Books

Documenting the rise of the DIY, art, craft and design movement in the United States, Handmade Nation by Faythe Levine and Courtney Heimerl, aims to be a comprehensive guide about all the makers and doers, who are bringing about this creative revolution.

Traveling from state to state, and covering over 19,000 miles, to produce a film and guide about the handmade scene, this book includes photography and profiles of makers, including the Naughty Secretary Club's Jennifer Perkins, Knitta, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching and Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane.

It's a pity this book doesn't include CO+K and the rest of the crafty world, but it does offer a complete view of the craft and creativity scene in the states, making it a great companion to any crafter's bookshelf.

You can pick up a copy of the book or find out when the movie is showing near you from the Handmade Nation website.

In cooperation with gettyimages, A Year In Fashion includes 365 fashion spreads in this calendar style photography book, offering you a unique fashion look each day. With fashion spanning the past 100 years, the book includes photos from catwalk shows, photo shoots, candid snaps, shop windows and magazine spreads, from a huge range of designers, such as Dior, Givenchy and Christian Lecrox.

The book also includes shots of stars like Diana Ross, Frida Kahlo and the cast of Sex & The City. Each spread is accompanied by a description and calendar entry space for you to track your appointments or even plan outfits.

A must have for any fashion lover, the book provides fresh inspiration for every day, ensuring that 2010 will be your most stylish year ever.

You can pick up a copy of the book from Prestel.

Incredibly versatile, kanzashi stitched flowers are unique little embellishments, which are easy to make and can be used is so many ways.

Kanzashi In Bloom by Diane Gilleland will teach you everything you need to know to start making your own. Not only will you learn all the techniques for making kanzashis in a range of styles, but the book also includes 20 tutorials for using them to create cute accessories for yourself or creating wonderful gifts to give away. Make yourself some Flowers-In-Your-Hair Clips, a Fuzzy-Flower Scarf, the Happiest Belt Buckle Ever or some Handbag Candy. Spoil someone else with gifts including Back-To-Back ornaments for the Christmas tree, a Kanzashi Bouquet and Butterfly Jar Toppers.

A great way to brighten up an outfit or spruce up a dull accessory, it's time to get to grips with kanzashis.

You can pick up a copy of the book from CraftyPod now.

Make sure to enter our Kanzashi Craft Contest for a chance of winning a personalized kanzashi brooch and a copy of the book!

Whether you are an expert quilter or just wanting to try something new, the Ultimate Quilting Bible by Marie Clayton is a complete quilting reference book, filled with everything you ever needed to know about the art.

Complete with step-by-step instructions and photos for learning the skills you need, the book teaches basic skills and works up to more advanced techniques. Learn how to quilt by hand, with a machine, work with a range of materials, create different effects and textures with fabric, and add appliques and embellishments to your completed quilts.

Quilts can give your home a cosy and kitschy feel and with this book, you will learn the century-old techniques for making your own patchwork pieces of art.

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