Interior Treatments by Camille Moore

I met Susan Kostelecky for the first time in Houston, TX 2007 at the incredible Custom Sewing Institute (CSI) weekend workshop.  I was looking for a different learning experience from what I’d had in the past.  This Workshop was everything I had always wanted:  it’s geared to the experienced drapery workroom, mostly hands-on classes so you come away with samples that YOU make in class (my best way of learning and remembering), only about 50 total attendees — so classes are kept small (usually about 12 people per class), food is great, onsite hotel rooms in a beautiful park setting.

CSI is Susan’s brain child and she’s held the CSI Workshops
each year since 2006.   Susan Kostelecky also owns award winning SK Designs and has personally created hundreds of creative window treatments in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Corpus Christi and California.   I hope you enjoy my interview with Susan Kostelecky!

SUSAN, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BACKGROUND?

After working in corporate America for about 12 years following college graduation, I was longing to do something more creative.  My husband and I had moved into our current home in 1994, and I made the window treatments for our living room and dining rooms; about 35 linear feet of valances and traversing drapery panels.  I enjoyed it and found it challenging, and I continued to make other window treatments, bedding and slipcovers for our home and wondered if it could become a full-time job.  I had never heard the word “workroom” before and did not know there was plenty of work available for workroom fabricators.  I met a designer who was looking for a workroom to replace her recently-moved-out-of-state workroom.  She took me to meet her client to discuss a valance and pillows for her daughter’s bedroom.  That first client is still an active client of mine, and we have redone the daughter’s bedroom three times, and have done almost every room throughout her home at least once.  I realized I enjoyed working with the client directly, searching for fabrics and trims, and designing treatments as well as fabricating them.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO SPECIALIZE IN COUTURE DRAPERY MAKING?

I love specialty details, and over time, I have also come to enjoy handwork.  I hand hem almost all of my drapery side and bottom hems now; there was a time when I would have dreaded that process and avoided it whenever possible.  With years of experience under my belt, and knowing the satisfaction I feel when a project is done well, I now relish handwork and look forward to it!  I also feel lucky that most of my Texas clients ascribe to the “more is better” outlook.  We love details, specialty designs, fanciful trims and layers of treatments…which is great for my business and allows me to propose creative an unusual designs with much success.

Vanity Skirt by SK Designs

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB AS A DRAPERY MAKER, IS IT A FOND MEMORY OR A TERRIFYING ONE?

It was a terrifying one, which is probably what most people would say about their first project. Looking back, it was a simple design of a flat valance with tabs.  The hem was pointed and there was contrast banding on the pointed edge.  Keep in mind that this was in 1995, before the CHF Forum was available along with many other informational sources…so I was completely on my own trying to figure out how to get nice sharp points and to have the banding lay flat.  I remember getting so frustrated and thinking I was going to have to reschedule the installation because I could not get it right!  After much worrying and gnashing of teeth, I finally got it right.  I look back at that project now and realize that I have come a long way, thanks to experience, continuing education, and the invaluable sources of information now available.

YOU STARTED THE “CUSTOM SEWING INSTITUTE” IN 2006.  WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TAKE ON SUCH A HUGE PROJECT AND WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS GETTING FROM INCEPTION TO REALITY?

Five years after starting my retail workroom business (SK Designs), I attended Cheryl Strickland’s school in Swannanoa (now the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Charlotte, NC) in 2000.  I had been working in my living & dining rooms and my business was overtaking our house!  I was preparing to build out my workroom space in our backyard guesthouse, and knew that I could learn a great deal at the school about workroom layout, equipment and professional techniques.  I was right; it was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed learning directly from Cheryl herself.  What I had not expected was to meet a class attendee who would become a wonderful friend who I remain in contact with even today.  Debbie Rhodes and I became fast friends and she invited me to join her at Cheryl’s next conference, which was wonderful!  We attended Cheryl’s conference every year thereafter and it was a great way to keep in touch.

As my experience grew, I wanted to attend classes with a more advanced focus.  Additionally, I learn best by doing, and I thought a conference with hands-on classes would be wonderful.  During this time, I read a series of Jennifer Chiaverini’s books about a woman who inherited a large Pennsylvania estate and decided to use it for quilter’s retreats.  In her books, the attendees become friends and meet annually at the estate for more quilting classes and keep in touch throughout the year.  I thought it would be great to create a similar event for drapery professionals; I wanted it to have a hands-on focus, small group limited attendance, be geared towards medium to advanced level workrooms, and have all classes, meals and lodging in one location.

Custom Sewing Institute, Hands On Sewing Techniques

I began searching for event locations and found one quickly that met all of my goals.  The next step was to come up with some class topics and instructors.  Debbie helped me a lot during this process with her suggestions and ideas, as did some of my other workroom colleagues.  All of their input was valuable and greatly appreciated.

It was very exciting to contact potential instructors and hear their ideas and their willingness to take part in this “leap of faith” adventure!  I had no idea how many attendees would sign up for the first event, but we had attendees from about 15 states and it was wonderful.  Many of the attendees from the first event have continued to attend each year and have brought new attendees with them each time.

CSI Camp, 2007 - Celtic Applique Class (That's me second from right, having a big hair day)

It has been a whirlwind experience, but one that I love and cherish and am very passionate about.  I love planning every detail of the Creative Camp events, from selecting the theme for each year, to planning what treats will be included in the registration packets, to how we will package the class kits in a decorative way, to how we will announce the next year’s event classes and instructors to the attendees.  I have received wonderful and valuable input from Camp attendees also, which has contributed greatly to changes and new ideas for each event.

WHAT PIECE OF COUTURE WORK OR PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

A 20 foot wide by 20 foot tall window treatment project, which consisted of cornices, swags (48” drop), cascades, rosettes and operable traversing drapery panels which were French blackout lined (so heavy!) with a contrast leading edge and cording.  It was huge, heavy, formal, challenging and rewarding and I loved this project!  I was referred to this potential client by one of my neighbors who I had done some work for and who worked in sales for a La-Z-Boy furniture store.  After installing this massive project, the decorative faux painter who had completed work in this house (who I never met), then referred me to another client for whom I have completed six rooms of many bedding and window treatments, including motorization on a 15 foot bowed wall.  You never know where your referrals will come from!

Susan Kostelecky's Fabulous Window Treatment

WHAT ARE YOUR BUSINESS GOALS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS?

I love the combination of working with my SK Designs clients as well as planning and coordinating The Custom Sewing Institute’s Creative Camp events.  I can’t imagine changing things up TOO much, but hope to continue to develop and grow both businesses.  I love every minute of what I do and feel thankful every day to have the opportunity to combine my passions!

Camille:  Thank you Susan for letting us glimpse into your interesting and successful businesses!  Remember to check out Susan Kostelecky’s websites SK Designs and CSI.