Home and Fashion Trend: Quilting Returns as a Cosy Staple in Fashion and Cottagecore Living

Quilting, an ancient craft with roots stretching back to Egypt, China, and medieval Europe, has long served both practical and decorative purposes. In colonial America, quilting evolved into a communal and symbolic activity, with patchwork quilts marking life milestones and showcasing resourcefulness. Over centuries, it transitioned from necessity to heritage art, reflecting cultural identity, personal stories, and regional traditions.

Above, Emily Pink & Green Patchwork Quilted Bag from Oliver Bonas, made from patchwork pink and green soft corduroy sewn with floral and striped fabric panels in a geometric pattern. 

Today, quilting is experiencing a revival, emerging as a key trend in both fashion and home design. It fits seamlessly into the country cottage and cottagecore aesthetics, which idealise rural simplicity, handcrafted charm, and a deeper connection to nature.   

Pink Rosalind Reversible Quilted Jacket from Laura Ashley
One side features ditsy print while the reversed side features a large scale Rosalind print.
The jacket is finished with tie front detailing and side pockets.

Part of quilting’s modern appeal lies in its emotional resonance—it evokes comfort, tradition, and care in an increasingly digital, fast-paced world. Consumers are seeking objects with stories, and quilting offers a tangible connection to history, family, and craft. This revival is also fueled by the broader maker movement and a renewed interest in slow fashion and sustainable design practices.

With quilting, one celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the comfort of lived-in, layered spaces—values that embodies through patchwork textures, varied colour palettes, and nostalgic motifs. 

Glassette Stella Quilted Bedspread in 100% cotton from The Secret Linen Store

In cottage-inspired interiors, quilts are often draped over beds, armchairs, or used as decorative wall hangings, adding warmth, character, and a sense of history. Similarly, in fashion, quilted garments and accessories evoke pastoral life and domestic coziness, reinforcing the slower, more intentional lifestyle at the heart of the cottagecore movement.  Glassette Stella Quilted Bedspread in 100% cotton from The Secret Linen Store

Radhika Quilted Makeup Bag from Rex London

The resurgence of quilting aligns with growing appreciation for handmade, sustainable, and nostalgic pieces. In fashion, quilted coats, bags, and patchwork garments are being embraced by designers and consumers alike, blending comfort with craftsmanship. Quilting offers visual texture and depth, making it ideal for statement pieces in modern wardrobes.

Star Blue Cotton Patchwork Cushion Cover (60x60cm) from Oliver Bonas
made from a series of geometric cotton panels in blue, green and white with top stitching
to create a quilted feel and texture.

In interiors, quilting complements the popular country cottage and cottagecore aesthetics, which romanticise rural life and slower living. Vintage and contemporary quilts are being styled as bedspreads, sofa throws, and wall hangings, bringing warmth, color, and softness to living spaces. Quilted patterns and patchwork motifs are also influencing upholstery, wallpaper, and table linens, adding a personal, handmade touch to decor.

Reversible Blue & Green Striped Quilted Bedcover in 100% cotton from Oliver Bonas,
featuring a wide blue and white stripe on one side with green trimming, and a slim green stripe pattern on the reverse.

Ultimately, quilting's comeback reflects a cultural shift toward authenticity, individuality, and meaningful living. Whether seen in a hand-stitched jacket, a cozy home throw, or a handbag by a design-led brand, quilting bridges past and present with its timeless appeal. Its ability to blend utility with beauty ensures that this age-old craft remains not only relevant but celebrated in today's creative landscape.

Summer Women'swear: British fashion and home brand Laura Ashley celebrates femininity with timeless romantic looks and delicate detailing

This summer, the Laura Ashley dress collection—available exclusively at Next.co.uk—celebrates the brand’s storied heritage with a range inspired by the rich Laura Ashley archive, reimagining iconic prints for the contemporary wardrobe. Founded in 1953 by Laura and Bernard Ashley in London, the brand continues to honour its legacy of romantic, vintage-inspired floral prints and home furnishings, now with a renewed emphasis on heritage design through collaborations and online retail.

Laura Ashley multi Honeybourne Floral Print One-Shoulder Midaxi Dress
Cut on the bias for a flattering drape, this dress is fully lined for comfort and boasts a side zip
fastening for a seamless fit.

Blending timeless romance with contemporary femininity, the current Summer collection features delicate ruffle detailing, puff sleeves and broderie detailing, ranging from large scale florals to ditsy prints.

