Countdown to Christmas: Sew a Stocking

We continue our countdown to Christmas with this fun and easy holiday sewing project.  Christmas stockings are such a special tradition, filled with little surprises from Santa, or to brighten your holiday décor.  

We used felt to make all of the stockings shown.  Felt is easy to work with because it doesn't fray.

And whoa!  Look at all the trimmings that can be used to personalize your stocking.  From pompom fringe to ric-rac, ruffles, braid and ribbon; you will find all this and more at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store.

The pattern shown is drawn on a 1-inch grid.  You can enlarge the pattern if you think Santa is delivering something a little bigger this year, or decrease the size and make mini-stockings for your pets, as tree ornaments or as a party favor, hostess gift or as part of your Christmas table setting.

Step 1: Use the pattern to cut out two pieces for the front and back of your stocking, and two pieces for the lining.  Pin together the lining pieces face-to-face and sew around the sides and foot of the stocking, leaving the top open.  As you sew, leave a 3 to 4 inch opening along one of the sides for turning.  After you are finished do not turn it right sides out – set it aside until the other pieces are sewn.

Step 2: Sew on your trimmings to one, or both sides of your stocking, inset from the top edge.

Step 3: Place the front and back pieces right sides together and sew around the sides and foot, leaving the top open.  Turn right sides out.  Put the stocking front, inside the stocking lining so that they are face to face.  

Step 4: Pin together the top, lining up the seams and sew all the way around.  You can sew a loop of ribbon or cord in the seam during this step, or hand stitch a ring or loop after the stocking is finished.

Step 5: Pull the stocking right sides out through the hole you left in the seam sewn in step 1. 

Step 6: After the stocking face and lining are right sides out, pin together the opening and sew closed.

Step 7: Push the lining into the stocking and press.  You can secure the lining with a few hand stitches if needed.

That’s it!  You can now make fun and creative stockings for your friends and family.  We would love to see pictures.  Please share your stockings on the Mary Jo’s Facebook page so we can share in the holiday sewing spirit.

Or, if you would rather learn how to sew stockings hands-on, we have just the class for you!  Sign up today for Christmas Stockings with instructor Susan Woodcock at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store on Friday, December 6^th from 3 – 6:00 pm. Bring your friends for a fun and creative time together.

