At Lakes Makerie, we adore all Liberty of London fabrics. There is something so incredibly special about each and every one of them.
Liberty & Co., the London-based department store known for its signature prints, was founded in 1875 and has become a British, even global, institution. Known for its eclectic design influences, Liberty was one of the first manufacturers to produce Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts-inspired fabrics.
Over time, it has become a much-loved in the worlds of fashion, interior design, high-end tailoring—and most certainly for us home sewists!
"Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper."
Why is Liberty Tana Lawn ™ so Special?
Tana Lawn™ is one of Liberty's most cherished and versatile fabrics. In the shop, you will often find customers (and us staff) stroking a bolt of Liberty Tana Lawn™. It's easy to see—and feel—that this fabric is unique and beautiful.
What exactly makes Liberty Tana Lawn™ so special? Let's dive in.
Unparalleled Quality
Liberty's Tana Lawn™ is 100% cotton, but doesn't feel or behave like most cotton. It gets its silk-like feel because it is made from ultra-fine, long-staple cotton fiber. When Liberty began creating this lawn, in the 1930s, the group sourced the fibers near Lake Tana in Ethiopia.
These are then spun into smooth, high thread-count yarns. Next, these yarns are woven tightly to create the lustrous fabric we know and love.
The combination of high-quality cotton, fine yarn, and the tight weave produces a fabric that is fine, dense, smooth, soft, and light. The fabric feels a lot like silk and drapes beautifully. Even better? Liberty Tana Lawn™ is highly durable and designed to last. Without a doubt, it's a fabric worth investing in.
Beautiful, Iconic Prints
Liberty of London has been at the forefront of textile design for over 140 years. Known for striking and often whimsical floral designs, geometric patterns, and nature-inspired motifs, the designs transcend trends.
The colors are rich and vibrant, and thanks to the high-quality printing process, they remain vivid for years. Be sure to read more about the fascinating history of Liberty's Tana Lawn™ on the Liberty website.
Lovely Sewing Experience
This fabric is not only beautiful, it is also really lovely to work with. It's an ideal choice for many types of projects, as well as for beginner and advanced sewists alike.
Tana Lawn™ is stable and easy to control. It also presses very well. Don't fear using a hot, steamy iron for this fabric!
This fabric does not shrink much at all in the wash. We still suggest that you prewash the fabric if you intend to launder the final product. We recommend washing on cold, hang drying, and pressing with a hot iron.
Outstanding Versatility: Garments, Quilts, and More!
Tana Lawn™ is an outstanding fabric for garments, home decor, quilts, accessories, and so much more. In fact, we believe it adds sophistication and charm to any and every project!
Tana Lawn™ is lightweight and floaty, but also holds its shape very well. This makes it a great choice for collared shirts, button down shirts, cuffs, as well as garments with pintucks, pleats, or gathers.
For quilters, Tana Lawn™ adds luxurious texture that softens with each wash. It's the perfect fabric for a coat or bag lining, as well as bias binding.
In our next love letter, we will share a list of patterns that are ideal for this fabric. But we encourage you to experiment with Tana Lawn™ and use it to add a touch of elegance and personalization to your projects.
What are some of your favorite prints? Have you made anything with Liberty Tana Lawn? Please share your creations!
