Let's Talk About...My Favourite Fabric: Liberty Prints

We all know a Liberty print when we see one. They have become a classic, and quintessentially English. There are thousands of different fabric prints in their archives dating back over a 100 years, from ditzy flowers to striking art nouveau shapes and designs.

I have a few in my collection. Back in the 80’s (before children) a trip to Liberty’s was a must if I found myself in London. Liberty’s shop is a feast for the eyes, full of luxurious homeware with great style, as well as designing and printing their own fabrics for clothes and interior fabrics. You can buy fabric by the roll as well as ready made clothes from their range.

In the 80’s I bought these little boxes full of patchwork pieces, all cut up and ready to use. I made a tea cosy with them, which was just what was needed. I don’t know if anyone else can remember the 80’s, but we had lots of long cold snowy winters, and as my tea is always made in a teapot, a cosy is a must. Top up’s are required. One mug full is never enough. 

It’s not just the contents of the shop to enjoy, but the actual building itself. Built in the West End of London in the 1920’s, the building was made from 2 reclaimed ancient wooden battleships. It has 3 large atriums in the middle, with the shop ‘rooms’ all around the edge, with wooden staircases connecting the 6 floors. You feel like you are in a great galleon riding the high seas, as the wooden floorboards creak and groan underfoot. 

The small printed cotton lawn fabrics are perfect, not just for patchwork, but for summer dresses and blouses that never date. The art nouveau shapes are also timeless. In the early 80’s I made myself a skirt with the bold brown’s and blue’s art nouveau design. The fabric is actually curtain or upholstery weight fabric, but I loved it as a skirt. It had a fitted deep band between my waist and hips, and a gathered skirt, finishing above my knee. Quite a few years later, I used the leftovers to cover a seat cushion, which is still in use today.

My mother had several ready made dresses of Liberty fabric, so after she passed away, I treasured them; cut them up; and added them to the pile.