Creating clothing and sewing patterns that celebrate the art and craft of making clothes
Hi! My name is Michelle. I’ve been sewing since I was a kid and ever since I can remember, I’ve loved the process of making clothes. My training in fashion school and years in the industry helped grow a deep appreciation for clothing construction and pattern making, but also left me yearning for the more creative and playful side of making clothes I’d experienced so frequenty in my early years at the sewing machine. When I began my brand Fortiv in 2018, it was out of the desire to create clothes in the way I longed for. Through Fortiv, I’ve been able to resist the staus quo so often pushed in the fashion industry and instead create clothing in a way that feels good to me: working with materials that are already in existence, designing unique yet timeless styles, and connecting with both the art and craft of making clothes.
I believe that if we let it be so, the clothing we make can be a way for us to to connect more deeply to oursleves, each other, and the world around us. In my own life, the practice of making clothing has been a form of therapy, helping me to process emotions and give space for reflection. It has also allowed me to explore my own unique taste and what excites me to create and to wear!
Following this thread (pun intended!) has brought me develop my first PDF pattern so I can share in the joy of sewing with all of you! I hope you enjoy following along with the instructions and making your very own Tulip top! It brings me so much joy to know you are sewing something I’ve designed and I can’t wait to see what you create!
It’s with a lot of care and love that I share the Tulip top pattern with you :) Thank you for being here and happy sewing!
