A soft pink book with illustrations of rosemary-lemon vinegar, a mushroom, a backpack, a zipper, a pan, etc.

Make It Last: Sustainably and Affordably Preserving What We Love

by Raleigh Briggs Author

An illustrated guide to clothes, food, and home

Make It Last: Sustainably and Affordably Preserving What We Love is an illustrated guide to clothes and food and home. Raleigh Briggs bridges the gap between life in a disposable culture and the basic skills needed to save money and live more sustainably. This book teaches you how to extend the lives of the things you love by repairing clothing, preserving home-grown food, and even repairing your kitchen sink. Briggs takes her longtime commitment to community building through the DIY movement and shares her valuable experience with the reader through a conversational tone in her hand-drawn and -illustrated guide.

The Utne Reader described Raleigh's work as “A forceful antidote to the cheapening of thrift culture: a meticulously hand-lettered, pint-size volume. When you raise your fist against the values that derailed our economy, lift this book in it.” Now you can save money and save the planet while saving your prized possessions!

  • A light blue book with illustrations of rosemary-lemon vinegar, a mushroom, a backpack, a zipper, a pan, etc.
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Second edition description:

Fix it, ferment it, and make it fit—don't throw it out! Save money and live more sustainably with this illustrated and hand-written guide to extending the life of your clothes, good, and household items. Darn your socks, pickle your surplus of garden produce, repair your kitchen sink, and so much more. Sustainability and endangered basic life skills go hand in hand in this charming resource. Raleigh Briggs, author of the bestselling Make Your Place, brings an encouraging patience and can-do attitude that shine through the pages. The perfect gift for a teen or new graduate, or resource for an established adult looking to consume less and keep the things they love around for years to come. 

Comments & Reviews

9/24/2013

"this woman knows what she's doing."

Rose Petralia - Ink 19
http://www.ink19.com/issues/september2013/printReviews/makeItLastProlonging.html

5/24/2013

Raleigh's tone throughout is as if she is sharing her experience with a peer: never assuming you aren't ready to roll your sleeves up and try it right then and there with no hesitation...the basic tone is inclusive and appealing. It has the feel of a letter; the painstaking handwriting and sweet illustrations drew me in...Appropriate for people who maybe haven't been exposed to DIY before.

12/7/2012

""Make It Last" is full of practical advice for do it yourselfers and much recommended reading."

Paul T. Vogel, Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/dec_12.htm#vogel

11/28/2012

"A lot of information, clearly presented, it's another favorite. "

-Shala Kerrigan, Don't Eat the Paste