What a remarkable experience!!! I attended the Paris 2005 trip and came back with hands-down the most unforgettable experiences of my life. This trip is essential for anyone in the dressmaking business or anyone who appreciates fine living and class. Patrons of the tour will get a new since of what excellence in their work really means and what the French feel is remarkble service and marketing. The French could make wrapping a peanut look good!!! I really did not know what "Fashion" really meant or looked like and this experience helped me to not be afraid to express myself (tastefully) through my clothing and lifestyle and to bring uniqueness and excellence to the details in my dressmaking. This was an incredibly inspirational and motivational journey. I loved the attitude of longevity in the architecture of Paris and the absolutely wonderful dining. I have never eaten dessert twice in a day almost every day!!! This trip is not to be missed and is given by someone who truly knows her way around the city of Paris. You definitely want to be on the next trip!!!!

Marsha N., Atlanta

I just had the most amazing time with you all. I loved being with women that I want to emulate. You all are so beautiful inside and out and I miss you all! Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves, from the seriousness to the laughter.

Fondly,  Jill
Jill Lacroix, Vermont

Thank you again for being you and offering us such a wonderful opportunity. Sewing under your guidance was a wonderful experience. I told my husband Rick I will be going back, and he is planning how to spend his time in Baltimore!

Sherylee
Sherylee Swartz, Ohio

I just want to thank you all for making last week more wonderful than I could have hoped for. I think my fiancee Jerry expressed it best when he told me yesterday that my "renewed inspired outlook is infectious". I told him it came all the way from the Louisiana bayou, to the ski country of Vermont to the farms of Ohio and the traffic jams of MD.

From the fast-paced lifestyle of the New York Metro Area, happy basting!!

Laurie Pavliscak

I hope your students really appreciate you sharing your invaluable knowledge, business experience, couture techniques and just your love and passion for the art of couture sewing. I know the knowledge and information I received from you and your classes I use and reflect on constantly. I have wonderful memories of your classes, and like minds sharing. What you share and give is priceless.

I believe that there are some people that God places in your path for a reason. They in some way share in your destiny and success. Teach, you are one of them!

Much Love,   Loyce
Loyce Wheatly, Sharazi Bridal Couture, Los Angeles

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your seminar. Never in a million years could I have imagined what I was in for. I felt so comfortable with you and my classmates! What a talented group of wonderful people. I learned from them as well. I miss you all very much. I came home with so much more than new sewing skills. I felt more knowledgeable, competent, and inspired... I am also in a better place to assess my business.... Thank you, Susan. Your knowledge and wisdom, and the willingness with which you share it, is truly a gift.

Thank you again for everything!   Stephanie Drews, CA

Thank you again for everything. It was such an inspirational week of sewing, you are such a wealth of knowledge and talent....I was particularly impressed with how you provided individual attention to every student. What an excellent teacher you are.

Arlene Lovering, OH

Dear Susan, Your class meant more to me than I could possibly express. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. But most of all, thank you for your encouragement. I now know that I am good at this and that success is within my grasp.

Most Sincerely, Robin Bolton, IN

I can't tell you what a wonderful week I had in Baltimore. It went so fast. I don't even know how to explain the joy I have felt at your classes. I came home so renewed, yet yearning for more knowledge.

Linda Stewart, VA

You are the one who inspired me to strive for something better and improve my image and skills. Never underestimate the results you're getting from your school and your books!

Susan Jones, CA

I can't remember when I've been so inspired. I forgot how good it can feel to plan a project, put it together on your own terms and see it finished. I'm still on a high from the week and I hope I don't come down too soon...

Joanne Alkazin, CA

Truly, every minute was worth a million because I learned so much. Thank you for a wonderful educational, sincere, organized and fun-filled week.

Babara Riley, NH

You have made such a difference in the way I view sewing. You can never be thanked enough for leading me to the continual discovery of sewing as an art...

Kathy Cuddy, AK

I have truly been inspired by you and the other ladies in the class. To me, it was much more than learning new techniques for couture; it was the experience of a lifetime. Thank you for your valuable knowledge that you so generously shared!

Desiree Archuleta, AZ

I would like to thank you for your kind words of advice as I walked out Sunday afternoon. Such praise coming from you "Means so much." Once again, thank you for a week of personal growth.

