Irene Jones has been dealing with fabrics — as a seamstress or saleswoman — for more than 41 years.

“This is basically what I know,” Jones said. “I guess the Lord gave me this for my talent.”

For the past two years, Jones has been bringing that talent to the public through Irene’s Fabrics, located at 838 Washington Plaza off 15th Street.

She sells foam plus sewing, quilting and upholstery fabrics and even liners for vehicle interiors.

Jones also does alterations for the public, along with a little upholstery work.

“That’s time-consuming,” she said of upholstery, “and we can’t do but just a little bit.”

Jones’ involvement with fabrics began as a hobby, when she started making clothes for her daughter, herself and her husband.

After appraising her work, Jones’ mother advised her to start sewing for people outside the family to bring in extra money.

Jones had her doubts, but she placed an advertisement for her services in the Daily News.

She spent the next 25 years as a home-based seamstress, following that with a 16-and-a-half-year tenure in the Wal-Mart fabric department.

Later, Jones kept in touch with her hobby-turned-passion by selling dollar fabrics at a local flea market.

“I knew Washington needed a fabric shop, but I had to convince my husband,” she said.

Her husband, Kenneth Jones, agreed with her judgment, telling her to look for a retail spot. He built tables for use in the business and helped his wife move into the strip mall.

“And then he went home and left me alone,” Jones said with a laugh. “He said, ‘I’ve done all I can do.’”

So Jones opened Irene’s Fabrics.

“We’ve had good times and bad times, but people are learning,” she said. “They’re still learning that we’re here. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Jones acknowledged that another Irene — Hurricane Irene — hurt her business and many others in the area over the summer.

“But, it started picking up this month, so we’re hoping things are going to work out pretty good,” she said. “I feel like it is because we were doing pretty good before the storm.”

Irene’s Fabrics is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call the store at 252-946-1742.

If you would like to nominate a local business for BizLine, call 252-946-2144, extension 230, or email jonathan.clayborne@thewashingtondailynews.com.