Beloved designer Lotta Jansdotter shows how easy it is to make cheerful gifts for little cherubs. A new mother herself, she's created 24 projects that match her simple style with practicality, resulting in sweet, yet durable, essentials for any rumble-tumble baby. She includes baby hats, bibs, a diaper bag built for the back of a stroller, a ribbon-tag blankie perfect for teething, and many more pint-sized projects. Beautiful photographs inspire while clear step-by-step instructions and how-to illustrations ensure foolproof crafting. With ready-to-use pattern sheets included in the handy front pocket and stencil templates at back, Simple Sewing for Baby makes it a cinch to stitch up modern accessories for both baby and mom.
| ||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Lotta Jansdotter is a self-taught designer. She works from her studio in Brooklyn, New York.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Scandinavian-born Lotta Jansdotter is a self-taught designer who markets her products and designs online and to hundreds of stores worldwide. Lotta's contemporary organic designs reflect her deep appreciation for nature's limitless beauty juxtaposed with a love for modern urban style. She is the author of five books, and her innovative designs adorn stationery, cards, and journals published by Chronicle Books. Lotta's creations have appeared in such magazines as Better Homes and Gardens, Bon Appétit, 7x7, Elle, Real Simple, Lucky, and Domino, and have been shown at Museums of Modern Art in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. She has created custom designs for Herman Miller, San Francisco's de Young Museum, and Barney's of Tokyo among others. Her designs have featured in lifestyle books, how-to-books, and tour guides published in Japan.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By peanut
Format:Hardcover-spiral
This book has some very cute ideas for baby items. I have been using it to make presents for others and little things for my kids as well. In general, the projects are very simple and can be made by the most novice sewer/crafter. BUT, most aren't so simple that they aren't appealing to the more experienced.
________________
The good:
Patterns and fairly detailed written instructions are included. Many of the projects are so simple, that you might not even need to use the pattern or follow the instructions.
The photography and styling of the book are very accessible and comfortable, like talking to a friend. It has a nice approach.
I really liked the soft toys, the cozy winter hat, the "boppy" pillow, and the burp cloth/ washcloth/ diaper pad (all different projects but similar).
Lotta inspired the reader to be creative and to riff off of her basic ideas and designs. It was a great start.
__________________________
The "eeeehhh:"
The ideas really are very simple. I don't know if most people would feel that they are getting their money's worth out of this book.
Some of the projects are a little too wonky/ unfinished looking to be made as gifts. But, then again, this is "SIMPLE sewing for baby," not "detailed, painstaking, make-you-want-to-gauge-your-eyes-out sewing for baby."
The clothing in this book isn't a strong point, so if you're looking for cute dress or outfit ideas, look elsewhere.
I would have liked to see a few more projects.
_________________
Overall, I would recommend this book as a gift for a newly pregnant crafty chick. I would highly recommend that if you're buying it for yourself, you get it from the library first to see if you would actually make use of the patterns and instructions. I definitely recommend taking a look, though, because the ideas are great and the fabrics she uses are inspiring.
________________
The good:
Patterns and fairly detailed written instructions are included. Many of the projects are so simple, that you might not even need to use the pattern or follow the instructions.
The photography and styling of the book are very accessible and comfortable, like talking to a friend. It has a nice approach.
I really liked the soft toys, the cozy winter hat, the "boppy" pillow, and the burp cloth/ washcloth/ diaper pad (all different projects but similar).
Lotta inspired the reader to be creative and to riff off of her basic ideas and designs. It was a great start.
__________________________
The "eeeehhh:"
The ideas really are very simple. I don't know if most people would feel that they are getting their money's worth out of this book.
Some of the projects are a little too wonky/ unfinished looking to be made as gifts. But, then again, this is "SIMPLE sewing for baby," not "detailed, painstaking, make-you-want-to-gauge-your-eyes-out sewing for baby."
The clothing in this book isn't a strong point, so if you're looking for cute dress or outfit ideas, look elsewhere.
I would have liked to see a few more projects.
_________________
Overall, I would recommend this book as a gift for a newly pregnant crafty chick. I would highly recommend that if you're buying it for yourself, you get it from the library first to see if you would actually make use of the patterns and instructions. I definitely recommend taking a look, though, because the ideas are great and the fabrics she uses are inspiring.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By morr0226
Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great book with a few flaws that some people will be able to handle and others won't. There are about 24 basic projects that are cute, fun, and simple.
My complaints:
- I have a lot of friends with babies or having babies, but have no kids myself. Like many other sewing for children books, this book does not give you an idea of general sizes for kids if you're making a gift. It is usually not possible for me to measure the child I'll be making the gift for. What fun /surprise is a gift if I have to go over to a friend's house and ask to measure her baby?
