Mary Jo's Cloth Design Blog

Fashion Week and a Blast From The Past...

2012-01-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2012-01-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

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?

Free Shipping and A Big Thank-You...

2011-12-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

Our first order of business is Shipping. 2011 is rapidly coming to a close. That means our December FREE SHIPPING is almost over. Our website is filled with truly amazing bargains, as always, nothing new there! Always check the SALE page first, that is where we show off the biggest bargains.
Now is the time to be thinking about your sewing needs for the coming year. Our most ambitious clients will turn their eye towards recovering or slip-covering that careworn Chair or Sofa. Maybe you just need to just change up a space? Spice it up with some cool colored or patterned fabric. You could do something as simple as creating a few new tablecloths or stitch up several sets of curtains. You could even take out all the color and go with some fresh white linen for a sunny room. Muslin and Burlap style fabrics seem to be quite popular as well, with prices like this and free shipping, maybe you should give it a whirl, what is stopping you?
We would also like to THANK-YOU for being our loyal customer. Yes, YOU.
Mary Jo's Cloth Store is blessed. Every Monday-Saturday our 65 employees can be found scurrying around the bolts of cloth or one of the many cutting tables, stocking, arranging, cutting orders and answering your questions. Our mail room keeps many of the employees very busy with web and phone orders. There are always several folks working near the front of the store at the cashiers desk and in the notions departments. Our 32,000 square foot building is absolutely filled to the rafters with bolts of cloth and all of the notions that our customers may need. When Mary Jo started her Cloth Store over 60 years ago, she vowed that it would be a store where all of her customers could afford to buy cloth that was affordable, always. She holds true to that statement today. Mary Jo still comes to the store everyday, helping, ordering, managing and making sure her dream is carried out. She will be celebrating her 80th birthday in mid-January!
We are thankful to have such a special place in the hearts of those who sew, create, quilt and use our fabric for a variety of purposes, at home and in their businesses.
So again, Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you. We appreciate your loyal patronage over the years. We love to hear about your projects and all of the special things you do with Mary Jo's Cloth. Keep up the good work and we will be seeing y'all in the New Year.
Drop us a note, share your project and if you have a "Cloth Store" story please share it with us. We are all ears.
May your New Year be filled with joy, magic and love.

Holidays, Winter Re-Do, Sales, & Free Shipping..

2011-12-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming and 2012 is not far behind. Where does the time go? Life and living seem to scream by at an accelerated pace. So here are a few thoughts from Mary Jo's Cloth Store.
First, remember "Free Shipping" now through December 31st. If you are thinking about stocking up, now is the time, please make sure to tell your friends.
Second, we have 238 items posted on our SALE page. For all of you Pillow-makers and Upholstery buffs, we have many choices of trim and fringe on SALE for as little as .79 cents per yard. WOW, that is crazy cheap, with free shipping we are almost giving it away. If you would like to be inspired and learn a bit more, Linda Lee from HGTV is featured in a lovely article showing you just how easy it is to "Fringe" up a pillow or two.
Third, we still have plenty of Holiday fabric, just in time for a few last minute Tablecloths, Stockings and Tree Skirts. Many of the Holiday Fabrics we carry are also a general Winter theme, so you won't have to put it away until the Daffodils start poking their little heads out of the ground! It is always nice to enjoy our personal spaces in a state of lovely Winter Decor. Quiet and peaceful, mmmm, I do believe it sounds like a soothing tonic.

Lastly, when the weather outside is frightful and snow and rain are our constant companions, beat those winter blues by shaking up your personal habitat! Now is the time to be thinking of re-doing a room, re-upholstering a chair, making new curtains, or throwing on a new coat of paint to give your world either a pop of color or a quiet moment. Either way January is the perfect month for home improvement. Most Home stores have deeply discounted sales on sheets & towels. Paint stores often have major sales on basic paint & brushes, furniture & accessories are also easy to pick up on sale in January. At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we always have a great selection of Home & Design Fabrics at prices that always beat the other guys!

