Instead of couch-potatoeing you could save yourself some money by making stuff, and meet people at the same time by going along to the Make Lounge:

http://www.themakelounge.com/

If you'd prefer to stay at home to make stuff, there are lots of really good websites providing advice and several craft-based social networks.

Craftster is an American site with all sorts of tips for making just about anything imaginable:

http://www.craftster.org

DIY couture publishes books which help you sew your own clothes, using diagrams rather than technical instructions. There is also a lot  of useful information on clothesmaking on their website:

http://www.diy-couture.co.uk/

Threadbanger styles itself as the first network for people who make their own fashion:

http://www.threadbanger.com/

Ravelry is a social network for knitters and crocheters:

http://www.ravelry.com

For a truly beautiful design blog, have a look at:

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

It has hundreds of DIY craft tutorials.

Other really handy craft sites with patterns, examples and information include -

Burda Style, open source sewing:

http://www.burdastyle.com/

Craft:

http://www.craftzine.com/

Design Sponge:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

and Indiepublic:

http://www.indiepublic.com/