Making Life more Beautiful; paperback, 220 pages, full colour print. Free postage within the UK. Available now. If you are outside the UK I am sorry that the shipping costs are so high.
If you would like a dedication inside please let me know.
If you like this blog then Making Life more Beautiful is for you!
Over 200 pages of sharp observation, half a century of dressmaking knowledge and glorious photographs of beautiful women – all brought together to help you make your life more beautiful.
From the Introduction
This book provides practical advice on beauty, style and making clothes. It is mainly for women, including the thousand or so who already follow Fabrickated, and others who want to make themselves more beautiful by understanding colour and style. Every day Fabrickated people make life more beautiful through using their hands, sensitivity and skills. The book will also appeal to people who have never tried to make textiles or garments, and would like to know how.
Part 1 on ‘Beauty’ is not just about colours and style but about empowering people, especially women, to throw off the undermining constraints of gender stereotypes and unattainable images of ‘perfect’ beauty; to instead find and celebrate their unique style and self.
Part 2 on ‘Making’ isn’t just about crafting, but about finding life-enhancing connections and building communities. For women specifically, it is about claiming time and space for themselves so they can develop their creative capacity and generate greater self-esteem.
Includes 13 Makers Projects so you can make a Schiaparelli hat, vintage slippers, a Westwood skirt, a Nordic sweater, a pencil skirt pattern and Fisherman’s Pants, and other items.
How to make a colourful yoke sweater
Related
3 reviews for Making life more beautiful
Rated 5 out of 5
Lyn Bromley (verified owner)–
An absolute gem of a book. It really does make life more beautiful! Kate’s no nonsense approach and simply explained narrative makes it really accessible for anyone to find advice on what suits them. The makes are beautifully photographed and explained and it is a delight to see it interspersed with stories of Kate’s own family. Highly recommended.
Rated 4 out of 5
Dagmar (verified owner)–
This is a really interesting and lovely book filled with refreshingly unfiltered opinions on how to live your most beautiful and fulfilling life. You may not share all of Kate’s views but she is an engaging writer with thought provoking views that encourage reflection on aspects of our lives that touch on beauty, fashion, appropriateness, sustainability, minimalism vs maximalism etc.. Her approach is quite no nonsense and I only wish the book was longer to have allowed more photos and examples of colour theories and dressing to suit your physique. The projects that are outlined are a testament to what we can be achieved on our own with a little bit of perseverance and they are a shining example of Kate’s approach to making her life more beautiful. I enjoyed this book and have actually reread several parts!
Rated 5 out of 5
Julia (verified owner)–
As one who has spent the last few years giving away a lifetime of craft and sewing books and supplies, I now very rarely buy books. However, I was drawn to ‘Making life beautiful’ immediately, and I am so glad that I bought it.
I am sure there is something for everyone, from beginner to more experienced sewer and I loved that it also included sections on colour and wardrobe planning etc. – who knew, for example, there are warm and cool shades of green. My favourite colour, but I hadn’t realised this was the reason some greens just didn’t seem to suit me.
Like Dagmar above, I would have loved the book to be longer, but it is absolutely packed with inspiring and useful information and I am sure I will always be dipping into it. Having read about its production on Kate’s blog it is a totally awe inspiring achievement, especially as she has a full time career in a totally different and what must be a very challenging field these days. Thank you Kate!
Lyn Bromley (verified owner) –
An absolute gem of a book. It really does make life more beautiful! Kate’s no nonsense approach and simply explained narrative makes it really accessible for anyone to find advice on what suits them. The makes are beautifully photographed and explained and it is a delight to see it interspersed with stories of Kate’s own family. Highly recommended.
Dagmar (verified owner) –
This is a really interesting and lovely book filled with refreshingly unfiltered opinions on how to live your most beautiful and fulfilling life. You may not share all of Kate’s views but she is an engaging writer with thought provoking views that encourage reflection on aspects of our lives that touch on beauty, fashion, appropriateness, sustainability, minimalism vs maximalism etc.. Her approach is quite no nonsense and I only wish the book was longer to have allowed more photos and examples of colour theories and dressing to suit your physique. The projects that are outlined are a testament to what we can be achieved on our own with a little bit of perseverance and they are a shining example of Kate’s approach to making her life more beautiful. I enjoyed this book and have actually reread several parts!
Julia (verified owner) –
As one who has spent the last few years giving away a lifetime of craft and sewing books and supplies, I now very rarely buy books. However, I was drawn to ‘Making life beautiful’ immediately, and I am so glad that I bought it.
I am sure there is something for everyone, from beginner to more experienced sewer and I loved that it also included sections on colour and wardrobe planning etc. – who knew, for example, there are warm and cool shades of green. My favourite colour, but I hadn’t realised this was the reason some greens just didn’t seem to suit me.
Like Dagmar above, I would have loved the book to be longer, but it is absolutely packed with inspiring and useful information and I am sure I will always be dipping into it. Having read about its production on Kate’s blog it is a totally awe inspiring achievement, especially as she has a full time career in a totally different and what must be a very challenging field these days. Thank you Kate!