Books

If you're starting to tire of the collections in high street stores and lust for some affordable couture, it's time to start making your own. Make Your Own Clothes by Marie Clayton has 20 stylish patterns, designed to teach you the dressmaking basics.

Filled with all the know-how, from seams to stitches, the book has step-by-step instructions to teach you pattern-making, construction and finishing.

The book even comes with pattern making software for your computer, so it's easier than ever. With pieces such as a simple Flared Skirt, a perfect fit Tailored Blouse and a classic Beret, you'll be strutting around in your own creations in no time. Watch our Westwood and Gaultier, we're going DIY!

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

CO+K Reader Offer: Order a copy for only £14.99 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1031.

With winter approaching, your dog may be starting to feel the cold. Doggie Knits by Corrine Niessner is a knitting books filled with dozens of projects to keep your pet cozy.

With a great selection of sweaters, you can make your dog a fabulous outfit, and as the book contains instructions for sizing and construction, you can tailor the knit to ensure the perfect fit. Though the sweaters are better suited to smaller dogs, there's a great selection of accessories, such as hats, scarves, collars and toys to suit all sizes.

So pick up your sticks and knit your canine friend a nice present. Just make sure he / she doesn't get their paws on it before you've cast off your final stitches.

Pick up your copy from GMC Publications or Amazon now.

Sweet Eats by Rose Dunnington, claims to be "mmmore than just desserts" and with over 35 delicious looking recipes, there's sure to be a treat to satisfy every sweet tooth.

It was a hard book to review as flipping through the bright, colorful pages made my mouth water. The first recipes to catch my eye were the Polka Dot Devil's Cake, Extra-Nutty Peacan Tart and the Teeny, Tiny, Tasty Cakes. However, there's a wide range of desserts to experiment with, such as Green Tea & Honeydew Granita and a selection of specialties from across the globe, including Indian Rice Pudding and Baklava.

Whether looking for a grand finale to a dinner party or hoping to indulge yourself with a delicious treat, these tempting desserts are sure to do the job!

Pick up your copy from GMC Publications or Amazon now! Check out a sample project from the book, Plantain Ice Cream Split.

It might be hard to imagine glass art past stained-glass windows and hand-blown paperweights, but Contemporary Glass, from Black Dog Publishing aims to open your eyes to a whole new world of design.

Featuring the work of over sixty artists, there is a huge variety of work to be inspired by. From small-scale household pieces to huge public art installations, glass has become an important element to the work of contemporary artists the world over.

From the grungier style of Joseph Harrington to the ornately scientific works of Joseph Harrington, the book provides a comprehensive study on glass art, with some stunning and inconceivable pieces.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Black Dog Publishing or Amazon now.

Katie Haegale is a talented lady. You may know her as a writer for Snippets, but she is an author and poet in her own right, independently producing zines which she sells on her website.

Obsolete is a zine filled with an entire alphabet of poems. Each one inspired by a dead word, such as Dangerful, Obtortion and Zodiographer. It's an enjoyable little read and a great way to expand your vocabulary, no matter however irrelevant it may be today.

The zine, along with Katie's other creations can be purchased from her website The La La Theory.

If you've ever wanted an inexpensive, yet creative and individual way to brighten up your home, then Sonia Lucano's ReMAKE ReSTYLE ReUSE is right up your street. Personalize household items, with techniques such as engraving glassware or painting on tableware, embellish soft furnishings with embroidery and various printing techniques, or spruce up your storage solutions with simple decorative techniques.

The book will teach you the skills for many useful crafts, from engraving and dying, to painting and printing on different varieties of materials.

With unique projects such as Test Tube Vases and the very stylish, Chandelier Tablecloth, you wouldn't be surprised to find these items in a decor magazine, or with a hefty price tag in an art gallery.

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

If you're a bit of a star-spotter then you will love Knitted Icons by Carol Meldrum. Including patterns for stars of the stage and screen, such as Madonna, King Kong, Audrey Hepburn, Mr. T and Elvis, these cute knitted tributes would make great presents for friend-fans.

With a combination of knitting and sewing, you have to be slightly multi-talented, but don't worry too much because the book contains diagrams and instructions for all of the skills you'll need.

This is one seriously cute little read. So, who'll be on your A-list knit list?

You can pick up a copy of the book from Collins & Brown now! CO+K member offer: Order a copy of Knitted Icons for only £7.99 including free UK p&p. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH1028.

Second-Time Cool by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson, Katarina Brieditis and Katarina Evans is a great beginners guide to revamping unwanted clothing. Covering the key areas of embroidery, knitting and crochet, the book provides neat and easy tricks for sprucing up and adding bling to less stylish pieces.

Taking inspiration straight from the catwalk, the book explains how to reuse and recycle materials to create your own, which makes this a really inspiring read. With projects such as a necktie made from a V neck jumper and a coat made entirely from pompoms, some of the looks are better suited to outrageous and confident fashionistas, though there are pieces to suit the more timid dresser too. Even if you don't initially find something to make straight away, I'm sure you'll be inspired to use these techniques to create something unique and wonderful for yourself in the future.

It just goes to show that one woman's trash is another woman's couture!

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

If you've ever toyed with the idea of starting your own creative business, or pondered trying to sell your handy crafts, then Meg Mateo Ilasco's latest book, Craft, Inc will explain everything you ever needed to know for making it a reality.

Designed for the absolute business beginner, the book holds your hand through intimidating subjects such as production, marketing and publicity, while helping you focus your ideas and discover what your real talent is. One of the nice touches of the book are interviews with artists and crafters who have already made it about how they got where they are today.

Combining common sense with business know-how, the book aims to calm your fears and give you the needed push for taking the plunge with your creative hobby.

You can find out more about Meg on her website, or pick up a copy of Craft, Inc from Chronicle or Amazon now.

In the true style of Sex And The City, the movie book is more like a fashion magazine than a serious read.

The main body of the book focuses on the plot of the film, but there is also a catch up section for the preceding 6 TV series, the making of the film, the premiere and introductions by Sarah Jessica Parker and director, Michael Patrick King.

A bit like a picture book for the grown woman, each page is filled with designer clothing eye candy, and as the book steps scene-by-scene through the plot, there is commentary and insider gossip from the cast and crew. However, if it's the fashion you're in to, then you'll love the head-to-toe guides section where you're shown photographs of each outfit worn in the movie along with information on the designers for each item.

This is the perfect memento for any SATC fan and, although it won't beat watching the film, it will certainly keep you satisfied until the DVD comes out.

You can pick up a copy at HarperCollins or on Amazon now.