Is it the start of summer that brings on restlessness? Something about the month of June and the changing smells and colors of the seasons; towering hollyhocks, quick dragonflies, pungent marigolds, industrious bumble bees, delicate Queen Anne’s lace, and a rainbow of zinnias. Nothing assuages me today. I try a careless bouquet of flowers, a steaming morning latte, and a melted grilled cheese sandwich, but all I can do is sigh. Sometimes the only way around season doldrums is drastic, so I put on my grey silk shirt, grey and plum spectators, and my dapper dusty plum velveteen double-breasted suit , and head out to the local karaoke dive for an evening of tuneless debauchery.
“Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.”
(Hank Williams, Jr.)

Get 20% off all 80+ fabrics in the Lightweight and Midweight Cotton Categories from Saturday, June 15th to Sunday June 30th. Cotton fabric holds a special place in our fashionable heart. First cultivated 7,000 years ago, cotton is a timeless natural-fiber fabric, whose breathability makes it ideal for many garments. We carry an ever expanding collection of cotton fabric in our online store, including delicate Italian and Swiss voiles, brilliantly colored hand-loomed Guatemalan ikat fabric, Italian and Swiss elegant shirtings, and chic designer cotton fabric. Sale ends June 30th. Quantities are limited, so shop early for the best selection! (This sale is good for online Light and Midweight Cotton Categories fabrics only – in-store cotton fabrics are not included in this sale)

When I discovered the beautiful and vintage-y modern plaid at Britex, I knew I had found the fabric for which I had been searching.  I had in mind a short sleeve button-up shirt for my husband, but wanted something different than classic dress shirting.  This fab plaid completely fit the bill!   However, once I laid out the fabric and went to cut out my pattern, I realized I had a big challenge ahead of me.  Plaid.  Matching plaid is one issue; deciding in which direction the plaid should be arranged and the overall layout was the other.  Should the plaid on the yoke be diagonal?  If the yoke is on the straight grain, could the pockets be diagonal?  What about the placket??  I was completely paralyzed by indecision for a while, but after looking at some ready-to-wear men’s tops, I opted to go for a straight-laced version with no diagonally arranged plaid pieces.  Really working the 70s vibe of the fabric might look great, but I wanted to be sure my husband would actually wear the shirt!

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We love helping folks get married! After 4 1/2 years together, Melissa and Z decided to tie the knot. Melissa is a singer and songwriter with 13 CDs tucked under her belt, and Z is the author of a Lambda nominated novel; creativity and talent runs happily in their family! Melissa decided to sew Z’s wedding shirt, miscalculated in cutting for the collar, and emailed us hoping we still had the fabric she’d bought from us earlier. She mailed us a swatch to match. Fortunately, we still had it……so now Melissa and Z are blowing bubbles, noshing on chocolate macaroons, and blissfully wed. Z’s shirt was made by Melissa with assistance from her mother, Connie. They used Burda men’s shirt pattern 7767, with several alterations. Melissa says that Z was so ecstatic with her shirt that they have returned to Britex for several more lengths of cotton shirting. As we all know, there is nothing like a well tailored shirt to make us feel fabulous. A selection of Britex Fabrics’ shirtings can be found online…and are 20% off from June 15th to  June 30th.

Who makes a sculpted felt Underwood typewriter? The amazing Blyth from Halifax, Canada! Tabulator – cadmium yellow round keys – Underwood logo, they are all here. Looking at this, and I can easily imagine Dame Ngaio Marsh cloistered in her book-lined study pounding out witticisms from Troy, Alleyn, and Francophile Detective Sergeant Fox.

Wow! Our fabulous Guest Blogger, Kristin from SkirtAsTop made a simple summer sundress from Britex Fabrics’ cotton. The simple lines and full skirt really play up the abstract print and rich colors of the fabric, and the pattern is the Washi, a downloadable pattern from MadeByRae. No zippers or closures are needed due to the lovely back shirring. The fabric is 100% cotton, 57″ wide and $22.99/yard. It is available in-store and can be bought by emailing us at service@britexfabrics.com.

Sale ends Friday, June 14th! Get 20% off all fabrics in the Novelty category from Saturday, June 1st to Friday June 14th. Made of wool, silk, cotton, metallic and more, these texturally rich fabrics make beautiful garments. Many of our novelty fabrics have a beautiful metallic shine which helps them stand out in the crowd, and many of our textured novelty fabrics are blends, lending them a wonderful pliability and sheen! Tweed, chenille, and bouclé novelty fabrics delight us with their contrast of nubby texture and soft hand, while brocades possess a unique elegance. Make a swinging bolero jacket, a long mysterious cape, a Chanel-style jacket, or a tailored vest; add elegance and style to any solid, understated little black outfit. Sale ends June 14th. Quantities are limited, so shop early for the best selection! (This sale is good for online Novelty Categories fabrics only – in-store novelty fabrics are not included in this sale) P.S. As a bonus, and in order to make room for new additions to the Britex fabric collection, one third of our Novelty Category fabrics are 50% off until July 8, so don’t hesitate to fall in love with glamour!

Papa’s got a brand new bag! Aleah from the blog NoTimeToSew made this nifty messenger bag tutorial with a three panel front and an interior zipper pocket.  We love the Japanese cotton linen blend that she used, but think it would be equally fabulous in wool; a little bird told us that our favorite dandy, Monsieur Du Jour, longs for this sewn in classic heathered grey wool flannel.

The world of linings and interlinings can sometimes be mysterious, and because of that, can often be an afterthought. That’s why, when our POP-UP Britex sponsor Apparel Arts ran an article explaining the differences between these unique layers, we asked if we could share it on the Britex Blog. Read on and let us know if you found it helpful!

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I set the phonograph needle down carefully, and Etta James’ husky voice pours into my living room like wild honey, sweetening the night and my soul in equal measures. Wrapping my cotton dressing gown tightly around me, I admire the hand-stamped wheat sheaves print and the deep indigo color . Despite the fact that it is May, the fog has rolled in bringing a chill. As Mark Twain supposedly said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”…and he is correct. Etta, a steaming bath, Earl Grey tea, the full moon, and a cat upon my lap keep me warm.
“Oh, it’s so good
On a cold night
To have a fire
Burnin’ warm and bright” (R. Newman)
Monsieur Dandy Du Jour