Monday, October 19, 2015

Mary Jo's Welcomes Anita Goodesign Educator, Sandra!


Need some help organizing your sewing and craft room? Join us for our 2 day event, "The Perfect Sewing Room," December 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.! During this fun filled weekend at Mary Jo's, you will complete 14 projects all themed around organizing your favorite room of the house with Anita Goodesign educator, Sandra!

Call 704.861.9100 to sign up today!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Fun Holiday Sewing Kids Camp!

Just in time for the holiday break! 

Need something fun to keep the kids entertained this Christmas break? Are the kids not sure what to give grandma? Well, bring the kids on down to Mary Jo's for a few days of crafting fun this holiday season for our first ever holiday kids camp!

Camp Includes:

  • Very own BL-9 sewing machine to take home!
  • Homemade gifts for family members and friends. 
    • December 20-23: Stocking, pillow, ornaments and more!
    • December 27-29: Adorable PJ bottoms and a fabric bowl!
  • Great skills taught by fun educators!
Limited Space!
Call 704.861.9100 to reserve your child's spot! 

Mary Jo’s is an Official Partner of the 2015 Kiss 95.1 Gravedigger’s Ball!

Need the tools to win the largest costume contest in the Carolinas? 

We’ve got you covered with our 32,000 square feet of fabric and notions. We buy in huge bulk and pass the savings on to you!

Having trouble choosing the perfect costume?  

Here are 10 DIY costume ideas and the materials you can buy at Mary Jo’s to make them! Click the name for additional ideas and tutorials!

Minion

  • royal blue tulle
  • royal blue ribbon 




Mermaid

  • shimmery green fabric
  • green or turquoise sequined fabric
  • turquoise and blue tulle


Sheep

  • fleece fabric
  • pink and black fabric or felt


Gumball Machine

  • red fabric
  • grey felt
  • colored pompoms





Monarch Butterfly

  • black, orange and white felt
  • black elastic


Deer

  • brown fabric
  • furry fabric
  • various shades of brown felt

Ninja Turtle

  • green, red and yellow fabric or felt
  • black or brown elastic for belt

Loofah

  • pink, blue or purple tulle 
  • stretch jersey fabric in a matching color

Star Wars R2D2

  • white and blue fabric or felt
  • blue and white tulle 

Spider Web

  • black fleece







Don’t forget! 

Submit a photo of your DIY costume masterpiece to maryjosfabrics@gmail.com by November 2nd for a chance to win $75 in MJ Bucks!

Click here to purchase your 2015 Gravedigger's Ball tickets! 

Friday, October 9, 2015

November and December Classes at Mary Jo's!

Quilting Classes





Monday, November 2, 9, 16 & 23

BEGINNING QUILTING CLASS
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $95 (all 4 sessions)
This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From to you'll learn it all. Whether you've never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this is for you.



Tuesday, November 3rd

HOLIDAY TABLE RUNNER
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $30
Get your home ready for the holidays with this festive table runner. It's a great way to jazz up any room. You can personalize it by adding your last name on one of the applique' lines. Consider making 2, one to keep and one to give!



Saturday, November 7th

LOG CABIN HIDDEN STARS
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35
Divide your jelly roll into lights and darks to create a beautiful log cabin pattern. Add the sparkle of a hidden star to make this festive throw or full sized quilt.



Tuesday, November 10th

PINEAPPLES ON POINT
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35
If you've always wanted to make a Pineapple quilt but thought it looked too complicated, you will love this class. The Creative Grids pineapple ruler is just the tool you need to make the intricate design of this quilt effortless.



Tuesday, November 17th

QUILT FINISHING CLASS
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $25
Need some extra time and instruction on a project? Stumped on the next step of something you started? Join Daniela and get the help you need with those WIP's (Work-in-progress). This is a freeform class that you can bring your own project and work at your own pace!



Saturday, November 14th

WINTERBERRY
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35
Get ready for winter with this beautiful quilt. This class will class concentrate on my favorite for making multiple half square triangles that come out perfect EVERY time!



Tuesday, December 1st

SCRAPPY RAILS
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $35
Looking for a great use for your 2 ½” precut strips? Need a quilt in a hurry? When time is of the essence this is a great “go to” project. Come learn my simplified technique for putting this quilt together. Not only does it go together quickly, but the finished product is beautiful.



Tuesday, December 8th or 15th

QUILT FINISHING CLASS
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Daniela Hogan
Fee: $25 (either session)
Need some extra time and instruction on a project? Stumped onthe next step of something you started? Join Daniela and get the help you need with those WIP's (Work-in-progress). This is a free form class that you can bring your own project and work at your own pace!



Tuesday, November 10th

RABBIT HOLE,
A MODERN QUILT

Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Instructor: Pam Carter
Fee: $25
This new interpretation of the Twisted Log Cabin Quilt is inspired by Alice's journey and what it might have been like as she travelled down to a world completely foreign to her.

