The Minneapolis Institute of Arts features the archive of the Jack Lenor Larsen textile company, including collection selections available online. The Larsen Design Studio created modern, artistic fabrics for interior use, yet their innovations with handwovens, batiks and fabrics in scale with modern architecture have changed the industry. Here is Conquistador (1966, cotton), a particularly successful upholstery fabric that soon became one of the signature cloths of the company. In a note in the company archive Larsen writes that “Conquistador is my concept of how an Inca might handle a baroque motif. That is, flatly and without the robust movement typical in Europe. More like the stone walls of Peru.”

It is not too late to scoot on down to Britex Fabrics for some spooky Halloween fabric. Sew up an easy to make tote bag to carry your candy corn, caramel apples, and Sweet Tarts around. Compwalla posted easy directions for a beautiful and study bag on Instructables.com. You are never too old to eat candy while sitting under a tree in the moonlight. Devil-licious!

Mel made this classic tablecloth and napkin set as a wedding gift. The tablecloth is made of 100% cotton damask, and the coordinating napkins are of 100% white bamboo voile. Mel recommends prewashing the bamboo voile to allow for shrinkage, and mentioned that it presses up like a dream! I love the expert job that Mel did mitering the napkin corners. This set would make any dinner stand out. Both the damask and bamboo voile are available at Britex Fabrics. This fabric can be found on the 2nd floor (please call ahead to verify stock).

Mr. Button du Jour will be taking Monday and Tuesday off go to Britex Fabrics’ 30% off sale to pick up some Glen Plaid wool for a new jacket, and metal buttons for cuff links. Du Jour is particularly taken with the spidery button below! See everyone on Wednesday. À bientôt!

We recently had an inquiry about our Japanese quilting cottons. Here is a stack of our selection of Japanese quilting cottons. Remember, these fabrics will be on sale during out stupendous fall 30% off sale on Monday, October 12th, and Tuesday October 13th. Enjoy!

We love Liberty of London cotton lawn. Sew up a cowboy shirt for your favorite bucking bronco, a feather soft robe to lounge around in on Sunday mornings while eating French toast, or even a stack of the most luxurious handkerchiefs in the universe! Here are some of our selection of 45 bolts of Liberty of London cotton lawn.

Here is a montage of apparel grade faux fur at Britex Fabrics. Any of these soft faux furs would be beautiful in a vintage winter coat such as this one!

Jeanette loves this Diane Von Furstenburg cotton voile. The pattern is a tangle of bramble-y branches over dime-sized kelly green dots.This fabric is soft as a cloud, and would make a lovely wrap to wear while riding Arabian ponies in the desert. Later, you can rest near a grove of Poplar trees, sip on hot tea in small glasses, and nibble thin buttery raisin cookies.

This home decorating linen is scattered with beautifully rendered giant naturalist-style drawings of shells. The mollusk drawings are reminiscent of the work of Fielding Meek (1817-1876), American geologist, paleontologist, fine illustrator, and the first scientist in residence at the Smithsonian. It would be stunning as a shower curtain in a coral bathroom. Image lolling in a claw foot tub and exfoliating with a lavender salt scrub, while admiring this beautiful fabric.

Mark and Cara at Sew Bettie made these oven mitt instructions to keep your fingers protected while you’re baking granola bars or Rice Krispies® bars for packed lunches. Yum! We think they would be nifty sewn up in our red bandanna skull cotton.

Oven Mitt