About Michele
Every woman has a story and every story is different. That is what makes them beautiful. My name is Michele Cleveland and I am the owner and seamstress of Melynne Designs. I first developed a love for sewing from my mother, who has been a seamstress for as long as I can remember. But it was my high school sewing teacher that nurtured my passion for creating things with fabric and thread. She gifted me my first sewing machine, which I still have today. When my daughter was ready to start wearing a bra, we struggled to find one that fit her correctly. I took on the challenge of creating a hand-made bra for her and was able to make one that fit her and was beautiful as well as functional. Melynne Designs has allowed me to not only create something lovely out of a flat and otherwise useless piece of fabric, but it has given me the opportunity to help women feel beautiful, comfortable, and confident. When you purchase a custom-made bra from Melynne Designs, you receive the highest quality in the product you buy, as well as support and education on why proper fit and breast health is so important. Your bra is as unique as you are. Women are all shapes and sizes, and I believe that every woman deserves her best fit.
Why Do I Sew for Women
Melynne Designs was born out of a need for women to feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in everything they wear. The clothing industry and especially commercially made bras have what they believe to be the best sizing. Unfortunately, when each manufacturer has their own sizing standard, it is really difficult to know what size you need. The large majority of manufacturers today are still using sizing from fifty to sixty years ago!
Women are not the same size and shape as they were back in 1955. Women generally are much taller now and we have curvier figures. Yes, even our bosoms are larger! According to HuffPost.com, in the last 20 years the average bra size jumped from 34B to a 34DD in 2013! Many retailers don’t carry the smaller band size with a larger cup, that many of us need. It was my experience to get the larger cup size they only carry them with a band large enough to fit around my hips! Now you see my problem along with many other women. This is precisely why I wanted to make my own bras and help other women.