Mary Jo's December Class Schedule

	Monday, December 2 Basic Sewing: Basic and Skirt Instructor: Jackie Derr Time: 10 am to 3 pm This is a 2 session class Continued Dates: December 9th Fee:$25   Min 6
Description: Learn the basics of sewing in this 2-week class session. Week 1: Learn how to use your machine, and sewing tools. During this class, you will learn how to use each of your sewing feet and proper usage of your machine. Learn how to hem, make buttonholes, sew a zipper, and how to add elastic. This class will get you started and ready for class 2, where you’ll be making a basic skirt. Pattern: 2906 Simplicity
	Tuesday, December 3rd Take 5: Quilt Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm           Fee: $35     Max 8
Description: You will learn to cut through 5 layers of fabric while constructing a quilt. Pattern: Take 5 by Teachers Pet
	Tuesday, December 3 Paper Piercing: Kentucky Star Block Instructor Patti Hayden Time: 6 pm to 9 pm           Fee: $25     Max 6
Description: Paper piecing is a foundation technique that will allow you to create blocks that are all the same size; each with precise, sharp points and perfectly matched intersections. This easy to learn method will open up the world of quilting, to include designs you thought you couldn’t do. You’ll be seeing “stars”! We’ll focus on one star block per session. Fabric requirements below are for a 12 block quilt with a finished size of 56”x70”. Book: 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars by Carol Doak
	Thursday, December 5 Sweet Treats: Aprons and Hot Pads Instructor Jessica Trimmer Time: 10 am to 3 pm           Fee: $35    Max 10
Description: Get your holidays off to a festive start, or create a great gift for a friend. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Thursday, December 5 Christmas Tree Skirt: Home Dec Instructor Susan Woodcock Time: 3 pm to 6 pm Fee: $35
Description: Is your tree dressed from head to toe? In this hands-on class you will make a round, Christmas tree skirt with trimmings to match your holiday theme or decor. Skill Level: Basic, but you must know how to use a sewing machine Book/Pattern: None
	Friday, December 6 Yo Yo Tree: Quilted wall hanging Instructor Kaye Carr Time: 10 am to 12 pm Fee: $10     Max 8
Description: Make a Christmas tree wall hanging with Yo Yo’s. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Friday, December 6 Christmas Stockings: Home Dec Instructor Susan Woodcock Time: 3 pm to 6 pm       Fee: $35
Description: In this class you will learn hands-on how to make Christmas stockings with fun and creative embellishments. Book/Pattern: None
	Saturday, December 7 Make and Take: Sewing Instructor Jessica Trimmer Time: 10 am to 1 pm - Gift bag 1 pm to 3 pm - Key Fob 3 pm to 6 pm - Embroidery Tag Fee: $10     Max 12
Description: Spend the day making gifts for the Holiday. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Tuesday, December 10 Beginning Quilting Instructor: Kaye Carr Time: 10 am to 4 pm This is a 2 session class Continued Dates: December 17th Fee:$25 plus supplies   Max 6
Description: This class is for students who want the basic information about construction of a quilt from beginning to end. It will require knowledge of your sewing machine and a desire to complete the project. This is a 2 session class. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Wednesday, December 11 Holiday Table Setting: Home Decor Instructor Sindy Burges Time: 10 am to 1 pm    Fee: $35      Max 8
Description: Learn to make easy placemats, napkins and matching napkin rings just in time to adorn your holiday table. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Wednesday, December 11 Chair Pads: Home Decor Instructor Sindy Burges Time: 2 pm to 5 pm          Fee: $25     Max 8
Description: Just in time for the holidays, learn how to make chair pads for fall. Liven up your kitchen, dining or breakfast area. Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Thursday, December 12 Sweet Treats: Wine Bag and Coasters Instructor Jessica Trimmer Time: 10 am to 2 pm           Fee: $35   Max 10
Description: Looking for a great hostess gift this holiday season? Pattern: Provided by Instructor
	Friday, December 13 Open Sew (3 Sessions) Instructor: None Continued Dates: December 20th & 27th Time: 10 am to 4 pm Fee: Free
Call up your friends and come sit and sew at Mary Jos. Work on any project you need to finish.
	Saturday, December 14 Wrapped Baskets (Sewing) Instructor Patti Hayden Time: 3pm to 6 pm Fee: $25      Max 12
Description: Learn to make these amazing bowls, baskets and purses from clothesline and fabric, using simple wrapping and coiling methods and zigzag stitching. You’ll make one project in class, but you’ll learn the techniques to make any project. These projects are easy and FUN to make. They make great gifts! Anyone and everyone can do this!! Book: It’s a Wrap (book is not necessary for class)
	Saturday, December 14 Serger Club Instructor Pam Carter Time: 9 am to 11 am Fee: $10
Description: There are some things a serger can do for your quilts that an ordinary sewing machine cannot. You do not have to be an expert at sergering or quilting to get good results. This is a demo lecture so no need to bring your machine. You will be able to do some hands on work and explore this fun new twist on quiltmaking! Book /Pattern: none
	Saturday, December 14 Home Dec Days Instructor Susan Woodcock Time: 10 am to 11 am Fee: Free
Description: Join Susan Woodcock, AKA Home Dec Gal at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store every second Saturday of the month for free home decor mini-workshops starting at 10am. 10:00 to 10:30 Pleated Ruffle Embellishments 10:40 to 11:00 Learn How To Make Box and Knife Pleated Ruffles
	Thursday, December 19 Sweet Treats: Table runner and Napkins Instructor Jessica Trimmer Time: 10 am to 3 pm Fee: $35     Max 10
Description: Round out your holiday decorating with fresh new table linens. This also makes a great hostess gift. Pattern: Provided by instructor. Kits are available for purchase

Mary Jo's Biggest Fabric Sale of the Year is Coming

You will not want to miss out on Mary Jo's Cloth Store largest sale of the year, Black Friday! For two days only, Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, enjoy immense savings on Baby Lock Sewing Machines, fabrics, notions and more. Doors open at 9 a.m. and free shipping is available to all online customers. 

