Suzy began her career in apparel by designing and producing machine knitted sweaters. She went on to study patternmaking and design with Simon Sethna specializing in professional designing and cutting. After 10 years of working as a patternmaker and designer under her own label, Suzy Furrer Designs, she opened Apparel Arts in 1996 as a hands-on, personalized approach to learning the arts involved in apparel design and production.

Allison graduated from the Apparel Arts patternmaking program in 1998 and has since worked as a patternmaker for private clients. Allison is an experienced tailor who has shared her knowledge through teaching tailoring, fitting and techniques classes. She has tested patterns as well as written articles for Threads magazine. She is also the co-owner of an independent pattern company, "Go Patterns" http://www.gopatterns.com.

Pat Moyes teaches sewing in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in the teaching of basic and intermediate sewing skills. She is the author of Sewing Basics and Just Pockets, both published by Taunton Press, and writes a semi-annual column for Threads Magazine.

Susan received her professional sewing training at the New York couture salon Chez Cez et Bez. She later worked as a designer and manufacturing supervisor for the ladies' sportswear firm ISIS, on 7th Avenue in New York. After a number of years abroad, she returned home to Baltimore and has concentrated on couture sewing for the past 20 years, developing a clientele for her one-of-a-kind wedding and evening gowns. She established the Couture Sewing School in 1993, which provides a unique opportunity to learn couture sewing techniques. She teaches throughout the country and leads couture focused trips to Paris. In addition, Susan is the host of HGTV's sewing program, Sew Much More, and writes the weekly syndicated column of the same name. She is the author of Bridal Couture (Krause) and Linen and Cotton (Taunton).
For more about Susan Khalje go to www.susankhalje.com.

Heather Murillo has a BS degree in Design with an emphasis in fashion and textiles from the University of California at Davis as well as an AAS degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has interned with Anna Sui and Victor Alfaro and worked for companies such as Susan Lazar, Isabel Ardee and Mark Montano. After relocating to the West Coast she now works at Koret of California as a design assistant.

Heather has taught at West Valley College in Saratoga, Skyline College in San Mateo, San Francisco State University as well as The Sewing Workshop in San Francisco.

Lynda Maynard has been teaching sewing and fitting classes in the Bay Area for twelve years. In addition to instructing at Apparel Arts, she is a member of the faculty at Canada College in the Fashion Design Department. Lynda has co-produced a locally aired cable television show, Sew Savvy, and has produced her own show, A Passion for Fashion. She has been designing and creating beautiful garments for a private clientele for the past nine years. Lynda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics from San Jose State University.

Madeline has worked on both the business and creative ends of the fashion industry for over fifteen years. She is a CPA and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University. She has provided general business and accounting consulting services to numerous apparel manufacturing companies, both in the Bay Area and in Southern California. Madeline has a diploma from Pacific Fashion Institute in San Francisco, studied French patternmaking with Simon Sethna and graduated from the Apparel Arts patternmaking program. Madeline has made custom clothing for a private clientele and worked as a designer and patternmaker for Sportiva, a volleyball sportswear company. She is currently a co-owner of Go Patterns, an independent pattern company (www.gopatterns.com).

Wendy L. Miller has operated FRIPPERY since 1980. She offers a full range of sewing services to her private clients in fashion, costume and home decor. Wendy has won numerous awards for costume design for Carnaval San Francisco, and is a past president of the SF Chapter of the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers. She has taught in various venues in the Bay Area for 20 years, and is currently on the faculty of the Fashion Department at CCSF.

Remy Pessah, a process engineer, has been sewing since the age of 9. Over time, she has developed an expertise not only in sewing, but in textile art. Remy has been accepted in many juried shows and is a member of the American Craft Council. Her Artwear is currently on display in a select number of haute couture boutiques in Carmel, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and San Francisco. She now brings her love of textile manipulation to us to share and inspire.

Laura Loveland, a graduate from the Apparel Arts patternmaking program in 2006, began her career in fashion in high school sewing for herself and friends. After exploring various careers she realized her heart was truly in Fashion. Since 2003, Laura has been working for a major San Francisco clothing manufacturer; she also designs for private clients and will launch a small online only ready to wear line in late 2007.