Fashion Week and a Blast From The Past...

Charleston Fashion Week is a BIG deal in the south. This is the show that can make and break talented Fashion Designers careers. It is not exactly "The Devil Wears Prada" but sometimes you might think so! Competition is stiff and for new and emerging designers who apply to be in this show it is a coup and an honor to be accepted. Well, do we have some news, one of our favorite Mail Order Customers was chosen to be a part of this Annual event, which will take place March 20th-24th, 2012.


She will be launching her Pret-A-Porter (Ready To Wear) 2012 Fall Collection for Children!!!
Nancy Faw Crowell is from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. She has every reason to be over the moon excited about this very special week. "My design philosophy for this collection is to create high quality children's clothing with hints of vintage styles but completely modern for today's fashion conscious children and parents." She is one talented gal. Nancy has been shopping with Mary Jo Cloth for at least 17 years, according to Maggie, who helps run our Mail Order Department. Nancy has been buying cloth for custom children's clothing and other projects for over 17 years, Maggie says she just thinks the world of her. She is one talented designer and we are so happy that she has this great opportunity with Fashion Week in Charleston. Miss Nancy, we at Mary Jo's wish you all the luck in the world, but we think you don't need luck, what, with all of your hard work and talent, you are going places. Congratulations and kudos to you.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to post on our Mary Jo's Cloth Facebook Wall, wishing Mary Jo a Happy Birthday and to all of you who dropped a note or/and a story about your experience over the years with Mary Jo and her Cloth Store! We are going to share a note from a longtime customer named Marge Crunkleton. Read on, it is delightful.

"Enjoyed reading about the "big eighty" Mary Jo experienced recently...I know how she feels. Time certainly does pass quickly. I too, am 80 and a long time friend of Mary Jo.
My first shopping experiences were much different than shopping at Mary Jo's today.
I was 23, (from the big city) married a southern boy and settled in Dallas, North Carolina...no malls, no movie theatre,no, no, no anything.
However, it was not long that I found a wonderful wonderful cloth store in Dallas and being a creative sewer...the void in my life was filled. I was in "sewers heaven."

I would put the baby in her stroller and trudge the long walk to "downtown" Dallas, to the first Mary Jo's Cloth Store in Dallas, NC.
Mary Jo's was the place to find unusual fabrics...and priced cheap ! In those days, I had only a dollar or two to spend...so "cheap" was very important to me.
A friendships developed between Mary Jo, her husband Polie, sales clerk Addie and myself since I was there looking and shopping a time or two each week. This was in the early 50's and where else could I shop for an hour, spend only a dollar ....and get my creative juices flowing.?
Mary Jo's was a haven for creative people. She had impossible to find, mill end fabrics...exclusive to the retail industry only. For example: she had, in the 50's waterproof tan trench coat fabric. Making it possible for me to copy "store bought" trench coats for my 3 year old.
I loved Mary Jo's Cloth Store. Now and then, I would cut my own yardage... when clerks were busy. Several times Polie would hand me a small remnant of fabric and say "here, make something for the kid".
As I reflect, while writing this ... It feels like all this was just yesterday. Suddenly reality steps in and I realize this story happened some sixty years ago. I stop remembering and come back to today....and think "man, was it that long ago?"
Yes, time does march along.
To Mary Jo: Thank you for all your efforts, providing all of us, sewers and creative people, a place where we can gather to exchange ideas, get ideas and suggestions to make our ideas and dreams become reality.
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY TO YOU MARY JO ...you are appreciated by us all.
Sincerely, Marge Crunkleton"
Sweet! Thanks Marge we appreciate you taking the time to send such a lovely note.

Do You have a story to share? A project we could feature? We would love to hear from you. Post on our Facebook page or send an EMAIL today! By the way if you click on the word FACEBOOK, you will be directed to our page and if you click "like" you will be notified of specials, blog articles and Fabric news items on your Facebook wall.

Mary Jo Celebrates the BIG 80!!!

This week we have a lot to share. Did you know that on Monday we helped Mary Jo celebrate her 80th Birthday? Wow, where does the time go? Things in the fabric business have changed greatly over the years and Mary Jo is still around to tell the tale. Remember, she started Mary Jo's Cloth Store when she was a mere 18 years old! Her Cloth Store has grown tremendously over the years. We not only have a huge Retail and Mail order operation but in the past several years have added Online/Web shopping. We ship orders all over the world, every day. Want to know more about "The Cloth Queen"? The Gaston Gazzete did a fine article about Mary Jo recently, click here to read all about it.

Today we would also like to talk a bit about our shipping department. Anyone who has placed an order, may not know this, but it arrives at your door because of Beth Cobb and her crew of devoted workers. Beth heads up the Mail & Web Order Department. She is the gal who makes sure your order is not only filled properly but is billed and shipped. What a big job. Beth has been with Mary Jo's Cloth Store just over 20 years. Wow. She does a terrific job. We are always receiving notes, letters and kudos in general, directed to Beth and her "Mail Order" Department.
We would like to thank Beth and her crew of folks who make this department work like a well oiled piece of machinery. Thank you ladies.
Oh and on another shipping note we are extending our FREE SHIPPING for a bit longer. It won't last forever and it sure is an easy way to save some cash, so log onto the website and keep Beth busy, pulling an order just for you! She will be delighted, as always.

We recently received a nice note from our customer, Karen May, read on...
My adorable fabric came yesterday! The packaging worked; the outside was scuffed and slushy but it held up, especially with the inside bag.
I was amazed at the promptness of my delivery, I had to look at your address again because I thought you were local. If you have any more of this fabric I may purchase more, I have another project in mind.
I would be happy to post feedback at a public site for you, or you can use this. Thanks..good stuff!!

So there you have it. No driving, no waiting all you need to do is log onto www.maryjos.com anytime of the day or night and have yourself a good ol' time. It is always so much fun to find some great bargains and dream up some cool projects. Hmmm new Quilt? Drapes or slipcovers? Tablecloths or some new Throw Pillows? Dresses, Wedding Gowns and Dance Costumes. If you can dream it up, we more than likely have the fabric you have in mind and usually at an outstanding price.
Do you have a story or project to share? Now is the time. Send a photo and a brief description of your project. You may be featured in a future article.
All for now, enjoy these quiet winter days. Great weather for sewing, don't you think?