11/25/2011 - regularly priced fabrics will be 20% off with our Day After Thanksgiving coupon. You must have a printed copy of your coupon, or show us the coupon on your smart phone, to receive the 20% sale price! A few limitations apply (call us at 415-392-2910 for sale limitation details) On Friday 11/25, we will be open our normal hours, 10 am to 6 pm. (We just don’t have it in our fabric-loving hearts to call it a Black Friday Sale)

Here is a printable paper doll PDF, courtesy of the ever-charming GraphicsFairy. This holiday-themed toy is taken from a vintage early 1900s newspaper. GraphicsFairy suggests printing this out twice, once with cardstock, so that the doll is on a firmer paper and once with regular paper, for the outfits. Sigh! I long to dress as a be-feathered turkey next week…gobble, gobble, gobble.

We may have the Tweed Cycling Club and The Chap, however there was a predecessor to all this foppishness; The Waistcoat Club, London 1955. From the knowledgeable media folks at British Pathe, one of the oldest media companies in the world, here is a video newsreel clip illustrating the secret world of bespoke fashion and waistcoats.

Carla, from ScientificSeamstress and molecular biologist turned patternmaker, developed this rockin’ tutorial for making 1" single-fold bias tape, and points out that it is but one fold away from being 0.5" wide double-fold bias tape, which is incredibly useful for binding and finishing edges. Make some in a contrasting print to accent necklines, aprons, a child’s frock, baby bibs….let your imagination run wild!

Drat! We missed the last SF Tweed ride, however ‘tis never too early to prepare for 2012. We have a plethora of tweed fabrics at Britex Fabrics, ready to be sewn into wooly dapper attire…capes, Norfolk jackets, riding suits, smoking jackets (pipe optional)! According to SF Tweed, we are “a rare breed of cyclist — ladies and gents who refuse to endure anymore spandex! For us there is nothing better than a spin through our fair streets in the finest most dapper attire. As we are courteous, we do not look down on our more pedestrian fellows. SF Tweed will embrace all forms of Tweed Culture: from cycling to croquet outings to picnics — anywhere there is a spot of tea available. If you yourself are hosting an event where tweed would be welcome please let us know!” (photo from Boston Tweed Run, 2010)

Who doesn’t need a satin stole for glamorous nights on the town? Make this wrap in midnight black silk satin, with the reverse in deep crimson for rabble-rousing, or in gleaming silver satin for sedate nights with Carmen at the opera. This easy-to-make stole is brought to us by the talented Don at Weekend Designer.
“L'oiseau que tu croyais surprendre
Battit de l'aile et s'envola;
L'amour est loin, tu peux l'attendre;
Tu ne l'attend plus, il est là!
Tout autour de toi vite, vite,
Il vient, s'en va, puis il revient!
Tu crois le tenir, il t'évite;
Tu crois l'éviter, il te tient!
L'amour, l'amour, l'amour, l'amour!”
(Carmen by Bizet)

With a crown of Venise lace & bell-shaped skirt, this amazing sugary pink and snowy white dress designed by artiste Nima Shiraz, is fit for any member of royalty....even queenly chanteuse Googoosh. Nima says the dress was constructed using hoop cage materials, Chantilly lace, trims, crepe de chine, pearls & leaves from Britex Fabrics. Gorgeous copyright image courtesy of Scott Marrs Photography. Model, Ashley Valentine.

All hail to the wale…..unfurl your corduroy attire! 11/11/11 is 5th Annual 1111 Grand Meeting of The Corduroy Appreciation Club. Emulating old, secret societies and social clubs, the Corduroy Appreciation Club seeks to create a community and, in turn, a sense of fellowship rooted in the historic and culturally significant fabric known as Corduroy. As a social club, the CAC has membership cards, traditions, bylaws, strange rituals, a secret handshake and meetings. Meetings of the CAC occur only on dates which resemble Corduroy and 11/11/11 is special indeed! Members must wear at least TWO ITEMS of Corduroy at meetings, effectively referred to as the “Two Item Rule.” The Corduroy Appreciation Club wishes to cultivate good fellowship by the advancement of Corduroy awareness, as well as, understanding, celebration, and commemoration of the fabric and all related items. Now, all I need is a butterscotch, wide-wale corduroy three-piece suit, a cream club-collared linen shirt, a cobalt blue corduroy driver’s cap and pointy-toed brown and cobalt blue cowboy boots.

Britex Bow Tie Contest Hey all you swanky dudes and dudettes! 598 folks have downloaded BurdaStyle’s bow tie PDF since we posted it on November 2010. That is 598 dandies, wearing 598 suave neck-ties....amazing! Show the love, and email M. Du Jour at Britex Fabrics photos of you wearing your self-made bow ties! All bow tie hardware is available on Britex fabrics' 3rd floor, and is available by in-store or mail (415-392-2910.) This contest runs through New Years Eve, 2012. The grand prize winner will be based upon their creativity, verve, and all-out fabulousness!

This classic natural herringbone fabric is special, as it is made from the fleece of a delightful Alpaca named Lexus (or maybe from one of her herd-mates!) Alpaca is a soft, lustrous fiber that is warmer and lighter than wool and is so soft it can be worn next to your skin. Alpaca is also hypo-allergenic and has the ability to wick away moisture. I love this fabric’s buttery soft feel. Either the tan and natural, or the black and natural would make a spectacular unstructured jacket, or tailored waistcoat for fall. This fabric can now be found in Britex Fabrics' online store, and is 45” wide/$225.00 a yard.