Do you ever stalk the mail man or the UPS guy (lady)? I do. I love getting packages, especially when they are filled with pretty things. I had been doing really well about not adding much fabric to what I already have but… Liberty gets me! It does. And then I’m browsing the J&V site, and one...
Remember this quilt I made for Layla around this time last year? Well its one of my most favorite quilts. So simple, but so beautiful. Wallace is quickly getting too big for all the quilts I made for him before he was born, so I’ve started growing his collection with a quilt like Layla’s, only...
What is your favorite sort of crafting? What is it yields the greatest reward? Is it the kind that you give to others, one that makes happy customers, or perhaps what you get to use yourself? I think the most freeing sort of crafting for me is making gifts. I love every kind of sewing, but...
First, let me start off by saying, yes, I do still blog here. I’ve been crazy busy with custom orders, and I’m showing you one of those today. One of my very best customers asked me to make her a quilt with the same zoo fabric featured in this quilt. She loved that print, but...
Do you have some Liberty on hand that you are afraid to use? DO NOT FEAR! Use my simple tips for working with Liberty lawn, and add some handmade beauty to your life!
I bought my first bundle of Liberty of London tana lawn fabric. I haven’t even received it yet, and I’m worried about sewing it. Do you prewash and then starch your fabric before cutting? I’m using the fabric for quilts. The first one I want to make is Elizabeth Hartman’s Fancy Fox quilt.ReplyCancel
Excellent entry. I am currently hand piecing small Liberty hexagons, and am having trouble finding the right hand sewing needle to piece Liberty without leaving gaping holes at the seams. Do you recommend a hand sewing needle/size for piecing (not hand quilting) with this fabulous fabric? Many thanks.ReplyCancel
For binding and really fine fabrics I use a long, extremely sharp needle that’s very fine and has a small eye called a straw needle. I’m not sure who manufactures them, but I get them from my local quilt shop. I’m assuming if you google “straw needle” you would find something that’s at least similar. I’m sorry to be so vague, but I don’t have any of the packaging on hand, as all of those needles are currently living in a pincushion.ReplyCancel
When sewing garments, do you use a regular stitch length or reduce the length because of the thinness of the material? I am getting a little puckering, so I will try using a smaller needle and perhaps changing the thread, but I was also wondering if changing the stitch length would help as well.ReplyCancel
Thank you for the tips. I was wondering about “holes” made during the quilt process. When I work with regular cotton quilt fabric, my little knots that get tugged through the top layer while quilting leave a tiny opening, hole, in the fabric. These disappear after the first washing. Will the liberty fabric be as forgiving about these tiny openings after washing? Thank you!ReplyCancel
Hello Meredith,
I enjoyed your article. My mum loved Liberty fabric so it has special memories for me. The information on mixing fabrics was helpful.
May I make a small correction? You used the phrase “through the ringer” but it is actually “through the wringer”. It refers to an old-fashioned clothes wringer or mangle, which were pretty tough on the washing, not to a bell ringing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangle_(machine)
There are some beautiful designs of mangles, but washdays were hard work back then!ReplyCancel
Absolutely! So they stopped manufacturing what I think was their best product ever, so I’ve had to find an alternative. I have been using this voile from Robert Kaufman http://www.jonesandvandermeer.com/products/robert-kaufman-vanessa-silky-voile.html or if you would like a greater variety of colors and want your lining to match your lawn exactly, Liberty does have a range of solid tans lawns https://www.fabric.com/find?searchText=Liberty+solid+lawnReplyCancel
Really helpful blog . Never used Liberty fabric but it is so luxurious and I want to make a dress to wear to sons graduation. It seems so thin so assuming I should line. If I sewed a maxi dress with 2 tiers for the skirt part, would I need lining for top body and also the skirt tiers? The tiers will have gathers hence why I was wondering if lining the tiers will be appropriate. Thanks ReplyCancel
I would line the top portion of the skirt. I highly recommend Vanessa Silky Voile which I buy here: https://www.jonesandvandermeer.com/products/robert-kaufman-vanessa-silky-voile.html the price is unbeatable and it behaves just like the lawn which is the best way to line, in my opinion! ReplyCancel
I started sewing with Liberty about 5 years ago. Just started small and started a collection of their prints. I knew I wanted to make a quilt someday. Well then I started smocking and found out how beautiful Liberty prints were to sew garments with. I then was on a mission to make myself a Liberty dress. Fast forward 5 years, we traveled to London and the Liberty store was my first stop. I now have yardage for a dress and blouse. I love all your tips and plan on starting after the holiday rush. I loved reading everything you posted about this subject. ReplyCancel
Hello, I’m making a quilt top with Liberty Tana lawns and I am trying to find a suitable solid to pair with them.
Would the Robert Kaufman silky voile work for a quilt top? I’ve also read the Pure Solids are s good match. Are there any others you can recommend aside from the Liberty solids? Thanks very much.ReplyCancel
my favorite is the silky voile! I love Free Spirit solid voiles as well, though those are not as easy to find these days. Kaufman voile is much more affordable that Liberty solids and I do find it comparable. I personally do not like Art Gallery fabrics, but know that is a preference based on what I’ve worked with.ReplyCancel
Welcome to Olivia Jane Handcrafted! I'm Meredith and this is my creative journal. Here you'll find loads of inspiration for a handmade wardrobe, home decor, bags, and quilts. I even have plenty of projects and tutorials to get you started or help you along the way.
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HI Meredith! I cannot wait to see what you do with all these Lovelies, but especially the Atelier Brunett Birds! I really love that print and want to make a top too out of that and really want to make some tops from the new Liberty, but what tops best show the beauty of these fabrics that aren’t button downs? I just don’t wear button downs frequently enough to use such precious fabric. I wish I had a go to top style that I could make over and over again in Liberty! Do you have any simple top styles you suggest?
I just bought the circle scarf pattern with the Liberty Oxford C from Alice Caroline Supply on Etsy and can’t wait to wear that bright spring like print in the dead of Vermont winter!
Thanks so much for all your beautiful work and for sharing it, such an inspiration!
Ceileigh
What a kind comment, Ceileigh! You know, I’ve been on the hunt for the PERFECT top pattern that’s not a button down. Something feminine that will work well with wovens so I can make a bajillion of them in Liberty and some other favorites. I haven’t stumbled on it yet, but in the coming weeks I’m going to be trying out a few different tops. I will definitely be posting here, so check back. Hopefully I’ll find a good one that we can both use! :)
Where did you find Liberty swim fabric?? I love the idea of making my own swim suit! Also, those phone cases are gorgeous!
I got it from fabric.com! They actually have several swimsuit fabrics available from Liberty of London. And the great thing is, you can squeeze a few swimsuits out of a yard depending on the styles you choose to make. I figure its WAY cheaper than buying swimwear, which I absolutely hate doing.