Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Fabric – Complete Buying Guide (All Colours, Specs & Styling)
Introduction
Laura ashley pussy willow fabric sits at the top of the wish list for anyone decorating a British country-style home. The design has been in continuous demand for roughly five decades, and for good reason. Those soft, botanical willow catkin branches captured on a textured linen blend base carry a quiet, natural elegance that very few Bedding printed fabrics achieve. This guide covers every colourway, every technical specification, every end use, and every detail you need before you place an order. Whether you want curtains for a sitting room, a Roman blind for a kitchen, or a remnant for a craft project, this page gives you the full picture.
What Is the Pussy Willow Design?
The Pussy Willow design is a botanical print featuring slender, arching willow twigs loaded with soft catkin buds. Laura Ashley first introduced the pattern as part of the Country Charm Collection, a range built around the rural British countryside aesthetic that became the brand’s signature in the early 1970s. Laura Ashley drew direct creative inspiration from life at Rhydoldog House in Powys, Wales, where the willow catkins growing around the estate gave the design its character. That specific, place-rooted origin explains why the pattern feels so genuinely natural rather than artificially styled.
The design comes in two distinct versions, and most competitors fail to explain this difference. Buyers need to know it before they purchase.
The Printed version uses a viscose linen blend or cotton linen composition. It has a soft, slightly textured hand feel, a gentle drape, and a medium weight that makes it excellent for curtains, Roman blinds, and light occasional upholstery. This is the version most widely sold by the metre and the one available in the widest range of colourways.
Pussy willow embroidery fabric is a separate, heavier product. It uses a 100% polyester base with embroidered stitching that creates a raised, tactile surface. The weight sits at approximately 380gsm, which gives it a noticeably more substantial feel. This version suits curtains and cushion covers well but does not perform well for upholstery due to the polyester composition and the raised embroidered threads, which can distort under stress. The embroidered version also has stricter care requirements than the printed version.
Both versions carry the same iconic motif, but they look and feel quite different in real life. Always check which version you are ordering before you buy.
Full Colour Range – Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Colourways
Laura ashley pussy willow comes in more colourways than almost any other design in the brand’s archive. Below is every known colourway with practical guidance on where each works best.
Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Natural
Laura ashley pussy willow natural uses a warm, off-white to cream background with fawn and mushroom-toned willow branches. It is the most versatile colourway in the range. It reads as neutral in almost every room and pairs cleanly with warm plaster walls, raw linen plains, and wooden furniture. For coordinating plains, Easton Natural matches it directly.
Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Steel
Laura ashley pussy willow steel puts the same botanical motif onto a cool grey ground with silver-grey willow branches. It works in modern country rooms and Scandi-influenced interiors where the palette runs cooler. Pair it with chalky grey wall paint and matte-finish furniture to get the most from this colourway. The Easton Steel coordinating plain ties the scheme together.
Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Dove Grey
Laura ashley pussy willow dove grey is softer and warmer in tone than Steel. Where Steel reads cool and sharp, Dove Grey reads calm and settled. It suits living rooms and bedrooms equally well. This colourway sits between traditional and contemporary in style, making it a strong choice for rooms that blend older and newer furniture.
Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Seaspray
Laura ashley pussy willow seaspray is one of the most searched colourways in the range. The ground carries a muted duck egg and teal-blue tone with natural willow branches running across it. It works in coastal-style rooms, Scandi interiors, and any bedroom where a calm, airy mood is the goal. The wide 300cm Duck Egg Sheer version is a separate product in a similar tonal family, designed specifically for large windows where a standard-width fabric would require a seam.
Off White / Hedgerow
The Off White / Hedgerow colourway pairs a crisp off-white ground with soft sage-green willow branches. It brings a fresh, outdoor feel that works well in conservatories, garden rooms, and kitchens. The green tones in the willow branches align closely with living plant colours, which makes this colourway particularly effective in rooms with a strong connection to a garden or outdoor space.
Pale Iris
Pale Iris puts the pattern onto a soft, muted lilac ground. The tone is quiet rather than bold. It suits bedrooms and reading rooms where a hint of colour is wanted without the commitment of a stronger shade.
Grape
The Grape colourway uses a deep purple-grape ground. It makes a statement in a way the softer colourways do not. Use it for feature curtains in a dining room or as upholstery on a bedroom accent chair. Pair with rich ivory or warm gold plains for balance.
Cranberry
Cranberry puts the design onto a rich red-berry ground. It reads warm and inviting, and it suits dining rooms, snugs, and rooms with a strong autumnal palette. This colourway is now increasingly limited in stock as original print runs reach their end.
Camomile
The Camomile colourway uses a warm yellow-chamomile ground. It brings energy and brightness to kitchen windows, east-facing rooms, and any space that needs warmth. It pairs well with natural linen plains and simple wooden furniture.
