I just did a review on the Uniquely You Dressform and had so many ask about the class that I decided to write this review. The class was called Mannequin Class, but I like to refer to it as "The Body Double" class.
The 3 day class was held at the Bernina Oklahoma City store on 6815 N. May in Oklahoma City and was $75. Claire Kennedy was our instructor, and this lady has the patience of a saint. She sews for clients all over, especially Oklahoma & Texas with her specialty being custom gowns whether it be wedding, deb, ball, or prom. 9 of us ventured together on the quest of fitting the shell/cover to our Uniquely You Dressform. The form can be ordered from a number of vendors, of which I purchased mine from Sew Vac Direct. You order the form according to you hip size, and the cover to you bust size. First we zipped on our covers and Claire pinned and ripped according to the person. On mine it was pin, pin, pin, then sew up the seams. On some ladies around the hips, the seams needed to be opened and duck fabric was sewn in to accommodate what needed to be added. Claire would pin each of us, then we would go sew. This continued on until day three, then Claire showed us how to utilize our new *girls*, each one corresponding in shape to each of us. Each of us had different body types and issues for Claire to fit our covers.
As each of us completed our cover, then several helped fit & zip up the cover on each form. Yes, the form will compress, the torpedoes will compress. No cutting was needed, just compress while someone zips and another is pulling the two sides together. Some needed to be padded here and there depending on where there might be a little more fluff on each of us. The great part of all of this was the dressform reflected different shoulder slopes, widths, bumps, lumps, higher hip height, etc. It was amazing. I brought a fitted shirt that was almost finished, placed it on the form and noticed immediately that one of my darts was crooked. I had looked at this on me, but never noticed it.
The class was from 10 to 2 each day, but the store opened up about 9:30 am each morning, and closed every night at 6 pm so one could stay as long as they wanted to sew on their cover. Also Claire was so generous in staying as long as we needed her, as she does with all her classes. The store also offered a 10% discount on all their products purchased during the class.
There is another dressform class scheduled for December, but it sold out in 3-4 days. So I emailed Claire and she will have another class next year. She plans on mentioning it on her blog. Her PR name is ClaireOKC and you can private message her if needed. She is a wonderful instructor and we all left with an awesome dressform that will last for years. Claire told me her Uniquely Yours Dressform is 30 years old, and she has refitted the cover to fit her figure as she has changed. The class is worth every penny, and a heck of a bargain IMHO. The Bernina OKC stores number is: 405-840-1466.
I should add that Claire does other classes at the Bernina store, and does provide private lessons for a hourly fee. Also to take a class at the Bernina store does not require you to own a Bernina. You can be placed on their mailing list. |
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Thank you so much for those kind words. I have to tell you though I've studied under Kenneth King and would love to teach with him - we need to get him to OKC (hint, hint!!!) This is really fun to watch each of these students not only finish this project but to discover how to use them and how to fit themselves. This is the whole purpose of these forms, and the students outdid themselves in getting their projects done and enjoying learning how to use them. As soon as we get another class for next year, I will announce it. For right now, the calendar for late Winter and early Spring isn't scheduled yet.
7/19/10 10:36 PM
I love this dressform, but needed to find professional help for the pinfit. (I learned a lot about pinfitting in the process.) I would love to take a class from Claire though - lucky you! Enjoy your dressform :)
7/20/10 0:07 AM
I have been reading Claire's blog and wishing I could take her class.
7/22/10 5:36 PM
Great review and congratulations on your new mannequin!
7/22/10 6:55 PM
Sounds like a great class.
7/30/10 10:53 AM
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I have been thinking about a dress form and consider it useless unless it will duplicate me personally.
7/31/10 12:14 PM
I wonder if there are any such classes here in Melbourne, Australia. Sounds wonderful!
8/3/10 1:22 AM
I have really enjoyed this dressform....just finished my shirt and it was so simple to make the adjustments needed. Thanks for all the nice comments....I highly recommend.
8/3/10 7:28 AM