You may want to check out the latest design and decorating trends in the magazines, Veranda and House Beautiful. They are a wealth of information and inspiration. The pages of these periodicals are chocked full with ideas on color, style and home decor. A pleasure!

In mid-January we would like to feature some of your projects. Do you have something to share with us and our readers? We all love to be inspired and wowed. So take a moment, photograph your space and send in your own Personal Habitat, you may be a featured article! We look forward to hearing from you, Happy Holidays.

Holiday Projects and FREE Shipping...

2011-11-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that the Holidays are almost here. The month of December can be filled to full with Parties, Events, Dinners, Gatherings and many visits and trips to the homes of friends and relatives. Yes, this time of year can be a blur. You may want to consider slowing down and taking time to smell the Christmas Tree! What if this Holiday Season you choose to stay home a little more often and make all sorts of amazing treasures, holiday and otherwise. Here at Mary Jo's Cloth Store we are gifting you with FREE shipping for the holidays. This offer is good for the entire month of December. If you are thinking about your next Quilt, Dress, Drapery, Duvet Cover, Tablecloths and oodles of crafting projects, now is the time to stock up. If you make your living with needle and thread, we do not have to remind you that not only are our prices some of the best in the nation, for the month of December you can score a little extra dough with this special offer of FREE Shipping. Want to be inspired and tempted with some great fabric? Log onto www.maryjos.com, you won't believe the selection or the SALE page, really. We are always posting new items at great prices.

A few weeks ago we had a shout out on our Facebook page for Holiday Projects. Today we are featuring two gals and their inspired projects. By the way if you are not a Mary Jo's Cloth Store Facebook friend, click this link and "like" us. You can keep current on specials, sales and shout outs for specific projects and quilts.

One of our readers, Barbara Dersch, a talent from Crystal Lake, Illinois submitted this beautiful quilt. The Christmas colors are lovely and the workmanship certainly looks perfect. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

Our next featured project comes Emily Brown a local talent. She has shared several of her favorite holiday items with us. Her Mom also contributed Christmas Stockings made with Mary Jo's Felt.
She writes, Hi! Saw on facebook your call for holiday items made with Mary Jo's fabric. I am local (grew up in Shelby, spent many a weekend day at MJ's with my mom fabric shopping.) Now I work in Gastonia a couple miles from Mary Jo's and stop by frequently as I have a handmade kitchen accessory line that I sell on etsy. I make aprons and oven mitts and pot holders. Much of my fabric is from Mary Jo's. Thanks Miss Emily your work is well designed and executed. Seems like you may sell quite a bit at your ETSY Store. Stop in anytime, Emily, we would love to see you. Do you have a project to share with us? Please email us a few photos and a brief description.
We cannot wait to hear from you.

Two Gals Making Waves in The Quilting World...

2011-11-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

The fabric company, Riley Blake Designs licenses the work of many talented designers.
They also work with the best in the business of Quilting. They hire these experts to work as their Course Teachers at their very own web based "Cutting Corners College".
Today we are featuring two designers that are real hottie's in the Fabric and Quilting design world.
If you had one hundred words to describe Jina Barney, it just would not be enough! She is a super talent in the land of Quilters. What, you say? You have probably seen her work, she has a line of patterns she calls "Butterfly Kisses" and you can view her "how to" videos at "Cutting Corners College". She also gives workshops all over the country about quilting. Her work is inspired, different, contemporary and very arty. She loves cheerful colors and patterns. It is fun to go online and click onto a video and hear her talk about her many projects. The one we are featuring today is on the Riley Blake site, titled, "Hotpads". She uses 10x10 pieces of fabric and batting. Her tutorial is very informative and you can see just how easy it is to whip up a project that is useful and would also make great gifts for your friends and family.
You will love her way of matching fabric patterns and colors. Check it out you will be delighted and inspired. Click this link to view her video.

