Flo’s Fine Fabrics is adding a little texture to downtown, and the community wasted no time getting a feel for it. A soft opening of the new store was held this Saturday. We stopped by around 1 pm and not surprisingly… it was pretty packed.
(Photo: Flo’s Fine Fabrics/The Corvallis Inquirer)
The new shop is located at 305 SW Madison Ave., an hour after opening, about 25 people were already inside, talking, examining samples, asking questions, and honestly, just hanging out.
The shop didn’t appear to be fully stocked yet, but what it lacked in inventory, it made up for in interest. People were taking their time, hanging out, giving the opening a feel of a new, groovy community gathering, rather than a normal shopping trip.
Behind the flow of fabrics is Liz Olson, whose own personal interests shape the shop’s direction. In a survey circulated before opening, Olson described herself as a relatively new quilter whose strength lies in apparel fabrics. Rather than build the entire selection from her own pattern, she asked other makers what they wanted.
“This store is for you, so please be as candid and verbose as you’d like to be!” Olson wrote in the survey’s introduction.
Her questions covered favorite fabric brands, essential tools, and potential classes community members would be interested in taking. She also asked whether respondents might be interested in teaching quilting classes themselves.
A lot of respondents talked about how they had to travel to Portland to find the fabrics or modern quilting selections they needed. Now, a local downtown option will mean less time on the road and more time getting through a pile of projects.
Olson identified Portland shops Bolt and Modern Domestic as inspirations. Her larger vision for Flo’s brings garment sewing and quilting together, with plans for fabrics, supplies, classes, and community events.
Those classes are starting to be listed on their website. A sewing machine class scheduled for October 24th is designed for absolute beginners and anyone struggling to get their machine to cooperate.
We personally appreciate the groovy 70’s style logo they have as signage outside. Throwbacks are fun… and 25 years from now, “getting your machine to cooperate” might have a whole different meaning.
The class description mentions broken needles, tangled thread, and stitches that refuse to form correctly.
Speaking of stitches, based on the way healthcare options are going in Corvallis… Flo’s might actually be the best new place in town to get stitches. We’ll reach out to see what types of insurance they take.
The social side of Olson’s plans already “seam” to be falling in place. The new merchandise and storefront are an obvious part of the draw, but so is the chance to spend time with other people who like making things and share a common interest.
Judging by the afternoon crowd, at a soft opening, it seems Flo’s has already found a common thread. They will fit right in. Hopefully, the SDC fees didn’t cost them an arm and a leg.
More information about Flo’s Fine Fabrics can be found on their website here.
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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