My First Visit to Murray Hill Bolt and Spool

Despite the icky gray day, I made it to a happy, sunny place - Murray Hill Bolt and Spool.  I found the address to be a wonderful old two-story school that has been refurbished to house lots of small "artsy" boutique businesses.  Bolt and Spool is a very cool space on the first floor in what looks like it could have been the school administration office once upon a time.  Though owner Nan Webb is not quite ready to be officially opened, I had a blast going through the stock that's in so far.  High quality stuff.  Hurrah!  Beautiful, unusual cotton prints and scrumptious silks.  Always in style wool tartans from Scotland as well as soft-as-butter wool solids.  A grouping of embroidered ribbons to die for and THE cutest little notions.  High end buttons for adults and children, tons of unique trims.  Not the usual (re: Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's) pattern brands for children with wonderful classic designs.  I'm making up some sample dresses for the store and will share them with you soon.  Stay posted at boltandspool.com and leave any ideas for Nan about what you'd like to see carried there.

Hey everybody - a new fabric source is on the way!

Here in the Cleveland and Columbus areas we are starved for REAL fabric stores.  Seems like every year has brought the closure of another fabric store until there are just none left anymore.  Through a really smooth (and kind!) move by my sister-in-law, Kathleen DePompei Santabarbara (by the way, check out Kath's gorgeous artwork on Facebook) I have had the good fortune to speak with new store owner Nan Webb.  Nan has the knowledge (and guts) to be opening a wonderful little shop In Cleveland's totally cool Little Italy.  Keep tabs on her website, http://boltandspool.com/. I'm sure she'd love to hear ideas and have you all visit.  And I'll keep you updated on what I know is going to be a great relationship.  Best of luck, Nan - we need you!