Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I am sure you've seen these two books on your travels around the interwebs. Right?

And for good reason too. They really are lovely! I just got Simple Sewing from the library today and it's definitely going on my wish list for Christmas.

Let's start with Lotta Prints. It is great! Especially as pure inspiration and getting a little glimpse into how Lotta Jansdotter works. There are some lovely ideas and projects in it. But I will say one thing, if you are already familiar with the techniques she goes through (Rubber stamp prints, iron-on, leaf printing, stencils, potato printing, lino block printing and screen printing) you can probably give this book a miss. Unless you don't want to miss out on the eye candy! ;-)

It is full of Lotta's clean and simple designs. Which are very inspiring; I wish I could make things that simple... I suspect I suffer from a severe case of horror vacui when it comes to patterns etc.

The techniques are very well explained, I think. She makes all of it seem very easy to do. Especially screen printing has always seemed a bit of a mystery to me (and quite daunting), but now I have a better idea of what it involves.

Simple Sewing is just that. The projects are divided into four sections (Cook, Go, Nest and Organize) and include oven mitt, gardening tote, sun hat, duvet cover, tool roll and bed pocket. Each project also has a level indicator, levels 1-4, which is pretty good. Especially if you are just starting out sewing (with a machine).

The book is, as far as I can tell, aimed mainly at the novice sewer, but some of the projects are more complicated and will keep the more experienced occupied too. There are a few of the projects I want to have a go at, both simple and more complicated ones. I think there might be a couple that my mum would enjoy making as well!

Again the book is full of Lotta's pretty, nature inspired designs. All the projects have a very natural feel to them. Cottons and linens, nothing artificial here. And with hand printed details you can really make something one of a kind.

Labels: books, inspiration