Another hyper-talent in the industry is Carina Gardner. She is not only a Fabric Designer but a talented blogger. She is interested in all things "home" and her eye for color and pattern is exquisite. She presents a Design Blog filled to full with wonderful ideas and projects for a life well lived. We believe she is a lady to pay attention to. Carina was recently featured in Fat Quarterly.com a great article, check it out it is worth a look. Watch out Martha Stewart!
We are featuring Carina's project "Pinfeathers Rosetta Wreath". This is an easy 1, 2 3 step style project. This wreath is quick to create and so easy you may even become addicted to creating these beauties. Be careful, once you display your wreath for the holidays all of your friends are going to want one! Click this link for a free PDF download of the pattern and the instructions. This could be an inexpensive project if you use your remnant pieces. You could also log onto our Mary Jo's Sale page. Did you know the stock changes on this page sometimes almost daily? Today we have over 200 fabrics, trims and notions to choose from.

Thanks to Jina and Carina for adding beauty, knowledge and generosity to the Fabric World and the internet.

This is the time of year when we all stop to give thanks for all of our tender blessings. We would like to thank-you for being our wonderful customers, for shopping online and in the store, contributing your projects for articles on this blog, sharing your newsletters, checking in on our Facebook page and being a part of our Mary Jo's Cloth Store family. We are blessed. Keep sewing and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Holidays, Trends, Colors & Cool Designers...

2011-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Family, friends, company, dinners, parties and many celebrations will be taking place during the next 60 days,
are you ready? At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we have been anticipating this season with much joy. We are stocked beyond full with Holiday inspired Fabrics. The patterns this year are rich and vibrant. Velvets, Satins, Taffeta's, Batiks and of course all of the Holiday Prints and Patterns that are just the perfect companions to such finery. What is your look this year? How will you decorate for your Thanksgiving Feast? Will you use the traditional Autumn Celebration of color and texture or be a renegade and choose Mossy Greens and Rich Cranberries that segue into the Winter Holiday season and can be timeless through the long winter days of January and February. Quite a dilemma.
We can help.
It is always fun to share the inspirations of real people. A former floral designer, Chelsea Fuss in NYC has a very inspirational blog called Frolic. Sweet and packed with home and garden style ideas, you will enjoy her point of view and lovely photos. Today we are featuring one of her tables, decked out in a simple plaid and matching napkins with some simple embroidery.
Another gal who is always searching around for cool stuff is Manvi Drona Hildago. Her blog is called Mochatini. Really cool and lots of ideas. Some are fancy and others are drawn from nature, all share her unique brand and love of style. Such talent.

The internet is rich with ideas for any occasion. When you google , "Holiday, Thanksgiving or Christmas Table Decor", the world is your oyster and all of the info is at your fingertips. You will be so inspired that you will be runnin' to Maryjos.com to pick up some of the best priced fabric on the market today. Oh and the selection this time of year, well the sky is the limit. Log onto our website today, be inspired, and save some cash. Remember to send us some photos of what you have been creating, because you could be the featured customer on our blog.
Happy Holidays!

The Costume Winner Is...

2011-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a response. Our customers are not only talented and creative they are also very clever in their use of fabric. Mixing patterns and prints, weights and sheens. We were very impressed with all of your submissions. We have included our top picks in the slide show; make sure you take a moment to see these beauties for inspiration. You will not be disappointed.

Before choosing the winner we did a slideshow, without names (some of you are professionals) and judged on the clever and best use of fabric, patterns and prints and on the technical difficulty. Our Grand Prize $100.00 winner is Matthew James. The costume we chose was the March Hare. This fantastical interpretation was created for the CPCC’s production of Alice In Wonderland. I made the next one for the White Rabbit for CPCC's Alice in Wonderland. The jacket is lined with the same fabric and has batting inside of every piece to give it that fluffy look. The vest is lined and the pants are high-waisted stretch pants. The clocks are made out of vinyl from Mary Jo's and are attached with velcro so he can take them on and off during the show. I made everything on this one but the headpiece. Truly a wonderful costume created perfectly with a healthy use of imagination and executed flawlessly. If you would like to see more of his work or would like to attend one of Rhapsody Designs, Sewing or Millinery classes click on their Facebook Page.