Apple
Apple uses a fresh green ground. As interest in biophilic design grows, this colourway has become sought after for its strong connection to natural, living colour. Pair it with natural rattan, raw linen, and houseplants for a cohesive scheme.
Midnight
Midnight places the print on a deep navy background. It suits libraries, studies, and formal sitting rooms. The dark ground makes the willow branches stand out more sharply than they do on the lighter colourways. Pair with warm brass hardware and dark wood furniture for maximum effect.
Truffle and Other Colourways
Truffle is a warm, mid-brown-taupe ground. It sits in the same neutral family as Natural but reads earthier and warmer. Along with Apple and Cranberry, Truffle is one of the colourways most likely to be limited to remaining roll stock given the brand’s 2020 administration. If you want these colourways, order soon rather than waiting.
Pussy Willow Fabric by the Metre – Specifications and Technical Details
Knowing the full technical spec matters when you are ordering fabric for curtains or blinds. No other page brings these details together in one place. Here is the complete reference table:
| Specification | Printed Version | Embroidery Version |
| Fabric Width | 138cm to 145cm | 140cm |
| Composition | Linen Blend / Cotton Linen | 100% Polyester |
| Weight | Medium | 380gsm |
| Horizontal Repeat | 66cm | 66cm |
| Vertical Repeat | 31cm | 31cm |
| Suitability | Curtains, blinds, light upholstery, cushions | Curtains, cushions |
| Care | Dry clean recommended | Dry clean only |
| Minimum Order | 1 metre | 1 metre |
Pussy willow fabric by the metre is sold as a cut length from the roll. Most specialist fabric retailers cut to order from 1 metre upwards. Some retailers also offer remnants and offcuts from the end of rolls at a reduced per-metre price. Remnants typically measure between 0.5m and 2.5m and suit craft projects, cushion covers, and patchwork better than they suit curtain-making, where you need a continuous length.
The pattern repeat is the figure most buyers overlook. A 31cm vertical repeat means each drop for a curtain or blind must be adjusted to a multiple of 31cm. If your finished curtain drop is 220cm, you divide 220 by 31, round up to the next whole number (8), and multiply back to get your adjusted drop (248cm). You then add hem and heading allowance on top. Skipping this step causes misaligned patterns at the join between fabric widths, which is one of the most common and most costly mistakes in curtain-making.
What Can You Use Laura Ashley Pussy Willow Curtain Fabric For?
Pussy willow curtain fabric is the most popular application of this design, but the fabric has a wide range of practical uses across the home.
Curtains and Pencil Pleat Drapes
The soft drape of the linen blend makes it well suited to full-length curtains. Pencil pleat headings show the full horizontal width of the pattern most effectively. Eyelet headings work with the printed version but are not recommended for the embroidered version. Use a thermal or standard lining for curtains in living rooms and bedrooms. Add a blackout lining for bedrooms where light control is a priority. The lining also protects the fabric from UV fading — lining matters most on pale colourways like Natural, Camomile, and Pale Iris, which show discolouration faster without protection.
Roman Blinds
The Pussy Willow pattern works particularly well as a Roman blind. The flat fold of a Roman blind shows a full, uninterrupted panel of the pattern at its most striking. A standard Roman blind with horizontal fold lines that sit between pattern repeats shows the design cleanly. The printed version is the better choice for Roman blinds due to its cleaner, flatter surface. Use interlining in the blind for better body and a more tailored finish.
Upholstery – Chairs and Headboards
The printed linen blend version handles light occasional upholstery well. Bedroom armchairs, accent chairs, footstools, and headboards all work with this fabric. Avoid using it for daily heavy-use seating such as a sofa or dining chair that gets constant use. Keep the embroidery version away from any upholstery application entirely — the polyester base and raised stitching cannot handle the tension and stress that upholstery work places on a fabric.
Cushion Covers and Scatter Pillows
Remnants and offcuts find their best use in cushion covers. A single metre of fabric yields two 45cm cushion cover faces, each showing one full pattern repeat on the front panel. Pussy Willow cushions in coordinating colourways work well when mixed on a sofa or bed, particularly when each cushion uses a different colourway from the same tonal family.
Patchwork, Quilting and Craft
The linen blend texture makes Pussy Willow a popular choice in quilting and patchwork. It holds seams well and gives a fabric panel a natural, slightly textured surface that contrasts nicely against smooth 100% cotton quilting fabric in coordinating tones. Use it as a feature panel in a larger quilt alongside plains from the Easton or Swanson ranges.
How to Order Pussy Willow Fabric – A Practical Buying Guide
How Much Fabric Do You Need for Curtains?
