Materials:
1. 2 yards glowingly hand-dyed silk ribbon
2. Needle and thread
3. Bobby pin, safety pin or hair band

Directions:
1. Gather the silk ribbon with a running stitch along the edge of the length.
2. Overlap the edges, making sure the raw edges are brought to the back of the circle
3. Hold the overlapped ribbon and tighten the gathers by pulling on the thread.
4. Style the “petals”, and secure with a few stitches.
5. Tack to your bobby pin, safety pin, or hair band. You now have a blooming sweet posy!

Britex Fabrics’ online notions store is pleased to be able to offer you these stunning brocade ecclesiastical trims. Many of these beautiful ribbons are heavily accented with metallic gold embroidery, and several are imported from France. These ribbons add a unique touch to Renaissance, Medieval, and other fantasy garments. Of course, they are ideally suited for Christian church vestments and other liturgical uses.

Everyone needs a ruff! They are a stellar glamorous accessory that will dress up any outfit for a trip to the opera, or the latest avant-garde dance performance. Make sure that you use 100% cotton lace for ease in starching and ironing.

Materials:
1. 2-inch wide grosgrain ribbon same color as the lace – your neck circumference plus 2”
2. 2 1/2” – 4” wide edged lace (natural fiber) – 5 times the circumference of your neck
3. Needle and thread
4. Hook and eye
5. Heavy duty spray starch
6. Pencil & ruler

Directions (you will be making the most casual of cartridge pleats):
1. Starch your lace using heavy spray starch and an iron.
2. Mark un-edged side of lace every 1 inch.
3. Make a small stitch through 5 marked points, gather into pleats, and tack the pleats with a few stitches.
4. Pleat the rest of the lace in the same manner.
5. Divide each pleat so that 2 folds lay left & 2 folds lay right.
6. Line up the edges evenly and stitch, then sew the ruff to the grosgrain band.
7. Sew a hook and eye to fasten the ruff. Wear with romantic languishment.

Britex Fabrics loves romance and weddings. We have piles and piles of gossamer tulle, already attached to hair combs, for your bridal veiling desires. Our veils are available in over thirteen styles, in lengths ranging from 20” to 120” long, in single or double tiers, and with cut, beaded, pencil, corded, satin ribbon or sheer ribbon edges. Many brides customize their veils with one of our stunningly delicate French laces. Remember to carefully preserve your veil after your wedding, so that it can be passed down as a romantic heirloom.

• Check for any slight tears, or missing pearls or sequins, and repair if needed.
• Get your veil professionally dry-cleaned.
• Store it in an acid-free box, and wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, cotton fabric, or neutral pH, unbuffered acid free tissue paper.
• Store your boxes in a dry dark area. Do not store them in your basements or attic. Insects and mildew will destroy your heirloom items. Protect the boxes from dust with fabric, not plastic, as plastic encourages dampness.

(See the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute for additional conservation resources)

June will arrive more quickly than we expect, and with June come the brides! Using Vogue pattern V8569, a handful of gossamer tulle, and a couple of yards of lovely lace from Britex Fabrics you can make your own romantic, heirloom wedding veil. This imported French 4 1/2″ wide ivory Alençon lace, with a corded rose and leaf motif, and a double-scalloped border can easily be cut through the center to make trim, and would be luxuriously stunning as veil edging.

It is 1970 in Teheran, I’m 16 years old, watching the musical Camelot at the Bowling cinema in Shimroon, and slouched in my seat. I spit another pumpkin seed shell onto the floor, take a swallow of grape soda, and fiddle with the buttons on my sweater. I’m wearing a chocolate brown cable knit cardigan with faux wood grain buttons, a black shapeless turtleneck, tan corduroy bell-bottoms, and my hair is tied back with a strawberry-covered ribbon. Guenevere and Arthur are singing “What Do The Simple Folk Do?”, while Guenevere is twirling and weeping in Arthur’s arms.
“What else do the simple folk do
To pluck up the heart and get through?
The wee folk and the grown folk
Who wander to and fro
Have ways known to their own folk
We throne folk don’t know
When all the doldrums begin
What keeps each of them in his skin?
What ancient native custom provides the needed glow?
Oh, what do simple folk do?
Do you know?”
(by Alan Jay Lerner)

One of my favorite musicians is playing tonight at Shakespeare & Company Booksellers. I need to spiff up my plain vintage white cotton/poly French-cuffed shirt, so quickly make a pair of cuff-links from two silver Spanish coin buttons. I put on a pair of brown leather chaps over my jeans, tuck in my shirt, and pull on my brown zipped boots. I toss a burnt sienna cashmere scarf that I’ve trimmed with wide French ribbon with Art Nouveau motifs over my shoulder, throw on my favorite brown plaid wool jacket, kiss my cat, and run out the door. I barely have time to scarf down a dinner of falafel and Orangina before the show. I don’t want to miss folk singer and accordion player, Marie-Josee Houle. I’m hoping she’ll perform “Shallow Breathing”.

Reflective tape is at Britex Fabrics right in time for Halloween and shorter days. This notions floor specialty trim is designed to make folks visible at night or in other low-light situations. It is ideal for both trick-or-treaters and bicyclists. Just wind a bit around your favorite tot or bike enthusiast for extra visibility and safety…. better yet, sew a length of this tape onto their pants, jacket, or Halloween costume.