We had so many amazing costumes to choose from we then created a non-cash Honorable mention category.

First Place Winner is “Mr & Mrs Joker” created by Dee Gosnell of Ocala Fl. Dee wrote, “my son lives in Gastonia and he purchased everything, including the pattern at our store and then mailed it all to her." She did a great job, we are sure you agree.

Second Place goes to “The Ballerina” created by Nancy Gallagher, included in her note, “I made this just last month, but I bought the bulk of the fabric and netting at Mary Jo's about 4 years ago when I attended tutu school with Claudia Folts."

Third Place is “Snow White” created by Jennifer. We loved the collar and the perfect use of Satin. Not a pucker, truly a terrific job. Jennifer writes, “I love to get Mary Jo's fabric especially for my costumes! I have made many Disney ones and you all have the best fabrics with colors like Disney colors!"

We also have a Technical Award", this goes to “White Victorian Dress” created by Jessica Hagens. “This is a Victorian bustle inspired gown. Both the off-white and brocade satin were purchased at Mary Jo's as well as the trim, which was customized by cutting it in half and the cording in the back is 3 braided colors also purchased at Mary Jo's. Essentially all materials minus the pattern are from Mary Jo’s. Thank you for your part in creating one of my best costumes."

We would like to thank all of you for your submissions. We collected the best of the best for the slideshow. Halloween is still a few weeks away. Are you ready? If not, log onto the website which is open 24-7 or stop into the store. We always love to hear from you, send us photos of your latest project. You may be our next blog article. Happy almost Halloween!

Saddlebags So Chic and Fun...

2011-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

October is just a few days away! How quickly a year passes. Halloween is almost on our doorstep. Are you ready? We have plenty of spooky fabric in stock, maryjos.com just right for outfitting your Princess, Gremlin or Witch. Imagination can take us so many places and the prices of our fabric will keep a little extra change in your pockets! In a few weeks we are doing an article featuring some of the truly inspired Costume's, made by you, our Mary Jo's Cloth community. So here is the deal. Make sure you used Mary Jo's fabric, snap some photos and write a brief description and if you have blogged about it, send us a link. We are looking forward to seeing your creative costume submissions. Email before October 10th to be included in the article and the slideshow. This is going to be fun. Thanks in advance for sending in these wonderful treats!

Are you a horse lover or know someone who is? Today we are featuring a very unique project sent to us by Lisa Bodenhorst. She owns a company called Ivy Run Designs which specializes in Jodpurs and the like, however she recently has been working on a line of Saddlebags. She has used really fun fabric in bright and cheery colors. These may prove to be a very popular part of her "Horse Lovers" line of products.
Lisa writes:
Hello! I have recently (within the past few months) purchased some great fabrics at Mary Jo's! I design and manufacture Saddleseat equestrian riding apparel and accessories. My most recent items are my saddle bags - I've even attached a few pictures. They are manufactured in Lebanon, Virginia and it is in the same industry where Rebekah Cloninger shows her horses! My company is Ivy Run Designs, and can be found online at www.IvyRunDesigns.com. I would love to know what you think.

Lisa, we think these Saddlebags are quite wonderful. Keep up the good work and know that as long as you keep shopping at Mary Jo's Cloth you will never run out of fabric that inspires your creative genius, at a price that just can't be beat.

Do you have a project to share? Please send us an email today, we love to see what you are up to.

Autumn and Cheddar Cheese Bowties...

2011-09-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Autumn is in the air. Are you ready for the upcoming festivities of Halloween and Thanksgiving? We have been busy stocking the shelves with all of your Autumn favorites. We have fabric in all of the beautiful rich deep colors available in many shades and patterns. This collection is waiting for your vision and imagination. We, as always have some screaming deals on our Sale page, just in time for your Halloween projects!

