Books

If you've ever dreamed of becoming a seamstress then this book will teach you everything you need to know. The Ultimate Sewing Bible by Marie Clayton is a comprehensive guide to sewing and dressmaking.

Covering hand-stitching, as well as sewing with machines and overlockers, the book will teach you all the need-to-know techniques including finishing seams, clipping corners, piping, cording and pressing. If you fancy yourself as an aspiring designer, then the sections on constructing patterns, body measurement and darting will come in very handy. There's also practical advice on the best fabrics to use in dressmaking and techniques for sewing on buttons and embellishing your items.

All of the tutorials featured in the book are clearly explained and there's a range of projects for you to try out at home. Not just limited to garments, the book also includes a range of home furnishing ideas, such as upholstering and curtain making. When you're finished making your projects, the guide to laundering will come in very handy!

You can pick up a copy from Collins & Brown now.

Order a copy for only £14.99 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1057.

The latest offering from the Jewish Princess, Feasts & Festivals offers a witty and contemporary take on traditional cooking. This book will take you by the hand, explaining traditions and advising on how best to cater for various Jewish festivals and celebrations, with recipes such as Lime & Apple Slaw, The Handbag Sandwich and a Ginger Beer Cake.

Though not as picturesque as some cookbooks, it is stocked full of recipes for you to try at home - you'll just have to use your taste buds to gauge if it turned out right. There is even a selection of recipes suitable for vegetarian Princesses. Filled with practical advice, the book aims to make cooking for family and friends easy, with recipes that are suitable for royalty.

You can pick up your copy from Quadrille or Amazon now.

Knitting may primarily be seen as a woman's 'sport', but with books such as Men's Knits by Erika Knight increasingly hitting the shelves, its popularity is growing with both sexes. Some of the styles in this book are better suited to an older man, but there are 20 projects to choose from.

To get the male opinion, Crafterella asked one of her guy friends what he thought of the book. "The key is what you wear the pieces with, you need a good sense of style", he stated. "The hats and scarves are really good".

There are some interesting pieces in the book, including a sweater with external seams, and others which use various cabling and texturing techniques. Whether you pick this book up for yourself, or for your man, it will teach you everything you need to know to keep cozy through the winter months.

You can pick up a copy of this book from Quadrille or Amazon.

If you're an aspiring rollergirl or an avid knitter and spectator of the sport, then you'll love Knockdown Knits by Toni Carr.

Featuring '30 projects from the roller derby track', this book will have you skating in style. If you haven't heard already, roller derby is back and it's got a new punk-rock look. Add a bit of flair to your team's uniform with projects such as knitted pivot and jammer hats, legwarmers and bloomer pants. And, with projects like an Elevate That Ankle Pillow, "Hey, at Least It Wasn't Your Leg" Arm Sling and a cosy to hold Frozen Peas for Bruised Knees, you can find a knit to sooth every conceivable roller girl injury or ailment.

There are even knits for the referees, crowd and announcers, as well as more off the wall items, such as a derby-inspired Wedding Veil and Baby Bootie Skates for new recruits. As well as patterns, the book is filled with stories from the track. Knitting and roller derby may seem two worlds apart, but you can combine these two hobbies and exercise your mind and body at the same time.

Keep an eye out for our interview with Toni in the upcoming Day Of The Dead issue of Snippets. Check out Toni's website for more roller girl action, or pick up a copy of the book from Wiley or Amazon.

Every good crafter is likely to have a huge, almost uncontrollable and ever growing collection of beads - most of which they wont know what to do with.

Fun & Simple Beads by Tair Parnes is the antidote to that, with dozens of adorable jewelry projects. Use up those beads and fill up your jewelry box with a Tickled Pink Bracelet, Tempting Tassel Necklace, Double Rainbow Chip Earrings, and a Candy Shop Ring. There are plenty of styles to choose from and the step-by-step instructions make the projects easy to create.