Anna Mazur, CT

Dear Susan, Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your Bridal Potpourri class - and I was so excited to see the blue dress and the red bodice from your book. I also thought your wonderful personality made the class really fun, and not just educational. I'm anxious to see what you'll come up with next!

Barb McCormick, ID

Susan, Again, thanks for such a wonderful week. It was such a pleasure meeting you. I plan on coming to Level II. Your class really "fired" me up and now I'm determined to begin working toward building my own business.

Margie Lesniak, MD

Dear Susan, The wonderful, positive effects from your class are growing still. I speak differently and now have a reachable dream of being a couturiere. I've already inserted some of these techniques into my lesser jobs and see the improved results. I loved getting to know you. You are a wonderful mix of mentor, master and approachable friend. Thank you for all you gave us.

Diana Johnson, RI

Hi Susan! I want to thank you for one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. It was a real treat spending time with you. I feel I learned so much and am so excited to apply all that I learned. Thank you again for sharing so much with us. Hope to see you again soon! Best regards.

Madeline Rogers, CA

Hi Susan! I cannot stress the amount of valuable information you provided me during our week together. You have greatly contributed to the overall improvement of my sewing technique, way of approaching a particular project, and my ability to think critically about my approach. I view everything in a different light now and feel confident to charge clients more than I have been. I got a call today about a gown and will hopefully convince her that Couture is what she just absolutely, positively cannot live without.

Again, thank you for everything and I am looking forward to Bridal Sewing School Session II.

Tammy De Weever, MA

Dear Susan, "Bridal Sewing School" was definitely the best thing I have ever done for myself. Working with and learning from you was a wonderful experience. You are clearly devoted to your art and that itself served as inspiration. The camaraderie of my "classmates" was and unexpected bonus!

My daughter is thrilled with her prom gown! It fits beautifully and she looks great in it. After she showed it to her friends on Saturday, I got orders for two more gowns. It will be a great way for me to practice my couturiere skills (and maybe secure some future brides!).

Thank you again for a wonderful week and sign me right up for Bridal Sewing School part II!

Roberta Cogan, PA

Dear Susan, I cannot remember a week I enjoyed as much as the week spent sewing and learning in Baltimore. I am so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge of couture sewing with those of us who strive for perfection in our own corners of the world.

The diversity of our projects and the individual attention you so abundantly showered on each of us enabled us to learn so much not only the couture methods of construction of our own garment, but to learn forest he techniques shown to each student as her project unfolded before us.

Your class not only taught couture construction, but insight into building a business of the highest caliber. We can, with confidence reach for the stars in our business endeavors.

Even now, I am planning the strategy I will use next spring as I launch my business full time. I'm working on my portfolio, a studio, marketing procedures, etc.

Thanks to your school, I was privileged to meet such a great group of girls who melded so well together. Surely our love for clothing construction was the bond that enabled us to become friends and to enjoy each other's successes throughout the week.

Thanks again for such a wonderful, beneficial week!

Jo Whiddon, FL

Susan, As I browsed the names of PACC members on the referral site, I saw your name and realized I owed you a big thank you. In the fall of 1995 I attended the Bridal Sewing School in Baltimore. It was my gift to me for taking early retirement from my job. The class did more than teach skills. I learned to think. But most of all I gained the confidence I needed to tackle tough jobs.

In February, I received a call from a lady who was looking for someone to make a wedding garment for her. She was 40 years old, her first wedding, and had been saving two yards of embroidered silk from Korea for 30 years. After we talked she met with me and provided a lovely pencil sketch that became the starting point for this fun project. She wanted a garment that had an oriental look. She decided on a tunic with grey silk pants. What a joy to make this garment!

Without your class, I would not have considered it. There have been other challenges that I felt comfortable tackling because of your sewing school. Thanks for your commitment to teaching couture techniques. I hope to be able to participate in the advanced school someday.

Thank you again for all you are doing to raise the level of professionals in the sewing arena.

Ruth Ann Rousey, MD

 

Home Couture Sewing Seminars Couture Sewing Photos Student Garment Gallery
The Draping Classes Paris Tour Paris Photos Testimonials Books About Susan Khalje FAQ

Contact Susan by Email
Couture Sewing School - Box 51, Hydes, MD 21082
Phone (410) 592-5711 • Fax (410) 592-6913