Barbara LaViska, Founder, Principal Designer and Expert Dressmaker 

Barbara has been sewing for a hobby since she was 13 years old. She started out making Barbie doll clothes at the age of 7, graduating to making her own clothes by age13, and continuing to fine tune her skills with prom dresses. Her ultimate project (and challenge) was her own bridal gown. All her life she has continued to make all her own clothes. Her home is a show case of home decorating projects that she has sewn over the past 12 years. Sewing has been a passion of hers for almost 30 years now. Most of this skill is self taught. Barbara has recently been studying the most advanced sewing techniques with National Sewing Instuctors, Peggy Segars and Cynthia Guffy.

Throughout the years, Barbara has worked as a seamstress for customers who need custom clothing for those hard to fit figures, weddings and bridal parties.

Combining her teaching knowledge gained from working in the computer industry, along with her advanced sewing skills she created several sewing courses. In 1992, Barbara founded Barbara's School of Sewing and taught Beginner and Advanced Sewing for Joann's fabrics, as well as offering these classes at many Adult Education Centers. After 12 years, she opened her own studio Ultimate Sewing Room where sewers could take every type of sewing class and craft. Barbara has moved on from these businesses to do custom sewing for specific clients. 

Fitting is her specialty and has helped many students and clients to fit patterns so they can have beautiful garments for themselves.  

Today, Barbara has founded another venture, Lavara Couture to come full circle to do what she loves and is passionate about. Her love for sewing and teaching is what brings such quality to everything she makes. 

When you have a passion for something, it is difficult to give it up, even when life gets in the way.