Barrington's 'Material Girl' to retire

In an effort to inspire her customers, Dyllis Braithwaite made a new outfit for herself nearly every week.

From fur coats to sundresses, Braithwaite would wear the clothing she sewed while operating her Barrington business, Finn's Fabrics by Dyllis. Her favorite aspect was combining different fabrics to create a single outfit.

Her one-of-a-kind outfits and the fabrics sold will soon come to an end as Braithwaite prepares to close her store, which she has run for nearly 40 years.

The shop at 113 N. Cook St. is holding a going out of business sale. Today and Saturday everything will be marked 60 percent off. Through the end of the month, fabrics will be slashed 70 percent, Braithwaite said.

Braithwaite, 80, is forced to close the shop due to health reasons. Over the summer she suffered a back injury and is now undergoing physical therapy.

"It has been very painful," said the business owner who has become known for her upscale fabric selection. Her exquisite store displays have also drawn attention.

Having been called the "Material Girl," Braithwaite has been a part of nearly every Fourth of July parade with a truck or wagon that she decorated with her fine fabrics. She has lived in Barrington for more than 50 years with husband, J. William, who continues to work as a municipal attorney with Arnstein & Lehr.

"I carried the most unique collection of beautiful fabrics," she said. In preparing to close the business, it's the customers and the fabric Braithwaite said she'll miss the most.

"The business has given me lots of pleasure. I've met wonderful, creative people. There is a core of people that warrant quality fabrics. They don't want to sew with rags," she said.

Graduating from the University of Connecticut with a home economics degree, Braithwaite grew up in clothes her mother sewed for her. "My mom would make something at night and we'd have a new outfit when we woke up in the morning," she said.

Braithwaite's three children are also creative. Her daughter, Nancy, teaches clarinet in the Netherlands, where she plays professionally. Daughter Ann owns her own public relations firm in Massachusetts, where a focus is promoting jazz musicians. Son Gordon of Barrington owns a swimming pool service company, Gordon's Pool Service.

Gordon installed a pool at his parent's home, where Braithwaite swam 50 laps a day until her injury. It's not clear exactly how the injury occurred. She said it might have happened during two separate falls, either while picking blackberries in the Netherlands with her daughter or while picking flowers later in the summer.

Braithwaite, who grew up on a farm in Connecticut, also grew a passion for gardening vegetables.

Braithwaite first managed the store for Ellis Finn, who sold her the business. Over the past 38 years, Braithwaite said she expanded the store and upgraded the fabrics.

She hates to see the store close and deep down admits she would like to sell the business to keep the fabrics flowing. For more, call (847) 381-2853.