SUSAN KHALJE DREAMS OF COUTURE: EPISODE #6 OF THREAD CULT
by Daughter Fish
Susan showing her fine work at Mood’s lace class in October.
A couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Susan Khalje. Some of you may know her from her Craftsy course, or her couture sewing school in Baltimore, or her Threads articles, or her books on sewing bridalwear and linen. Ater taking a class on sewing lace with Susan at Mood, I knew I wanted to interview her for Thread Cult. Not only is she a wealth of information about couture sewing techniques, but she’s just a lovely, elegant person with a great sense of humor and I knew she’d be great on tape (or should I say MP3? Somehow, that doesn’t have the same ring!).
Little did I know that the timing for this interview would coincide with an exciting new venture for Susan: A new series of web-based sewing classes for all of us gals (and guys?) who want the nitty gritty on couture techniques. (I won’t reveal too much here, but can you say “Hello cocktail dress class!?”)
Beyond these new classes, we had a great time chatting about everything from sewing women’s dreams (yes, bridal gowns!) to learning some of Madame Grès’s sculptural folding techniques straight from one of the last living employees of the iconic designer’s Parisian workroom.
Susan and I chatted via Skype, which I’ve been learning is a little glitchy. So apologies for the slightly “tinny” quality of the recording (and for any rough sounding edits). Otherwise, the interview is chock-full of interesting tidbits that I think any seamstress, sewist, or sewer will enjoy.
Happily, Thread Cult is creeping up the Beauty & Fashion podcast chart on iTunes. If you like the show, please subscribe on iTunes and give ‘er a rating! It will help the show reach more sewing pepes:)
Happy listening!
Thread Cult, Episode #6: Susan Khalje Dreams of Couture
Notes from Episode #6:
Wow! What a lovely interview. Ms. Khalje sounds like a very talented seamstress and teacher. The gowns on her website look stunning! What an elegant style of clothing. I am excited to see your future projects from her instruction and online courses. Great episode!
She is very talented! Her gowns are amazing.
oooh, so looking forward to listening to this one. I have really been enjoying these — thanks!! and congrats on the little one!
Glad you’re enjoying the ‘casts! And thank you!:)
Thanks for this wonderful interview! Susan is the most generous teacher I’ve ever had in my life! She gave me wings and so much inspiration! Last October I flew to Baltimore all the way from Japan to take a couture lesson from her. And it worth every penny! Working on my own project and observing other students work on theirs was the most valuable sewing experience. I’ll be returning again in March for the French jacket lesson but it’s not gonna be my last class with Susan
It’s so great to hear about how much a reach Susan has had! Good luck with the French jacket lesson!
Thanks SO much for this interview. Susan Khalje is such an inspiring example for me as a returning home sewist – I found her books a couple of years ago and was really glad to do her course on Craftsy, waiting for more, more, more.
Glad that’s coming!
Congratulations on your pregnancy too.
Thank you! And so glad you enjoyed the episode!
A very inspiring podcast and especially this episode!
It makes me even more to make a long trip from Taiwan to the US. for one of her classes. 
That’s great! Long trip, but I’m sure worth it:)
Just started listening to your podcasts today on my way to work and they are awesome!! The interview with Susan Khalje has motivated me to take her class on Craftsy, and I’m avidly waiting until the cocktail dress class is available on her site. Oh, and to make a wedding dress for someone some day.
So glad you found the podcast! I know, that cocktail dress sounds great. Can’t wait:)
susan really is fabulous, isn’t she? i was thrilled to hear about the progress on her online courses – can’t wait for those, either!
next time, get her to talk even more about paris. i’m now on pins and needles for that threads article!
Me too! I can’t wait to get the issue and start plotting a Parisian holiday…with baby in tow, of course!:)