Thanks @Iminei for posting the link. Strangely I’ve already got the two Japanese magazines about bags....and I’ve not used them either! I’ve also got quite a few of the quilting books you list. We obviously have similar tastes. ( if the magazines I’ve got are not the same, they are very similar - I’d almost forgotten about them. I should haul them out).

I have some Japanese sewing books for sale ... They have lots of diagrams and measurements which is good as they are in Japanese!

Where are these listed @Iminei? Have you made anything out of them, and if so did you manage to transcend the language barrier? I was reading that Japanese sewing is done in a different way to ours though the patterns look fairly simple.

I've had them both home from the library. Both are great if you like the modern vibe. You are not too old! Basic Black is dress heavy. I don't wear dresses but was tempted by a couple of them. Sew Chic is more funky, separates oriented.

Both are great jumping off points. Which has garments you like which work with your current wardrobe? Maybe start there while you build a nice grouping of Japanese designed pieces.

Thanks @Renegade Sewist - that’s a good plan. I think my problem is that I think I’m more dress orientated, but actually like everyone else, it’s separates mainly for me. Perhaps I could change my style? It’s probably about time. I think I’ll look and see if there are 3 patterns from each that I will definitely make and wear. That should help me make a choice. I have a terrible affinity for collecting and I’m trying to slow it down.

Wish my library had Japanese sewing books, although I have had two of the Drape Drape books from there and the Alabama Chanin which was lovely and I bought ( though only made up one!)

I am surprised that it is proving impossible to find the complete look.  Wyse and The vampire's wife are the looks favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge, but no pattern company is interested in her look, although I can't speak for the 'Indies'.

Yes it is strange that clothes that people really want to copy are so rarely provided for by the pattern companies but then I suppose they decide on their look 2 years in advance and don’t know which one will be the most popular.

Thanks @UttaRetch for putting the photo in. I hadn’t noticed the collar which I should have.

Hi, I’m sorry I seem to be constantly asking for help at the moment My friend is kindly getting me a belated birthday present and wants to buy a book for me. I’ve been looking at the Basic Black book by Sato Watanabe, but now I’ve come across the Sew Chic book by Yoshiko Tsukioro too. Which one to ask for? They both look great though I’m thinking that the Basic Black is more low key. I do like the slightly off the wall trousers pattern in the Sew Chic book too. I’d like a successful entry into Japanese sewing books as I don’t want to be put off. I’m also a little concerned on sizing as I would be a large ( though short too at 5’2”) in the sizing I can see. I’ve been sewing a long time though so can size up the bust successfully. Is either suitable for a 60+ year old woman with eclectic fashion tastes? Or should I just get a gardening book instead! Any help gratefully received  :thumbsup:

Glad you found something @Sewcycle . I managed to find a few too. I was looking at a Cynthia Rowley pattern but then I found a youtube review of the dress in a disastrous red shiny polyester so decided against it. 
The good thing is that because it's free postage you can have a double dip tomorrow if you fancy something else.

Oh dear, don’t tempt me! 

  thanks so much for drawing my attention to this. I just got a couple of patterns I’d been thinking about for ages. It’s such a long time since Sewdirect did this  - and if anyone is interested - my postage on £13.75 was FREE