This is the year of the water dragon, and to celebrate we’re offering you the chance to win 3 metres of our Eastern inspired Dragonista fabric. The print is from our new Spring Summer fabrics collection, an archival design chosen by the antiques guru Martin Miller. Martin added a twist to the original by incorporating antiques of his own into the Liberty design, which was originally a ‘Chinoiserie’ style print for a Liberty scarf dating back to the early 1990s.

“In effect, it’s like taking a static work of art into a form that gives it movement and vitality. The iconic brand of Liberty is renowned for blending the classic with the modern which both complements and appeals to my style, and I am excited to be part of this wearable, living collection.” Martin Miller.

To win simply answer the following question:

Our founder Arthur Liberty was born on the 13th August 1843, an inspiring Leo, but which Chinese Zodiac animal would he have been?

Click to post your answer on our Facebook photo. Entries close at 4.30pm today, with the winner announced on Facebook at 5pm

Shop Liberty Art Fabrics

Our new season Liberty Art Fabrics have arrived! Our fine Tana Lawn cotton has once again been transformed with a range of sensational prints, from statement brights produced in collaboration with textile designer Zandra Rhodes to classic archive florals reprinted and reinvented to our second digital capsule collection of rich high definition prints.

The collection was inspired by archives, antiques and costume; with wide ranging influences from a trip to Glencot House in Somerset, paintings at the National Gallery and the antiques collection of Martin Miller.

This year’s collaboration with textile students from Central Saint Martins was based around iconic films including Shanghai Express and A Clockwork Orange. We’re particularly fond of Powell, a lace design with cats emerging from within the pattern. It was inspired Sylvia in La Dolce Vita who wore a provocative lacy top and behaved in a feline manner.

Also be sure to look out for our Olympic motifs which run through some of the prints – from five Olympic rings in Meg’s Garden to a torch emblem in Eternal Flame.

Shop New Season Liberty Art Fabrics

Read more about the collection

As part of Wool Week here at Liberty, students of Royal College of Art were given a design brief by Marie Wallen of Rowan Yarns to design their own wool garment. Last night we hosted an event in store for the student finalists to showcase their work before we announced the winners.

Olwen Walsh claimed first prize with her creation which was a “unique interpretation of the fisherman’s jumper, intertwining and overlaying stitches.” Olwen’s design will be displayed in one of our windows throughout the week, so come and see her beautiful knitted creation for yourself!

View our Facebook Album for last night’s highlights

Download the oven mitt pattern

The Liberty Rocks Fabric Collection is now available in Lilestone and Lantana Wool.

Lilestone is make from 100% wool twill and is perfect for drape.

Lantana is 80% cotton and 20% wool and has more structure although still has a beautiful soft handle.

Shop the range now

We thought treat you to a special preview of what we’ll have to offer, which includes a range of luxury cosmetics as well as five fabric prints in eight colour ways. The collection will be available exclusively at Liberty for two weeks from 26 September, but for now here’s a few items to add to your wish list:

1. Music Festival Fabric,  featuring Kitty playing musical instruments

2. Apple Tree Fabric, an adaptation of a design produced in 1934 featuring one of Kitty’s favourite foods

3. Kitty Wonderland Fabric, Hello Kitty’s fantasy world

4. Kitty Town Fabric, with all Kitty’s family and friends in the setting of a quaint English village

5. Karenkubo Fabric, a new adaptation of a floral from 1933

6.  A Cute Collection Cosmetic Purse with a make-up bag, mini mascara, lip gloss and eyeshadow

7. Hand wash and hand cream set featuring Hello Kitty Karenkubo Liberty Print bottles and matching printed tray.

8. Eye shadow palette with mirror and compact printed with the Kitty Wonderland print.

Rumour has it that the Hello Kitty Liberty Art Fabrics will be available for pre-order online so be sure to check back soon – we can’t wait to make our very own puuurrfect patchwork quilt!

During her visit Emilia made a video of her experience, during which she wears clothing made from her very own fabric – take a look and we hope you’ll be inspired to make some Liberty Print creations of your own!

Emilia de Poret & Liberty Rocks from Flypaper.tv on Vimeo.

