When a Paper Doll is Not a Paper Doll...

Sometimes things just are not what they seem to be! Mary Jo's has started carrying "Paper Doll" fabric, it is a beautiful cloth that has printed dolls and entire wardrobes. These beauties are just waiting to be sewn up and given to a child to play with or an adult to collect.
One of our very own here at Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Maggie, is a paper Doll maker, extraordinaire. I was chatting with her the other day and she was telling me that she has made many of these sweeties for her grandchildren and they have sooo much fun playing with their cloth, Paper Dolls. She also pointed out that unlike traditional Paper Dolls they do not tear, disintegrate and that you can wash them. Her family has sure benefited from her new Paper Doll making passion.

If you would like to find and purchase this fabric online you can simply log onto Maryjos.com and type "Paper Dolls" in the advance search box (Located at the top right corner). Get this, the fabric is only $5.79 per yard for the printed clothes and 3.89 per panel (2/3 yd.) for the dolls! Now that is alot of dolls and clothes for your buck!
Seriously, this is a sweet and fun project and it may be fun to teach a young person to sew with this easy project. Have fun...

Oh, by the way I took a cruise around the store the other day. Wowza, I am always impressed by the sheer volume of colors and patterns. The spring collection of amazing floral fabrics is truly inspiring. I photographed colors and prints that I have never seen before. Look for a slide show in my next article.

During my several hours at the store I also purchased some exquisite lace which looks hand- made and antique for only $28.00 per yard (it would easily have been over 100.00$ if I had been able to find it anywhere else). I will use this lace as simple curtains in a few of my windows. What fun I have, whether I am at the store or noodling around online. Mary Jo's really has it all at prices no other store can beat!

Do you have a project to share with us? Take a moment and let us share your story/project with other Mary Jo Cloth Readers. You could be featured on this blog or in the "Community" section of our website. I look forward to hearing from you. Email your story today! Enjoy this lovely day.

The Point, Needlepoint That Is....

At Mary Jo's we love to hear from our customers (This could be you!) Did you know we carry most everything you may need for many of your needlepoint projects?
Including the fabric you will need to finish off your needlepoint masterpiece. Whether you are making a pillow, tote or wall-hanging from your needlepoint piece, Mary Jo's Cloth is here to help you.
A few weeks ago a gal named Diana sent us a note featuring her latest needlepoint project. She is a designer and created some beautiful pieces that made her clients very happy.

"As a professional interior decorator and needlepoint finisher, I have been
shopping at Mary Jo's for over 18 years! I am always impressed by the selection and value that I receive at your store. With every shopping trip, I come home with the perfect fabrics to accent my pieces, I few of which I
have attached pictures of.

The first picture features a tote that was made using your wonderful woven giraffe-print fabric, a fabulous accent to the client's needlepoint that the totes were centered around.

The last photo is a fun take on trick or treat bags. Your wide array of Halloween prints and colorful accent fabrics/trims made these cross-stitched bags truly whimsical. My client was thrilled!
Thank you for making it possible,
Diana
Tega Cay, SC.
Diana, thanks so much for your note, beautiful work, so happy we had everything you were looking for. Do you have a project you would like us to feature in a blog story or on our community page? Drop us a note and include a few photos, we are looking forward to hearing from you.

Quilting:Colors, Selection and Shows...

Quilt shows. They are held almost every week somewhere in America!
At Mary Jo’s we have a core group of quilters who come to us for not only amazing prices but a selection that they call “the mecca” for quilting fabric. We carry historic prints, as well as all of the modern and contemporary designs you may be looking for.


When Mary Jo set out to create the quilting areas in the stores she was fastidious in her approach. All fabric is displayed in colorways, and then broken down into specifics; Historic, Veggies, Animals, Nature ect. Not only does she make it easy for her shoppers to find what they need but her approach is inspiring. To look at 32,000 sq. ft totally organized by color, print and function makes for an easier approach to such a large store. Shopping online is easy as well. We have thumbnails of all fabrics available online. But did you know if you are looking for something specific you can send a photo into “Ask Mary Jo” and within a few days a member of our staff will get back to you with the answer you are looking for.
Remember at the store we also have many notions and an interesting selection of “Fat Quarters” for all of your quilting and sewing needs. Pop by the store or log on today to get inspired or to pick up the last bit of what you may need to finish or start your quilting projects. Remember send us photos and letters, we want to know what you are up to and we would love to feature you on this blog and/or our Community Page.

If you are interested in any of the following quilt shows, just google the title and date.
Umpqua Valley Quilter's Guild 26th Show - April 17-18 2009
Chicago's International Quilt Festival - April 17-19 2009
Paducah's AQS Quilt Show & Contest KY - April 22-25 2009
Denver National Quilt Festival - April 30 - May 3 2009
Home Machine Quilting Show - May 7-9 2009
International Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh - May 15-17 2009Alabama's Festival of Quilts - June 5-7 2009
New York's Seasons of the Adirondacks Quilt Show - June 6-7 2009
Arizona's Strawberry Patches Quilt Show - June 12-14 2009
Ohio's NQA Columbus Quilt Show - June 18-20 2009
Tennessee's Mountain Memories Quilt Show - June 19-20 2009
Cincinnati's Original Creative Festival - June 25-27 2009
Denver's Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival - July 9-11 2009
Knoxville's AQS Quilt Expo - July 22-25 2009
Quilt Nebraska - July 24-26 2009
International Quilt Festival in Long Beach - July 24-26 2009
Reno's Original Creative Festival - July 30 - Aug. 1 2009
New Hampshire World Quilt Show - August 13-16 2009
Loveland's Rocky Mountain Quilt Show - Aug. 22-23 2009
Madison's Quilt Expo - Sept. 10-12 2009
Yellowstone's Quilt Fest - Sept. 11-13 2009
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza - Sept. 17-20 2009
Indiana Rose Quilt Show - Oct. 3-4 2009
California Pacific International Quilt Festival - Oct. 15-18 2009
Houston's International Quilt Festival - Oct. 15-18 2009
Santa Clara's Pacific International Quilt Festival - Oct. 15-18 2009

Ponytail Clips

What a wonderful world we share with our customers. They are creative and are always working on amazing projects. Quilters, Crafters, Designers, Dressmakers, Costumers, Dollmakers and all other sewing/design experts pass through our store and website buying fabric for their projects and leaving beauty in their wake! We appreciate your letters and project photos, thanks and keep them coming.
Mary Marsh, a frequent visitor to Gastonia, dropped us a note, sharing her "Crafty" Ponytail clips. They are very clever and are made from interesting fabric choices.
"I am a huge fan of Mary Jo's! Even though I live in Charleston, SC,
my parents still live in Gastonia and I always seem to make time to
come visit your store when I'm home for a visit! I always try to
allot at least one hour (two if I'm lucky!) to browse your lovely
fabric selections! It's so funny because I have such a passion for
fabrics but don't know the first thing about sewing. That's okay
because what I do doesn't involve sewing... thank goodness!

I make fabric covered button ponytail holders, hair clips, bobbie
pins, headbands, and more with your gorgeous fabrics! I use the
metal cover buttons and transform them into little lovelies for the
hair! I have been making and selling these hair accessories for a
little over a year and a half now. I primarily sell on a website
called Etsy. Etsy is a website which focuses primarily on providing
the general public with a way to buy and sell handmade items. My
Etsy address is www.marymarsh.etsy.com. I also sell them locally in
Gastonia at my father's business, Medical Center Pharmacy, which is
located at 515 Cox Road."
Thanks Mary and keep up the good work.
Do you have a project to share? Take a moment and send to us today.