Follow these four steps:
- Measure your pole or track width and multiply by your heading fullness: 2.0x to 2.5x for pencil pleat, 1.5x for eyelet.
- Divide your finished drop by the vertical repeat (31cm) and round up to the next whole number. Multiply back to get your adjusted drop.
- Add 30cm per length for hem and heading allowance.
- Divide your total fabric width requirement (step 1) by the fabric width (140cm) and round up to get the number of widths needed. Multiply by your adjusted drop (steps 2 and 3).
Example: A 130cm wide window with a 220cm drop using pencil pleat at 2.5x fullness requires two fabric widths. Adjusted drop (rounding 220 by 31cm) is 248cm plus 30cm allowance = 278cm per length. Two lengths gives 556cm, so order 5.6 metres and round up to 6 metres to be safe.
Ordering by the Metre vs. Buying Remnants
Order by the metre when you need a continuous length for curtains, blinds, or upholstery. Buy a remnant or offcut when your project needs less than 1.5 metres and precise length matters less, such as for cushion covers, patchwork, or small craft pieces. Remnants often sell at a lower price per metre but come in fixed, short lengths that cannot be extended.
Should You Order a Sample First?
Yes, always. The difference between Dove Grey, Steel, and Natural looks subtle on a screen but can be significant in natural light. Physical samples show the true colour, the fabric weight, and the texture in a way that photography cannot replicate. Most specialist fabric retailers offer samples for a small fee or for free. Order up to three samples from your shortlisted colourways and test them against your wall colour in both natural and artificial light before committing to a full order.
Interior Styling Guide – Decorating with Pussy Willow Fabric
Country Cottage and Farmhouse Style
Use Natural, Camomile, or Off White/Hedgerow colourways. Pair Pussy Willow curtains with a coordinating Pussy Willow wallpaper on a feature wall for a fully layered Country Charm scheme. Keep plains natural and textured – raw linen, jute, and unbleached cotton work best as secondary fabrics. Avoid pattern mixing; let Pussy Willow carry the decorative weight in the room.
Modern Country and Contemporary British
Steel and Dove Grey colourways cut through the softness and give the design a crisper, more contemporary edge. Pair with matte-finish furniture, simple geometric plains, and stripped wooden floors. Use the Swanson or Easton coordinating plains for cushion backs, tie-backs, and blind edges to keep the scheme cohesive without introducing additional pattern.
Coastal and Scandi-Inspired Rooms
Seaspray is the natural choice here. Bleached wood furniture, white walls, natural jute, and minimal accessories let the fabric speak for itself. The duck-egg ground carries enough colour to anchor the scheme without competing with other elements. This works in coastal homes and equally in inland rooms that want an airy, light-filled atmosphere.
Bold and Dramatic Schemes
Midnight, Grape, and Cranberry make strong statements in dining rooms, studies, and home libraries. Deep grounds bring the willow branches forward and give the print more visual contrast than the pale colourways. Pair with warm brass fixtures, deep velvet plains, and dark wood surfaces. Keep walls lighter to balance the fabric’s weight.
Laura Ashley Fabric – Brand Heritage and the Story Behind Pussy Willow
Laura ashley fabric carries one of the most recognisable identities in British textile history. Laura Ashley and her husband Bernard launched the business in London in 1953, printing fabric on a silk-screen in their flat using techniques Laura taught herself from books at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. By the early 1970s, the brand had built its visual identity around the British countryside, rooted in the family’s life at Rhydoldog House in Powys, Wales. The willow catkins growing naturally in the Welsh countryside around the estate directly inspired the Pussy Willow design.
The brand entered administration in March 2020. Since then, original licensed stock has continued to be sold through specialist retailers, but genuine original linen blend stock is finite. Colourways like Apple, Truffle, Cranberry, and Midnight are now primarily available from remaining roll stock and are unlikely to be re-printed in the original composition. If you want these colourways, purchase them now. The embroidered version continues to be produced and sold through current licensed retailers.
The design has been in near-continuous production for approximately 50 years. The V&A Museum holds Laura Ashley archival material in its collection, which gives some sense of how seriously her contribution to British textile design is regarded. That longevity is not an accident. The Pussy Willow motif is specific enough to be distinctive but calm enough to work in almost every room type, which is why it has outlasted hundreds of other printed fabric designs from the same era.
Care and Washing Instructions
Getting care wrong can ruin fabric that cannot be replaced.
Printed Linen Blend Version: Dry clean is the safest option for preserving colour intensity and preventing shrinkage. If you choose to machine wash, use a cool 30-degree cycle on a delicate setting with a gentle detergent. Do not tumble dry. Lay flat or hang to dry away from direct sunlight. Expect a small amount of initial shrinkage on the first wash, which is why pre-washing before cutting is advisable if you plan to make washable items like cushion covers or craft pieces.