Sewing





Thursday, November 5th, 12th & 19th

INTERMEDIATE SEWING CLASS
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 6 pm - 9 pm
Fee: $75 (all 3 sessions)
Learn more advanced techniques for sewing clothing and crafts. We will discuss when to use certain interfacings, matching plaids and stripes, and directional fabrics. Learn when to clip inner curves, when to notch outer curves, trim corners properly, stay-stitching, reinforced stitching, ease-stitching (for set in sleeves), under-stitching, princess seams, and sew a curved piece of fabric to a straight piece of fabric.

Hand sewing: Hand-make thread eyes, attaching hooks and eyes, buttonhole placement, and sew on snaps.





Wed, November 4th (10am - 2pm)
OR Sunday November 15th (1pm - 5pm)

CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Fee: $25 (either session)
Make a Beautiful One-of-a-Kind Christmas Tree Skirt. We will be using McCall's Pattern M6453. Select fabrics that will compliment your décor or make it for an early gift for Christmas.



Thursday, November 5, 12 & 19

INTERMEDIATE SEWING CLASS
Evening

Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 6 pm - 9 pm
Fee: $75 (all 3 sessions)
Learn more advanced techniques for sewing clothing and crafts. We will discuss when to use certain interfacings, matching plaids andstripes, and directional fabrics. Learn when to clip inner curves, whento notch outer curves, trim corners properly, stay-stitching, reinforced stitching, ease-stitching (for set in sleeves), under-stitching, princess seams, and sew a curved piece of fabric to a straight piece of fabric.Hand sewing: Hand-make thread eyes, attaching hooks and eyes, buttonhole placement, and sew on snaps.




Friday, November 6th

QUILTING ACCESSORY KNOW HOW
Dual Feed Quilting Foot

Instructor: Pam Carter
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Fee: $20
Do you own a Baby Lock machine that has a Dual Feed Walking foot and are not sure what to do with it? We will teach you the reasons for using this great accessory foot as well as the quilting bar and beam (if your machine came with one). So get ready to have a great time!




Saturday, November 7 or Wednesday, November 11

HOLIDAY PLACEMAT & NAPKIN
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Fee: $20
Using the Double Mitre Ruler, come learn to make this beautiful super easy and fast placemat. Your place setting won't be complete without a matching napkin. We will also learn to make and fold those to set the perfect holiday table!




Sunday, November 8th

EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Pam Carter
Time: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Fee: $20
This is the first workshop in a series following our Anita Goodesign events. The tea towel and topper will make a great gift for any occasion. So grab you linen towels and get ready to have some fun!




Saturday, November 14 (10am - 3pm)
or Sunday, November 8th (1pm - 6pm)

GET IT DONE
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Fee: $25
Need some help finishing an apparel or home december project? Too many distractions at home? Join us for a "Get it Done" sewing class with our expert Mary Sue Christenbury




Saturday, November 14th

NO THREAD. NO LIMITS.
Embellisher Class

Instructor: Melanie Stilwalt
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Fee: $45 + Kit Fee

Creative ideas will flow for home crafters and quilters with the Baby Lock Embellisher, a machine for sewers that doesn't require any thread. With twelve individual barbed needles that mesh one fabric into another without the need for thread or threading, the Embellisher will transport home crafters and quilters to higher creative levels on a variety of projects including quilts, decorative throw rugs, scarves, scrapbooks, decorative stationery, greeting cards and more.




Sunday, November 15th

EASY PIECING AND QUILTING ON A SERGER
Instructor: Pam Carter
Time: 12:30 pm - 5 pm
Fee: $25
Inspired by the modern quilt movement, Susan Zellers created this quilt using her Ovation Baby Lock Serger. As an educator for Baby Lock she has always used her serger to piece garments because it is faster then her conventional machine. So she experimented with the chain stitch and found it very strong, fast and easily removed, and not a knife to deal with.




Tuesday, December 1st or Monday, December 7th

CHRISTMAS STOCKING
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Fee: $10
You will be amazed at how simple this stocking is. Just 4,YES FOUR!!!, seams and you are done. NO hand sewing.




Wednesday, December 2nd

CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Fee: $25
Make a Beautiful One-of-a-Kind Christmas Tree Skirt. We will be using McCall's Pattern M6453. Select fabrics that will compliment your décor or make it for an early gift for Christmas.




Sunday, December 6th

DAILY DUFFLE
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 1 pm - 5 pm
Fee: $25
This adorable Duffle Bag is just perfect for a weekend get-away or would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone you love. This bag has 8 external pockets for keeping your personal things organized. Finished Bag Measures 18” x 10”x 10”




Thursday, December 10th

GET IT DONE
Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Fee: $25
Need some help finishing an apparel or home december project? Too many distractions at home? Join us for a "Get it Done" sewing class with our expert Mary Sue Christenbury.

