If you’ve ever touched Tana Lawn™ cotton, you’ll know it doesn’t feel like ordinary fabric. Smooth as silk, light as air, and coloured in some of the most vibrant prints ever made, it’s a material that makers and sewists treasure. At Kikiwi, we fell in love with Tana Lawn™ because it balances beauty with practicality, a fabric you can wear every day, quilt with for years, or even turn into a handmade lampshade.
In this guide, I’ll share what makes Liberty’s Tana Lawn™ so special, a bit of its history, why sewists love it, and how you can use it in your own creative projects.
A Little History
The name Tana Lawn™ comes from Lake Tana in Ethiopia, where the original long-staple cotton fibres were sourced in the early 1930s. Liberty’s then-cotton buyer, William Hayes Dorell, helped develop this fabric into something unique: a fine, lustrous cotton with a silk-like feel. It was printed with Liberty’s famous patterns and quickly became a signature fabric, adored around the world.
Today, Tana Lawn™ is still crafted with that same spirit of innovation. The printing process has evolved with modern techniques, but the fabric retains the softness, durability, and rich colours that made it legendary.
Photo by Focal Insight Photography
What Makes It Special
So why does everyone rave about Tana Lawn™?
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Silky-smooth feel: Even though it’s cotton, it drapes and glides almost like silk.
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Incredible colour vibrancy: Liberty prints look almost painted because of the way Tana absorbs dyes.
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Fine yet durable: With a thread count of around 240, it’s lightweight but strong enough for everyday use.
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Breathable and washable: Unlike silk, Tana Lawn™ can go in the washing machine, making it practical as well as luxurious.
Why Sewists Love It
Tana Lawn™ is a dream to sew with once you try it. The fabric behaves beautifully under the needle, doesn’t fray excessively, and presses well. Sewists love it for:
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Dressmaking: Think blouses, shirts, dresses, and pyjamas that feel soft and cool on the skin.
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Quilting: Its fine weave means seams are neat and the colours stay bright for years.
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Accessories: From scrunchies and scarves to small bags and bows, every piece looks elevated in Tana.
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Home décor: At Kikiwi, we use Tana Lawn™ for handmade lampshades, and the prints truly come alive when lit from within.
Photo by Finn
What You Can Make
Tana Lawn™ is versatile enough for almost anything. Some project ideas:
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A summer dress that feels light and breezy.
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Quilted table runners or patchwork cushions.
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Handcrafted lampshades with a pop of Liberty Fabrics print.
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Accessories like hair bows, scrunchies, or even face masks.
Because of its durability, these pieces don’t just look good, they last.
Tips for Working With Tana Lawn™
If it’s your first time sewing with Liberty Fabrics, here are a few tips:
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Use fine needles (size 70/10 or 75/11) to keep stitches smooth.
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Press lightly, Tana Lawn™ responds beautifully to a warm iron.
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Cut with sharp scissors or rotary cutter for clean edges.
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Line for structure if you want more weight, like in a skirt or lampshade.
Why We Love It at Kikiwi
For us, Liberty’s Tana Lawn™ is more than just fabric, it’s a piece of design history and a joy to create with. Every print tells a story, whether it’s Wiltshire’s berry sprigs, Patrick Gordon’s delicate florals, or Heritage Garden’s rich blooms. That’s why we’ve curated a collection of Tana Lawn™ fabrics here at Kikiwi, so you can bring that same timeless artistry into your own projects.
👉 Explore our Liberty Fabrics and find the perfect print for your next creation.
Tana Lawn™ has captured the imagination of makers for almost a century, and it’s easy to see why. Luxurious yet practical, it’s the kind of fabric that inspires creativity in every stitch. Whether you’re sewing clothing, quilting, or making something uniquely yours, Liberty’s Tana Lawn™ will make it feel special.