Sewing with Heritage: 5 Projects Perfect for Liberty Lasenby Cotton | Discount Fabrics
Project Inspiration · May 2026

Sewing with Heritage:
5 Projects Perfect for Liberty Lasenby Cotton

Liberty fabric at warehouse prices — and it's every bit as dreamy as it sounds. Here's what to make first, and everything you need to know before you cut a single thread.

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Published 22 May 2026
Read Time 8 min read
Category Dressmaking & Craft
Liberty Emily Annabella Lasenby Cotton — vibrant floral fabric spread

Liberty Emily Annabella — Lasenby Cotton · Now at Discount Fabrics Ltd

"There's a reason Liberty fabrics have been in the sewing rooms of the world's most discerning makers for over 150 years. The prints are iconic. The quality is non-negotiable. And now you can get it through your letterbox at a warehouse price."

We've just landed the Liberty Emily Annabella collection — screen-printed onto Liberty's own Lasenby Cotton. Vibrant daisies, peonies and cornflowers in colourways that feel unmistakably British, yet completely fresh for summer 2026.

But before you click add to basket, here's something worth knowing: Lasenby Cotton is not Tana Lawn. It behaves differently, it's better suited to different projects — and once you understand why, you'll know exactly what to make with it, and you won't hesitate for a second.

Composition 100% Pure cotton — breathable, machine-washable and beautifully durable season after season.
Weight ~150 GSM mid-weight. Enough body to hold structure without a lining. Far easier to handle than Tana Lawn.

Tana Lawn vs. Lasenby Cotton — What's the Difference?

Both are Liberty. Both are beautiful. But they're very different to sew with. Here's the quick guide:

Lasenby CottonTana Lawn
Weight~150 GSM — mid-weight, structuredUltra-fine, very lightweight, silk-like
FeelCrisp with a soft hand — easy to controlSilky, fluid, lots of movement
Best ForQuilting, structured skirts, bags, accessories, buntingFloaty dresses, blouses, headscarves
Beginner Friendly?Yes — holds shape, won't slip on the machineTrickier — moves a lot when cutting and sewing
Needs a Lining?Often not — the weight does the workUsually yes, for structured garments

The short version: if you want something structured, durable and genuinely easy to handle — Lasenby Cotton is your fabric. If you want flow and drape, reach for Tana Lawn. For every project in this post, Lasenby wins every time.

5 Things to Make with Liberty Lasenby Cotton Right Now

Whether you're an experienced quilter or you've just discovered the joy of sewing, Lasenby Cotton meets you where you are. These five projects make the most of its weight, print clarity and easy-to-sew character — and every one of them works beautifully with the Emily Annabella range.

01
Quilting

The Heritage Patchwork Quilt

Lasenby Cotton was literally designed for this. The mid-weight structure cuts cleanly with a rotary cutter, presses flat without stretching, and holds its seam allowance perfectly — which means your quilt squares will actually line up. Emily Annabella's prints mix and match beautifully across colourways: try alternating the blue and pink versions for a classic English country quilt that looks like it took years and cost a fortune. It didn't.

Pro Tip: Pair with a plain quilting cotton in white or pale grey for resting squares. It lets the Liberty print breathe — and cuts your fabric cost significantly.
Liberty Lasenby Cotton patchwork heritage quilt blocks laid out on a wooden table
02
Dressmaking

The Structured Gathered Skirt

Here's where Lasenby earns its keep over Tana Lawn. At ~150 GSM, it has enough body to hold a gorgeous gathered shape without needing a lining — saving you time, money and the faff of matching up two layers at the waistband. A simple elasticated-waist gathered skirt in Emily Annabella is a summer wardrobe staple that looks like it came from a Carnaby Street boutique. For a fraction of the price. And you made it.

