Beverly Johnson

What would ever possess a woman with over 25 years experience designing everything from royal furnishings to belly dance costumes, and sewing everything from slipcovers to swimwear, to focus on “just” bra-making? The answer lies in Beverly’s appreciation of good design, a love of precision sewing and a need for supportive undergarments. Since 1995, she has taught bra to over 5000 women all over North America using her own carefully engineered bra pattern system. 

Beverly has been instrumental in producing ready-to-wear bras for private label companies and her manufacturing company is one of the few in Canada to cater to the small designer wishing to bring their great ideas to market.

As if that weren’t enough, she also teaches a program for professional bra-makers at her school in Hamilton using The Bra Makers Manual – a complete reference to bra design, draft, fit and construction, which Beverly wrote and published.

A frequent contributor to Threads and other sewing magazines, Beverly is in demand. However, now she teaches only at a few select venues (like the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference!). She likes to ease students out of their comfort zone by teaching specialty sewing techniques with enthusiasm and clarity, mixed with humour. Visit Beverly’s web site at www.bramakers.ca

 

Classes

CLASS:  BEGINNER BRA  
DATE:  Sat. and Sun., May 29 and 30 from OR
Mon. and Tues., May 31 and June 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
COST:  $150.00     Kit fee: $50.00
DESCRIPTION:  Sew a bra for yourself and have it professionally fitted to your unique body!  This ever-popular class is often enough time to sew two bras. The first bra will be your test bra, so the fitting challenges can be worked out by our qualified and patient Beverly. The second bra can be jazzed up in many ways on the second day. 

CLASS: FOAM CUP BRA    
DATE: Wed., June 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
COST:  $75.00   
DESCRIPTION: If you like the look of seamless bras under your t-shirts, this is the class for you.  It is only open to those bra students taking underwire sizes 32 – 48 as foam cups have a limited size range.  If there is any doubt, please contact us.  You will make a full band foam cup bra in this class.  Participants must have taken Beverly’s bra class prior to enrolling in this foam cup bra class.  

CLASS:  NIGHT GOWN
DATE: Thurs., June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
COST:  $75.00   
DESCRIPTION:  The newest original design from Beverly Johnson! This nightgown/lounge set has many variations including Capri pants with short top, or full length nightgown. Sleeve variations include short tulip sleeves, three-quarter sleeves or full length sleeves. The pattern has built-in support seaming for even the largest bust. No previous bra-making experience necessary.

CLASS:  BRA-IN- A-TANKTOP   
DATE:  Fri., June 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sat., June 5 from 9am to noon
COST:  $125.00
DESCRIPTION:  Do you like the idea of wearing tanktops but hate your bra straps (and possibly your "flubber") showing? This class is for you. You'll make a summer top with your own bra built right in. The top could easily be lengthened to make a sleeveless dress for the warmer weather. Bring your bra pattern to class.

CLASS:  SHELLEY DESIGNER BRA
DATE:  Sat., June 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun., June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
COST:  $125.00 
DESCRIPTION:  Use your bra pattern from any of the beginner classes to draft the pattern for this bra, inspired by a $200 designer bra from Europe.  Beverly made it better and you can make it fit you.  It has several features to make the bra supportive and just drop-dead gorgeous, including the four-piece cup, a lace upper cup and a power bra innovation that urges the girls forward.  Beverly’s made this bra many times and it looks good on everybody.  You need to have taken the beginner bra class and bring your pattern with you.