BABY LOCK OWNER CLASSES

November

  • Overlock Owner's Class 2 - Thursday, November 12th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Overlock Owner's Guide Class - Thursday, November 5th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 101 - Thursday, November 5th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 101 - Tuesday, November 17th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 201 - Thursday, November 12th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 201 - Tuesday, November 24th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 301 - Friday, November 13th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 301 - Thursday, November 19th, 6pm - 9pm

December

  • Owner’s Guide Class 101 - Tuesday, December 8th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 101 - Thursday, December 10th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 201 - Tuesday, December 15th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 201 - Thursday, December 17th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 301 - Tuesday, December 1st, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 301 - Saturday, December 19th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Owner’s Guide Class 301 - Tuesday, December 22nd, 9:30am - 12:30pm
  • Overlock Owner's Guide Class 1 - Thursday, December 10th, 6pm - 9pm
  • Overlock Owner's Class 2 - Thursday, December 17th, 6pm - 9pm

Clubs & Events



Fri, November 6th or 13th

KIDS CLUB
Scarf Organizer

Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt
Time: 4 pm - 6 pm
Fee: $25 (either session)
Instructional class designed to teach kids to sew by completing a project. Organization has never been so much fun or so fashionable! Jazz up an old hanger and add pizazz to your closet when you learn to make this scarf organizer.



Sunday, December 20th - 23rd

KIDS HOLIDAY CAMP SESSION I
Instructor: Melanie Stilwalt
Time: Sunday 1pm - 4pm, Monday - Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm
Fee: $230 (includes BL9 sewing machine)
Gift giving has never been so much fun as when you create your own presents. Get ready for the Holiday and check names off of your list. Join Melanie as she teaches you how to make a Christmas stocking, a pillow, ornaments for the tree and more!



Sunday, December 27th - 29th

KIDS HOLIDAY CAMP SESSION II
Instructor: Pam Carter
Time: Sunday 1pm - 5pm, Monday - Wednesday 9:30am - 2pm
Fee: $230 (includes BL9 sewing machine)
Need a creative way to enjoy your Christmas break? Mary Jo's Kids camp is the perfect place for you. Join Pam as she shows you how easy it can be to make a perfect fitting pair of pajama bottoms and a cute bowl!

Class Policy:

Class Policy
  • The class fee must be collected when you sign up for the class to guarantee your seat. Each fee is listed next to the class listing.
  • If you cannot attend a class for which you have registered you must let us know 7 days prior to class time. We will be happy to refund you class fee and/or register you in another class.
  • If you cancel after the 7-day time allowance, up until the day of the class, your class fee is nonrefundable.
  • A minimum of 3 students is required for class. If this requirement is not met, usually the class will be canceled and you will be refunded your class fee.
  • Mary Jo's' reserves the right to cancel classes for any reason. If this happens, you will be refunded your class fee.
  • There are no refunds on class fees for 'Special Event' teachers/classes within 30 days of class date unless we can fill your spot with another person. NO EXCEPTIONS!
We reserve the right to substitute fabrics based on availability.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Where are all of the costume and bridal fabrics?!

Mary Jo’s was the first big-box store in the industry. Just a few decades ago, future brides and their families would come to Mary Jo’s for one intense shopping spree. During the spree, they would buy everything necessary to make each of their dresses and turn themselves out as an ensemble by virtue of their coordinating clothing. For years we have thrived as one of the only one-stop suppliers in the nation to costume designers of theater productions and films.

Today, our bridal and costume fabric inventory is much smaller - an index to the fabric industry at large. Fabrics that used to come in quantities of 2,000 yards or more, are now reduced to as few as 500 yards. Unfortunately, almost all of these fabrics are now produced by mills overseas and the quantity they produce is made to order. This method of production does not take into account retail stores, nor does it support the home sewing market.

As more garment manufacturing moves overseas, fewer leftover bolts of fabric, called “off goods,” are available to fabric retailers in the United States. Less selection hurts independent stores, like us, who built their reputation on having the widest selection around. While in the past we might try to keep 15 shades of a certain fabric on the shelves, that’s just not possible if manufacturers cut back to only seven shades.  Today only enough goods are made to fill orders – nothing extra like in the past.

Large quantities of fabric must be requested months in advance, and chances are it’s “one run and done.” No manufacturer wants to be sitting on thousands, or even hundreds, of unsold yards of fabric. While some excess does become available, the majority of it is shipped to New York or the West Coast, at which point shipping it would outweigh the price of the fabric itself.

Let us assure you, our valued costume and bridal fabric shoppers, that you have not been forgotten and that your business is greatly appreciated. It is not by choice that we carry less of your favorites and we too are frustrated by the overall shortage of costume and bridal fabrics.

We cannot say enough how sad it makes us to feel as though a large portion of our client base feels forgotten. We strive to make each and every customer feel welcomed and appreciated; your needs are important to us. Please feel free to come in or message us with any questions and we will do our best to assist you with finding any fabric you might need.