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
By:
Jenni Smith,
Kay Walsh
Imprint: Search Press Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 260mm,
Width: 204mm,
Spine: 20mm
Weight: 926g
ISBN: 9781800922549
ISBN 10: 180092254X
Pages: 152
Publication Date: 14 March 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
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
Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh are experienced sewing and quilting teachers based in Yorkshire, UK, and they’re on a mission to empower women through sewing, one stitch at a time! In writing this book, they are determined to help women navigate the menopause through stitching, inspiring confidence and creativity when both can fall on the back burner. This dynamic duo love teaching both online and in person, and they travel the globe producing online textile workshops for Quilt Folk magazine and produce their own patterns. Jenni is the author of the bestselling Quilting with Liberty Fabrics ISBN 9781940655468. To learn more about the authors, and to see more of their work, visit: Website: www.jenniandkaycreate.co.uk Instagram: @jenniandkaycreate YouTube: @jenniandkaycreate Facebook: @jenniandkaycreate
Reviews for Menopause Makes: Empowering Sewing Projects to Relax Your Mind, Cool Your Body and Ignite Your Creativity
Longtime crafters Smith and Walsh’s guide to crafting for people with menopause incorporates an introduction by a doctor who discusses menopause and some of the related issues that might arise. It also suggests ways to moderate symptoms, including through craft. The book then shares 10 projects aimed at helping with different symptoms – e.g., a cooling quilt, organizational baskets, a sleep mask, a lotion pouch – with each one focused on a specific issue. Some projects have been contributed by guest makers, who are also in the target age range and well-known in the crafting field. The writing style is light and encouraging, and each project is accessible to new crafters. The instructions are adequate and there are photos and illustrations for each project. VERDICT: Those who are new to crafting or were previously unaware of the strong anti-stress benefits of crafting might find this book most helpful. -- Melanie Kindrachuk * Library Journal *
