I'm fond of Japanese Pattern books (like those by Yoshiko Tsukiori) so perhaps I just expected too much from this book. Primarily this is a book about Lotta Jansdotter herself with lots and lots of pictures of her studio and her friends and miscellaneous bits of craft, with some very basic patterns included. An inspiring guide to creating a flexible, seven-piece wardrobe with modern Scandinavian elegance from style icon Lotta Jansdotter. I have become obsessed with this book. I will now have to buy it as I don't want to return my copy to the library. Again.

Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Patterns Book | SewingStreet Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Patterns Book | SewingStreet

I'm very surprised to be giving such a bad review for a Lotta Jansdotter book. I have two of her previous sewing books and I love them. This book, not so much. The styles are mostly shapeless, which is not to my taste but does work for many people so that's not a reason to give a bad review. Photographed by Jenny Hallengren over the course of a year in her life in New York, Tennessee, India, and Sweden and organized by season, Jansdotter shares her sources of inspiration and how she and her friends mix and match her key pieces while working, playing, resting, and traveling. Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style brings Jansdotter’s infectious and sought-after sense of style to new followers and longtime devotees alike. The book itself is charming and inspirational for someone who wants to start sewing more. However, as others have mentioned, the patterns themselves are overlayered in a chaotic way that rather kills the desire to use them. From a renowned designer, Lotta Jansdotter Every Style shows you how to create your own clothes with key pieces to sew and DIY accessories, as well as styling and inspiration tips When Jansdotter wears one of her signature clothing looks, fans frequently ask, “Did you make that?” Lotta’s answer is, “Yes, and so can you!” With that in mind, she has created her second book of easy-to-sew pieces that can be layered to create a variety of looks.

The author's warm and welcoming writing tone invites readers to follow her on a creative journey that includes some of her friends and family members. As much as I enjoyed the patterns/projects in this book, my favorite element were the interviews with other sewists. They offered valuable insight into creating along with sharing tips from their experiences with fabrics. The photography is delightful! Why? I'm a Scandophile, that's part of it. I sew and dream of a capsule wardrobe, that's part of it too. The pictures are beautiful, the text engaging, the textiles (mostly) to my taste, the stories of textile travels make me want to follow... I don't recommend any pattern book for beginning sewists because the details aren't spelled out enough to allow for good learning, but this pattern book has beginner-level patterns with it.

Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style: Key Pieces to Sew - Goodreads Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style: Key Pieces to Sew - Goodreads

I have read a lot of sewing books written by talented designers, and this book is one is one of my favorites.

It's not bad but it's certainly nothing to get all excited about, unless you want to get a few extremely basic patterns, including patterns for a tote bag and a couple of basic purses. If you need a pattern for a rectangular cloth bag with handles on it then you probably need a bit more hand-holding in the making of it than this book provides.