Claire started sewing for her Barbie, and after introductory sewing classes, mostly concentrating on bibs, towels and other projects, became bored with the field and left it for almost 20 years.  She met Erma Johnson Roberts in the late 1970's who shared her love and expertise and they began a life-long love of designing and execution of those designs. 

The most rewarding and challenging part of what Claire learned was fitting.  She felt this was the key to looking good in just about any style in just about any body.  "All I have to do is 'listen to the fabric.'  It tells me where to take in and where to let out.  There are an infinite number of body types, and each body became a new challenge....a puzzle to figure out.  I could care less whether the body was politically correct thin or thick.  This was all a matter of putting together 2-dimensional pieces so that they fit a 3-dimensional shape!  It's a puzzle!"

Claire's fitting techniques naturally had another benefit, other than working through the puzzle of fitting.  "All my clients began to realize that they could fit into pants, ball gowns, short/long dresses, thin skirts, full skirts - just about anything they wanted.  Frequently I heard how comfortable they were.  I was always astonished at this, because this is what I was all about -- fitting to the body.  But I found I was fitting to the mind as well.  When several of my clients had certain phobias or sensitive areas of their body, I would fit around those sensitive areas, as well as the physical fitting of the body. "    Claire's reputation was cemented as not only delivering a garment that was pretty, appropriate and creative, but also that felt as good as it looked.  Her clients are not only pleased, but amazed at the comfort and enjoyment of the designs that Claire regularly delivered to her clients.

Claire starts with a muslin.  Muslin is a cotton, unbleached fabric.  The muslin is fitted then pulled apart and a final pattern is made from the muslin.  There is a fitting in the fashion fabric as it is often a different body and needs fine tuning.  Usually a hem and some small detail work will finish the gown.  This process normally takes about 6 weeks, but has done dresses in shorter time. 

"My greatest challenge is not the design,  or what I can do, it is the fabric.  This is even more evident by the recent announcements from Hancock's and Wal-Mart to close some of their stores and Wal-Mart to close its fabric departments.  Custom dressmaking is a fine art that has for the past decades been on the decline.  The two traditional best sources are Los Angeles and New York, supported by the entertainment industry - Los Angeles by the movies, and New York by theater, but also as it is the national center of fashion.   But sewing is making a comeback and is making a resurgence in popularity. Here's a link from a recent article in Time Magazine about the rise in interest in sewing.  I'm looking forward to stores opening up outside the NY/LA area! 

"I see so many gorgeous fabrics on my travels that it is hard to communicate their beauty to my clients.  I suppose I do this with my enthusiasm.  Some fabrics leave me speechless, and I treasure my trips to find fine fabrics.  It is truly 'eye-candy' for me.   I've been lucky enough to have traveled to Europe, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong to establish contacts throughout the world. "

Today

Claire enjoys a reputation of excellence and a talent for fitting.  She has fitted every shape of clients from short tall and shapes in between. All her designs are created and designed  specifically for each of her clients no matter what shape, and to fit their lifestyle.  Claire prides herself in fitting all her clients with professionalism and gentleness.

Since design and execution one of her great loves in life, it with as much fun and joy that Claire creates for her clients as a vocation.    "I'm very fortunate to have such excellent clients, as we have as much fun getting to know each other, as we do in designing the dress.  What a joy to love your job this much!"

Claire teaches at Bernina of OKC and at Helen Enox Fabrics.  Click here for more information on her schedule.  Her focus is not only fitting but teaching her students a fashionable and flattering look for for their style, shape and size.  In addition to teaching, Claire writes a monthly subscription newsletters with subscribers all over the world.  Click here for information on the newsletter. 



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