- Related to the above point, Some of the projects do not even have age ranges. For example, it does not help me to know that the finished size for the dress is 17 inches long. Will it fit a newborn? A toddler? something in between? I have no idea. Same with the hat - what age baby has a 17 inch head? The bloomers seem to be the only pattern that gives two options - one for a newborn-6 month, another for 6-12 months. It's not clear why the other projects do not have this helpful information.
- Like Lotta's other book, it is LIGHT on illustrations. For some, this is no problem. For someone like me who has a hard time sewing from written instructions that do not include some sort of illustration/diagram, this is an issue. And I have a fair amount of experience sewing. It is often not clear what the instructions are asking you to do, and it is time-consuming to figure it out. This is frustrating since there is ample white space on several of the instruction pages where it would have been so easy to toss in a diagram or two.
If you're able to work with the above issues, then this is a great book. As always, there are fun pictures and the book is very aesthetically pleasing.
My complaints:
- I have a lot of friends with babies or having babies, but have no kids myself. Like many other sewing for children books, this book does not give you an idea of general sizes for kids if you're making a gift. It is usually not possible for me to measure the child I'll be making the gift for. What fun /surprise is a gift if I have to go over to a friend's house and ask to measure her baby?
- Related to the above point, Some of the projects do not even have age ranges. For example, it does not help me to know that the finished size for the dress is 17 inches long. Will it fit a newborn? A toddler? something in between? I have no idea. Same with the hat - what age baby has a 17 inch head? The bloomers seem to be the only pattern that gives two options - one for a newborn-6 month, another for 6-12 months. It's not clear why the other projects do not have this helpful information.
- Like Lotta's other book, it is LIGHT on illustrations. For some, this is no problem. For someone like me who has a hard time sewing from written instructions that do not include some sort of illustration/diagram, this is an issue. And I have a fair amount of experience sewing. It is often not clear what the instructions are asking you to do, and it is time-consuming to figure it out. This is frustrating since there is ample white space on several of the instruction pages where it would have been so easy to toss in a diagram or two.
If you're able to work with the above issues, then this is a great book. As always, there are fun pictures and the book is very aesthetically pleasing.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By DJ Minimart
Format:Hardcover-spiral
This is a great book for very simple projects and I actually believe I can make some of these while I am on maternity leave this summer. I am excited to try and make the snuggler, changing pad, hats and soft letters especially. I was disappointed, however, that the clothing patterns do not have size indicators at all or instructions for making them in different sizes. Luckily I have a newborn so if I make these early enough she can still wear them, but I think this could be frustrating.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice ideas
I love this book. I have used it to make my grandchildren clothing. I will pass this book on to other family members.
Published 8 days ago by annette cleary
4.0 out of 5 stars
came in quickly
I haven't used the book yet - only scanned it - so can't review it's workability. I do,
though, like the patterns and believe I will be pleased with the book.
though, like the patterns and believe I will be pleased with the book.
Published 1 month ago by Richard J. Piotrowski
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun for new babies
These items are fairly easy to make even for a beginner. I used some lotta jansdotter fabric which made them even cuter!
Published 6 months ago by mandy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for beginners or inspiration
I've had this book for a long time, but have yet to make a project. The projects look great, especially sewn up in Lotta's beautiful fabrics, but I just can't seem to get started... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. T
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite baby sewing book
I love this book, and have made my son something from almost every pattern in the book. The instructions are well written and the patterns are simple and easy to follow. Read more
Published 16 months ago by ShannonC
4.0 out of 5 stars
love it!
I'm a fan of scandinavian styles in general :) and I don't really sew but I feel I can manage to do this. these are practical designs, I enjoy the book very much.
Published 20 months ago by Gudrun
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too Simple
To the point: save your money and get this book from the library. It has some cute pictures that might be eye-candy, but otherwise if you are a modern sewist, you can glean the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by ABK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and easy projects!
I received this book as a gift and I have enjoyed it immensely. So far I have made the snuggler, five pairs of the bloomers, five rattles, the bag, and the nursing pillow, all with... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Kathleen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book!!
Love this book (loved Simple Sewing, too!) - the instructions are easy to follow and the patterns are awesome. Great ideas!
Published 24 months ago by Jared & Sarah Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very happy
The book arrived as promised by the seller. Great condition. I love the book. I have made the sleeper sack for a shower gift. It was a hit and will make many more. Read more
Published on March 13, 2011 by tate baby bummies
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
|
|
