Seminar & Workshop Descriptions

We teach a very wide variety of costuming seminars, mini-seminars, and workshops. The descriptions below are for the classes we offered in 2011.

From time to time, we may alter the format, duration, and content of our 'standard' seminars to fit a particular venue or timeframe.

We are always open to suggestions for new topics, content changes, new locations, different times of year, etc, etc. Feel free to email, write, or call us with your ideas.

Last Update: August 17, 2011  

We are currently working to set the 2012 schedule.
Locations, dates, and courses-offered for the 2012 sessions will be announced as soon as possible.

Important! About Our Pattern and Garment Sizes
Our Women's pattern and garment sizing is Children's sizes to Jr. Miss - in other words, 'Dancer Sizing'. We do not have patterns for larger women. Our patterns are not designed for, and will not readily adapt to, a non-dancer adult full-size-woman body-type.

Children's Costuming?
If you mean 'catalog' or 'halloween' costumes, NO we do not offer classes in 'crafts-type' or 'hobbyist' costuming. However, many of our classes offer children's sizing, and all our techniques are readily adaptable to the pre-teen and younger dancer.

Our 'Classical Performance Tutu' and 'Bodice Construction' classes offer children's sized patterns, our 'Jeweled Tiaras' class is not size-specific, and our 'decorating' type classes provide instruction suitable for any age group.

About Measurements - 'Standard Size' or 'Custom Fit'?
For all of our garment construction seminars (tutus, bodices, dresses, tunics, etc.), you must choose a 'standard' size (Women's Petite, Men's 38, Child's 10/12, etc). We provide an 'Options Selection' form for each seminar where you can specify the garment size. In general, our standard sizes will work very well for any project you may be working on or any dancer you are trying to fit. You MUST choose your size when you register, or we will automatically provide a size for you, typically Medium Adult.

If you are constructing a garment to 'custom fit' a particular dancer, you will still need to choose the 'standard size' that most closely fits your dancer. For 'custom sizing', you will need to take specific measurements on your dancer, and we provide an optional form and instructions during registration. Bring those measurements with you to class, and learn how to adjust and tweak the 'standard' pattern to fit your dancer.

For our 'standard' size charts, see: 'Standard' Size Charts
For our Women's Measurements Forms, see: Women's 'Custom' Measurements Form

Decorating Classes with Hot-Fix Rhinestones
For all 'decorating' type courses that include the use of Hot-Fix rhinestones, you must supply your own Hot-Fix applicator. We highly recommend either the Crystal Crafter® or the Professional Touch®, both from Kandi Corp. (although Kandi's Hot Fixer® is very good, it's so fast and so high-heat that you must be very careful not to burn holes in the delicate fabrics we use). If you don't have one yet, give us a call to order - we'll have it waiting for you at the seminar (or we can ship it to you in advance if preferred).

'On-Hand' Fabric, Trims, Rhinestones, Notions, etc.
Many of you may not realize just how 'top to bottom' our inventory really is. We typically have a lot of stock on-hand at our Charlotte seminars, to help with emergencies, your future projects, and stuff you just didn't know you needed or wanted. So in general, (in Charlotte) we will have available for you to see, touch, and purchase a fairly large selection of different fabrics and trims and rhinestones and notions and books and patterns and specialty items and a whole lot more.

For our seminars outside of Charlotte, we usually have samples and small quantities of selected items available on-site. For those of you who are used to leaving extra room in your luggage to carry lots of stuff home, we're sorry, but time, personnel, and cost constraints mean we can't offer 'on-site' shopping at our 'remote' seminars.

Tip for Schools, Companies, and Costumers
Several schools and companies have funded all or part of their costumer's expenses in trade for the items created, or in trade for future creations. The funding of these expenses can often be subsidized with grants from federal, state, or local arts organizations. And, the 'payback' to the school or company will far exceed the initial outlay in terms of time or money!

Sewing Machine Rentals
For the Charlotte seminars only, we typically have a few machines available for rent! Please call or email for details. These are 'first-come, first-served' - so reserve early! Keep in mind, it's still best to bring your own, since an unfamiliar machine will slow you down. And if you're driving in, definitely bring your own!

Topics will include pricing your designs, design ethics, business ethics, advertising, developing a following, word-of-mouth, the importance of excellent customer service, 'ballet appropriateness' in design and color selections, and much more.

Bring your questions or bring your experiences - the format is informal and the floor is open!

This session itself is free to anyone registering for any of our seminars. It is available to anyone else wishing to attend for a nominal fee.

The individual 'Session Details' page will provide specific information as to date and time.

This session is free to anyone registering for any of our seminars. It is available to anyone else wishing to attend for a nominal fee.

The individual 'Session Details' page will provide specific information as to date and time.

This session is free to anyone registering for any of our seminars. It is available to anyone else wishing to attend for a nominal fee.

The individual 'Session Details' page will provide specific information as to date and time.

So OK, it's only a deli-dinner, not a 5-course feast, but for a small charge, we will cater deli-style 'boxed dinners' to these casual evenings. We'll provide you a selection to choose from, and you can pre-pay when you register.

The individual 'Session Details' page will provide specific information as to date and time.