I have reviewed a heap of books this past year – thank you to all the writers and publishers for sending these my way. Every year I like to do a little roundup of my favourite books for the year – perfect for gifts for your crafty family and friends. Here are my fave stitch and sew books for 2009.

Kata Golda’s Hand-Stitched Felt: 25 Whimsical Sewing Projects Kata Golda, STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (October 1, 2009).

Kata Golda’s hand stitched felt lovelies have a gentle rhythm that is witty, tender and wise. They evoke an endless sense of longing – of childhood, innocence and a simpler time and life.

Manga Cross-Stitch: Make Your Own Graphic Art Needlework by Helen McCarthy. Andrews McMeel Publishing; Har/Cdr edition (August 1, 2009).

With a compelling voice, Helen McCarthy, reaches out to those with a curiosity for everything Manga and needlework.

Carefree Clothes for Girls: 20 Patterns for Outdoor Frocks, Playdate Dresses, and More (Make Good: Crafts + Life) By Junko Okawa. Trumpeter; 1 edition (October 13, 2009).

Felting for Baby: 25 Warm and Woolly Projects for the Little Ones in Your Life (Make Good: Crafts + Life) By Saori Yamazaki. Trumpeter; 1 edition (October 13, 2009).

The latest additions in the make good series (Japanese craft books published in English by Trumpeter) are 2 books for parents or those who love to make things for children.

Embroidered Effects: Projects and Patterns to Inspire Your Stitching (Sublime Stitching) by Jenny Hart. Chronicle Books; Spi edition (September 9, 2009).

This is not just a book with groovy embroidery designs and lots of transfers to help you re-create the groovy designs, it is in fact an extremely comprehensive book on embroidery for beginners.

Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing for Baby: 20 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers by Lotta jansdotter. Chronicle Books (May 13, 2009).

I love this book – it is so very obviously written by someone with young children – the projects are practical and fun – and simple.

Fashion Geek: Clothes Accessories Tech by diana eng (from project runway). North Light Books (March 17, 2009).

I am totally into the whole new tech savvy fashion thing that is going on these days. Combining science with sewing – totally cool.

Dorm Decor: Remake Your Space with More Than 35 Projectsby Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith. Chronicle Books; Spi edition (March 25, 2009).

A refreshing take on decorating in small spaces – the college dorm room is the focus, however these decorating tips and patterns would be perfect for rental accommodation or share housing anywhere and also just around your own home.

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures by Amanda Blake Soule. Published by Trumpeter (August 11, 2009).

Amanda Soule makes me feel like I know her. I love her style, her lifestyle and her parenting style and I appreciate her creativity and her imagery.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials

Betz White’s new book on repurposing and eco sewing.

Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots By Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke. STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (March 1, 2009)

A quilting book reflecting our modern times where fabric is prolific and designs too many to count – inspirations comes from everywhere – how to narrow it all down and make a design work for you.

Folk Art Needlepoint: 20 Projects Adapted from Objects in the American Folk Art Museum by Ruth Peltason. Potter Craft (September 9, 2008)

In this age of craft books that are funky beyond funky, I found myself (a not so old mum and [I think] a pretty groovy craft chick) totally in love with this book of traditional needlework projects. Each of the projects has been inspired from an object from the American Folk Art Museum.

Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter by Kathy Cano-Murillo published by Potter Craft (February 17, 2009)

These are all low-sew projects perfect for the beginner sewer who just wants to get crackin’ on some real projects but is too afraid to muck it up.

Free-Style Handmade Bags & Skirts by Woonjin (Woongjin) Publishing and featuring Korean fashion designers. Published by North Light Books (October 10, 2008)

My two top things to sew have to be bags and skirts – for a satisfying and useful weekend project you really can’t beat em.

Amy Butler’s Little Stitches by Amy Butler published by Chronicle Books (September 1, 2008).

Like all Amy Butler’s patterns, this book is full of gorgeous designs, with detailed instructions. Not for the absolute beginner sewer, although some projects might fall under that category. There are some challenging projects to stretch your sewing skills.

French General: Home Sewn: 30 Projects for Every Room in the House by Kaari Meng from French General and published by Chronicle Books; Spi edition (September 3, 2008).

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Elegant projects, nicely designed book, well organised and easy to follow layout, fabulous photography.

Felt Furnishings: 25 Accessories for Contemporary Homes by Anne Kyyro quinn. Potter Craft (April 14, 2009).

I am sort of completely and utterly in love with this book – fantastic projects and really clear, concise and well photographed instructions.