Join Mary Jo's newsletter for exclusive prices on all featured Baby Lock Sewing Machines. Register Here.

BBQ Sauce, Grits and Corn Meal are Here Ya'll

A little history on one of Mary Jo’s iconic products

Mary Jo’s Cloth Store is known for housing one of the most complete and diverse fabric collections in the Southeast. Serving customers from over 250 miles away and even across the globe, Mary Jo’s offers a large selection of drapery, buttons, trims, upholstery, quilting and patterns to bridal, formal and fashion fabrics.

However, many overlook a particularly intriguing seasonal item, grits and corn meal. Now you are probably wondering, ‘how on earth would a cloth store end up selling grits and corn meal?’ 

The truth is simple really.

Billy Linney, owner of Linney Water Mill, visited Mary Jo’s several years ago and brought some fresh-ground samples with him. The fabric shoppers, fanatical over the samples and down-home memories they brought back, wanted more. 

Mary Jo decided then, to make corn meal and grits a staple in her inventory.

Linney, one of the last waterwheel powered mill owner and operators in NC, can’t produce a hefty amount of product due to the mill's restrictions; supplies are generally limited after spring. 

Grits and corn meal may be one of the last things on a fabric-lover's mind, but it is the one thing that has defined Mary Jo's for generations. 

Slow cooker BBQ with Adam Scott’s BBQ Sauce

1 – 4 to 5 pound pork shoulder or pork butt

½ tsp black pepper

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup apple cider vinegar

½ cup Adam Scott’s BBQ Sauce

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup water

Place the pork shoulder or pork butt into a slow cooker. Mix all the remaining ingredients, and pour over the pork.  Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours.  The pork should easily pull apart into strands when done.

Lift the pork out and discard any bones. If you want shredded pork, use two forks and just pull it apart. If you want chopped pork, use a sharp knife and chop into smaller pieces.  Place the chopped or shredded pork into a bowl and taste. You may want to add extra BBQ sauce at this time, and a little of the cooking liquid to keep the pork very moist. 

This is excellent as BBQ in sandwiches or just as BBQ pulled pork.

To make BBQ rice.  Refrigerate the leftover BBQ liquid from the crock pot.  When cold, removed most of the congealed fat that comes to the surface (don’t take all of the fat off).  Measure this liquid out and use it to cook the proper proportion of white or brown rice. This rice is delicious!

Countdown to Christmas: Custom Tree Skirt DIY

How-to make a Christmas tree skirt with Pompom trim

Do you put up a Christmas tree over the long Thanksgiving weekend?  It’s fun to unwrap all the decorations and dress the tree but it isn’t completely “dressed” without a skirt! There is still time to make a beautiful, custom skirt to match your theme or colors for this year.

The skirt shown here is embellished with a cute pompom fringe, which is sewn-on, but there are hundreds of ideas for decorating your tree skirt.  You will find everything you need at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store to make a one-of-a-kind keepsake! Imagine making a tree skirt with ruffles, sequins, lace felt letters, ribbon or braid.

 Yardage:

1 ½ yards fabric and 1½ yards lining (54 to 60 inch wide)

5 yards of trim

5 yards of ¼ inch diameter welt cord

Step 1: Cut the fabric into as big of a circle as the fabric allows.  To mark the circle, fold the fabric into quarters and draw an arc, measuring from the center out to the edges, one half of the finished size. Cut along the line to create a circle of fabric. 

Step 2: Clip a small notch along the outer edge at each fold, creating quarter marks. 

Step 3: Cut along one of the folds from the edge to the center.  

Step 4:  Unfold the circle of fabric.  Draw and cut a circle in the center.  This is for the tree trunk.  For an artificial tree cut a 5 to 6 inch diameter circle.  For a live tree you may need to make it larger, depending on the size of the tree.  

