Though far from a fashionista, I’ll admit to a delicious, guilty television pleasure: Bravo’s Project Runway.

While I’ve certainly picked up a few tips on style and have marveled at the designers’ ability to craft couture from coffee filters and shower curtains, I’ve come to appreciate even more the show’s subtler lessons on life. The splendid Tim Gunn’s admonition to “make it work” speaks volumes about sticking with something and doing the best you can with what you’ve got.

And okay, the venomous rivalry between Jeffrey and Laura was fun to watch, too. But the patient and debonair Tim Gunn, the teacher we all wish we had, is a huge part of the show’s appeal for me.

So when I read that he was doing a book-signing in Washington, DC, recently, I enlisted some friends who share my Project Runaway fascination, and we raced over to see him, squealing with delight. He and his co-author Kate Moloney were promoting their new book, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, published by Abrams.

Tim was every bit as charming and poised as he appears on the program. Not surprising, the book appears more substantive than a typical guide to fashion. Yes, there are tips about how to dress if your legs are too short or your hips too abundant, and God forbid, you wattle because you insist on wearing flip-flops everywhere (tacky and bad for your posture).

But Tim spoke eloquently — and elegantly — about his hopes that readers will use the book to define better their own unique styles and to present themselves in the best possible way. He certainly did. If only I had paid more attention in 8th grade Home Ec. If only my sewing teacher had been Tim Gunn.

Eager to see Season 4. I’ve been thinking about a design challenge that involves kids’ books and First Book — maybe mother-daughter dresses that tie to a classic book? Ideas?