Sunday, July 22, 2018

Making Life More Beautiful book by Kate Davies

I've "known" Kate for several years.  She's one of those online sewing friends that I've communicated with offline and would love to meet in person.  So I was really interested when I learned she was writing a book!



I'm always enthralled when someone decides to not only write a book but self-publish. That's determination! When Kate approached me and asked if I would review her book, it was a definite yes! 

I would call Kate's book more of a lifestyle book than strictly a sewing or crafting book.  It touches on a number of sections about beauty and making your life beautiful that add to the sewists experience which aren't normally found in sewing books.  BTW, I'm reviewing this book from a sewists perspective.


Let's dig into the book!  The first section is on Beauty which has four sections ~ your coloring, your body shape, your wardrobe & personal style and fashion.  As sewists, we need information like this to insure that we're making garments that not only fit our bodies but enhance our lifestyles.


The beauty section also contains an in-depth segment on colors and which coloring works best for our skin tones.  An important concept that sewists should master to make the best color choices for our garments.


There is a really important section on proportion.  Again a needed concept for sewists to grasp and understand, knowing how to incorporate it into their sewing projects.


Two additional parts in the beauty section that struck me were the wardrobe types and where Kate discusses capsule wardrobes. In wardrobe styles, which we know is not a new thing, the twist Kate gives it is what I loved most. She named the wardrobe styles by celebrity names, for example - the classic wardrobe style is called Jackie Kennedy!  Capsule wardrobes which are near and dear to my own heart, is detailed and how they work for a sewist in building a cohesive wardrobe that will be worn and loved.

Making is the next section ~


A really fascinating introduction which touches on why we make and the history of patterns.  Of course the first section is on sewing with several projects highlighted and instructions on how to create them.


The next two sections are on knitting (because if you've followed Kate's blog, you know she is an amazing knitter!) and crocheting where there are also several projects to make including the instructions. After the sewing, knitting and crocheting projects, Kate has included a section on making your own textiles.

Life is the final section of the book ~
This portion is all about building a beautiful life through your surroundings and developing a creative team to help inspire you to move forward in your creative journeys.

It is a well-written book full of breathtakingly beautiful pictures. It includes a resource center at the back of the book. In full disclosure I'm one of the people acknowledged and thanked. Honestly though, I read the entire book and found that at the end. I didn't know about it beforehand and was extremely touched.

So of course Kate is giving away one book to be won by one lucky sewist.  If you're interested in winning a copy of this amazing book, please drop a comment in the comment box below - only comments left here on the blog are eligible for the giveaway.  The giveaway is open from today until Friday, July 27th at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be picked over the weekend and announced on Sunday, July 29th.

However, if you don't wanna wait to win the book, you can always purchase it directly from Kate via her blog or on Amazon UK.

Good luck to everyone entering the drawing!

...as always more later!




86 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful book - would love to win it!

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  2. This book looks like such a wonderful resource - thanks for the review & thanks to Kate for the giveaway

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  3. Interesting all around concept for a book. Sounds like many of the chapters apply to sewists and those who purchase their clothing alike. I have the hardest time with proportions. UGH. g

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  4. Would love to have the book!

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  5. Looks like an interesting read!

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  6. What a good useful review! I could use some tips on making my life more beautiful!! Thanks for the chance to join the give-away!

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  7. This sounds like a great resource book and like it’s one of those updated versions where you can learn something new. I’d love it!

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  8. Love your review--the book looks interesting!

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  9. This looks like a lovely book and I would love to win it.

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  10. I'd love to win the book. I need to sew from fabrics and patterns that will look good on me, instead of just buying whatever is on sale at Fabricmart!

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  11. It sounds like an interesting book, and I wouldn't have been aware of it if it weren't for your review. Thank you!

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  12. A very interesting book, for sure! I would love to win it ��

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  13. Sounds like a great resource, thanks for the chance to win it.

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  14. Not sure if your giveaway will extend to Canada, but I'd like to put my name in. I think this would really enhance my sewing experience,

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  15. This book looks really inspiring!

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  16. I love everything i've heard about this book!

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  17. Would love to win. Fingers crossed.

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  18. Looks like a fun, informative book. Would love to win it!

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  19. Thanks for offering this, I hope I win

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  20. Thank you for your inspiring review - would love to win this. I’m in the UK.

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  21. Thanks for the opportunity, if I don’t win I intend to buy it. Seems lovely

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  22. Sounds interesting, would not mind to get it.

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  23. Would love to have a copy, but happy that I follow your blog. Thanks!

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  24. Interesting to have a lifestyle book from the sewist perpective. I would like to have a chance to win!

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  25. I would love to have this book because as I have aged my coloring has changed along with my figure. I feel as though I am having to start over with my knowledge base of what works for me.

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  26. It sounds like a really lovely book. I am both a sewist and a knitter and I love that she included both skill sets!

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  27. That’s a nice book. I’d love to win.

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  28. I would love to add this book to my library. I sew and knit and am interested in her perspectives.

    Diane

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  29. Interesting concepts that she’s broken the categories into. I’d enjoy reading it!