18 & 25 September 2011

Learn how to make this gorgeous Liberty Print frilly pinny with our expert sewing tutor Nicole Wilson. We’ll guide you through step by step as you learn how to use your sewing machine to create ruffles, as well as a recap of basic sewing techniques. Your finished pinafore will make a gorgeous gift with a personal, hand made touch – or you may just want to wear it yourself!

The design is featured in our upcoming book The Liberty Book of Home Sewing, alongside a whole range of ideas for home furnishings, clothing and accessories. You’ll be able to get your hands on a copy this October, we can hardly wait.

Cost: £75 per class which includes Liberty Print fabric for your pinny
Timing: 12.30pm – 4.30pm including complimentary tea and coffee
Location: Heritage Suite, 3rd Floor

To book your place, please contact our Customer Services department on 020 7734 1234.

Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Read The Independent review by Matilda Battersby

Or if you’ve got your own project in mind, you can shop our extensive online selection of fabrics now

Buy ‘A Boy Dreams’ by Graham Coxon

More Liberty Rocks Art Fabrics

The second print Florence chose reflects her love of vintage clothing. Grace is a hand drawn lace print dating back to the 19th century. Both prints have been brought back specially for this season’s collection, we hope you like them!

Shop Tana Lawn Liberty Rocks fabrics online now

For collaborative prints they worked with the likes of Florence Welch and Graham Coxon as well as Storm Thorgerson, who was responsible for Pink Floyd’s iconic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ cover.

Other prints have been influenced by song lyrics, with colour palettes drawn from vintage album covers. This season also marks the very first digital Liberty Prints, a collection of seven designs including one by award winning photographer Jill Furmanovsky.

The collection is available in Tana Lawn, Lantana Wool, Lilestone Wool, Crepe de Chine, Georgette, Poplin, Silk Satin and Jersey. Prices from £19.95 per metre. Full selection is available in store with Tana Lawn available online.

Read more about the collection

Shop Liberty Rocks! Autumn Winter Liberty Art Fabrics Collection Online

As an extra special treat we thought we’d share with you this behind-the-scenes look at award winning musician Edwyn Collins’s Ornithology print. In 2005 Edwyn suffered a severe cerebral haemorrhage. During his six month rehabilitation he drew a bird every day, each of which has been used by the Liberty Fabrics Team in this remarkable print. The design created pays homage to Collins’ dedication, like a sketchbook on fabric complete with names of birds and dates when they were drawn.

The image below shows Edwyn’s original illustrations on the left, and a swatch of the final Liberty Art Fabric on the right, available in four different colourways.

This week our ‘Fabric of the Week’ is Capel P.

This one colour floral was first printed on our fine Tana Lawn cotton in 1978, and became a classic in 1993. Capel P features small white daisies set against a pretty pink backdrop, making this design a favourite for girls’ summer dresses and birthday party bunting.

RECEIVE FREE UK DELIVERY on all orders of Capel P until 4th July.

Sign up to Sew Liberty

Shop Liberty Art Fabrics

View the Liberty Stitch Calendar

The Liberty Book of Home Sewing is due for release in October, but we’ve got a sneaky preview just for you, our lovely readers…

We’ve been inspired to partake in some cathartic craft work ourselves, and we’ve been raiding the Liberty haberdashery for fabric offcuts and patchwork bundles. We’ll be transforming our cheeky slogan panels into cushions and throws – why not have a go for yourself?

Shop the haberdashery

Shop Liberty Fabrics

Read more about Susie’s visit to the studio

Here at Liberty we’ll be championing home grown talent with our annual Best of British Design Open Call which is going to be bigger and better than ever before. On April 2nd the Liberty buying team will once again be on the search for the hottest new designers – find out more on our Best of British event page. Spaces are limited with over 800 applicants already registered to present their wares – so be sure to sign up now.

We caught up Liberty Moore of Cherish Me, who won us over with Liberty Print textile accessories which are now stocked in store. She told us about her Best of British success…

Tell us about your open call experience

“I actually only heard about the open call and applied five days before the event, so I didn’t give myself very long to dwell on what I might be getting myself into! It really struck me as a fantastic initiative and an opportunity not to be missed. When I arrived outside the store and joined the queue I have to admit I was suddenly very apprehensive indeed. The wait to see the buyers was long – but well worth it. All comments were constructive, and although the actual pitch time was very short I came away with not only an invitation to the second round, but a few things to think about when taking the business forward. I’d definitely recommend anyone even vaguely thinking about applying for April’s open call to go for it – you just never know!”

