I am planning to teach your duct-tape method for some ladies and for my classes at the community college and was wondering if you could give me an estimate on how long each of the procedures takes: taping/cutting off; stuffing the form; and the finishing process (i.e. making the stand) ?

Well, I have done the wrapping part in as little as 1 1/2 hours, but it can take up to 3. The stand/stuffing process takes another 2 to 3 hours. It's a good idea to add "giggle" time to this. I have done a demo of the process in 1 hour. That involves wrapping only on the first few steps to give an idea of the procedure, than I show cutting off and explain the stuffing.

I just did a class in Branson for a group of 15 ladies. It took us 3 1/2 hours to wrap everyone and another 1/2 for clean up. We broke up into pairs with the odd person being my wrapping demo person. Half did the wrapping first than we switched roles and the other half got wrapped.

We than took a break for dinner and came back for a stuffing demo that took 1 1/2 hours.

Last fall I assisted 6 customers in making their own dress form based on the article in Threads and the information you provided over the Internet.  The class was a lot of fun and very beneficial to the participants.  The only problem is that because I spent so much time wrapping and "teaching" I didn't get a form for myself.  (You know, the cobblers kids never have shoes...)  Question:  Do you provided this service (DTD) to customers.  If so, I would very much like to have you wrap me.

I haven't done this often and don't advertise it - yet. But I have done wrappings for $75. This includes up to 3 hours of wrapping and the supplies for the wrapping only, not the stuffing. You take the form home and stuff it.

Is there any where in the U.S. where you could get this form today? Sure do like your idea I thought maybe you made this type of form.

I'm not sure if I understand your question, but here's what I think you are asking.

I make these forms for the customers I am making garments for frequently. I have done wrappings for friends who just want one for themselves so they can sew their own garments without having to change their clothing every time they need to see how the fit is doing for the item they are working on.

I haven't been doing them on a regular basis just as a form for sale. It would be difficult because people have to come to me, not just send their measurements. And selling the instructions or kits wouldn't be exactly legal because this idea is not originally mine. I've just added my techniques and experience to the free instructions on my web page. They are here as a "Do it yourself" kind of thing.

I would like to teach classes though. But no one has yet asked for this. I think it would make a nice addition to some Sewing Convention's class schedule. I have thought of doing seminars here in Cincinnati, but I would need so many people to participate to make the rental of a room financially workable that it would be difficult to get that many people to Cincinnati at one time.

I am wondering if it is possible to teach my advanced students (who have little experience) this technique? A great project that will be able to use in their future sewing experiences. Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

It's possible. High school students are prone to be giddy though. It takes a lot of maturity to see your body in it's real light and I think this might make it difficult, but not impossible. I have had several Technical and Collage level classes report with success, but no one attempting High school level. I would suggest instead of making dressmaker forms that you use the method as a pattern drafting technique. That way you are only wrapping the body once and the expense of stuffing the thing is eliminated. Besides, the teenage body is still changing. They would not be able to use their forms in a few years down the road. It is a big project and should be done once the body is rather stable.