About Tammie
I love sewing and have been sewing since I was in middle school. My mother was my first teacher. In high school, I took every sewing class that was offered and even designed and made my prom dress! I continued to sew and gain more skills through out my college years.
My Sewing Career
I began my career in Southern California as a Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) teacher and developed a Fashion Design and Clothing Construction program. In 2014, I was hired as a Clothing Construction Instructor at San Diego College of Continuing Education.
For 8 years, I taught garment construction, textile arts and sewing home products. During that time, I became a Palmer/Pletsch Certified Sewing Instructor and utilized the tissue-fitting method with hundreds of students. I have taught upper body and pant fitting as well as tailoring.
Online Sewing Classes
When the pandemic hit, I quickly turned my sewing studio into a production studio. By creating over 500 YouTube videos, developing online courses and meeting with students over Zoom, I taught 23 virtual, semester-long sewing classes to over 500 students.
In 2022, I relocated to Grand Rapids, MI and created a studio in my home for designing and teaching in-person and online courses.
In Fall 2023, I began online coursework at Savannah College of Art and Design in pursuit of an MFA in Fashion.
Passion for Design
As a designer, my affinity is textile surface design, couture sewing, evening gowns and costumes. In 2017 competed in the Salk Institute/SD Mesa College Design Discovery Challenge. The finished gown is to your left. See my process here.
Photo Courtesy of The Salk Institute; Model Amara Carey
In 2019, I spent 9 days studying under Amy Bond, Project Runway contestant from Season 16. I was able to combine technology with my interest in Norwegian folk art to design this jacket with laser cut and etched buttons and laser engraved fabric. Combining modern technology with traditional art is definitely a growing curiosity.