Crafting Body Appreciation

May is a month that catches me off guard every year. It is finally warm enough to get outside and do the things that need doing – mowing, trimming, weeding, and planting. Thanks to a generous delivery from ChipDrop my life the last few weeks has revolved around mulch – moving it, spreading it, begging other people to come and take the extras.

To that end, the sewing plans I shared for May were overly ambitious to say the least. But more on that in another post. One sewing related thing I did pick up this month is a new book for a little inspiration: Menopause Makes Empowering Sewing Projects to Relax Your Mind, Cool Your Body, and Ignite Your Creativity by Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh.

As a perimenopausal sewist this book clearly has my number. In keeping with most sewing books it includes tips, tricks, and techniques related to the patterns in the book, but it also has a forward about menopause – what it is, when it happens, and how creative pursuits like sewing can help during this life stage. I heartily agree that sewing is a great perimenopause pastime.

I love the bright colors used to sew up the projects and the fabric designer features in the book. Playing up the menopause angle, each project pattern is linked to a typical menopause symptom. Several patterns have caught my eye including the Basket for Lost Things (memory loss), Weekend-Away Tote (low mood), Zipped Potion Pouch (dry, itchy skin), Maker’s Apron (butter fingers), and Cool-Down Cover-Up (hot flashes). There are also several quilt-related projects in the book including a throw pillow, blanket, and placemats. I have yet to enter my quilting era, but it is sure to hit sooner or later!

I know tutorials for things like fabric baskets and zippered pouches can be readily found on the internet but as someone who has not delved into these houseware-type projects, I appreciate the traceable patterns and step-by-step instructions in the book. Is it weird that I find sewing a basket more intimidating than making a dress?

I also appreciate the size inclusive patterns for the two garment projects – the apron and the cover-up. Both range from about a 37-inch to 56-inch bust and 39-inch to a 60-inch hip which is a much greater size range than I find in most sewing books.

I borrowed this book from my local library and plan to sew up at least a project or two before I need to return the book. This is my usual approach to deciding if a book belongs in my personal collection (it also works well for cookbooks!). I will make sure to report back on the projects in a future month makes post.