Happy Happy Day, Quilt Day That Is...

Quilting is a longtime tradition in our culture. Modern quilters are inspired by nature, colors, prints, patterns and history. If you are a quilter you can hardly pass a pile of fabric and not think what your big imagination and sweet skill set could create. We recently had a call for quilters, and we had a great response. To all of you who submitted, know that you will see your quilt in upcoming articles. Thank-you for sharing, we love to see what all of you amazing quilters are up to! However today we are going to feature an organization that is all about giving the quilts they create.
They are the non-profit organization called Bright Hopes.
Here is their story...
Deborah Fischer had a dream, Quilt Giving.
Deborah’s Story: My mother, Eileen, taught me to sew on her portable (like an elephant is portable) Kenmore sewing machine when I was young. I have always loved to make things. Anything. But sewing was always one of my favorites. I sewed dolls, clothes, bags, but never a quilt. My mother was the one who made the quilts. Back then she cut the patterns out of sand paper, traced around them on the fabric, added the seam allowance, and then cut the pieces out with scissors. In 2002, Deborah writes “I was fortunate enough to be accepted for a 3 month artist residency in Wisconsin. I brought a quilt with me that was made by my husband’s aunt for our wedding. I was living in a strange town, in a strange house, with other artists I didn’t know. Putting that quilt on the bed made it feel like home. After doing a lot of thinking on the 17 hour drive home, I asked my mother, “Hey Mom, do you want to make some quilts to donate?” If putting our wedding quilt on a bed in Wisconsin could make it feel like home, then: What would happen if we made quilts for people who had no permanent home at all? Maybe a bright, beautiful quilt could give them a piece of home, a sense of place, to carry with them wherever they go. And so it went. My mother asked the nicest people she could find to join us. No sewing experience necessary, they just needed to be nice. And, since I had never made a quilt before, I fumpfed around, bought some quilting fabric, figured out how to use a rotary cutter, and started making one-of-a-kind quilt kits to be assembled by our fabulous members.”

If you would like to learn more or be inspired to give to your community,click and go to BrightHopes.org there is no time like the present. Some folks need a little extra in these hard times. Gather up some friends and start a group of givers in your town or city. Your community and the recipient of your loving work will be most appreciative. Be the change you would like to see. It starts with YOU. Thanks to Deborah Fischer for being a most inspiring Quilter and member of our Quilting community.

Mary Jo's always has a great SALE selection and our regularly priced items are always less than other fabric stores. Top quality and in a store that is 32, 00 square feet. We have most everything you would want, log onto our website for great deals or stop into our store in the newly remodeled shopping center in Gastonia, North Carolina.
We would love to hear from you, what are you creating? Send us an email today and thanks in advance.

End of Summer Sale...

Summer is drawing to a close. The kids are going back to school and the older ones are heading off to college. What will you do with a bit more time on your hands? Well, at Mary Jo's we are celebrating a YOU moment. We have our everyday low prices on the stock quilting fabrics these can be found on the website at Fabrics, "The Main Floor". Yes, you could go to a "Quilt Store" but you will pay 2 or 3 dollars more per yard, depending upon the fabric you are purchasing. We do have all of the historic prints you have come to love as well as the popular lines by Marcus Fabrics and true beauties by popular designers. We also have over 100 items on our SALE page. Many are newly posted. We stock a wide variety of glittery sequins, brightly colored cottons, muted modern prints and some heavier fabrics that could become a new slipcover, table cloth or some really cool pillows. Take a minute and click on the "What's Hot", we have plenty of other choices all on sale.

Have a look at the Fabric section of the website, we are constantly updating and posting fabric online. We have all of your favorites and some you did not even know you could live without. The cool thing about online shopping is no driving, parking or gasoline costs and you can shop in your own home! We also have a button on the website "Ask Mary Jo". This is a special feature that lets you ask a question and know that you will typically receive an answer within 24 hours, Monday-Saturday. We are there to help you find what you need in the quantity and time frame that you need it. You can also call the store, someone is there Monday through Saturday to help you.

For all of you college parents & grandparents we have many of the University & State College fabrics available. How fun for your son or daughter to have a quilt, comforter, laundry sack or??? use your imagination even more special because it was made by someone who loves them. Certainly a much appreciated part of a care package.

The end of summer is also the start of Drama, Theatre, Ballet and other performing arts programs. We have all of the Glitter, Tulle, Velvet, Brocade, Animal Prints and shiny reflective fabric you will need for costumes and set design. Shop here first you will be happy you did.

We love our customers and we are here to help. Do you need something special ordered or some extra advice on how to do something? On the phone, in the store and on the web. Log on or stop by soon. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you. Do you have a project, story or an event to share? Please email us a few pics and the details, you could be the next blog story.

Thanks for shopping at Mary Jo's Cloth Store and enjoy the last few weeks of summer.