Skill level: Beginner. Straight seams, no zip, no lining. A genuinely achievable weekend project — even if you've never sewn a skirt before. Allow 1.5–2 metres depending on your size.
Liberty print gathered skirt flatlay with elastic waistband visible
03
Accessories

Luxury Hair Bows & Scrunchies

If you want to use your fabric efficiently and have something beautiful to show for it quickly, Liberty hair accessories are your answer. A single metre of Emily Annabella yields multiple statement scrunchies and oversized bows — the kind that get photographed at every garden party and sell out at craft fairs. The print clarity on Lasenby Cotton makes even the smallest accessory look intentional and genuinely luxurious. Finished inside an afternoon.

Gift idea: Tie three scrunchies together with a satin ribbon and you have a present that looks wildly expensive. Perfect for birthdays, teachers' end-of-term, or just treating yourself.
Liberty Lasenby Cotton hair bows and scrunchies flatlay on a marble surface
04
Bags & Craft

The Lined Zip Makeup Bag

A lined zip makeup bag in Liberty Lasenby is one of those makes that genuinely stops people in their tracks. Use Emily Annabella as your outer fabric, a complementary solid cotton for the lining, and a strip of interfacing to give it real structure. The firmness of Lasenby means it handles a zip foot beautifully — no slipping, no stretching. Done in a single afternoon, and you'll reach for it every morning without fail.

Pro Tip: Lasenby irons beautifully with a medium-hot iron. Press your seams after every step and your finished bag will look crisp and professional every time you open it.
Liberty print lined zip makeup bag on marble surface, open to show cotton lining
05
Home & Garden

Heritage Bunting & Garden Décor

With summer garden parties firmly on the calendar, Liberty bunting is the most effortless upgrade you can make to any outdoor space. Cut your Lasenby triangles, fold, press and pin to ribbon — it's beginner-level sewing with designer-level results. The Emily Annabella florals look extraordinary in daylight, and because Lasenby is a durable woven cotton, your bunting will survive season after season without falling apart. A genuinely heirloom-quality make from an affordable fabric.

Mix the colourways: Alternate pink, blue and neutral tones across your bunting triangles for a properly joyful effect. Five metres gives you a generous run — enough to drape an entire garden fence.
Liberty Lasenby Cotton bunting in pink and blue hanging over a garden fence in sunlight

4 Tips for Sewing Lasenby Cotton Like a Pro

01

Always Pre-wash First

Lasenby Cotton shrinks slightly on its first wash. Pre-wash on a cool 30° cycle, dry gently and iron before cutting. Skipping this step is the number one reason a finished garment comes out the wrong size.

02

Use a Sharp 80/12 Needle

A fresh microtex or sharp needle prevents skipped stitches in woven cotton. Replace it every 8 hours of sewing — it's the single biggest difference between stitching that looks professional and stitching that doesn't.

03

Press Every Seam

Cotton loves heat. Press seams open after every pass through the machine. Your finished project will look exponentially more professional — and it takes less than 30 seconds per seam.

04

Match Your Thread Tone

With such vivid Liberty prints, thread choice matters. Use a neutral grey or cream for mixed-print projects, or match the dominant background colour of the specific print section you're stitching through.

Liberty Emily Annabella — Available Now

Our Emily Annabella collection is live and in stock across all colourways. Liberty at warehouse prices won't sit around for long — grab yours before the bolts run out.

Liberty Emily Annabella Lasenby Cotton Blue colourway

Emily Annabella Lasenby Cotton

Blue Colourway · Per Metre

Shop Now
Liberty Emily Annabella Lasenby Cotton Pink colourway

Emily Annabella Lasenby Cotton

Pink Colourway · Per Metre

Shop Now
Liberty Dressmaking Patterns collection

Liberty Dressmaking Patterns and Accessories

Skirts, Quilts, Accessories & More

View Patterns

Available at Discount Fabrics Ltd

Ready to Sew with Liberty?

Emily Annabella is in stock now, printed on Liberty's own Lasenby Cotton and delivered straight to your door. All colourways available — don't let your size sell out.