Today we are featuring a very inspired quilter, Bonnie Hunter. She is a longtime Mary Jo's customer and one of the reasons it is hard to keep our "Cheddar Cheese" quilting fabric in stock. She teaches workshops all over the country and is based right here in North Carolina.
One of her favorites, is anything with "Cheddar Cheese", she says she just loves quilts that have this fabric as part of the color palette. We lucked out because she offers a free pattern for "Cheddar Cheese Bowties" on her Quiltville blog.
Mmm hmmm it is all kinds of sweet. It looks hip, modern, old fashioned and artsy all at the same time. This is such a popular pattern we can hardly keep this color in stock!
Here is what she has to say about this pattern:
Every year there is at least ONE quilt that we ALL fall in love with. This year it was a bowtie using a cheddar solid as a background. Do I have to remind you of how much I love solid cheddar? When I look at antique quilts, those with solid cheddar in them are the ones that jump out at me and straight into my heart.

We decided that this year we would use this quilt as a Leader/Ender project --- not to be completed by this time next year necessarily, but to at least show how far we could get in a year if we used these pieces strictly as leaders and enders in between the seams of other lines of chain piecing on current projects.
Click here to read the step by step explanations fully photographed directions for making this beauty.
Her website is warm and wonderful, filled with her quilting stories, workshop schedules and her philosophies about quilting, life and the books she has written.
Bonnie’s favorite motto? “The Best Things in Life are Quilted!!” of course!
If you would like to learn more about Bonnie or peruse her workshop schedule, her website is filled to full with information and inspiration.
Bonnie has also written three books on quilting and she generously shares great tips and tricks and patterns for your next quilting projects.
1. Adventures in Leaders & Enders: Make More Quilts in Less Time,
2. Scraps & Shirttails: Reuse, Re-purpose, Recycle! The Art of "Quilting Green"
3. Scraps & Shirttails II
Bonnie, thanks for shopping at Mary Jo's and sharing your lovely story with us. Good luck with all of your Quilting endeavors. Although with all of your hard work and great planning, you do not need luck! Go girl!

Do you have a story or project to share, maybe a Halloween costume made with fabric from Mary Jo's? Please send us an email, we love to feature our very creative customers. You inspire us!

Happy Happy Day, Quilt Day That Is...

2011-08-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-08-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Steampunk Cool, Fabric Off The Rack & On The Wall...

2011-07-28T04:02:00.000-07:00

Our Home Decor department is filled to full with incredibly beautiful and inexpensive fabric choices. Mary Jo's Cloth beats the prices of those "Chain Home Decor" shops. We have many of the patterns, weaves, weights and fabric manufacturers but here is the difference imagine paying 18-20 dollars per yard, instead of 38-45 dollars? The savings are substantial, the quality is top notch and the possibilities are endless. So if you are looking for some Drapery, Upholstery, Bedding, Pillow or Shade fabric, this collection is for you. Think of what you could do with the money you are going to save?

We are lucky to receive emails & photos of our customers imaginative creations. Just the other day our inbox had a clever project from a gal in Virginia.

"Hello!

How much financial and marital trouble would I be in if I lived in Charlotte? Being the crafty gal I am, I would say a LOT. Because I would live in Mary Jo's. So be very glad I'm a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia as I'm sure no one would want to open up a store to find a squatter, no matter how charming the DIY tent was. Instead, I save my pennies for trips to see my parents so I can show up at Mary Jo's armed with a list and a ridiculous crafty vision that sometimes turns out to be something fabulous!Which brings me to my latest and greatest ridiculous scheme and wonderful Mary Jo's purchase. I thought I would share a few pictures. For three years we've been staring at a very large and empty wall in our living room trying to decide what the heck to do with it without spending a small fortune. Thanks so some AMAZING fabric I found in your fine establishment, my wall is no longer bare and my living room looks awesome. Well, at least I think it looks awesome which is great because I'm the one who lives here!

To read the how to and full story, one can check out my bloggy blog: anothercrafyday.

Thanks again for being so full of amazing prints. Mary Jo's is truly the place to find anything and everything and I can't wait to see you on my next trip!

--
Meghan A. Berney

Thanks Miss Meghan.
You must have so much fun with your creative home projects. Life is short, keep decorating and blogging!

