Simple sewing: Patterns and how-to for 24 fresh and easy projects, by Lotta Jansdotter, published by Chronicle books.

I like this book a lot. It is fresh and simple, just as the title suggests, with projects suitable for the absolute beginner sewer and as a quick in-between project for the more advanced sewer. Lotta’s lovely illustrations are used throughout, and the projects mostly use her fabric, although not always, which is refreshing as I know many people cannot get their hands on it and it is good to see these projects made in regular and plain fabrics. Of course the fabrics used and the wonderful photography and styling is often key to books like these. Where the projects are so simple it is important to be able to visualise the end result in order to want to make them. Many of these sorts of projects (perhaps not exactly the same) are probably available online somewhere if you know where to look. Patterns for a basic square bag, aprons and sewing kits etc. Not with Lotta’s eye for fabric and colour choices no doubt.

The illustrations and directions are simple, well written and laid out, the illustrations especially are great - very clear. It is obvious that Lotta is really into her fabrics and in the introduction she explains what an inspiration pattern, colour and texture are to her, this coupled with the textile tradition of her homeland, Sweden explains her wonderful clean and above all practical style. All the projects in the book are practical and useful, and gorgeous too.

The projects in the book are all made of natural fibres such as linen and cotton and are styled with that Scandinavian clean and uncluttered style that we all aim for (well I do anyway), I love the earthy textures and natural dyes, which suit the projects well too. The projects range from the extremely basic to the simple. Such as place mats with a pocket for tableware, padded square potholders, a really cute cafe apron with a mitten shaped pocket. The simple tote is made in a variety of sizes and fabrics, slightly more complex projects include the gardening bag and the all-day bag, and fantastic - a wide brim sun hat, I also really love the drawstring backpack. Another really cute (not sure how practical this is if you live with kids) project is a curtain/room divider with pockets for small vases of flowers to sit into, and the door stop - yes all very good.

So to conclude - great simple projects, beautiful design, patterns available in a separate pocket, spiral bound to lie flat. My only negative comment is that many of these projects are available online (somewhere), but what isn’t these days and I am happy that they have been bundled up into this neat and simple project book.

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