Kirstie Macleod is an artist exploring issues of identity and the originator of The Red Dress.
Author Biography
Kirstie Macleod is an artist exploring issues of identity, the subconscious and the passage of time through colour and repetitive mark making. With a background in fine art, textiles and costume, her practice began in creating large scale installations often involving garments alongside photography, film, embroidery and painting. During 2015– 2023 she worked full time on The Red Dress project.
"People are feeling compelled to come together, stitch and make something meaningful as one, how wonderful is that?"
In early 2023, I was waiting to speak beside officials at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, France, my stomach so full of butterflies I thought they might start flying out. I listened while my eyes filled with tears as PACE President Tiny Kox, Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo, Vice-President of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, spoke about The Red Dress project and the impact it has had to dignitaries and representatives from all over the world. Those minutes seemed to pull the previous 14 years through the eye of a needle. For the first time I properly understood what the project had become and what it had managed to achieve. I felt humbled, grateful and very proud, and so it was important to capture this moment and the specific individuals involved, in this book.
Let customers speak for us
from 112 reviews
Meaningful and insightful, well worth a read
This book is a lovely object, full of life and craftsmanship. I would really recommend this book to anyone interested in craft, art, textiles and brilliant storytelling.
Chris Bevan
On Mending
10/26/2026
great ideas to make do and mend
Using some of the projects to rescue worn but loved items in my wardrobe
birute
On Mending
10/26/2026
A deeply moving book
This is a beautiful and deeply moving collection of stories. The stories are discovered in the items that are mended - the echoes of lives captured in garments worn and loved, patched up by those who care.In her writing Celia articulates the value of clothing in a way that everyone can understand but too often we forget. I will return to this book again and again and be moved and inspired every time.
Rebecca Smith
On Mending
10/26/2026
Excellent book, quick delivery, filled with insights and inspiration
Jude
On Mending
10/26/2026
Such a beauty of a book I just love it
Beautiful and thought provoking bookHeartwarming insight into textiles and relationships. Great book. Worth buying and great gift.
Siobhan
On Mending
10/26/2026
This personal memoir of several items mended over the years includes moving photos of the before and after mends. The author talks about techniques and what the clothes meant to the wearers/owners; often included are details of the origin of the item.
Elizabeth B.
On Mending
10/26/2026
How make do an mend is elevated to an Artform
Wonderful artist, fascinating book
Amazon Customer
On Mending
10/26/2026
I like whole pages.My mending project that I’m working on it I can use some ideas.Thank u.
eiko berkowitz
On Mending
10/26/2026
The whole story is an amazingly beautiful story from start to finish, I had the opportunity to see the red dress at MOB (Australia) and I am since in awe of how a project this big could include so many people, so many countries and so much dedication. Thank you Kristie Macleod and all involved.
My mind is blown - the details about the details. The number of people involved and the sharing of talent and inspiration. I honestly was not aware of this Red Dress. I hope somewhere, sometime, I get to see the dress in person - up close so my old eyes can really see. joanell -
This is more than a book about a dress, it's an oral history told in stitches. What stands out is how many voices get space: embroiderers from Egypt to Kosovo to Rwanda, telling their own stories alongside Kirstie Macleod's. Genuinely powerful to see it connect craft, healing, and community across so many countries in one project.
The book is amazing and I am looking forward to reading it in detail. The only issue is the smell of the ink, which is so strong I can't handle the book for long because it nearly makes me ill. I am not sure what was used to print this book but please-change printers!
Beautifully inspiring book for many techniques for re using fabric scraps,ideal for slow stitchers,and those who are interested in scrap crafting,or up cycling garments,including sashiko techniques.Lots of different ideas and step by step stitch instructions.This is a book to add to your stitching collection,to refer to again and again
