Mister Wolfenbloode, honored member of the London Victorian Strollers worked up this ascot tutorial for a dignified and chic ascot, and Messrs. Andrews and Pygott (with the assistance of their cat, Pusspartout) graciously and meticulously constructed one. This method involves the laborious “snake giving birth to a baby snake, but the baby snake’s actually bigger than the mother snake, and it’s a snake that gives birth to live young instead of an egg” method of turning ones ascot right side out, but all turns out in the end! Gentlemen and chaps, snag some silk from Britex and make a stack of ascots for daily savoir-faire!

Jamie from BurdaStyle likes to drop into Britex Fabrics when she is in foggy San Francisco visiting her family, and we always love to see her cheerful face! Recently she picked up this striped linen. She liked that it was minimal, but reminiscent of the sea and summer and thought that it would work well with the Anda dress pattern silhouette. In her Anda dress version, she did away with the casing at the waistline and decided to go with a belted look instead. This simple, easy to make dress would be great sewn with one of our silk solid fabrics, which are on sale at 20% off through May 25th!

We caught the fabulously talented Nima in Britex Fabrics’ lace trim department the other day, and swooned when he showed us one of his latest creations! We love the graceful lace neckline and the glamorous silhouette. He says, “The gown and accessories are 100% Britex made of crepe de chine, combination of multiple lace, Chantilly lace, beaded trims, and tulle and it could be worn on the red carpet or as bridal couture.” This gown is part of a collection of 12 couture gowns that he is currently working on. (Photography by Scott Marrs, models are Ashley Valentine & Ankur Jaswal, and the designer is Nima Shiraz Couture. See images for additional information)

You told us how difficult it is to find quality linen fabrics, and we listened. Just in time for the hot summer days ahead, Britex Fabrics has opened up a blooming online linen collection! Watch as we add more scrumptious linen fabrics over the next couple of weeks.

Strut your stuff in a pair of 8-button sailor pants made with fabric and buttons from Britex Fabrics, and a pattern from BurdaStyle! We love the way the buttons curve up to the high waist. This snappy nautical number will be a humongous summer hit – so grab a pal, hit the boardwalk, and saunter in the twilight while slurping juicy slushies. Oh, and feel free to add five additional buttons for true blue 13-button authenticity!

Geanie made this super cute blouse with fabric, lining, and buttons from Britex. She said, “It’s a polka dot silk chiffon. I remember seeing a remnant of it upstairs but it’s probably gone. The pattern is from the book, Twinkle Sews called Dark Secrets. The girl at Britex Fabrics spent a loooong time with me to help me find the RIGHT little button to put on this neckline. I got decision paralysis! She even poked through the box for perfectly round and shiny ones with no scratches or chips. Thank you for the great service!” We love the neckline detailing and unusual sleeve treatment. Geanie did a wonderful job working with such slippery, delicate fabric.

May 9th to May 23rd, enjoy 20% savings on the entire online Solid Silk Fabrics category! Britex has an extensive collection of silk solids; subtle tone-on-tone patterns, jacquards, charmeuse, crisp taffetas, and more. These silk fabrics are superlative for many uses, including vintage-inspired blouses, stunning luxury linings, and spiffy summer jackets. (This sale is good for the online silk solid category fabrics only – in-store silk fabrics are not included)

In remembrance of the marvelous Mister Maurice Sendak, here is a tutorial from Jessyratfink for a “Where the Wild Things Are” hat (including the all-important whiskers.) Max’s growlishly wild hat can be made by following her 16 step directions….pattern included! As Max would say, “Let the wild rumpus start!”

Direct from the uber talented gal at Hancock’s House of Happy in the United Kingdom, comes this free cross-stitch chart featuring vintage Pyrex patterns. Vintage Pyrex kitchenware is so fabulously collectable right now, and makes me nostalgic for childhood; mixing up crazy overstuffed oatmeal cookies stiff with raisins, walnuts, coconut, and chocolate chips, or licking the bowl clean of stray devil’s food cake batter. Yum! A cross-stitched collection of Pyrex patterns would look wonderful stitched on the borders of kitchen towels, accenting pot-holders, or framed as a kitchen sampler. Pass the cookies and tea!

Brilliant yellow daffodils are blooming and peppy red-breasted robins are chirping; long lazy summer days are on the way. What better time to learn how to properly tailor a winter coat, then when we have months before winter arrives. Gertie from Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing: A Modern Homage to Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing (Published 1952) has a detailed guide to coat tailoring on her blog, the Lady Grey Sew-Along. From padding the under-collar, to back stays, working with hair canvas, bound buttonholes, and making a muslin…Gertie covers it all! We would love a new coat in this scrumptious saffron wool flannel!