What do you love about Liberty?

“One of my earliest memories is actually of being in Liberty, sitting atop a pile of rugs. I love the mood of the store. Holly Golightly talks about Tiffany’s as being the antidote to the ‘mean reds’, and I feel very similarly about Liberty – ‘The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.’ I think it takes great skill for a shop – and especially one as large as Liberty – to move with the times but not forget their heritage. To me, Liberty stands for a hive of high fashion, timeless style and quality; curated with expertise and presented in a careful, considered and exciting way.”

How did you get into textile design?

“As the old cliché goes, I didn’t make a conscious decision to ‘become’ a designer. Cherish Me came about while I was studying Fine Art, it was a natural progression from making things for myself – I began selling when people started asking where my accessories were from.”

What are you inspired by at the moment?

“My focus is currently on reviving traditional techniques like embroidery and relief printing to make timeless pieces that will last as items of wearable Art. What I make comes from my desire to create beautiful things, and to set myself apart from the mass produced accessories on the high street. I love the idea of heirloom textiles – quilts and clothes passed down through generations. While I don’t consider my work to be quite in the same league as an incredible patchwork, I make everything to last and reference the past through use of Liberty Prints.”

Some exciting news for fabric fans – the Liberty Art Fabrics Spring/Summer 2011 collection has just arrived in store, and will be available online this week!

This year our new fabrics range has an artistic twist – the Liberty Design Studio have teamed up with some of the most talented illustrators around to create fifty new designs in our famous fine cotton Tana Lawn.

From Lauren Child, the author behind the beloved ‘Charlie and Lola’ and ‘Clarice Bean’ books, to the first Children’s Laureate Quentin Blake, and with influences ranging from fairy tales and far-off lands to flower gardens, we’re sure you’ll love this magical collection – with each enchanting print telling its own story.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the new fabrics – which one is your favourite?

From left: Kate Ada, Tom’s Jet, Reuben Kelly, Helena’s Party.

Ready to hit the haberdashery department? See more Liberty fabrics online, or why not sign up for one of our sewing classes?

On a chilly Saturday in central London, fifteen ladies came to Liberty’s Heritage Suite to get crafty!

Part of the hugely popular ‘Liberty Stitch’ season of craft, knitting and sewing workshops, we went along to a Christmas Millinery class to learn how to create a handcrafted headband or fabulous fascinator – guaranteed to win us a kiss under the Mistletoe!

Led by milliner extraordinaire, vintage lover and acclaimed craft writer Mary Jane Baxter, the class was a mix of experienced ‘Stitch’-ers and first timers – some who had come from as far afield as Moscow!

After warming up with a cup of coffee and delicious pastries from Café Liberty, Mary Jane kicked off proceedings by teaching us exactly how to wear a vintage headpiece. More tricky than it sounds, we found out simply pulling the strap under your chin was a definite no-no – you must fasten it at the back for a one-way ticket to forties chic.

Once we’d got that covered, she showed us how to fashion beautiful flowers from a pair of old tights, some wire and superglue, and how to arrange them on a headband or fascinator. Then, it was up to us to create our own knockout headpiece.

The class descended on the huge piles of glittering trims, printed fabrics and ribbons laid out for us to use, and got cracking. Two sisters – crafting pros who had been to every session – even brought in a lamp so they could work in detail! As craft novices, we were worried our flowers would wilt rather than bloom, but even we managed to make a pretty bouquet.

With the class in full swing, Mary walked around as everyone worked and chatted, offering guidance and encouragement. A former BBC journalist, one day the hat bug got the better of her, and she decided to study millinery professionally, sharpening her skills with hat-maker to the stars Stephen Jones. With a passion for all things vintage, she had some great tips for creating glamorous headgear. The key was ‘to keep things simple’ and ‘make it up as you go along – don’t worry if it doesn’t end up as you originally imagined it!’

With this in mind, everyone improvised – sprinkling glitter onto flowers for a bit of sparkle, curling mesh around hat wire to make something outlandish. To keep our energy levels up, a welcome tower of freshly baked scones, clotted cream and jam were brought in mid-afternoon – the perfect partner to an afternoon of crafting.

