These are the sewing books that I recently acquired. I read them before bedtime …

First the book in the middle of the above picture is “Cool Couture” by Kenneth D. King. I bought this book recently. After taking the bombshell dress course at Craftsy, I became interested in couture techniques and how to incorporate them in ready-to-wear garments. I forgot who recommended me this book, but I think Kenneth King is pretty famous. The book has a step by step instructions on some couture techniques from piping to different pocket installation. Although the book has plenty of illustrations and pictures, I personally need to follow it while I make a sample, or else  I would forget the process. One of my dreams is to take a sewing class by Kenneth King and Susan Khalji in NY (or Baltimore maybe). I’ve read Gertie took her course, and taking her course has become one of my sewing life goals! It is quite expensive (I think it is about 900 dollars for 5 days), but would be a great way to invest money.

The book “Fitting You Figure” is a collection of articles by vintage Threads magazines. Marina from Frabjous Couture (excellent blog btw, and she guest blogs at BurdaStyle too) kindly sent it to me since I won her giveaway I’ve just started reading the book, and it is great. As with the Kenneth King book, I will need to try the techniques with my hands to really acquire the skills, but it is really interesting to read through the articles.

The last book in Japanese is from a local library. I visit there every other week and pick up several books to read at night. This book is titled “How to be a fashion designer“. I just started reading it last night, it gives a brief history of several designers, including Junko Koshino. While reading their stories, it dawned on me that success does not come over night. These famous designers have years of sewing, pattern making, designing experience.  They all patiently wait until their break comes. They have years of waiting time, where they learned the industry, leveled up their skills and so on. Watching Project Runway, sometimes it looks like success comes to you over night, but for most successful people, it does not. I was really encouraged by it:) If I were to become a famous designer tomorrow, I would not be prepared to take the success and would blow the opportunity. I don’t have the necessary skills or knowledge yet. So much more to learn!

Lastly, I found that this etsy shop, Isabel’s Patterns is having a 50% sale on vintage patterns! I picked up 4 new patterns today. They are a boy’s shirt, men’s robe, high waisted wide legged pants and a night gown patterns. I can’t wait to receive them! Check out her store – She has more than 400 vintage patterns, and they are really cheap!