We are so excited to announce something truly special for Cashmerette Club All Access members: Susan Khalje — one of the world’s most renowned couture sewing teachers — is running a FREE couture skirt class exclusively for the Club. Keep reading for all the details, and to find out how to apply to join Susan LIVE!
If you’re not familiar with Susan, let us tell you: she’s a really big deal! Susan trained at a legendary New York couture salon, designed on Seventh Avenue, and has spent decades teaching the meticulous techniques used in the highest echelons of fashion. She’s a contributing editor at Threads Magazine, has won the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and literally wrote the book on bridal couture.
And now, she’s going to teach us how to make a couture skirt using the Cashmerette Club Elmwood Skirt pattern.
What You’ll Learn
This isn’t just “make a skirt.” Susan will teach couture techniques — skills you’ll use for the rest of your sewing life:
- Making and fitting a muslin
- Underlining your fashion fabric
- Hand-basting for a perfect fit
- Installing a hand-picked zipper
- Creating a grosgrain waist stay
- Couture hemming techniques
These are the methods used in the finest fashion houses, and they’ll make any garment you sew fit better, last longer, and look more polished.
How It Works
All Cashmerette Club All Access members will have access to the recorded online class later this spring, so you can watch anytime from home and sew at your own pace as you create a beautifully fitting and sewn Elmwood.
Apply for the Chance to Join Susan Live on Zoom!
There’s also an extra-special opportunity: we have 25 spots for Club members to join Susan LIVE on Zoom for each session. You’ll sew alongside her in real time and get to ask questions about your fit and sewing directly.
Live sessions will run on Wednesday evenings at 7-8:30pm EST, on the following dates:
- February 4, 2026
- February 11, 2026
- February 18, 2026
- February 25, 2026
- March 4, 2026
- March 11, 2026
If you want one of those 25 exclusive live spots, you’ll need to be an All Access Club member and apply — committing to being available for ALL six sessions. Applications close January 15, 2026, and we’ll pick the winners at random.
Already an All Access member? You can find the application link here.
Not a Club member yet? Join All Access now and you’ll get the link to apply—plus the entire library of 40+ Club patterns (including the Elmwood Skirt), tutorials, and the recorded sewalong with Susan when it’s available!
Your Questions, Answered!
Who can take the Susan Khalje couture sewalong?
This sewalong is exclusively available for Cashmerette Club All Access members. Not a member? Sign up here! Base or Plus member? Upgrade here!
Is it a recorded or live class?
There are two ways to join this sewalong:
- Watch the recorded sewalong. In spring, we’ll launch the full sewalong as recorded sessions, which all Cashmerette Club All Access members can watch from home, at any time. Go at your own pace, watch and re-watch and hone your couture skills!
- Join live! We also have the exclusive opportunity for 25 club members to join Susan live on Zoom during the sewalong recordings, to go through the process together, ask questions, and get feedback on your Elmwood.
How do I apply to join live?
In order to join live, you need to be able to commit to attending the 6 sessions, which will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7–8:30pm Eastern Time, on February 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4 and 11.
Apply to join by January 15! We’ll select the winners at random.
(Already an All Access member? You can find the link to apply here.)
What sewing level do I need to be to join live?
The couture sewalong is suitable for sewists who are at least confident beginner level. You don’t need to be familiar with couture techniques – Susan will teach you that! – but you do need to be confident using your sewing machine and basic fitting skills are a bonus. You should have made a fitted skirt with a zipper before.
What time commitment is it to join live?
You will need to gather your supplies and make your first muslin (following Susan’s guidance, which will be sent on January 19) before the first class on February 4th.
Then, you’ll need to be able to attend all 6 live sessions on Wednesday evenings at 7–8:30pm Eastern Time, on February 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4 and 11. By keeping up with the classes, you should have a completed couture Elmwood Skirt by the end of the sewalong!
What equipment do I need to join live?
To join live you need to be able to use Zoom on your computer with a stable internet connection. You will be sent a supplies list (including where to purchase) which will include fashion fabric, unbleached muslin, silk organza, lining fabric, grosgrain ribbon, basting needles and thread, and a 7” zipper.
Which pattern will we be using? Can I use a different one?
This sewalong uses the Cashmerette Club Elmwood Skirt, a pencil skirt style which is part of the All Access pattern library. You can use any length or style of the Elmwood. It is not possible to use other patterns for this sewalong.
What feedback will I be able to get from Susan Khalje?
Club members who join live will be able to get feedback from Susan Khalje during the 9 hours of filming.
After that, and for Club members watching the recorded sessions, you’ll be able to get further help and feedback from the Cashmerette team.
If I’m not chosen for one of the 25 live spots, will I have another opportunity?
Every All Access member will be able to watch the Susan Khalje couture sewalong recording at any time, when it launches in the spring. The opportunity to join live is a one-off event, and at this stage we don’t plan to offer it again in the future.
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