About

Susan Khalje, a contributing editor to Threads Magazine, was recently honored with the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals’ Lifetime Achievement Award. She received her professional sewing training at the New York couture salon, Chez Cez et Bez, and later worked as a fashion designer and manufacturing supervisor on Seventh Avenue.

She was also the host of “Sew Much More”, which ran for 6 years on HGTV and diy.net. In addition to her frequent contributions to Threads Magazine, she has written for every major sewing publication. Her books include Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear (Krause), and Linen and Cotton: Classic Sewing Techniques for Great Results (Taunton). She has contributed to The Experts’ Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do, and she is one of the women profiled in More Magazine’s recent book, 50 Celebrate 50.Named “Baltimore’s Best” for her couture wedding gowns, she developed a loyal and appreciative clientele in the course of a 25-year career.

An exceptional and sought-after teacher, Susan established The Couture Sewing School in 1993, and she teaches couture sewing techniques throughout the country. She teaches often in San Francisco, where she is on the faculty of The Sewing Workshop and Apparel Arts.Her professional contacts extend to Paris, where she yearly takes groups of students for an insider’s look at the couture arts.

She is a charter member of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (formerly The Professional Association of Custom Clothiers), and has served as its chairperson. She is a member of The Fashion Group, The Costume Society of America, and was awarded an honorary lifetime membership to the Smocking Arts Guild of America.