Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love (DIY)

I really like these little books, I now have 4. Each covers different things but each harmonizes as I get my act together in my retirement.

I bought it for a gift, but she loves it.

A very fun read.

I'm a huge fan of Raleigh Briggs zines and books. If you've never read a zine before, or never read a Raleigh Briggs book before, there are a few things you should know.All the pages are handwritten, then copied, collated and turned into a book. The handwriting is clear and easy to read, but it's not the same as type setting or word processing.Great illustrations! It's a hallmark of Briggs' work and a huge part of why I'm such a fan.Lots of information written for the absolute beginner and well explained.About this book in particular, Make It Last: Prolonging and Preserving the Things We Love- this book gives fix it tips, part of the zine culture is a DIY attitude, fix it, mend it, re-use it, make it, and make it last. Since this is becoming a lot more of a national trend with people realizing those values are good ones for living within a tight budget, this book is a good start.Some of the information in here was previously printed in zines, and it's collected here nicely in a paperback edition. It's very information dense, with good instructions and a suggested bibliography for more detail at the end of each section.Clothes includes patching holes, darning holes, fixing seams, replacing zippers, fixing zippers and water-proofing textiles. Stitches and the best hand stitches to use to mend clothes are well explained. I love the emphasis on hand methods. I have a sewing machine, but work by hand frequently because it's quiet, takes very little set up and it's something I can do in the evening while watching television with my family.Food includes storage methods for fruits and vegetables in a fair amount of depth to really make your garden produce last through the winter. Instructions for drying food, making flavored vinegar, making jerky, lacto-fermenting, canning and even salt-curing fish instructions. Since the author doesn't own a dehydrator, and is working within a tight budget, the instructions don't call for specialty tools or equipment. It's all very do-able with a low cash outlay.Home are all the tips to manage a lot of fixes around your home. How to fix common problems with doors, hinges and windows, fix drywall cracks or patch small holes in dry wall, and various plumbing fixes. The section on fixing a leaky faucet includes instructions for various kinds of faucets. The part about toilets even includes replacing the wax ring under a toilet.A lot of information, clearly presented, it's another favorite.