Do you have a project to share? Quilts, Clothes, Costumes, Weddings, Parties, College Dorm Room or Home Decor? We would love to see what you are doing with all of your Mary Jo Cloth, please send us your projects. Happy Summer!

Modern Quilts & A Summer Fabric Sale...

2011-07-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

Modern, bright, cheerful and spare design. This about sums up the newest wave in quilt design, although we have been enjoying "modern" since the turn of the last century! The colors and simplicity seem to be drawn from the Amish. The colors and subjects are everyday. Many of our favorites are the quilts designed by Denyse Schmidt. She has a company in Bridgeport, Ct. Her designs are colorful some feature spare patterns from nature, others feel somewhat like the Gee Bend gals interpretations of quilt deign. Sometime ago Denyse had a book published that is worth a look. Even if only for sheer inspiration.
Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects By Denyse Schmidt, Bethany Lyttle - Chronicle Books In "Denyse Schmidt Quilts," the ultimate resource for the home quilter, Schmidt reveals the secrets behind her most popular designs. Thirty projects range from the simple to the challenging, from patchwork slippers and aprons to tote bags and pillows to her beloved quilt patterns, offering something for every level of quilter. Schmidt reviews the fundamentals of quilting and provides easy-to-follow instructions, patterns, sewing tips, and an artful approach to design basics. With engaging wisdom and beautiful step-by-step color photography throughout, "Denyse Schmidt Quilts" will inspire beginning and skilled crafters alike to embrace this age-old tradition with a new and modern twist.
We are also inspired by the quilting avatars from Gee Bend. This particular group of folks were ahead of their time. One fun and interesting they did was to use old denim and other found fabrics mixed with vibrant colored fabric. These quilts are a treat and every bit as modern today as the day they were created. Good modern quilting inspiration is all around. "Google" "Modern Quilts", and click on the images. You will not only be absolutely inspired but also delighted and enchanted. Life is a big bowl of Arty Beauty. Sew, create and add to the bounty. The world can never have enough.
Mary Jo's Cloth always has well over 100 choices on the SALE page. We also carry many of the lines you may be looking for at the best price. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please click on the Ask Mary Jo icon on the upper right side of the webpage, and send us a note. We will do our best to get you the fabric or other information you are seeking.
Enjoy these lovely summer days, and when it rains, work on one of your many quilting projects. Life is short, fill your hours with everything that you love.
Do you have a quilt or project to share? Please send an email, with a brief description and a photo or two. You could be our next featured article.

Fireworks, Fun and Lots of Great Fabric...

2011-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

Bang! Another Fourth of July is just days away. Always a fun day, filled with friends, parades, BBQ's and great fireworks. If you hurry, you have just enough time to stitch up a great shirt, tablecloth or dress. We have a Red, White and Blue fabric collection that can fill the bill. Check out our collection at www.maryjos.com.
Gardening is a part of summertime that just cannot be beat. Sunflowers are showing up along with Roses, Daisies and Delphiniums. Vegetable gardens and the Farmers Markets are filled with beautiful produce of many colors. All waiting to be picked and brought indoors. Wouldn't it be great to be able to have the colors of Summertime, year round? Well, we may have a solution for you. Did you know that Mary Jo's Cloth Store has aisles (in the Store) and pages (on our website) of Garden inspired fabrics? You could bring the outside in. Curtains, Pillows, Bedspreads & Tablecloths come to mind. These are the easiest ways to spread some warmth on the coldest winter day! We also have a good selection of nature inspired upholstery fabric. All weights and patterns. Home decorating can be a magic and fun thing! We also have a nice collection of warm and sunny colors as companions to some of these amazing prints.
So today, whether you are inspired by Stars and Stripes or Summers abundant Bounty, we not only have what you are looking for, but at a price no-one else can beat. We carry top brand fabric at the lowest prices, not seconds or over runs.
Do you have a project to share? We would love to see your fine and inspired work. Drop us an email today, with a photo and a short description. You may be one of our next articles.

