8th Wonder of the World: Britex Fabrics

By Joan Phelps, GenQ creative director  

While vacationing in San Francisco recently to attend two gallery openings involving art by our youngest daughter, Alex, I saw an ad in a hotel magazine for Britex Fabrics, a fabric store in Union Square. Now, in addition to the gallery openings, Gary and I had spent about 4 days urban-hiking across the city, logging between 6-9 miles a day, including walking across the Golden Gate. When I saw that ad, I decided it was time for a little shopping!

Union Square is San Francisco’s high-end fashion district, so Britex is surrounded by stores like Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo and Chanel. And it’s across the street from Nieman Marcus. It seemed a little odd as a location for a fabric store, but why not?

Let me just say, “Oh, baby!”  There are great fabric stores and then there’s Britex– four floors of GORGEOUS fabric, all kinds!Here’s a floor-by-floor recap of all the fabri-goodness on offer:

First floor –
Library ladders from floor to ceiling give access to a 120-foot wall of woolens–boucle, gabardine, Super 100’s, boiled wool, crepe, double knit, jersey and more!  Tables with silks, including charmeuse, chiffon, duchess and brocade. Imported laces.

Second floor–
Cottons–Japanese indigos, Liberty of London cotton lawn, cotton prints and (say it with me) more!  There was also a large selection of linens, polyester blends, knits of all varieties and velvets. A smaller–but very nice–home décor department has upholstery, drapery and accent fabrics.

Third floor—
Tons of buttons, including those made from vintage glass and Bakelite. Ribbons in all colors, prints and styles. Also plenty of embellishments, including sequins, rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, faux fur trims, silk flowers, appliqués, feathers and boas. If you want to embellish something, they probably have it.  (And if they don’t have it, you shouldn’t be looking for it.)

Fourth floor-–

This was MY floor, bargain hunter that I am. It was packed with discounted remnants from the first and second floors. I have been searching for some luxury linen pieces to use for embroidery projects, and I found some beautiful “bamboo linen” at half price. I’m not totally familiar with what bamboo linen actually is, but that is what the sales person called this beautiful fabric, and I LOVED its creamy beige color and hand!

There were lots of salespeople on every floor, all very friendly and knowledgeable about the goods in his or her department. I even met the store manager, Dina Fayer, who was welcoming and pleased that I was there, and happy for me to take pictures so I could share this experience with our readers.

The mega-store has a diverse variety of clientele, too. I noticed several young tattooed 20-somethings with bulging backpacks and design sketch books walking around and fondling fabric, as well as your average middle-age sewing enthusiasts. (P.S. Several of the younger salespeople were decked out in trendy, but vintage, 1940s fashions, just like a story in our upcoming November-December 2014 issue. And with Britex’ deep stock of lovely vintage notions, I don’t wonder!)

Britex is a must-see for any fabric slut worthy of the name. If fabric makes your pulse quicken and your palms itch—and you’re anywhere near San Francisco—forget Lombard Street or Alcatraz or all the rest. Britex is the sight you want to see. Thank me later.

Britex Fabrics

146 Geary St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

Britexfabrics.com