If you’re a fan of rockabilly styling, chances are you already own something made from Alexander Henry fabric. This Californian textile design house creates illustrative, retro prints. Its Sailor Jerry-esque tattoo and Mexicana patterns are now cult classics, as they’re perfect interpretations of vintage 50s prints and they’re great quality fabrics.
Alexander Henry Mexicana classics: Mini Calaveras; Nicole's Prints - Tattoo; Las Senoritas
If bold paintings of Day of the Dead skulls, Frida Kahlo or hula girls aren’t your bag, fear not, as the Alexander Henry range isn’t confined to the dark and edgy. The cotton lawns adorned with peacock feathers and florals are quite reminiscent of Liberty fabrics, while the chinoiserie designs would fit perfectly in the most luxurious of environments.
From left: Cotton Lawn Collection - Regent Peacock in pink/green and navy/mauve, Indochine Collection - Haru Kanji
Alexander Henry fabrics are cottons that are great for dressmaking and for making cushions, curtains, table cloths and other home furnishings. If you just want just one or two cushions to introduce a flash of print to a room and/or you’re on a budget, buy fat quarters to make your own cushion covers. These 18″ x 22″ offcuts are cut to the perfect size for cushion covers (so you can’t waste any by cutting the fabric a bit wonky), and they’re often cheaper than buying fabric by the metre.
Top row: Zhivago Collection- Anastastia; Dandy Lion in brown; Beverley Glen Hot
Bottom row: Dandy Lion in sage; Downtown Dot in rust; Dandy Lion in green
Fat quarters of Alexander Henry fabric are available to buy in the UK for about £3.00-£3.50 from stockists such as Fancy Moon. Fancy Moon and other shops sell fat quarters on Ebay, too, so keep a look out in the Crafts/Fabric section.