Just a side note, did you know that we have a Facebook page? If your are a Facebooker, please look up Mary Jo's Cloth Store and "Like" us. You will get extra notices about sales and the like.

Mary Jo's Cloth Store will be closed on the 4th of July, however our website will be open as always 24-7 , 365 days a year.

Inspired, In Love & Into Decorating...

2011-06-17T04:55:00.001-07:00

"I up and made dining room curtains and they might just be my favorite things in the whole darn house."
Oh, do you remember being young, in love, starting your family and being inspired by all of the possibilities that life and home design had to offer? Mmmm what a magic moment in time. A wonderful young couple came into Mary Jo's Cloth Store the other day. They were on a mission, Drapery Fabric. Simple, but at the same time the choices we offer can be overwhelming. They eventually found a print that they fell in love with. She writes on her blog that she could of found it somewhere else for 40 dollars per yard instead at Mary Jo's she paid 12.99 a yard. She was excited for her great bargain, but really fell in love with the print, and colors. She did a lovely job with her curtains. Simple straight stitching, on her new Brother Sewing Machine and hardware and rings from Target and she was good to go. These lovely curtains look like a million dollars. Oh, Young House Love, is truly a wonderful thing. Sherry and John thanks for your great story and good luck in your Young Love House and Life together.
Keep up the great work as you architect your lives, your home and your future.

Here is their story, click on the link to check out her Young House Love Blog. Her blog is filled with her chic yet homespun brand of excitement and passion and her own special tips and tricks on achieving "Home Perfection".
Here’s how it all went down. We already mentioned snagging this deeply discounted curtain fabric from a local fabric outlet called U-Fab (for anyone looking for it by name, it’s “Robert Allen’s Khanjali Peacock” so googling that hopefully turns up some of your own). It was fancy schmancy designer fabric that I’d been in love with forever, but it was marked down to $12.99 a yard (as opposed to the original cost of $40+ a yard!) thanks to a bit of an irregularity in the fabric (a white stripe that ran down one side, which I knew I could work around).

Since I wanted two 90-ish inch panels for either side of the big picture window in the dining room I calculated that five yards would do the trick, which factored out to $32 a panel (still not dirt cheap but a whole lot cheaper than the regular price of that fabric, which would have run me $100 a panel). Score.

It was as simple as lining up the end of the fabric with the 90″ mark on my tape measure and then cutting the other edge against the rug at the 0″ inch mark, for a nice straight cut (sure enough, I was left with a nice 90″ long rectangular swatch of fabric).When it comes to the width, I just usually go with the width that it comes right off the bolt (which is wider when you get upholster fabric like this- ours was 57″). But remember it had that defect running along one side of it, so I just cut three inches or so from that side (again I used the edge of the rug to get a straight cut). But I didn’t completely cut off the white part since I knew once I hemmed it, it would be completely invisible (even from the back). You can see the normal white edge that comes on fabric on the right of the swatch below and the irregular white defect on the bottom half of the left edge below:Then I washed both curtain panels so they would be “pre-shrunk” and easy to launder from here on out (one of our main goals is to have as many “washable” surfaces in the kitchen and dining room as possible). Oh but it’s always smartest to preshrink fabric before you cut it, I just knew I only had enough fabric to make two panels of this size so whether I washed or cut it first (or cut and washed it later) I’d end up with the same sized panels in the end. I grabbed them fresh out of the dryer instead of letting them sit there to keep them wrinkle free for the most part.
Next I had to decide between my trusty curtain-making method of using iron-on hem tape or the slightly scary idea of using Oh Brother (my new sewing machine) to attempt to do what I used to use hem tape for. After a decent amount of out-loud debate with myself, I decided to try my hand at sewing curtain panels- just to see if I could do it (but you can find full curtain making tutorials with hem tape here and here). Even without my hem-tape security blanket, I did break out the iron to make a half inch “seam” down one of the short sides of the curtain. It just seems like now whenever I dabble in sewing, I find myself trying to iron instead of pinning – just to see if it’ll work. Am I a rebel or what?The ironed seam definitely stayed put while I dragged the giant fabric swatch back into the kitchen to sew the hem, so I happily skipped the pinning step and even boldly (well, maybe that adjective is a stretch) decided to try another hemming technique that some of you have commented to tell me about in previous I’m-a-shaky-little-sewing-novice posts. I took the ironed seam and folded it over one more time, then I sewed down the seam to create a nice finished looking hem (even from the back). That extra fold hid the raw cut edge of the fabric, if that makes sense. And even with my extra folding step, there was thankfully no pinning required. Sweet.