Embroidery Version: Dry clean only. The embroidered threads sit on a polyester base. Heat and agitation pull the threads out of alignment and damage the surface texture permanently. Do not attempt machine washing.
Ironing: Press both versions on the reverse side using a damp pressing cloth. Use medium heat. Never iron directly on the embroidered surface. Keep the iron moving steadily to avoid heat marks.
Storage: Roll unused fabric lengths around a cardboard tube rather than folding. Folding creates permanent crease lines across the pattern repeat that are very difficult to press out. Store away from direct sunlight, particularly pale colourways like Natural, Camomile, and Pale Iris, which are vulnerable to UV fading over time.
Coordinating Products – Complete the Pussy Willow Scheme
Pussy Willow Wallpaper comes in coordinating colourways including Seaspray, Off White/Hedgerow, Dove Grey, and Camomile. Pairing the fabric and wallpaper in the same colourway creates the classic fully co-ordinated Laura Ashley interior that the brand built its reputation on.
Ready-Made Curtains in the Pussy Willow design are available in standard sizes for Off White/Dove Grey, Seaspray, and Natural. These come in pencil pleat and eyelet headings and give you a fast solution for standard-sized windows without the lead time of made-to-measure.
Made-to-Measure Curtains and Roman Blinds using Pussy Willow fabric are available from specialist curtain workrooms and several online retailers. These give you control over finished dimensions, lining choice, and heading style.
Easton and Swanson Plain Fabrics are the official coordinating plains. Easton is a plain weave linen blend. Swanson is a soft, plain cotton. Both come in colours matched to Pussy Willow colourways. Use them for lining, tie-backs, cushion backs, and secondary blinds in rooms where Pussy Willow is the main curtain fabric.
Related designs worth considering include Laura Ashley Josette for a floral alternative in a similar tonal palette, Laura Ashley Parterre for a slightly bolder botanical print, and Harlequin Coppice for buyers who want a contemporary take on the branch and foliage motif.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laura ashley pussy willow fabric still available to buy?
Yes. Original printed linen blend stock sells through specialist fabric retailers. Some colourways like Cranberry, Apple, and Truffle are now limited to remaining roll stock following the brand’s 2020 administration. The embroidered version remains in current production through licensed retailers.
What is the fabric width of Pussy Willow?
The standard printed version measures 138cm to 145cm wide depending on the colourway. The embroidery version is consistently 140cm wide. The Duck Egg Sheer version is available in 300cm width for large windows.
What is the difference between the printed and embroidered Pussy Willow versions?
The printed version uses a linen blend and has a soft drape suited to curtains, blinds, and light upholstery. The embroidery version has a raised, textured surface on a polyester base at 380gsm. It is heavier and best for curtains and cushions only.
Can Pussy Willow fabric be used for upholstery?
The printed linen blend version handles light occasional upholstery such as bedroom chairs, headboards, and footstools. It does not suit daily heavy-use seating. Avoid the embroidery version for any upholstery work.
What is the pattern repeat on Pussy Willow fabric?
The vertical repeat is 31cm and the horizontal repeat is 66cm on both the printed and embroidered versions. Always account for the vertical repeat when calculating how much fabric you need for curtains or blinds.
Which colourway is most popular?
Seaspray and Natural consistently rank as the most searched and most purchased colourways. Steel and Dove Grey follow closely. Grape and Midnight are the most popular among buyers looking for a bolder, more dramatic scheme.
What coordinating plains work with Pussy Willow?
The Easton and Swanson plain fabric ranges by Laura Ashley are colour-matched to coordinate with specific Pussy Willow colourways. For example, Easton Steel pairs with Pussy Willow Steel and Swanson Seaspray coordinates with the Seaspray colourway.
Should I order a sample before buying Pussy Willow fabric?
Yes. Dove Grey, Steel, and Natural look very similar on screen but read differently in natural light. Order physical samples in your shortlisted colourways and test them against your wall colour in both daylight and artificial light before placing a full order.
Conclusion
Few fabric designs have stayed relevant for five decades without changing their core identity. Laura ashley pussy willow fabric holds that place because the design is genuinely rooted in a real landscape, built on natural forms, and executed in a palette that works across room types and interior styles. It is not a trend-led product. It is a considered, lasting choice for anyone who wants quality fabric that will outlast seasonal shifts in design fashion.
The key to buying it well is knowing exactly what you need before you order. Check the colourway in natural light using a sample, calculate your fabric requirement using the 31cm vertical repeat, confirm whether you want the printed linen blend or the embroidery version, and order a little more than your minimum calculation suggests. The colourways that matter most to you may not be available again once current stock sells out.
