The Best Fabric for the Job
The success of any sewing project lies in first securing the right materials. Liberty explains which fabric is best for whatever you plan to make next
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The Best Fabric for the Job
The success of any sewing project lies in first securing the right materials. Liberty explains which fabric is best for whatever you plan to make next
By: Maddi John
Does it drape well? How stretchy is it? Can I put it in the washing machine? When learning how to choose the right fabric for your next sewing project, these are the kinds of questions you’ll likely ask yourself. That’s because finding the right fabric for the job can be the difference between ending up with a piece you can’t wait to show off, and one you toss onto the ‘better luck next time’ pile. While some fabrics can do a lot (Liberty Tana Lawn, we’re looking at you), most are best suited to a select few crafts. Whether you’re quilting or dressmaking, trying out embroidery or upholstery, certain fabric bases perform better than others - depending on the weight, composition and thread count. And that’s where we can help. Below, find the Liberty manual to choosing the right fabric, every time.
Read More: How to Choose the Best Fabric for Upholstery
For Dressmaking and Tailoring
Choose: Tana Lawn™ Cotton and Classic Silks
Ah, our beloved Tana Lawn. Adored by Liberty Fabrics fans for generations, the classic and seasonal Tana Lawn Cotton has always been a top choice for dressmaking. One of the most versatile fabric bases on the market, Tana is known for its rich colours and silk-like feel, while also being incredibly breathable and comfortable to wear. The bonus: it’s machine washable, making it the perfect cotton fabric perfect for crafting fashion pieces, whichever sewing pattern you’re working with.
For those elevated pieces, you could also try Liberty’s Silk collection. We have a whole world of soft silk satins and lightweight crepe de chines to discover. Silk has the perfect fluid base, thanks to its natural fibre construction, and tends to drape well while retaining a good shape for years to come. When choosing the right fabric to make scarves, pocket squares, ties, shirts, blouses, dresses, or an extra-special pair of pyjamas, make this your first port of call.
Read More: How To... Sew a Dress
SHOP DRESSMAKING FABRICS
Liberty Fabrics
Helen’s Starry Sky Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Fauvism Floral Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Love Links Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Charmian Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Hedgerow Ramble Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty
Future Liberty Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
2023 WINNER
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
2023 WINNER
Liberty Fabrics
Aphrodite’s Love Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Hello Sunshine Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Archive Swatch Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Refracted Light Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
For Quilting
Choose: Lasenby Cotton
Addictive and relaxing, quilting is currently enjoying a modern renaissance in the crafting world. And given these colder climes, a puff quilt to cocoon oneself in is a seasonal requirement. Designed specifically for quilting, our soft Lasenby Cotton base is made from 100% cotton and suitable for a range of creative home projects beyond quilting, including the crafting of bedspreads and cushions. Thanks to its durable and machine wash properties, this fabric is perfect for daily use, and features richly coloured designs created by traditional screen-printing techniques.
Read More: Everything to Know About Lasenby Quilting Cotton
SHOP QUILTING FABRICS
Liberty Fabrics
Beeswax Grey Snowdrop Spot Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Sea Glass Wiltshire Shadow Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Kensington Gardens Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Crimson Emily Belle Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Half-Metre Pre-Cut Little Vine Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Half-Metre Pre-Cut Budding Blossom Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Wildflower Field Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Chelsea Flower Lasenby Quilting Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
For Embroidery
Choose: Liberty Organic Cotton and Plain Fabrics
When it comes to choosing the right fabric for embroidery it’s best to stay clear of synthetics and opt for natural fibres as polyester and synthetic fabrics tend to have less give, and you might find your needle doesn’t flow so freely when embroidering small designs. Liberty’s Tana Lawn Plain Collection will be your go-to if looking for a non-patterned base to frame your craft. With its smooth texture and resistance to wrinkling, it makes for a smooth canvas that you can embroider onto with ease.
Read More: The Best Fabric for Your Next Embroidery Project
SHOP EMBROIDERY FABRICS
Liberty Fabrics
Say Yes Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Pride And Bloom Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Airforce Plain Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Heather Plain Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Willow Wood Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Tudor Dream Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Gingham Hope Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Gilt Plain Silk Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Aurora Sky Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Mamie Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Lodden Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Claire-Aude Organic Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
For Upholstery
Choose: Liberty Interiors and Furnishing Fabrics
Whether you’re revamping the sofa or breathing new life into a headboard, upholstery is a great way to update your home without going through the trouble of scouting for new furniture. If you’re up to the upholstering challenge, consider Liberty Interiors fabrics your go-to. The highest quality bases of linen, velvet and cotton, each one is expertly printed in Lake Como. The collection harnesses cutting-edge textile technologies along with the superior performance of high-quality natural fibres, that’ll make for furniture you can’t wait to sit on.
As for outdoor furniture, look to the Liberty Garden for a collection of luxe but durable fabrics created with practicality in mind. As you’d expect from the home of artistic print, there are plenty of designs to choose from, from ornamental florals juxtaposed against geometric botanical layouts, as well as nostalgic Liberty ditsy florals.
Read More: How to Choose the Right Fabric for Upholstery
SHOP UPHOLSTERY FABRICS
Liberty Interiors
Vertigo Weave in Vesuvio
Liberty Interiors
Shadow Stripe Weave in Piccadilly
Liberty Interiors
Evanescent Grand in Carnevale
Liberty Interiors
Painted Elements in Cetona
Liberty Interiors
Plain Lustre Linen in Lichen
Liberty Interiors
Ianthe Bloom Multi Ladbroke Linen in Pewter
Liberty Interiors
Poppy Meadow Landsdowne Linen in Lichen
Liberty Interiors
Hera Feather Ladbroke Linen in Pewter
For Smaller Sewing Projects
Choose: Tana Lawn Cotton and Liberty Crepe de Chine
From totes and scrunchies to napkins and tablecloths , there’s been a recent spike in the numbers of us undertaking DIY projects. While any fabric (within reason) can be used here, those unaccustomed to sewing should opt for an easy and versatile fabric with natural fibres to start them off. Tana Lawn is just the thing. Available in both lightweight and heavier options, this cotton is easy to sew with and has high breathability and absorbency, making it the ideal fabric for totes and tablecloths. If you’re giving scrunchies and sleep masks a crack, look to Liberty’s Crepe de Chine collection to achieve a soft and glossy touch with added beauty benefits.
Read More: The Sewing Kit Essentials Every Crafter Should Own
SHOP SMALL PROJECT FABRICS
Liberty Fabrics
Betsy Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Forever Love Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Carline Rose Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Delft Lagoon Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Carline Bloom Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Orphism Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Una Landscape Crepe de Chine
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Strawberry Thief Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Ianthe Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty Fabrics
Hera Tana Lawn™ Cotton
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100