Laura Ashley cream Kelby Floral Puff Sleeve Midaxi Dress in 100% recycled polyester,
featuring a soft ruffled V-neck with tie detailing, mid-length puff sleeves and an elasticated waist.
 

Laura Ashley green Foscot Damask Floral Chiffon Midaxi Dress
features a high neck, ruffle details, gently flared sleeves and a fixed waist belt. 

Laura Ashley multi Clarissa Ditsy Floral Print Broderie Midaxi Dress
featuring frill sleeve detail, a shirred back waistband and a tiered maxi skirt
with broderie detail at the hem. 

The collection features everyday casual dresses with effortless elegance to timeless statement occasion pieces.

Laura Ashley stripe Ruffle Strap Maxi 100% Cotton Dress
with ruffled strap details.

Images courtesy of Laura Ashley

Interiors Product Launch: British Home interiors brand Laura Ashley launches Autumn/Winter 2024 range

As the weather gets cooler and we step into autumn, British home and interiors brand Laura Ashley invites us to step into a modern country story with Rustic Charm, as we look into developing an intimate story for a residential bedroom project.

Wallpapers and soft furnishings from Laura Ashley showcase feminine ditsy florals with the modern nostalgia of on-trend terracotta orange and autumnal hues.

The new Autumn Winter collection from Laura Ashley featuring warm colour palettes, soft details, and luxurious fabrics, evokes a welcoming and inviting ambience, perfectly suited for snug evenings in autumn, creating a cosy and relaxed atmospher.

This story features a blend of neutral tones and autumnal hues, complemented by large scale floral prints.

Helen Ashmore, Laura Ashley's Head of Design, notes: “Terracotta is more than just a colour; it’s a statement of warmth and comfort. Incorporating this shade into your home, whether through wallpaper, sleepwear, or even carpets and rugs, creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. This timeless colour brings a touch of nature indoors, making it ideal for the autumn and winter months.”

Country living is brought to life with timeless earthy tones featured in upholstery fabrics, cushions and washed-oak furniture pieces, like the Braystone collection. Featuring a painterly floral design with trailing hibiscus flowers amongst scrolling leaves, Aylworth Trail is a hero print with terracotta orange adding a romantic charm. 

Autumnal hues of fern green, duck egg and sage green with touches of mustard yellow create a rich and cosy ambience in the home.  Wallpapers and soft furnishings combine feminine ditsy florals with the modern nostalgia of iconic stripe patterns in on-trend terracotta orange and autumnal hues.

Collaboration: Laura Ashley X Rag & Bone in new menswear collection

British home and textile brand Laura Ashley, known for its signature floral prints and heritage designs, may have disappeared from the high street, but it is alive and well by way of collaboration with other fashion brands.  The latest is Rag & Bone the British tailoring and American workwear label. 

This latest collaboration sees Laura Ashley venturing into menswear for the first time.

The 10-piece menswear capsule collection encompasses hoodies and rugby shirts, pullover, printed jackets, outerwear, shirts, trousers and hats, featuring fabrics and looks that blend the romantic florals of Laura Ashley and the essence of classic British tailoring and American workwear of Rag & Bone,

The range is being sold in the UK, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia and the US. In the UK, it  is available direct-to-consumer via Rag & Bone stores on London’s Beak Street and Sloane Street, and at Mr Porter, and on rag-bone.com.

Laura Ashley announces collaboration with reusable bag company Baggu

British home and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley is launching an exclusive range with reusable bag company BAGGU.  The limited-edition collection features 13 items adorned in three Laura Ashley prints.

The first print used in the collection is Rhian Daisy (seen in photo above), which was launched as part of the 1989 Laura Ashley Home Collection. It was inspired by a hand-drawn artwork from the archive, and features bunches of daisies and chrysanthemums with scrolling leaves and stems. 

The second print is Rowena, a romantic ditsy print featuring a rose bush surrounded by smaller flowers. The final print is inspired by a piece of antique fabric from the archive. Dubbed Crosby Gingham, the design features bouquets of roses with trailing leaves on a vibrant gingham backdrop.  

The range includes Baggu’s signature fabric bags in the standard pouch, mini tote, crescent bag, fanny pack and 3D zip set design, alongside a glasses sleeve, laptop sleeve, soft sun hats and packable sun hats. 

The range has launched globally and is sold in Canada, Japan, Thailand and the US. In the UK, it is available in the FOUND store in Bath.