September 24—MITCHELL — It wasn’t that long ago that Cortney Olinger started learning to sew.
Now she’s passing on that passion for her hobby to others after opening CO Textiles, a store offering a variety of quilting and sewing related products and services, on Mitchell’s Main Street.
“My dream was to have my own quilt shop,” Olinger said in a recent interview. “So I started getting quilting fabric and teaching people how to sew.”
The 2021 Plankinton High School graduate, who also studied business at Mitchell Technical College, officially opened the doors to the new business, located at 216 N. Main St. in Mitchell, in March. There, in her retail space, she offers a variety of sewing-related products and fabrics to bring her customers’ creative aspirations to life.
She said she has always had a love for sewing, dating back to her time as a young girl in Plankinton.
“I started sewing when I was eight, through 4-H and Sew Your Own competitions. And then when I got to high school, I really got into making wool coats. Then my mom took me to quilting classes. And my grandma quilted,” Olinger said. “And I was hooked.”
Olinger’s shop is for others like her who have been bitten by the sewing bug. She sells fabrics from Moda and Shannon Cuddle, two of her favorite lines, along with quilting cotton, a fabric that is touted as sturdy, easy to sew, and suitable for beginners and experts alike.
Her offerings extend beyond materials. She also does in-house alterations for formal wear, such as prom dresses and wedding dresses. That part of the business is one of her favorite aspects of running CO Textiles, and it’s a service that’s been in demand since she opened earlier this year around prom season. For those who need a sharp look to complement the dress, Olinger also offers tuxedo rentals.
“I opened my shop around prom season, and not many people do that anymore. And when they do, they’re older and they want to get out of it. So I don’t mind making alterations,” Olinger said. “I love it when prom girls come in and they’ve already fallen in love with the dress in the prom shop, but it doesn’t quite fit them the way they want it to. So after the final fitting, you see their eyes light up because it fits the way they want it to. I just love seeing girls feel beautiful.”
In addition to getting high school students ready for prom, or brides and grooms ready for their big day, Olinger spends her time sharing her skills and love of sewing with her clients through group sewing sessions and classes. She posts a monthly calendar on the CO Textiles
Facebook page
She highlights various events she hosts in the store to attract other like-minded sewers who want to improve their skills or simply enjoy their hobby in a friendly atmosphere.
She can sew and design independently, but she enjoys being in a group more.
“I try to have open sewing nights where people can just bring their stuff, because it’s more fun to sew with a group of ladies than to sit at home by yourself. And I teach some classes. That’s just fun,” Olinger said.
As a young entrepreneur, Olinger said it was a little daunting to get the store off the ground. But she focused on her love for the art of sewing and the products that go with it, and combined that with her business training from Mitchell Tech to launch her dream. She runs the entire show, which keeps her busy but constantly in touch with her passion for sewing.
She thanked her parents, Cristy and Clinton Olinger, for encouraging her to seize the moment.
“Being 21, it’s a little stressful because you obviously don’t have enough income, but my parents pushed me to do it. They said if you don’t try, you’ll never know,” Olinger said. “And I think it’s going well. The changes haven’t slowed down since prom, so that’s good. And with quilting, I’m really spreading the word now.”
Six months later, Olinger said she enjoys helping her clients navigate their creative process and making those prom and bridesmaid dresses perfect for their special occasions. It’s been a dream to have people come in and browse the store, chat about sewing and maybe even take home a print from Karen Mahoney, a Woonsocket native who now lives in Spearfish and specializes in photography in South Dakota.
She said she’s looking for ways to improve her products and services — her customers have good ideas, she said — but for now, she hopes to stay the course and build on the foundation she’s laid. People of all ages and skill levels can find something to enjoy about sewing, and she’s ready to welcome anyone who comes through the door.
“If you love to sew or want to learn to sew, it’s never too late. One of my grandmas just started sewing when I opened the store, and now she’s really into it and loves it. And it’s great to get kids started, too,” Olinger said. “It’s just kind of a fun, creative zone.”
