DryGoods Design: Seattle, WA
Written & Photographed by Elizabeth Blanton
A delightful world of pattern and color greets visitors to Drygoods Design, a sewing paradise tucked behind the Anchored Ship coffee shop on historic Ballard Ave. in Seattle.
Drygoods Design stocks all the sewing supplies you crave and more; while you’re picking fabric for your next creative project sign up for a sewing class or sign up for studio time in the make*do*mend studio—a great resource for city dwellers with limited work space.
Over the past several years owner Keli Faw has nurtured Drygoods Design from an online space to a brick and mortar location with employees, sewing classes, and most recently a pop-up shop at the Modern Quilt Guild’s SewDown in Portland, Oregon. It’s not a surprise Drygoods Design has thrived—fans that have followed the shop’s journey online make the Ballard store their first stop after baggage claim when flying into Seattle.
Others happily discover Drygoods Design while sipping coffee at Anchored Ship or wandering in from the Ballard Farmer’s Market (open year-round along Ballard Ave on Sundays from 10am-3 pm). Customers who don’t want to take on their own sewing project will be thrilled to find a myriad of handmade gifts.
Fabric inspiration: One of Keli’s current favorite fabrics is the Grey Abbey collection by Elizabeth Olwen, (Cloud9 fabrics). Keli’s good taste helps to create a satisfying experience for Drygoods Design customers—“we don't carry every fabric or gift made, but if it is on our shelves, it means we love it and hope you will too!”
Project Inspiration: There is currently a wait-list to buy the friendly whales and narwhals hanging in the Ballard shop window. If you’re feeling creative, check out the Drygoods Design whale tutorial.
Managing a successful shop and vibrant online community while balancing family life “makes me hustle more,” Keli shares, but ultimately the rewards are fulfilling: “it’s powerful to make stuff and to do handmade.” That entrepreneurial spirit pushes past the fabric scraps, recognizing the beauty in creative clutter and inspiring others to sew big dreams.
Drygoods Design is located at 5308 Ballard Avenue NW, Studio 1 Seattle, WA 98107 and drygoodsdesignonline.com.
