Meet Tammie

My name is Tammie Pontsler.  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.

After college, I became a Home Economics teacher and developed a Fashion Design and Clothing Construction program at Vista Murrieta High School.  Being one of the first 35 teachers hired to open a new high school was an incredible experience.  I created a rigorous program that was University of California approved and articulated with Palomar College.  Each year, the 100 students in the program showcased their work in a fashion show and design gallery.  Creating this program and seeing students shine on stage were definitely highlights of my time at VMHS.

After creating the department, I left high school teaching and became a family life educator for the military.  In this role, I was sent all over the world to meet deployed ships to teach workshops to help our sailors and marines return home after deployment. While in this position, I collaborated with the Military Youth Programs to write a grant to put a mini fashion design classroom in the Military Youth Center.  CareerRunway, as the program was named, taught teens employability skills while learning the exciting world of fashion design and sewing.  Teens took field trips in San Diego and Los Angeles, designed their own fashions and showcased their work in a fashion show.  My favorite memory of this program was the look on the teens' faces when they learned on stage that the cocktail dresses they were wearing in the show were donated to them and they got to keep them.  Priceless!

Since my time with the military, I developed Sew Craftsy, my business in sewing instruction, commissioned projects and alterations.  What started as a mobile business, is now a sewing/design studio in Grand Rapids, MI.  I have hosted workshops, sewing parties, lessons, and charity sewing events.  I was also the Bernina Educator for Sewing Machines Plus in San Diego.  For many years, I volunteered as a lead designer for a teen fashion design program.  Teaching others to sew is one of my greatest joys, and I love what I do!

In 2014, I became a Clothing and Textiles Instructor for San Diego College of Continuing Education.  In the eight years I worked for SDCCE, I taught Sewing Fundamentals 1, Sewing Fundamentals 2, Apparel Construction, Sewing Like a Professional, Contemporary Tailoring, Textile Surface Design and Sewing for the Home.  I have lead students through the process of learning to sew, from the very first time they turned on their sewing machine all the way to couture gowns and tailored suits.  Some of my favorite classes were my Textile Surface Design courses where I taught textile arts and lead students through the creative process.  When the pandemic hit, I began to teach all of my courses online.  Since 2020, I have taught 23 sewing courses online, making over 500 YouTube videos to do so.  My design studio quickly became a production studio!

In all of my construction courses, I taught my students to fit their garments. I became a Certified Sewing Instructor for Palmer/Pletsch in 2016 and have taken many of the Palmer/Pletsch workshops and teacher trainings.  I have applied all that I have learned from Palmer/Pletsch to teach the tissue fitting method to hundreds of students.   www.palmerpletsch.com

In 2022, I enrolled at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI to continue to learn design and illustration and to take all the skills I have learned to the next level.  Now, I am an MFA student at Savannah College of Art and Design.  I cannot wait to explore my potential see what my design future holds.

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.  You can see my process here:  https://spark.adobe.com/page/HnKzH1U6Rz0bm/.  Here is a photo of my finished gala gown.  

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.

This is my design studio.  It is my favorite place!  I have outfitted it with machines, furniture and supplies I have purchased second hand from garage sales, Craigslist ads, estate sales and other selling apps.  Very few items were purchased new.  Having tools, machines and furniture from other artists, creators, makers and sewists like myself makes my studio really special.  I love having the items they cherished to help me make my creativity become a reality.

Follow Charley on Instragram @girl.named.charley

Some other facts about me...

I was born and raised in San Diego, CA.  In 2022, I relocated to Grand Rapids, MI.

I am a performing artist and love to sing.  

My favorite role was playing Maria in The Sound of Music.

I was the lead female vocalist in 2 different bands.

I have 2 older brothers and 5 incredible nieces.

My sewing affinity is creating costumes and formal gowns.

I have ripped out the same seam 5 times trying to make it perfect.

I have been helicoptered between 2 US Navy ships in the middle of the ocean.

My picture is in the Poway time capsule from the year 2000.  

If you are in Poway in December of 2030, you can see it when the capsule is reopened.

I have an adorable cat named Charley and a sweet German Shephard named Willow.

I love to laugh and do so often!

Click here to follow my designs on Facebook.

Follow me on Instagram @tammieleannecouture