Paige Bordwell Alterations shop open in Cresco

CRESCO - Paige Bordwell Alterations is a new business in Cresco as of last year. Offering a wide range of services at affordable prices, it can be understood why the owner, Paige Bordwell is always so busy. 

Bordwell was born in Michigan, but spent most of her time in Cresco during her early years. Bordwell ended up finishing school in Minneapolis, after moving away from Cresco when she was only twelve. From there, she decided to live in California, where she attended the Academy of Art University. She lived there for several years, studying design, and working. She would work on soft goods like drapery, roman shade, pillows, bedding, cornices, cushions, and other custom work for multi-million dollar homes. She had a “great job” and was in line for a promotion, as well as a salary increase.

This past summer Bordwell decided she wanted to see her family, and stay with them for the summer. Her sister Heather had married Hunter Slifka, and her parents decided to come back to the area to be around their new grandchild. As fate would have it, the Slifka’s were soon announcing another pregnancy, and Bordwell started falling in love again with midwest living.

She likes the peace and relaxed atmosphere of the midwest, and after just one night back in California, she packed all of her belongings and drove to Iowa. She had decided that her heart was calling her home.

The idea for a business started gradually, Bordwell’s dad pointed out some heavy duty, used, industrial sewing machines for sale, and they ended up buying three. After the purchase of two more from a different seller, they weren’t sure where to put them. In the meantime, Bordwell had been taking the odd job here and there to help friends and family members get alterations on their clothing. She had always loved the idea of sewing and dreamed of having a studio of her own.

A lot of hard work was put into remodeling the small workshop she currently does business out of, including flooring, new roofing, carpeting, building a small area for a fitting room, painting/retexturing walls, and removing an old counter. Now looking like a  cute boutique, the quaint shop has a charm all of its own.

The most common request so far, has been the replacement of zippers on coats.