The book is not limited to beads though, there are a number of projects involving ribbons, bows and yarn, such as a Very Victorian Brooch and a Pom Pom Necklace. I particularly like the Satin Surprise Necklace, which is a perfect project for using up unwanted and ugly beads, by wrapping them in fabric.

You can pick up a copy of the book from The GMC Group or Amazon now. Check out a sample project from the book, Bonfire On The Beach Bracelet.

The title may sound like something you'd do on your CV, but Creative Embellishing by Kayte Terry is a wonderful book filled with techniques and ideas for adding unique touches to your accessories.

The thing that I liked most about this book was the variety of projects. There are nice and simple projects such as Button Pins and more complex and skilled projects such as a knitted Ultra Violet Scarf. The book will teach you all the appliqueing skills you need, such as felting, beading and printing, and give you the basics for more complex skills, such as sewing techniques for sculpting fabric, patchwork, embroidery, knitting and crochet.

Complete with all the templates you need to make the items in the book, there are 25 kitschy and stylish projects to choose from. Including a Bits And Pieces Scarf made from doilies, an Audrey Hepburn style Pearl Button Purse, a contemporary Trompe L'oeil Lampshade, and a Patchwork Pocket that you can add to your tote bag. This is a sweet little book and a great purchase if you want to add a bit of sparkle to your homeware, clothes and accessories.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Collins & Browns. CO+K Reader Offer: Order a copy for only £14.99 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1056.

If, like me, you take pleasure in looking around other people's homes, then you will love 1000 Home Ideas by Christian Sarramon. The former brochure designer, has spent the past 30 years photographing and collecting home ideas from around the globe.

From rustic and cozy, to contemporary and unconventional, this book will take you behind closed doors and show you how other people live and layout their homes. Full of interesting design decisions and neat storage ideas, the book covers both the minimalistic and cluttered. However, every home featured is very stylish.

Though more of a coffee-table art book than a practical home design book, this will provide you great inspiration for your own home. I particularly love the bookcases and wardrobe sections, which provide an insight on how different people organize.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Quadrille or Amazon now.

London-based design label Weardowney are renowned for their hand knitted fashion and in their first pattern book, Weardowney Knit Couture you can learn how to make your own.

Taking knitwear to the catwalk, this gorgeously-produced book includes 20 patterns for you to try, complete with tracing-paper inserts to emphasize details for each piece. Along with a selection of classic and cozy sweaters, you can make a modern and stylish Striped Tunic Dress, DIY Tweed cardigan or vintage inspired Skating Skirt.

This book is a great investment - spend a penny to save a fortune with your own handmade couture. If you do, your hard work will really pay off and you'll be in for a very stylish winter.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Collins & Brown or Amazon now. Order a copy for only £17.00 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1032.

As Napkin Origami will teach you, origami doesn't need to be restricted to paper, with 25 designs to brighten up any table setting.

The books includes a variety of seasonal, humorous and romantic designs, and there's one for every occasion. Spice up a Valentine's meal with a napkin rose or heart, lighten up a business with lunch with an origami shirt and tie, or celebrate Christmas with angel wing's and a napkin Santa. There's even a range of practical ideas including a dessert server and bread holder.

Each design will only take a few minutes, just follow the simple step-by-step illustrations to create something unique and wonderful for your dinner part. Memorize one and you can always use it as a great party trick!

Pick up a copy from The GMC Group or Amazon now. Check out a sample project from the book, Dessert Server.

If you feel like adding a bit of vintage charm to your home, then you can always look to Cath Kidston for inspiration. Her new book, Make! takes a very DIY approach to accessories and home decor with 48 kitschy projects that would please any domestic goddess.

The books is filled with tips and ideas for giving new life to plain items and includes 16 of Kidston's iconic motifs for you to use in your own creations. Embellish a pair of slippers with two charming songbirds, create a Starry Tote or store your needles away in a Felt-Leaved Needle Book.

Complete with a Cath Kidston canvas bag and some basic supplies, you can begin appliquéing and embellishing straight away.

You can pre-order your copy of the book from Quadrille or Amazon now.