Abstract: The maker movement in the UK is characterized by: digital manufacturing technology as the tool, grass-root innovation as the pathway and sustainable development as the orientation. Digital manufacturing has not only promoted the digital economy in the UK, but also influenced the traditional craft and necessitated new requirements for the digital education of citizens. In the UK, grass-root innovation is not only embodied in the bottom-up formation and management of the makerspaces but also featured in the makers' daily practice. Meanwhile, aiming at sustainability in both economic and social development, makers in the UK are actively engaging in material research, circular economy and building up self-sustainable communities. These may shed light on the development of maker culture in China; for instance, we should upgrade the digital skills of citizens with makerspaces and maker education as the carriers, build up institutions and networks to support grass-root innovation, and to encourage makers to work on projects for sustainability and community building.

Key words: maker, community, digital fabrication, grass-root innovation, sustainable development, the UK