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  30. A lot of thought has gone into the presentation and content of her book, years of experience. Being someone who has sewed my whole life l would value a book with the content that she has shared and gained from her own wonderful journey of sewing. Good luck

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  31. I'm also in awe of self-publishing! What a great giveaway1

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  32. I've been following Kate's blog for sometime and find her creativity admirable. I would love to win the book. Please count me in. Thank you.

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  33. The book sounds intriguing, please add my name to the draw. Thank you.

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  34. I've seen previous references to the book and was intrigued. Thanks for sharing. Would love a copy.

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  35. Would love to read her book. Your review shows that it should be very informative.

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  36. I love everything Kate does. She is an inspiration! Thank you for the chance to win this book.

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  37. I was curious about this book and your great review has really piqued my interest.

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  38. It sounds like a terrific resource and I would love to win a copy. I'm off to check out Kate's blog. Thanks for sharing this with us Carolyn!

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  39. I am a Kate Davies fan, have her book on my to-buy list so I'd love to win one! She also has a TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPlawa_pIMY

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  40. I'm so excited for Kate. What an endeavor and so beautifully wrought!

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  41. What I like best in your review is your modest comment that she thanked you. All of us who read your blog have a lot to thank you for!

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  42. I'd love to read Kate's book and with your recommendation I am sure it will be great. Please include me in the list for the draw.

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  43. I remember when she first announced her decision to write the book :)

    Count me in. I'd love to have it.

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  44. Your review makes me want to read the book! I hope I win, but I've bookmarked her blog and the book so I can buy it.

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  45. Best review yet! I would love to win a copy.

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  46. Best review yet. i would love to win a copy.

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  47. Looks like a great resource and a feast for the creative mind and heart!!!

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  48. Thank you for the review. I would love to read this book! I will even pay for shipping to the US if I am lucky enough to win it.

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  49. Sounds like a wonderful book.

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  50. This sounds like such a great book - not just from the perspective of a sewist.

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  51. Thank you for the review. Please enter me in the drawing.

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  52. I went to Amazon UK to try to purchase this book as I was very impressed by your review. Unfortunately the site indicated it could not be shipped to the United States for reasons which were not applicable to this purchase :-( The book is not listed on Amazon or Amazon smile. As I would love a copy of this book, I hope the above issues are resolved soon.

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  53. Would love this book, enter my name, please. Thanks. Loved the review.

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  54. I would love to have this book. Thank you for the review. On Amazon it says out of print - UK has it of course but couldn't find out what the shipping would be to US.
    Marciae

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  55. What a generous offer! I'd love to win a copy, because I find making capsule wardrobes daunting

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  56. Looks like a nicely conceived book, I'd love a copy.

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  57. Color and proportion are where I need real guidance. So timely!

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  58. Looks like a beautiful, inspiring and yet practical book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  59. It sounds like a very informative, well researched book. I'd love to win a copy of my own! Good luck to everyone :)

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  60. Who doesn't want a life more beautiful?!? Thanks for the giveaway, I hope you pick me!!

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  61. Great giveaway. I could certainly use some inspiration particularly when it comes to knowing what colours to go for.

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  62. I would love Kate’s book. Her sense of style is superb

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  63. I'd love to win a copy of Kate's book. I've been following the progress of her writing it on her blog. Super interesting.

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  64. I loved your review and I would like to win a copy.
    I would pay the shipping to germany.
    Natascha

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  65. Would love a copy of Kate's book. She writes exceptionally well and inspires my sewing and knitting projects.

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  66. Hello! I would love to win a copy of her book. It looks like one I would really love.

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  67. Sounds like a great book jammed packed with interesting ideas! Thanks for the give-away!

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  68. Thanks for your review, you've presented the book in a way that other reviews haven't, and now I really would love a copy! The recent post on formality on her blog reminded me a lot of your experience with adjusting your wardrobe to your new workplace and how much I appreciated your discussions about that. I'm coming from the opposite angle (too informal and need smarting up!) so this looks like it will be a good investment.

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  69. I like that the book is about sewing to making life beautiful, and those slippers remind me of a pair my mom knitted me as a girl!!- thanks - I loved those slippers!!

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  70. The book looks amazing! I will need to buy it if I don't win - but you could pick me a the winner.

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  71. Sounds interesting. I would like to enter and win(lol)

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  72. Enjoyed reading your review and would like to enter also. Thank you! :)

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  73. Seems to be a book that I need on my bookshelf. I would love to win!

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  74. I'd love to have this in my library 😀

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  75. I like the review you did of this book. It sounds interesting and I like the detail you provided on the different sections. I would love to be entered to win. I am glad she asked you to review the book and the offer of winning one.

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  76. I’m very new to sewing but I’m learning as I go. Kate Davies is a wonderful creator so this would be a great addition to my library.

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  77. This sounds like a really good book! I would love to win it.

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  78. I'll throw my name in the hat.

    Did she have any models of color? Any curvy models that don't have a thigh gap? Thanks for the review. As always, enjoy your insights.

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