Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Patterns: Easy-Sew Pieces to Mix and Match

I have a number of pattern books purchased in hopes of finding one or two nuggets to add to the wardrobe. This book not only contains nuggets, but it is running over with practical designs with that little bit of edge. Billie top and tunic with either 3/4 sleeves or sleeveless versions. Rui shirt that can be lengthened for multiple looks. Maar dress with 3 sleeves and 3 lengths Pym pants with fitted high waist and really cool button closures. Kiko jacket that can become a robe in various lengths or even a coat. The Rickie skirt has me charmed and anxious to try a wide waisted skirt. There are bags, neck scarf and head scarf to add fun at the end. I have Lotta Jansdotter’s other pattern book and none of these patterns are repeats.

Super easy patterns, Scandinavian inspiration

Love it. Encouraging and inspiring.

I thumbed through this book again after buying it when it was released. I still love Lotta Jansdotter's aesthetic and fabric designs-- simple, bold, creative. But...she is just not a clothing designer and it shows. I sew a lot and have stacks of sewing books. Even I find the instructions confusing and the pattern designs cumbersome and not that creative. I like the accessory ideas here again, clearly she designed these herself and they have that oooh, what a clever hack appeal to them. I have not tried the clothing patterns yet, hopefully they are more suitable for curvy bodies than her previous sewing book; I tried the pants pattern in that and it was a joke lol and did not like the gathering for the sleeves on the tunic in that book. Time will tell, I keep monitoring Instagram to see if any of the designs go viral. But they are not that unique and the instructions are confusing with massive pattern pieces so we will see. This is her second major book of clothing sewing patterns (She published Everyday Style in 2015 with a different pro pattern maker and diy indy sewing book earlier with her own pattern designs in 2007). The 2015 book was super multicultural-- she found inspiration in her travels around the world from India to Mexico and had a couple models who were not white. Obviously the pandemic, but this book just showcases her (white) friends in Scandinavia mostly and one friend's apparently mixed race daughter. She does show a non-gendered shirt design on both male and female models so that is probably the best bit. She mentions the skirt design is (stolen) from a Swazi seamstress she met who made a similar skirt for her in a market. It would have been cool to include a story about this designer, a photo even of the original skirt if she couldn't find the original seamstress. Given how much money she expects to make off the book that would have been a cool gesture and within the realm of standard fact checking for a popular book. So on balance, the clothing is probably more wearable and unisex than her 2015 book, the textile designs remain strong if a bit dated on colors (lavender would be more of the moment). But the clothing styles and instructions are a bit studied and overwrought and would probably require a professional sewer to make in any quantity for a wardrobe for you. She is clearly far from her scrappy, low cost, indy-vibe and roots. It feels more like a celebrity showcasing her rich, white artist friends and personal designer's patterns.

Just and more what I was expecting <3

I am hoping to make a few garments from this book but the pattern pieces are a nightmare. I am an experienced sewer. All of the pieces are printed on one giant piece of paper. It is laid out so the pieces are intersecting and on top of each other. You must decipher the lines and trace onto another paper. I used white tissue paper. It is almost impossible to find notches that they describe in the directions. I have spent way too much time figuring out which line goes where. I am not sure why they did this but I am having a hard time recommending this book because of that. I was planning on making several variations of the Maar dress. I may mention that I have her other book Simple Sewing and the pattern pieces in that book are straight up.....much easier. Now that I have spent way to much time sorting and tracing pattern pieces I hope the dress fits...... I would not recommend this book unless you welcome the challenge and have alot of time on your hands.

Similar to other posts with product issues I had to return the first purchase bc there were no patterns. Then the second book came with patterns but the billy shirt size small printing is OFF. Which made me scared to try others. Instructions are poorly written. Another reviewer tried to contact but no reply..maybe I’ll try this and see if more people email there will be a response. Sad cuz her other book was good…this one has equally great aesthetic but very poor pattern making/instructions.

Awesome!!!