Britex Fabrics now offers Free USPS 1^st Class shipping for all domestic orders over $80! Start your sewing projects  now, and save on postage costs.

After getting our first shipment of patterns from Colette, we’re officially going steady with each and every one of the Portland Colette folks! These patterns are awesome; each pattern comes with a handy book that in includes beautifully clear and concise step by step instructions and drawings. The actual pattern is folded into a pocket in the back cover, and some patterns include additional online variations. The Clover pants pattern is made for beginning sewers. Classic beautifully simple slim pants with a side zipper – they would be oh so groovily Mad Men meets Kerouac  made up with Britex Fabrics’ vintage-inspired Italian cotton/lycra  puppy-tooth olive and mauve stretch cotton.

Debbie from Makizy Sews made these two summertime frocks from fabric that she bought at Britex Fabrics.  The melon one is made with an online stretch cotton purchase http://tiny.cc/0rdfww, and the navy eyelet one is made from an in-store jaunt. She says, “All of your staff are always so friendly and helpful and I am always in awe of the fabric selection.” We’re totally enamored with Debbie’s swirly eyelet dress, and equally impressed with her mad pattern alteration skills! Not to mention the dubiously highfalutin trio that her blog is named after……

Britex Fabrics San Francisco in-store annual remnant sale is this Monday, May 6th: 50% off the marked price of all remnants! The countdown begins…get ready for the 50% off fabric Remnant Sale going on May 6 from 10 AM to 7 PM. Remnants are three yards and under. Find a sampling of the entire store ranging from summer voiles to winter coatings. Here is your big chance to pick up a piece of snappy Missoni knit, a length of luxurious linen, or a couple of yards of wooly coating! Want a sneak peek? Here are a few shots hot off the camera.

We’re pleased as punch to be adding Colette patterns to our in-store and online collection. Born and created in Portland, Oregon, Colette patterns are known for their design details and vintage inspiration. The designs themselves are often inspired by the past, but constructed to be modern and wearable. Each is easily adapted in a range of versatile fabrics, are available in modern sizes 0 through 18, and have practical details such as pockets. Each pattern comes packaged in a beautifully printed booklet with fine linen-textured cover and stitched binding. Instructions are clearly illustrated, and each includes a glossary of sewing terms and special area for the sewer’s own notes. We will be adding more styles next week, and will carry their entire line.

Get 20% off all fabrics in the Stretch Cotton Category from Tuesday, April 16th to Tuesday April 30th. We love stretch cotton fabric. Breathable, washable, and fabulous for fitted garments, stretch cotton has it all! Britex Fabrics carries a scrumptious variety of stretch cottons — from imported Italian beauties, to all-purpose khaki, to prints that are perfect for tailored shirts, to imported woven brocades, to soft stretch velveteens.  Sale ends Tuesday, April 30th. Quantities are limited, so shop early for the best selection! (This sale is good for online Stretch Cotton Category fabrics only – in-store cotton fabrics are not included in this sale)

If we can’t travel to Torre pendente di Pisa, lets cross stitch it onto a pillow. After, we’ll spend evenings sipping Vin Santo, eating castagnaccio, and lolling about daydreaming of a little visit to the Italian city of Pisa. The folks at 7th Heaven have a free chart for this lovely tilting 183’ tall building. With 294 steps, we’d best put on our walkin’ shoes before attempting the arduous climb.

It is an elegant seam finish twofer! Gigi from Daryl Lancaster, fiber artist and blogger from Weaver Sew put together this simple tutorial on making a Hong Kong seam finish. This finish is one of the easiest couture finishes you will ever learn. And here is another tutorial on this lovely finish; Cenetta from The Mahogany Stylist put together a complimentary tutorial on making your own bias tape. Cut your own bias strips, and at 1.25″ to 1.5″ wide, you should be able to manage most seams without piecing. As a bonus, you don’t have to finish the hidden edge since the bias cut prevents the fabric from fraying! This is perfect for finishing pants side seams, when you’re going for that casual rolled up look, and we’re planning on using it to finish the sleeve seams of our newest Liberty of London shirt; with a contrasting print, it will make rolling up ones shirtsleeves a dapper fashion statement rather than a fashion faux pas!

Allison from Dream A Little Bigger drew this sailor-licious embroidery transfer. Inspired by tattoo flash art, we think this would be delightful added to the edge of a pillowcase. Hello sailor, indeed!

As the all the best dressed tigers know, stripes are the bee’s knees! Kristin from Kijo Designs and Rachel from Family Ever After posted this nifty tutorial on making a striped knit dress using the technique of shirring with elastic thread. Make it with black and white jersey knit from Britex fabrics.
“The zebra’s stripes are lacking hues,
So they don’t compare to you-know-whose.
Orange, black, and white is what to wear!
It’s haute couture for those who dare!
It’s camouflage, and stylish, too!
Yes, tigers look the best, it’s true!”
(From The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes)