Gorgeous new summer fabric arrivals

With summer in full swing here in Birmingham, complete with heat waves and thunder storms, we've had lots of gorgeous new fabric deliveries arrive over the past month or so. Today I'm sharing all my top picks with ideas of what to do with them!

See them up close and how the move and drape in my latest Youtube video!

Tana and cotton lawns and poplins

First to share is a lovely selection of Liberty tana lawns from the new Autumn Winter 19/20 Aesthetic Renaissance collection. This prints drew inspiration from the adventurous life and artistic inspirations of Liberty founder, Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty. 

I'm sure I probably say this every time but I really think this is my favourite seasonal collection so far! I've linked my top picks below but you can find them all by following this link. 

These amazingly soft cotton lawns are light weight and breathable to wear, yet hold a little bit of structure and press really well so are great for crisp blouses like the Deer and Doe Melilot as well as simple tops like the Grainline Willow or dresses like the Workshop patterns Ellie button up smock. 

Also new from Liberty are these cotton poplin prints. Poplin is a more structured fabric so great for garments when you need the fabric to holds its shape a bit more. The Closet Case patterns Fiona would be a lovely choice. 

For something a bit more alternative and abstract these interesting cotton lawns would make such stunning dresses or skirts. 

I love the 80's vibes of the two paintery ones pictures above and as a yoga lover I couldn't resist the yoga poses print. Pictured below (or right depending on the device you are using) is actually a tencel fabric. It behaves a bit more like a rayon or viscose and is super soft and floaty. It's a little sheer but would still be ok for a top. For a skirt or dress I would recommend either cotton lawn lining to add structure or plain viscose for a more flowy look. 

Cotton double gauze 

Cotton double gauze is one of my top fabrics to wear at this time of year. It is so light weight I find that the more you wash and wear it, the garment will kinda mould to your body shape, a bit like a pair of shoes. I think it's because the weave is quite loose (french seams or overlocked raw edges is best) it can mould and adapt. 

These nani iro prints are absolutely beautiful, as always, like a work of art on a fabric with such amazing colour combinations. Simple garments like the Grainline Willow top or Tilly and the Buttons stevie work well and I've also see it used in blouses like the Closet Case Kalle and Deer and Doe Melilot. 

This range of amazing full width (so 140cm) double gauze fabrics all have metallic accents along with beautiful rich colours. 

Linen mixes 

These sorona linen mixes are a bit more unusual, as they have linen, viscose and sorona fibres. Sorona is made in an eco-efficient way from bio-based raw material and is one of the most revolutionary fibers made in the last 60 years. It is exceptionally soft, light weight, breathable, fast drying and UV and chlorine resistant. 

It gives the fabric a really lovely drape and with the linen in there too it has a nice textured surface. It's opaque so great for so many things from light weight summery jackets like the Deer and Doe nenuphar to tops, dresses, trousers and even jumpsuits like the Sew House Seven Burnside Bibs. 

The fabric pictured below left is actually 100% cotton and has these bright embroidered flowers that really pop. It would make a gorgeous shirt dress like the Grainline Alder and I think adding a little tie belt would be the perfect finishing touch!

Below right are cotton/linen mixes with a really fine pin stripe running through them. They would give a lovely crisp finish to a pair of summer trousers or dress like the Merchant and Mills Camber. 

Breezy viscoses 

Viscose fabrics are more popular than ever and its easy to see why when they come in such a lovely selection of prints. Viscose makes gorgeous garments with beautiful drape and movement and can be used for such a variety of things from tops, blouses, dresses, skirts and loose breezy trousers. 

Fun cotton jerseys

The last ones I have to share today are some fun jersey prints that are all on a single knit, medium to light weight cotton jersey base cloth. The are great for kids clothes or a fun t-shirt style top for an adult! 

The 'breakfast buddies' one, pictured above left is so funny and I love the 'dance recital' ones are really cute! 

For kids my top pattern picks would be the Two stitches Molly dress or the sevilla harem pants and for adults the Grainline lark tee.