So did anyone make a masterpiece? At the end of the class, everyone got together to try on and show off their designs. From flowery headbands perfect for the office party to glittering fascinators made for cocktail hour – the results were all so different, but amazing! Well done to everyone in the class – and thanks to Mary for her stellar teaching!

Liberty Stitch will continue in 2011 from February- June – see the timetable of classes.

Find out more about Mary Jane Millinery on her blog.

First launched in Japan, the Liberty Hello Kitty collaboration is now set to roll out worldwide, with a whole range of luxury cosmetics featuring the charming new prints.

The grand launch is penciled in for September next year - we’re positively purring in anticipation.

*UPDATE* Read our new blog for a sneak preview of the collection, available exclusively at Liberty for two weeks from Monday 26th September 2011

The Herdy Flock, who were spotted running amuck around the store this morning, are made from sculpted willow in the shape of the Herwick’s breed from the Lakes District. The flock are in store to launch the Herdy Company 2 in 1 knits – you can witness their sheepish antics on our Facebook page.

At a special event this evening, we’ll be unveiling the winner of the Rowan Yarns competition with the Royal College of Art. We’ve been spoilt for choice with a wide range of artistic and innovative entries. Look out for the lucky winner in the Liberty Wool Week window.

Wool Week launches The Campaign for Wool, a five year initiative backed by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Mr Minagawa creating prints and pretty verses in his studio

Introducing Mr Minagawa, Japanese fashion designer and founder of the brand Mina-Perhonen. For A/W10 he created a unique selection of fabric prints for us. Our head of design Emma Mawston says “His style is simple yet beautiful, working patterns with intricate line work in coloured pencil, watercolour washes and ink. He was so inspired working with us he wrote poems to accompany his beautiful prints.” I have to say this pretty verse “Sleeping Rose” which is inspired by the tana lawn fabric of the same name is my favourite. I’ll leave you with his lines…

While hearing your breathing sleeping beside me,

I am thinking back on today’s daylight.

”It would be good to rain tomorrow.” I tell the wind.

Good night.

How to rock a Liberty print? Christhl, Emilia and Kate show us how!

Check out Emilia de Poret pictured above; she’s Swedish, a singing sensation and resplendent in her very own Liberty print. I had a chat with her about working with Liberty Art Fabrics and creating her print with our design studio. She says “I am so proud of being part of the process and it’s been so fascinating to follow the progress from my first sketch to Liberty’s final design and colour scheme.”  We all reckon it’s going to be a big hit (just like Emilia) when it becomes available in 2011 and can’t wait for her ‘Liberty Rocks’ documentary coming soon.

The very lovely Emilia performing in her Liberty print A/W11 dress

Liberty Art Fabrics rocked the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill last Friday with a super cool launch of their latest fabric collection. Music was the chosen theme of the season with artists from Storm Thorgeson, Florence and the Machine, Graham Coxon and the very lovely Emilia de Poret all working with our design studio to create fabrics that are quite simply poetry in motion. Emilia kicked off proceedings performing and wearing her stunning mic print dress from A/W11, see above!

Spotted! A Liberty girl in a tana lawn print dress!

Kokoro Nakane, Timi Hayek (Overall Winner) Shermeen Tabet, finalists of CSM & Liberty Fabrics Competition 2010

It’s that time of year again folks, the Liberty Art Fabrics/Central Saint Martins fabric design competition. The theme this year was to create a series of fabric designs inspired by film.  The finalists presented their work to the Liberty Arts Fabric team and the great and the good from the film world. On hand to judge was Anthony Powell, three time Oscar winner for costume design. John Landis, legendary director, Terry Gilliam, writer, artist and director. Kerry Taylor, former costume director at Sotheby’s and Justine Picardie acclaimed author and journalist. And the overall winner? Timi Hayek!  Watch out for their winning designs in the Liberty Art Fabrics Spring Summer 2012 collection.

Nick Westwood spotted in Liberty print today on Carnaby Street

We snapped this very cool guy Nick Westwood rocking his Liberty print shirt today on Carnaby Street, when asked why he made this sartorial choice he said “Liberty print is traditionally unique and quintessentially different.” Hear, hear Nick!