Business Member Spotlight: Bolt Fabric Boutique

Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique is our business member for March. Thanks to owner Gina Cadenasso for supporting PMQG-- and for telling us a little more about her shop. PMQG members receive a 10% discount on purchases, so stop by and say hello!

What makes your business special or different than other shops? 
Bolt offers a curated collection of a wide range of fabrics, including cotton prints for quilting, crafting and apparel sewing, wool, rayon, linen, knits, denim, and cotton for apparel and accessories, as well as home dec fabric.  We’re often told we have trims and fabrics that people don’t see other places.  We also have a fantastic staff—I think that makes Bolt a special place!

The Bolt staffers hit the beach

How long have you been doing this?
8 and a half years.

What’s the most important thing you’ve had to learn to do your job well?
I think learning what is necessary for me to do and what I can ask others to do has been essential.  

What do you see as a significant aesthetic trend right now? 
I think people are valuing traditional fabrics more than I’ve noticed in the past.  When I first opened it was hard to sell Japanese indigo fabrics, but now they fly out the door when we have them, as well as ikats.  And, of course, there continues to be a focus on solids and simplified designs as far as quilting goes.  I think hand stitching and embroidery continue to gain popularity too.

What’s the strangest thing a customer has ever asked you? 
We all really delight in the wide range of questions and projects our customers have. 

Any new products or services you’d like to mention? 
We just started offering scissor sharpening services.  Our customers continued to ask, so we’ve got it set up. We’ll post details on the blog soon.

Why do you like being a business member of PMQG? 
I think it’s nice to reach out to groups in the area and let them know what we’re about and welcome them to the store.  We have a few PMQG regular customers and we’re happy to support them and the group.

If you couldn’t work in the quilting world, what would your dream job be?
That’s a tough one, but I think I’d go back to my formal educational training and say my dream job would be program evaluation work in some sort of social service sector or organization.

Business Info: 
Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique
2136 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211

Phone: 503-358-2813

Web site: www.boltfabricboutique.com