Step 5: Place the circle of fabric face down on the lining fabric.  Smooth it out evenly and cut the lining to match the face fabric, including the notches cut in Step 1. 

Step 6: Cut strips of fabric for the welt cord using the scrap fabric leftover from cutting out the circle.  Cut on the bias, and wide enough to cover the cord plus 1 inch for seam allowances. Sew together the strips and cover the cord.  (Adding welt cord is optional; if no welt cord is used skip to step 8).  

Step 7:  Apply covered welt cord by sewing to the face side along the outer edge and inner circle of the tree skirt.  

Step 8: Sew the pompom fringe on the face, inset above the welt cord along the outer edge.  

Step 9: Pin together the front and back pieces, lining up the quarter-notches and center circle.  

Step 10: Sew around all edges, leaving a small opening along the outer edge for turning.  Clip corners, and the seams if needed, and turn right sides out.  Press the edges and over the entire tree skirt with an iron.  Close the opening by hand stitching, or by using an iron-on bonding tape.   

Your tree skirt is finished!  Place on the floor at the base of your tree, wrapping around the trunk until it overlaps in the back.  Upload your handmade tree skirt to our Facebook page and share your DIY creation!

Calling All Embroidery Fans

Mary Jo’s second specialized club launches this month

The holidays are slowly starting to creep up, which means there is no better time to get a jump start on making sure all your home décor and gifts are ready to go! 

Mary Jo’s Cloth Store is again partnering with BabyLock Sewing Machines to launch a specialized Embroidery Club. 

Each month, join Pam Carter as she demos new and exciting Embroidery projects. Much like the Serger Club, the Mary Jo’s Embroidery Club creates the unique opportunity for embroidery fans to the learn the latest news, features and accessories of their machines while enjoying hands on experience from the professionals.

The inaugural club meeting is Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., at Mary Jo’s.

Members will learn how to create the perfect home décor with a burlap pillow tutorial featuring framing patterns and an array of handy fonts. A small monthly fee is required. To register for the Mary Jo’s Embroidery Club, please email Aimeeg@maryjos.com.

Calling All Serger Fans

An exciting new club launches at Mary Jo’s

Mary Jo’s is partnering with Baby Lock Sewing Machines to launch the area’s first local Serger Club. Each month, learn the latest features, news and accessories for your Serger machine and enjoy hands on experience with the professionals. Join Pam Carter as she demonstrates a new Serger project every club meeting.

Why sign up for the club? It creates the unique opportunity for Serger lovers from all over the state to ask questions and study from industry leaders in an intimate setting. No matter the brand of the machine, the Mary Jo’s Serger Club will help everyone dust off their closet-machines with exciting new techniques and ideas.  

The inaugural club meeting is Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., at Mary Jo’s. 

Members will learn how to spice up home décor with Serger pin tuck and Serger wave tuck tutorials. A small monthly fee is required. To register for the Mary Jo’s Serger Club, please email Aimeeg@maryjos.com.

A Veterans Day Salute

Veterans Day is Monday, Nov.11. This special day is set aside to honor all the men and women who serve, or have served our country in the military. Our veterans are brave and selfless, risking their lives to protect our freedom and security at home and abroad. 

Veterans are our family, friends and neighbors. Veterans are our hero’s. How do you say thank you?

Steve Leader of San Diego, California spent the past eight years making two amazing quilts with World War II military insignia to honor our nation’s veterans. The first public display of his quilts was at the San Diego Quilt Show Sept.5-7, 2013. 

The two quilts contain over 870 original patches representing every branch of military service, unit and rank.  It is an amazing collection and since Steve only uses original patches, and not reproductions, many are rare and expensive to purchase.

Steve’s quilting journey, from his inspiration to learning how to quilt and acquiring the patches is recorded on his website. What an amazing story! 

If you are an active member of the military, stop by Mary Jo’s on Veterans Day and receive 10% off your purchase (with ID) and a big thank you from all of us at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store. Happy Veterans Day!