Get the most from your Sewing Machine by Marion Elliot, softback published by D& C. ISBN 978-0-7153-3630-4, price 14.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Modern, contemporary style with fun projects. These are very usable projects – bags, a very practical but fun sewing machine cover, corsage and much more. The pages are little bit busy but the instructions are clear and good. I think this book appeals to the younger end of the market. More than a few sewing machines will be dusted off and used thanks to this book.

Sew a Metre by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, hardback, spiral bound published by David and Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-3778-3, price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

I like the hip cover of this book, it makes you want to look inside. Rummage through your fabric stashes and dig out all those small pieces you have gathered like a magpie and done nothing with. In just a short time, you will have shopping totes (aren’t they in every book these days but oh so useful!), toys, seat pads, over gloves, tidy trays and many other projects on the go. Contemporary fabrics give this book the right feel for the young and young at heart alike. The book gives over 100 ways to use just one metre of fabric. It also includes pattern pieces. Other useful information can be found in 25 Equipment Must-Haves and 15 Necessary Notions and lots more sewing help, making this an ideal book for beginners. Pages lie flat. You’ll find this useful for creating things for yourself but also for gifts for friends.

Asian-Inspired Machine Embroidery by Joan Elliott, softback published by Krause in the USA. Available in the UK, price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Myriads of Asian inspired motifs from giant panda to maple leaves are found in this book. Discover how to use the motifs to create cards, banners, silk scarves, notebooks and so much more. The style seems a little dated to me, but I did like some of the designs. This is not a freestyle machine embroidery book, so you will need a sewing machine that is capable of complex embroidery. The book comes with a bonus CD-Rom.

Bake Me I’m Yours by various authors, three softback books in a hard case, published by D&C. ISBN 978-0-7153-3639-7, price 14.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Who said bad things come in threes? This is good things in triplicate. A fabulous collection of three cookery books that you will always want on hand. My favourite is Chocolate by Tracey Mann, but Cupcakes by Joan and Graham Belgrave and Cookie by Lindy Smith are close seconds. Each one is also available as a separate book. Full of wonderful recipes, lavishly photographed, you’ll want to eat the heart out of each of these. Instructions are easy to follow and some templates are included in the Cookie book. These would also make a super gift that is very reasonably priced for a total of over 225 recipes.

Beyond Beading Basics by Carole Rodgers, paperback published by KP books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-0-89689-925-4, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharle.co.uk

Following on from her earlier book, Carole takes you one step further with new techniques and three-dimensional beading. For those who have accomplished beading basics, here is a chance to move on. 24 beading projects are fully described with clear instructions and diagrams incorporating many types of jewellery and different types of beads.

I would not rely on this to set your imagination on fire, it is aimed at beginners who are beginning to branch out, not at confident go getters. If you still feel you need more techniques at a relatively basic level, this is for you.

Fast Fabric Gifts by Sally Southern, softback published by D&C. ISBN 978-0-7153-3040-1, price 14.99 available from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Quick projects that will become firm favourites for the giver of gifts. Some simple standby’s like hearts, but much more besides. I love the note book cover and the patchwork hanger. Lots of good ideas here that can be made simply and easily. Requires basic skills and scraps of fabric, so anyone can have a go. Easy to follow instructions, good photographs and a bonus techniques section and templates. Great little book for hand and machine stitchers, magpie collectors of fabric and great to get the kids involved in some projects too.

Crafting Tilda’s Friends by Tone Finnanger, softback published by D&C Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7153-3666-3, price 7.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

More classic Tone with different inventions to make your world a prettier place. Yes it’s printed on dull, what looks like recycled paper, yes it was previously published in Norway in 2002. Still very worthwhile and at a bargain price. If you are a Tone Finnanger or Tilda fan, don’t miss this one. If you have not yet discovered these creations, I can highly recommend any of Tone’s work as the best of the best. She has a unique style and you’ll love sewing these offerings.

Layered, tattered & stitched by Ruth Rae, softback published by North Light Books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-188-9, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Inspired ideas with a unique flavour that will notch up your creativity. If you have ever become bored doing the same old thing with fabric, I’m sure you’ll find some new ways to create in this book. I love the plexiglass framed artwork, the art quilt t-shirt, the use of texture. This book has soul and is very enjoyable for multiple reasons.

Antique Trader Pottery & Porcelain Ceramics Price Guide 6th Edition by Kyle Husfloen, softback published by KP in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-0-89689-933-9, price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This is a hefty volume of over 10,000 listings with over 4,000 colour photos. It is a price guide to the current value of ceramics. Unfortunately all the prices are given in dollars, and as an American book, are most probably for the American market price , which can differ greatly to that in the UK and elsewhere. It is arranged in alphabetical order by company such as Belleek, Wedgwood or by artist if they are well-known such as Clarice Cliff. Highly useful for collectors and for those interested in ceramic styles and so on.

Painting Vibrant Watercolours by Soon Y. Warren, hardback published by FW Media in the USA. ISBN 978-1-60061-112-4, price 18.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This book is full of wonderful work that will be a true inspiration to any watercolour artist. If you are losing the vibrancy of the paints, read this book. Through a series of 16 demonstrations, Soon teaches you how to retain vibrancy and how to think about colour, focal points and much more. Includes a wide variety of painting subjects. Recommended.