Here are two great books I’d like to recommend, both bought in London this autumn.

Especially the Crafter’s Companion is a favourite. It’s an introduction to 17 textile crafters from the blogging community – their tips, tales and patterns. The books offers a lot of reflections on why bother to make things by hand when we live in a world where every material desire can be fulfilled by ready-made, shop-bought items? What got these guys started – what inspires them, what sort of sewpojects are they doing and what’re their studios/working spaces like? Of course every section is sprinkled with photos of projects, piles of fabric, embellishment, pincushions, tools and whatever lies at peoples working desks.

Vintage fabric style has equally inspiring photos and ideas on how to transform old textiles into dresses and soft furnishings. It´s a great source of inspiration, actually the whole idea of design/redesign is – one of – my favourite subjects.

A quick flick through books like these – and you ´re ready to rush to your own working space and start – or go on with – your own projects…