Great Article in Sew Magazine (March 2018)

Fighting Cancer Head On

“Cancer remains one of the biggest health threats of the 21st century, with a person diagnosed every two minutes in the UK. Survival rates have doubled over the last 40 years but with this, treatments such as chemotherapy can be gruelling with distressing side effects – such as possible hair loss. That’s where Claire Featherstone comes in – an inspiring woman who has made it her mission to help people in these difficult times through her gorgeous range of headscarves, turbans and hats.

“I am very familiar with the needs of people undergoing cancer treatment, having lost both my own father to it when I was 17 and my mother when I was 24”, Claire tells Sew. “I have also lost both my paternal uncle and maternal aunt to cancer in the last year.” A keen sewist since school, Claire was already making bespoke dresses under her label Featherstone Frocks when someone approached her in 2011 with a special request.

COMFY AND CHIC
“I had a lovely dress client, Lucy O’Donnell (author of cancer is my teacher) who was going through chemo and couldn’t find anything high-quality or luxurious to wear on her head – just lots of sweaty, mass-produced items” Claire explains. “So I set about making turbans and ready-tied headscarves for her, then several other people asked me to make something similar for them or their loved ones. It was then that Chemo Headwear was born.”

At present, Claire offers nine feminine designs including headscarves, stretchy hats and turbans, all modelled on her website by Lucy, the lady who inspired it all. “I’ve tried to keep the styles to a minimum but I offer them in a huge selection of fabrics.” Claire continues. “Having a degree in textiles, I am passionate about choosing only natural, breathable fabrics. I use a lot of Liberty Tana lawns, silks and jerseys because their quality is second-to-none, plus the prints are gorgeous! I also offer a range in plain coloured silk and bamboo jersey.”

For many people, the worst part of their diagnosis can be the possibility of losing their hair, so Claire aims to make that aspect as easy to deal with as possible. “It’s important that my headwear is quick and easy to put on, comfortable and breathable – plus it must look good,” she explains. “I also make my designs in different size options as often one size doesn’t fit all! My hope is that I can make woman feel as feminine and confident as possible at this difficult time.”

THE EXTRA MILE
Claire donates 5% of all her online sales to Macmillan Cancer Support. In addition to making and selling her headwear, she also pays regular visits to various Macmillan centres to meet people undergoing chemotherapy and introduce them to new options they might not have known about.

“I love running my own business, designing and making my headpieces, and looking out for new fabrics. Most of all though I enjoy doing my bit to help within the cancer community,” Claire says. “There’s nothing more satisfying then helping someone feel good. I love writing a cheque to my local Macmillan centre every year, knowing how proud my Mum would have been!”.