It is Britex Fabrics mission to rescue the clip-on bow tie from fashion disgrace! Here is an easy-peasy tutorial on how to make a clip-on bow tie, using under ¼ of a yard of fabric. The foppish clip-on bow tie is one of the quickest methods of dandifying and dignifying an otherwise dull outfit. They add swagger to every collared shirt, whether made of quirky cotton fabric, menswear suiting fabric, or more formal necktie silk. Anyone can sport a bow-tie; hard-boiled detectives, bookish academicians, girlish debutants, or the always fashionable Beau Brummels!

The ever talented, charming and handsome Peter from the sewing blog, MalePatternBoldness features these giddily detailed instructions for making a button fly. These directions are a small part of his current men’s jeans sew-along!

Casey, the creative marvel behind ElegantMusings posted a delightful and detailed tutorial for making a two-tone 1930s scalloped collar. We love her clear directions for drafting the neckline and the curves! Can’t you see this collar with a navy polka-dot silk blouse with this daffodil yellow polka-dot sheer silk organza forming the contrast.

It is officially tea time! Kris from the blog, technoplastique posted a tutorial for this charmingly tasteful soft-sculpture tea set on Instructables. I would love to see the teapot, cups and saucers made up in a collection of Japanese cotton/linen prints, or scraps of men’s dapper suiting fabrics. Then we could hold an invite-only midnight tea party, and gently gossip while nibbling delicate crustless cucumber sandwiches and buttery scones.

Jamie wrote that she finally got to cut into this striped wool that she bought from Britex Fabrics! She made a dress out of it, which is featured as BurdaStyle’s project of the week (where she is currently doing her internship). She says, “I have always been inspired by the simplicity and playfulness of children’s clothing, particularly from the 1950s and 1960s. Working with a classic pinafore pattern, I added a Peter Pan collar to sweeten up the dress a bit….. “ This charming creation is based upon Angela’s free dress pattern that she posted on BurdaStyle! We love the inclusion of both front and back pockets.

A wee flat-tailed platypus (courtesy of über talented craftster Andrea of Badbirds) has been spreading stories about Britex; rumors of corozo nut buttons, Chantilly lace, sportif elastic. Is spring and rebirth in the air?

Just in time for all you debonair craftsters, who are coming to bow tie Craft Bar this coming Thursday, here are clear instructions on how to make a simple back stitch from Janet at Stitch School! And to sew the bow tie center piece, here is a simple whip stitch from the folks at Holiday Crafts and Creations. Come on over and let The Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Britex Fabrics, Bretts, and Avery help you get your suave on!

Melody, from Britex Fabrics’ 2nd floor, constructed this beautiful quilt as a gift for one of our much loved employees who is at home recovering from illness. Melody even industriously organized four floors of employees so that they could add personal messages. We are all hoping that we’ll see our sick co-worker bouncingly back at work soon!

Gertie from the blog Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing: A Modern Homage to Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing (pub. 1952), has posted a fabulous tutorial on French seam construction. French seams are a classic method of seam finishing, making back of the item as attractive and neat as the front, and are an ideal finish for sheer fabrics. This is another bit of persnickety attention to detail that lends flair and beauty to hand-sewn garments!

It is bridal season! Sherry from the Auckland, New Zealand-based blog, pattern ~ scissors ~ cloth demonstrates how to use silk organza as underlining for a fitted cocktail or wedding gown bodice. She says that she uses it a lot in wedding gowns because it is lightweight, crisp, and is easy to cut, sew and press. Underlining adds body and stability to your shell fabric, and allows you to catch stitch hems and seam allowances invisibly. It is this kind of persnickety attention to detail that makes bespoke items fit with flair and beauty!