Menopause Makes

Sew your way through the menopause with creativity, confidence and a joyful riot of colour! Discover 10 beginner-friendly sewing projects to create beautiful accessories and wearables for yourself, or to gift to friends.

Feel good while making the projects and feel even better using them: the act of sewing can help to curb brain fog and anxiety, while the finished pieces will keep you cool, relieve insomnia, and hopefully inspire some pampering and self-care.

This vibrant book from sewing experts Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh is here to transform how you experience this important life transition. These 10 fabulous projects will help you to rediscover joy and creativity when peri-menopause and menopause seem to take the reins.

Whether you're a sewing newbie or dusting off old skills, Jenni and Kay have crafted beginner-friendly projects that are as practical as they are beautiful. Whip up a chic potion pouch for those essential pick-me-ups, or an elegant eye mask to banish sleepless nights. Stay cool and stylish with a breezy cover-up, or find moments of calm in slow-stitching a charming log-cabin placemat.

Here's what you'll find inside:

• An introduction to the menopause, and the benefits of crafting on wellbeing, from Dr Hannah Davies (BSc MBBS MRCGP), who specializes in menopause and lifestyle medicine at the world-renowned Newson Health Clinic.
• 10 unique sewing projects designed to ease the various physical and mental discomforts that come with menopause, from insomnia and memory loss to brain fog;
• Full-size pull-out patterns to make creating the garments easy;
• Inspiring photos, step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow illustrations to guide you through each project;
• A handy chapter on essential sewing techniques for both beginners or for those needing a crash course;
• Designer spotlights, celebrating a range of female indie fabric designers whose fabrics have been used throughout the book: Sally Kelly, Karen Lewis, Rashida Coleman-Hale and Alice Caroline.

Menopause Makes is both a celebration of creativity and an invitation to self-care. Sew away the symptoms and stitch together a new chapter of confidence and craftiness!

A word from Jenni and Kay:

We’re so glad you’ve discovered our book! Its mission is to bring colour and creativity into the lives of women experiencing peri-menopause and menopause; to build their skills and confidence in sewing, and to make projects that have the ability to positively impact their mood and daily lives.

Each project in this book provides a hand-made solution to the challenges faced during this massive hormonal shift, and is designed to be both functional and fun.

Together, we hope to make a foggy time feel clearer, and counter any feelings of loneliness and isolation by building a strong, creative community of ‘Menopausal Makers’ around the world. #menopausemakes #creativemenopause

Book Contents

Acknowledgements

Contents

Introduction

What is the menopause?

How to read this book

Materials & Tools

PROJECTS
Symptom 1: Insomnia = Sleepmask
Symptom 2: Memory Loss = Basket for Lost Things
Symptom 3: Low Mood = Weekend Tote
Symptom 4: Dry, Itchy Skin = Zipped Potion Pouch
Symptom 5: Stress = Mindful Hand-pieced Log cabin
Symptom 6: Brain Fog = Rest-up Pillow
Symptom 7: Anxiety = Relaxation Blanket
Symptom 8: Hot Flushes = Wafty Kaftan
Symptom 9: Butter Fingered = Maker’s Apron
Symptom 10: Night Sweats = Cooling Blanket

Techniques & Tips

Index

Copyright & editions notice