Mary Connelly-Gale is back to tell us about Days for Girls Australia. https://seworganisedstylepodcast.com/2025/03/29/days-for-girls-aust/

Days for Girls is an international organisation who’s mission is to shatter the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation for improved health, education and livelihoods. 

The topics discussed in this podcast are very sensitive.

Days for Girls Australia is a registered Australian not for profit and is a Country Affiliate with Days for Girls International. Volunteers across Australia mobilise to increase access to menstrual products and vital health information for women and girls around the world. https://www.daysforgirls.org/australia/ The education aspect provided by Days for Girls Australia is aimed at all parts of the community.

Basic information about menstruation, reproduction and also sexually transmitted diseases. In the reusable menstruation kits given to girls and women reusable menstruation pants and liners sewn by the volunteers in teams around Australia.

Information about menstruation is also provided in these kits that help girls and women learn about their cycles.

Mary tells a story about how a father needed to help his daughters with their periods through his regular need to go to his local food bank. 

Mary references the Bloody Big Survey conducted by Share the Dignity to show that period poverty exists in Australia. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/

The first Days for Girls Australia was only audio. I am very thankful to Mary for giving her time to record this video version.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh realised menopause snuck up on them and they shared a few projects to help deal with the effects of menopause.

Menopause Makes is their second book containing sewing projects but they're all about helping ease the various effects of menopause.

The 'What is the Menopause?' foreward by Dr Hannah Davies is very insightful, and provides the perfect starting point for the projects in this book. Dr Davies establishes the facts around Menopause clearly and in enough detail that you can share with others.

Did you know the first book authored by Jenni Smith involved 15 quilt projects using archived Liberty prints through the decades - Quilting with Liberty Fabrics.

Their Liberty connections helped Jenni and Kay include two designers who also love Liberty fabrics - Sally Kelly and Alice Garret. If you're a Ruby Star fabric enthusiast, Rashia Coleman-Hale provided her design within their 10 projects for Menopause Makes. 

And it's brilliant Jenni and Kay included Kylie and the Machine labels for their projects. A bit of an Australian connection there.

Photo styling credit goes to Stacey Grant with Mark Davison and Becky Robbins for their photos.

Thanks to Midas Group and Search Press for contacting me about this very useful publication.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Inge de Groot shares the steps she took to have a custom dressform made locally.

Her website customdressform.com is where Inge shares a to-do list of steps and ideas for getting a dressform made locally.

You'll hear why she hugged her dressform when it arrived on her doorstep too.

Go to her website Custom Dress Form Tutorial | A styrofoam replica of yourself when you want a custom dressform made locally.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Isabella Strambio has authored this new macrame book - Mindful macrame - that is also a journalling experience. 

The projects are created to encourage readers utilise the practice of only using 2 knotting techniques to not just create something for themselves (and others) but to also create a mindful and meditative experience. 

While Isabella has authored 3 how-to macrame books, in this book she has created what she calls 'yoga for the mind'. 

The projects range from 30 minute projects, 60 minute projects and projects that take longer. The satisfaction of each project and your learning can be written is Mindful Macrame. 

Isabella talks about the people around her that have directly influenced her ability to find a craft like macrame to give her something she can do for her own mindful state.

Sew Organised Style features people who freely support the sewing community. You're welcome to be a podcast guest by contacting us via DM on Instagram.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Trixi has been running the Global Kids Sewing Party every year since 2019 for kids to sew a soft toy with the guidance of their parents/grandparents/teachers/carers. The toy is then a gift to someone either to others they know or to a community organisation.

In 2024 over 6,500 kids in 22 countries joined the Gobal Kids Sewing Party.

Kids and their carers/parents/teachers all learn to sew while each kid can be creative in their toy creation and determine who gets their hand made gift.

Pop over to Trixi's website for all the details. This sewing party is held throughout March.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

More dressform options are now available from Mimiquins. Jaire and Mia have created - now get this - legs and arms options for their dressforms.

On their website, you'll see the people who have now received their Mimiquins and why they chose their dressform for their sewing needs. Luke, the winner of the Great British Sewing Bee 2024 had his dressform created for his drag queen persona.

In 2024 we heard Yvonne of The Wheelie Stitcher talk about her dressform for her seated makes.

Many thanks to Tanya https://www.instagram.com/i_still_have_nothing_to_wear/ for her permission to use the photos of her mimiquin purchase.

There's nothing Jaire and Mia won't try to create for their customers.

The core of their dressform consists of sustainable cardboard.

Hopefully you watched Lindsie's LIVE chat in January. In this podcast Lindsie discusses how the first 2 patterns she's produced for the SewBusty community were purchased from Firebrand and design modified by Lindsie.

Her dress block is being tested and the behind the scenes work is undertaken by experienced people. Lindsie knows what she can achieve and how quality is built in by people who have industry experience. 

Thanks Lindsie for taking on board reaching out for representation from the SewOver50 community.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Tracey of @an_upcycled_life in New Zealand has just completed a dress using tablecloths and lace she collected from her mother, grandmother and at op shops.

Her Instagram account was originally called @an_upcycled_wedding but as time has gone on, it's now her life that includes reusing existing clothes as her fashion fabrics.

Did you also learn to sew through a monthly sewing series in your country too? Make it Easy was a publication Tracey used to sew as a teenager, with her mother's help. 

After taking part in Me Made May, Tracey is rethinking style and the type of clothes she will sew in the future. Have you had the same experience as Tracey?

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Mary Morton talks about how her son's discussion about climate change gave her the fuel to eventually create Edinburgh Street Stitchers. 

In 2019 when Mary's son discussed the climate change adjustments he was making to his life, Mary decided to learn about climate change. Then she took it upon herself to start using her sewing skills to mend clothes for others. 

Not long after that Mary started Edinburgh Street Stitchers.

This is a group that mends and repairs out in the public! 

From April to October, Edinburgh Street Stitchers get together for 90 minutes each month so the public can see how simple it is to mend their clothes.

These are the Instagram accounts that she mentions that will help you do your own research.

@shrubcoop @twistedtwee (Suzi Warren who started street stitching) @repair_what_you_wear @theedinburghremakery (other local sewing cafe) @remodecollective (overlocker course)

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Well, this is very exciting!

(It’s only a teeny video/audio but it’s good news!  ⭐️).

SewOver50 has been nominated for a Golden Scissors Award in the Social Impact category organised by the @CraftIndustryAlliance in Chicago in May.

In this podcast, Sandy discusses the work SewOver50 has done since 2018 to support this award nomination.

We certainly do like to be visible, included and represented so it’s absolutely terrific to be noticed. #SewOverAgeism!

Of course, this is an award for all of our community who have supported us, many of you over the 6 plus years. Your willingness to share your sewing, be seen, and importantly connect through SewOver50 has been empowering! Thank you!

A very big thank you to our editors from around the globe whose hours of volunteering continue to promote our passion of inclusivity.

Judith @JudithRosalind; Tricia @MorrisSews; Lena @ThatLenaKing; Maria @VeloSews; Ruthie @SewManyFlowers; Elke @SewThreadBear; Sue @SueLeighAtkins Lou @SewMuchToDesign Byrd @YogaByrdSews Kristina @PlumKitchen & Molly @MikeAndMollysHouse.

A very sincere and heartfelt thank you to Diane @StyleFalcon who nominated us.  😘

Happy sewing all! 😊🧵

Sandy ☀️

@SunnyDayz06

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com