Basic knowledge of sewing.

What used to be a fun & fuctional hobby for our mothers & grandmothers has simply become too time consuming for most people.

This poses a problem in the dance community.

In today's world of pre-made costumes for dancers, the days of costumers spending hours,measuring & sewing hand made costumes for just the right fit are gone. Bulk manufactering of costumes have become second nature to studio teachers & dancers.This is a good thing because the cost has become more affordable to most people. But as teachers measure & try to order the right size, no two bodies are the same.

Costume companies have size charts that give an "idea" of what size should be ordered for the measurements. (for example a 33 inch waist by thier sizing might be an adult medium,that may not mean you have an "adult medium" "inseam" -or leg length) This is one of the major problems with costume companies. In order to get a costume to fit a growing student in one area of the body it will be too big in others.

So,I'm sure your wondering by now why this is such a big deal.
Well... you could take it & get it altered by anybody, right, not quite.

This is where it's very helpful to have somebody that knows a dancer's needs. Unlike a normal party dress that you would just stand or sit in, a dancer needs to be able to move without the fear of something going wrong.

With over 20 years of dance experience,as both a dancer & and a instructor knowing how to fit a costume to a dancers body is a must!

This is why Reverse Needle was created.

As a dancer I too had many problems getting costumes to fit, so through the years I have learned the great lost art of alterations, the hard way. Through many different techniques I have learned the best way to alter costumes.

 Knowing how tight shoulder straps should be so they won't slip off, to knowing how much you can take off the ends of pants & skirts so they aren't too short.
As an Instructor I have spent many hours trying to pick just the perfect costume, & then when you get them you want them to fit just right too.
As most parents are far too busy with work & other aspects it is great to know you have one less thing to worry about. Especially if you don't know the first thing about sewing! I have found that it is common now days for people not to know how to.

So I have taken this as just "something I had to learn to do" to something I love to do. It is also a great comfort to dancers, parents & teachers to know the costume will be perfect.