The Kiko Jacket

I am a huge fan of Lotta Jansdotter and have been for as long as I remember. Before the days of Pinterest, I had a binder filled with inspirational artists and artwork. I recently uncovered this binder and guess what was in it? A whole lot of Lotta including a 2005 booklet of Lotta products. Of course I have all of her sewing books on my shelf and keep the tiniest scraps of her incredible prints.

In fact, I don’t wanna come off a stalker BUT, when I got married, I splurged on Lotta fabrics and stitched tote bags for my bridesmaids in Lotta’s seedling prints. Friends, that was 17 years ago! It struck me the other day, Lotta has been inspiring me for actual decades!

So, I was fall-out-of-my-chair excited when she emailed me about including espadrilles in her next book, Everyday Patterns.  Unfortunately, in the end, the editors decided against outside projects being included in the book and it didn’t pan out. These things happen. (She does wear them in the book, though, on page 86. Can you find them?)

Regardless, I was able to connect with a design idol of mine and fell in love with her and her new book! It’s full of art and inspiration and as much quirky beauty as she bursts with in real life. I knew I had to make the Kiko Jacket as soon as I took my first look inside.  

Truth be told, I made my Kiko Jacket a few months ago but what better time to actually blog about it than during Me Made May! 

I am wearing my Kiko today as the weather is wet and cold in the NorthEast and I am, shocker, cold. We had a flash of warm, beautiful weather but it’s faded to a solid few weeks of wet coldness and I feel like I’m always frozen. Between the cat on my lap and the wool jacket, however, I’m finally thawing out a bit today.  

Details: 

My Kiko Jacket needed to be extra warm for crisp spring weather because I am one of those always cold people. I grabbed some luxurious oatmeal-colored melton wool from Merchant and Mills.

It looks likes the fabric is currently sold out. Sorry! 

The beautiful heathered texture of the wool is such a great companion for the elegant simplicity of the jacket. It’s also a good match for the Kiko Jacket because it’s a thin but tightly woven wool so it doesn’t add bulk to the underarm area.

Additionally, I’m very sensitive to wool so I knew I was going to need to line my jacket. Thankfully, I had a simple silk fabric in my stash that I picked up at a yard sale ages ago. The pattern doesn’t talk through adding a lining but it was easy enough to wing it. I’m grateful I did, It makes my Kiko Jacket even more wearable. 

 I’m so happy with my Kiko Jacket. It’s so pretty plus very wearable and so warm.

I haven’t found much motivation to sew lately. I’m not sure why that is, just that moody, whimsical wind of inspiration I suppose. Regardless, when I pull on a handmade wool jacket designed by an artist I admire, I am reminded of the magic of handmade clothes. Hoping I can carry that sparkle with me throughout this whole month. It’s already such a joy to scroll through and see so many handmade outfits on Instagram! 

Happy Me Made May friends!