A new, but also not sew new business plans to open in October at 300 SW Madison Ave. Combining retail, creative workspaces, and a sewing community all under one roof. The pieces of their story are finally being stitched together.
Sew Sisters Fabric Shoppe will carry fabric, trim, buttons, notions, craft kits, and other sewing supplies, but also has plans that go far beyond selling things by the yard.
The new business is a sister store to Seoul Sisters Boutique, the retro-inspired clothing, accessories, and gift shop at 138 SW Second St. Seoul Sisters is not closing… the boutique will celebrate its 13th anniversary in October, alongside the opening of Sew Sisters.
We started to draft up a reference to the show “Sister, Sister” that aired on the WB in the mid 90’s… that led to thinking about 7th Heaven… and then Dawson’s Creek… and no reference was ever created. Just nostalgia. Sigh.
Anyways, Sew Sisters wrote in their announcement, “We absolutely love business, entrepreneurs, creative collaborations, bringing people together, and want our downtown to thrive.”
Such a positive example of community, desire, and making it happen in real life.
Plans for the Madison Avenue location include studio and retail areas where alterationists, tailors, rework, and upcycle designers can create, meet with clients, and sell their work. Sew Sisters said sewing machines, including industrial machines and sergers, will be available, along with public cutting tables and a designated fabric-dyeing area.
The shop plans to carry a large variety of fabrics, notions, and crafting supplies, including specialty fabrics from South Korea and Japan. It will also house a reuse and repurposing area, giving old materials a chance to bloom into something new. No loose ends… at least not intentionally.
The Corvallis Sewing Collective Studio will move from its current location at 221 NW Second St. into Sew Sisters at the end of September. Its freelance alterationists will continue to operate independently while gaining future workspaces inside the new, larger shop.
The collective’s new workspace will offer tiered memberships and day passes. Staff members and volunteers are expected to be available to help visitors use the equipment and troubleshoot projects.
The goal is to create a place where people can sew, learn, and meet other local makers without getting too wound up when the bobbin inevitably does.
Sew Sisters has selected its first vendor, Furry Fashions, a business operated by a young sewist named Ash, who makes pet accessories. Betty, the shop dog, has already modeled one of its bandanas.
We helped get a cat named Bandit adopted, we made a VERY strong case to elect a cat for mayor, and we publicized the First Annual Corvallis Kitty Contest… and now this new store is forcing us to post a photo of a dog with a handmade bandana.
(Photo: Betty, the shop dog, aka… not a cat)
Sew Sisters is also seeking alterationists, sewists, designers, and makers interested in studio or vendor space. “We are building Sew Sisters Fabric Shoppe for you, by you, our community,” the shop wrote.
An exact opening date and regular business hours have not yet been announced. Updates will be posted at sewsistersfabric.com and through the shop’s social-media pages.
For local sewists, the wait is almost over. It seems downtown’s newest business has found the right pattern.
Sew Sisters: www.sewsistersfabric.com
Seoul Sisters: www.shopseoulsisters.com
This article was written by Jackson Hayes, a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com
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