Mae Cream

Mae Cream belongs to Village Life, the Tilda collection that looks back to old wallpapers and pretty vintage dresses. The print is small and scattered: red and pink posies, tiny leaves and light blue dots on a pale ground. It is one of the collection's blenders, the kind of fabric that gives the eye a rest between larger prints and holds a quilt palette together.

Because the motifs are so small, it works well in little pieces too: patchwork squares and triangles, linings, drawstring bags, doll clothes and bonnets, pouches and cot quilts. Pre-wash the fabric before cutting, so the slight shrinkage happens before you sew. If you need a long strip for a border, choose one of the larger cuts.