Do you have your fabrics cut? Today we’re going to begin sewing our blocks. Whether you are sewing a small quilt or a large one, I find it easy to tackle them [the blocks] in batches. Going in the order of the directions in the pattern, I’ve sewn up all the Small Introvert blocks first....
Desperation can sometimes lead to nasty results. We may throw caution to the wind, and make compromises to gain a little ground. Then again, sometimes it works out well. I’m happy to say that my latest “desperate” project was actually a raving success. Well, sort of. Wallace has gotten used to being in our bed...
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
Hi there, Gerry! I generally make a second bodice with lining fabric and attach both together so all seams are enclosed, and then for the skirt portion I tend to sew the lining and exterior together and then enclose the waist by sewing the bodice exterior together the skirt portion, then hand stitching the bodice lining to the skirt. That’s my really quick nutshell version that assumes a lot of prior knowledge- if that doesn’t make sense I can certainly expound further! ReplyCancel
Hi, thanks for such an informative post! I’m thinking about making a wedding quilt for a friend who loves liberty, but it would be used on a regular basis and I’m worried about how the tana lawn will wear compared to regular quilting cotton. I’d like it to last years! How have you found it? ReplyCancel
I think if you pair it with other fabrics like perhaps a checkered gingham, it would be helpful for a regular use quilt. I have Liberty quilts that I use regularly that haven’t been affected by heavy use, but my kids have worn theirs faster. Of course my kids wear anything else faster. All that to say, I think it depends more on the people using it as opposed to the fabric itself. Did I just add confusion? I feel like that’s not a black and white answer. ReplyCancel
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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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looks like origami! or candy! can’t wait to see the finished quilt!