Why Liberty Fabrics Still Inspire Makers Worldwide
Since 1875, Liberty Fabrics has been more than a supplier of textiles. It has been a source of creativity and inspiration for generations of makers. Known for its distinctive prints and fine craftsmanship, Liberty continues to captivate quilters, designers, and craft enthusiasts around the globe.
Origins: How Liberty Began
Before starting his own business, Arthur Lasenby Liberty worked for Farmer & Rogers, a London department store known for imported shawls and silks. At the time, Victorian society was developing a strong taste for Japanese and Oriental goods.
Ambitious to advance, Liberty asked to become a partner. When his request was refused, he left the company. In 1875, with a £2,000 loan from his future father-in-law, he opened the Liberty Department Store at 218a Regent Street.
From the beginning, Liberty offered fabrics, ornaments, and decorative objects from the East. The idea was an immediate success. He repaid the loan within 18 months, expanded into adjoining properties, and transformed the shop into a design destination.
This focus on Eastern-inspired goods aligned with the Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic Movement, attracting tastemakers of the era. With architect Edward William Godwin, Liberty added a clothing department that became a hub for avant-garde fashion. By the end of the century, the “Liberty style” was so influential that in Italy, Art Nouveau was known as Stile Liberty.
The Living Legacy of Liberty Design
The Liberty Archive
One of Liberty’s greatest strengths is its archive of patterns, now one of the most important collections in the textile world. It holds tens of thousands of prints dating back to the late 19th century, from delicate florals and bold paisleys to flowing Art Nouveau curves and experimental geometrics. Many of these early works were hand-painted or block-printed, giving them a richness still admired today.
Designs That Stand the Test of Time
The archive is never treated as a museum. Liberty’s design team constantly revisits it, reviving some prints as they were and reimagining others with new scales, repeats, or colorways. Thanks to digital tools, a motif sketched in the 1890s can reappear in a quilting collection or a seasonal fashion release. This blend of history and innovation keeps Liberty designs relevant to every new generation.
Signature Fabric: Tana Lawn™
Much of this success is linked to Tana Lawn™, Liberty’s signature cotton. Developed in the early 20th century, it is fine, smooth, and silky to the touch. Tana Lawn™ gives Liberty prints their clarity, capturing every detail of a design. Whether for dressmaking, quilting, or home décor, it has carried Liberty patterns far beyond London into sewing rooms worldwide.
Iconic Liberty Prints
Some Liberty designs have become timeless, loved across generations and still reissued today.
Betsy
Created in the 1930s by designer “DS,” Betsy is one of Liberty’s most enduring prints. Its small clusters of roses and daisies make it endlessly versatile. Recolored in countless palettes, it remains a favorite for quilting, dressmaking, and accessories.
Shop Betsy in exclusive colors
Wiltshire
Also by “DS”, Wiltshire is filled with small berries and leaves. Its dense repeat feels fresh yet light, making it ideal for clothing, patchwork, and children’s wear. It is also often used as a lining because of its subtle style.
Strawberry Thief
Designed in 1883 by William Morris, Strawberry Thief depicts thrush birds stealing strawberries in a garden. One of Britain’s most famous textile designs, it remains a key part of Liberty’s identity and is still used today in fashion, interiors, and quilting.
Felicite
Introduced in the 1930s, Felicite features roses and carnations in a soft floral trail. Romantic and versatile, it has been recolored in both muted tones and bright palettes, remaining a favorite for dressmaking and quilting.
Small Susanna
Designed by Emma Mawston, Small Susanna is a scaled-down version of the bold Susanna floral, featuring clusters of daisy-like flowers in a finer repeat. Its smaller format makes it especially versatile for quilting and dressmaking, where detailed prints add richness without overpowering a project.
The Worldwide Appeal of Liberty Fabrics
Liberty fabrics are cherished by makers everywhere. In quilting, they are often called the “jewel pieces” of patchwork, with small scraps adding sparkle when paired with simpler cottons. Quilters seek out bundles, fat quarters, and even organize Liberty swaps to share rare prints.
In fashion, Liberty designs continue to find new audiences. Collaborations range from houses like Hermès to brands such as Uniqlo and Adidas. A single print can feel romantic on silk, playful on a child’s blouse, or bold on sneakers, showing the adaptability designers value so highly.
Crafters and DIY makers also place Liberty at the center of their projects. Once available only on Regent Street, Liberty prints are now stocked worldwide, appearing in hand-stitched toys, cushions, accessories, and more.
Over time, Liberty has become more than fabric. Makers recognize classics like Betsy or Wiltshire instantly, and conversations often begin with favorite colorways or the excitement of finding a discontinued print.
Online, hashtags gather thousands of Liberty projects, while quilting groups host Liberty-specific challenges. For many, Liberty fabrics carry memories as well: a childhood dress, a quilt pieced from family scraps. These stories are what set Liberty apart — a fabric tied to tradition, creativity, and community.
Why Liberty Fabrics Still Inspire Today
This worldwide community helps explain Liberty’s enduring appeal. The brand balances heritage with innovation: historic designs from the archive are continually refreshed with new scales and colorways that keep them relevant for today’s makers.
Liberty’s influence also crosses cultures. Quilters in the US value its fine detail, Japanese makers pair Liberty’s Tana Lawn cotton with linen for everyday wear, and European designers use it in luxury fashion. Everywhere, Liberty brings beauty and craftsmanship into daily life.
For many, Liberty is more than fabric. It connects makers to tradition while sparking new ideas — a blend that ensures it will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Shop Liberty Fabric at Yuzawaya
Liberty fabrics show how design can outlast trends while still feeling new. Their prints carry a history that connects makers across time and cultures, yet they continue to spark fresh ideas in quilting, fashion, and craft.
Bring that inspiration into your own work. Alongside timeless classics, Liberty also introduces seasonal collections, often released in limited numbers. These special editions sell quickly, so don’t miss the chance to find your favorite. Yuzawaya-exclusive original colors are also available only here, giving you fabrics that let you create with both tradition and originality.