Meet Pamela W. Howard | Craftsy Instructor (Garment Construction), Author, Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pamela W. Howard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamela W., we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After giving the idea much thought, I decided to start my Custom Sewing business. Over the years, I had acquired sewing machines, so I didn’t need to purchase equipment right away. I had plenty of notions (thread, scissors, etc.). That kept my outlay of cash low. I purchased some fabric, but after I got started, I realized that I didn’t need a lot of fabric for clients, since they chose and purchased their own with advice from me. Working with people on their style choices taught me a lot about fitting all shapes and sizes. After a short time, I decided to specialize in suits and sportswear; as opposed to bridal and special occasion garments. I made custom clothing until I decided to start teaching garment construction classes. My specialty is Intermediate/Advanced classes and Fitting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In June of 1994, the decision was made to start my business: Pamela’s Closet. Inc. It started as a Custom Clothing business, and I made suits and sportswear for business women in the Atlanta area. I had made clothing most of my life (since the age of 14), and decided to turn it into a business, My degree is a B.S. in Textiles, Clothing & Business, from Virginia State University. It became very important to me to pass along the knowledge I’d learned over the years, so I decided to teach others the skills and techniques of garment making. It was difficult at first (to find a place to teach), but I went to get one of my machines serviced at Atlanta Sewing Machine Co. They had a sign: “Sewing Classes”; and I got so excited!! I asked the owner and manager if they needed any more teachers, and the answer was Yes!! They added garment construction classes to the Home Dec classes already being taught there. People started showing up!
Other opportunities came after that, and I applied to teach at the American Sewing Guild National Convention in Birmingham, AL in 2001. My proposal was accepted and I taught at 6 more National Conventions over the years, as well as some of the Original Sewing & Quilt Expos. In 2004, I started writing articles for Threads Magazine, and made the Trench Coat that appeared on the cover of Issue #112. I continue to write articles for Threads, and was a Digital Ambassador for 4 years; (providing posts for the Threads Insider- Digital content). I also wrote the Master Class column for Sew News Magazine from 2018-2020, and made a swing jacket that made the cover of the Aug/Sept 2018 Issue. Craftsy showed up in 2012 and I now have 4 video classes on Craftsy.com
None of these opportunities could have been accomplished without the help and kindness of many people along the way. I will forever be thankful. It always helps to do your best work, Never Give Up. Be Persistent. I would like the world to know that it is never too late to follow your dreams. It may not be easy, but things that are worth it never are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would probably go to one or more of the neighborhood shops of cafes. Maybe even to a museum in the Atlanta area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank Sherly Belson, President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Sewing Guild for recommending me to Shout Out Atlanta. All of the members of this organization have been very supportive to me over the years, I am very thankful to those who have taken my classes and have been very good friends.

Website: https://www.pamelasclosetinc.com

Instagram: @pamsclosetinc

Linkedin: Pamela Howard

Image Credits
Picture 1= garments from the “Luxury Loungewear Challenge” (Picture from Threads Magazine). **I won the Challenge!!
Picture 2= Honored to be one of the ASG Atlanta 2022 Hall of Fame recipients
Picture 3= Cover of Issue #112 Threads Magazine – Trench Coat made by me, article – “Perfect Your Topstitching Skills” written by me.
Picture 4- Cover of Aug/Sept 2018 Sew News Magazine – Jacket made by me, article written by me.
Picture 5- Picture of safari Jacket made by me – “Joyful Dressing Challenge” for Threads Magazine
Pictures 2-5 taken by me