Lotta Jansdotter - Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Patterns: easy-sew pieces to mix and match

Editor: Shawna Mullen

Designer: Jenice Kim

Managing Editor: Mary OMara

Production Manager: Denise LaCongo

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022932896

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4398-6

eISBN: 978-1-68335-899-2

Text copyright 2022 Lotta Jansdotter

Photographs copyright 2022 Jenny Hallengren

Cover 2022 Abrams

Published in 2022 by Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, Photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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Last spring, I had a call with my editor at Abrams, Shawna. It is always inspiring to talk together, share random stories, and laugh. In this conversation, we explored different ideas for a new book. I love creating books; I have made twelve of them now, on various subjects, but always about creativity in some way or another. And I do have many ideas still waitingI want to make a book about printing techniques again, a big fat book of inspiration, colors, and my process as a textile designer. And perhaps a book about travel, or foodlots of ideas!

We got talking about my book Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style (Abrams, 2015), a book about sewing garments for everyday activities and creating a capsule wardrobe for everyday life. That book turned out to be really popular (and is still available worldwide). It was a great deal of fun to make it, lots of hard work, but a joy. I am very proud of that book. And while talking to Shawna about it again, I realized that even though I dont sew many garments on my own, I do have lots and lots of design ideas and styling ideas I wanna share with people all over the world who sewand, especially, with people who are tempted to try sewing for the first time.

I started visualizing new ideas right away, many of them based on favorite looks and favorite items in my own closet, the outfits I wear most often. Above all, I wanted these new patterns to be practical and simple, yet stylish and timeless, too. Also, I thought garments that could all work together in a capsule wardrobe would be cooland versatile.

For example, I really like wearing mens shirts in all kinds of styles, so I wanted to include a shirt patternand a shirt that also could become a dress is even better, so I decided to include a pattern like that. I also really like that the shirt is unisexand can be worn by me, my teenage son, or my husbandso that became an inspiration when I was designing for the book: I made all of the patterns both flexible and unisex. The ideas and planning a little wardrobe came together so swiftly, I knew the timing was right.

You will see that the new patterns build onand mix easily withthe garments in Lotta Jansdotter Everyday Style. The shirt dress works nicely combined and layered over the Pym Pants sewing pattern here, and also the Owyn Pants from the last book. The Esme Tunic, for example, was a hit and a favorite of many (and seeing a gazillion different Esme tunics sewn and worn on social media is SO incredibly rewarding and fun! Thank you!). But I am not surprised because tunics are awesome and versatile, I wear them all the time. So, of course, there is a new tunic pattern in this book, with a cut and style that is different than Esme... AND, pockets! In fact, I added pockets to almost all the garmentsbecause pockets are the best. I dont need to spend lots of time talking about pockets... everyone loves them (especially in dresses).

Next, coats. I am crazy about coats and have sort of a coat addiction, so I wanted to bring in a coat patternthis time a unisex one. I also decided to design a pattern for a fitted pant, which requires sewing skills that are a little more advanced, but the technical challenge is so worth it. Even though I wanted to keep the focus on simplicitymy mantra is always KISS (Keep it Simple, Sweetie)so beginners could make the garments, I think it is okay, here and there, to stretch and try some patterns aimed at the more experienced sewist, too.

The book you are reading is the result of all that designing energy: Here is a capsule wardrobe to stitch and then combine and wear in many different ways, plus lots of ideas for variations to make each garment unique. For example, the Maar Dress can be a mini or a maxi, and the long Billie Tunic can be transformed into a short version, customized with pockets and trims, or made into a unisex top. In every chapter, there are loads of combinations, outfit options, and looks.

Once again, I asked my friends and family to model the garments and I share a little bit about them. You might even recognize a few of them!

One last thing: Through the years I have received feedback from readers, which was very important to me, and helpful, too (thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions, please keep doing that!). Taking those comments to heart, we made the pattern sheets in this book a bit less crowded so it is easier to see each line. And we sized each pattern up one size, again, thanks to readers feedback.

Now, I want to invite you, once again, to join me and my friends in designing and stitching garments for everyday life, whatever everyday life means to youwhether it means you are working in an office, cooking a shepherds pie, traveling to Armenia, or learning how to tap dance. I hope this book inspires you to have fun creating all kinds of practical garmentsfor you, and for your family and friends.

Lotta

The patterns in this book are designed as a capsule wardrobe, six versatile pieces that can be combined to create options and outfits for many occasionsspecial everyday wear for work or play, for you, your uncle, or your mum. And yes, of course there are fun accessories to complete each look as well.

BILLIE