodice (found in the Tops group), and an Empire Skirt (found in the Bottoms Skirt group).
 
If you want a midriff style, choose the Empire top. If you want a empire skirt, with a raised waist, choose the Empire Skirt. Notice however, that the darts option disappears when you are the Skirt mode. If you want darts for the bottom, choose the Top Plus Bottom Category (which will display the Top and Bottom together). Then, you may turn on the body dart (single or double) and have darts for your skirt. You will use this mode to build empire-waist dresses as well.