Judy in one the befeathered hair ornaments made by the gals on Britex’s third floor. Judy often coordinates her beautiful swaying headdress’ with her outfit, and today is a study in the always classic black and white with a sparkling rhinestone button center! All materials are from the 3rd floor.

Sally made these gorgeous bags from Vogue pattern 8375 (B. Randle Designs) These brocade evening bags are the perfect size for toting to the opera, and “Otello”, Verdi’s masterful adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy is this month’s San Francisco Opera production. All materials are from the 1st floor.
Desdemona:
“My superb warrior! How many torments,
How many sad sighs, and how much hope
Led us to these tender embraces!
Ah! How sweet it is to murmur together:
Do you remember!
When you told of your life in exile
The fierce events and your long sorrows,
And I listened to you with my soul
enthralled
In those fears and with ecstasy in my heart.”

Natalie from the notions floor was our Halloween costume winner. She was seen clucking and flapping her faille winglets in her Victorian chicken costume. The dress was cobbled together from several patterns. The hoop was made of steel boning and took two days to construct, while the dress was sewn in four days. The yellow-beaked hat was made from materials from our 3rd floor. It was inspired by historical Victorian fancy dress costumes. To learn more about Victorian costume dress read “Fancy Dresses Described; Or, What to Wear at Fancy Balls” by Debenham and Freebody, [1896], or “Fancy Dress in the Victorian Era” by A. Jarvis & P. Raine.

This lovely fitted dress was a collaborative effort between Mary and Abraham; Abraham drafted the pattern, and Mary did the sewing! The fabric is a black and white graphic print by Diane Von Furstenberg. There is flattering shirring along the front bodice, and a side zipper helps you achieve a smooth form-fitting line while wearing this dress. This fabric can be found on the 2nd floor (please call ahead to verify stock).

Halloween at Britex! Saturday, October 31st. Come see the crazy, fantastic costumes created and worn by our talented associates. And then vote for your favorite Halloween outfit and you could win a $50.00 Britex Fabrics gift certificate. Think about all the red velvet, gold lace trim, royal blue grosgrain ribbon, or ermine faux fur you could buy……just in time for all sorts of seasonal holidays.

Ryan-licious from the second floor of Britex made his jeans in Britex Fabric cotton denim. Notice the insolent fit and the custom “keyhole” stitching rear pocket design. This fabric can be found on the 2nd floor (please call ahead to verify stock).

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).

Laura made this top in an Italian wool challis panel print. Note the subtly belled ¾ length sleeves with pointed edges. There is a kind of Bloomsbury Group feel to this shirt, maybe due to the soft colors and interesting pattern mixture. Laura used Decades of Style pattern #1902, a 1920 Tunic with a Kimono Sleeve.

Colette on the 1st floor made this from Liberty of London cotton lawn.
The pattern is Decades of Style 5003. The blouse has cap sleeves with petal shaping at the shoulder edge. There are tucks in the front and darts at the back waist and shoulder to provide shaping. Draped collar and button closure. Liberty of London cotton fabric can be found on the 2nd floor (please call ahead to verify styles and colors).

This apron created in Day of the Dead cotton by Mary has heart-shaped pockets, and hand-made contrasting bias tape trim. It will keep you splatter-free as you cook pigs in a blanket and baked Alaska for your next shindig! Hum along to “A Taste of Honey” by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass while doing the samba in your groovy apron! Cotton fabric can be found on the 2nd floor (please call ahead to verify specific fabrics).