Whew, lots of work made fun! She does have a knack for home decor and writing about the process. Thanks again Sherry. Lovely. We are happy to have helped.

Are you looking for Drapery Fabric? We have many inspirational choices. Pop onto the website or stop by the store, we promise, you will not be disappointed. Remember, the SALE page is always being updated. Don't miss out, fabric comes and goes very quickly on this section of the website. Log on and take a tour.

Do you have a project to share? We love to see your quilts, clothing, home decor and costumes. Please take a moment and drop us an email with a few photos. We cannot wait to hear from you.

Batiks, Quilting and Summertime...

2011-05-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

The weather is warm, the flowers are blooming and in some parts of the country the kids are already celebrating long summer days. It is the time of year for lazy afternoons at the beach, lake or river. Gardening is in full swing and BBQ-ing on the deck on warm evenings. But how about those rainy summer days? According to the Farmers Almanac we are in for a few more than normal. Be prepared, and occupy your time, with a fun sewing project? How about some Tropical Chic?

Bali Batiks from Hoffman fabrics are the perfect weight and are filled with the colors and hot energy of summer. Why not think about piecing together an inspired quilt, a tablecloth or even a super lightweight bedspread? It just could not be easier.
The Bali Batiks are soft and yummy to work with and at 45" wide it allows for plenty of different creative applications and at only 7.49 per yard it is a steal. The 1895 Batiks are hand dyed in such rich and sometimes even vibrant colors. From a subtle seafoam to an electric orange. This series truly is the perfect companion to the texture and pattern rich Bali Batik collection. The width is 45" and the price is 6.59 per yard. Wow.
We are always checking around and the average price of these two specific collections from Hoffman fabric is upwards of $10.00 per yard.
So really the more you buy at Maryjos.com the more you save!
By the way if you are a contesting creative quilter or creator of fine fabric masterpieces, Hoffman Fabrics has a contest. The rules are simple, you must use Hoffman Batiks and Sulky thread. The deadline is July 15th. At Mary Jo's we do not carry the Sulky line of thread, but we sure have a stockpile of the Hoffman Batik fabric collections. If you are interested in reading more about this cash prize contest go to Hoffman fabrics for the full set of rules. You can check out the past winners and plan your own strategy.
If you would like to be inspired, check out these blogs. They are filled with inspiration, good ideas and some great advice. 1. Artistic Quilting. 2.The Curious Quilter. 3. Feathered Fibers.
Do you have a great blog or a new project you would like to share with us? You could be the next article. We always love to hear from you. Email us today. One last item, did you know we are on Facebook? Be a friend and be one of the first to hear all of the latest news on your Facebook Wall.

What Shape is Your Seat In?

2011-05-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

Upholstery. Spring is the time to look around with fresh eyes. When was the last time you thought about changing it up? A new, well made chair can cost upwards of 800.00, if you get a good deal. To re-upholster a chair can be under 100.00 for the materials. 3-4 yards of fabric, depending on the size of the chair, a staple gun and you are off to the races. Remember, upholstery fabric at Maryjos.com can be as low as 8.98 per yard and usually no higher than 18.98. Typically the average price is about 14.98 per yard. A steal, when you consider how much the same fabric can be at a chain Home Upholstery fabric store.

Don't know the first thing about upholstery? No worries. It really can be as easy as 1, 2, 3! How? You have several options. The first, log onto Google, search "re-upholstering a chair", or couch. The first items that pop up are how to videos on YouTube. I love this way of learning. The things you can learn in a how-to video are endless.The second is the DIY online network. They are another terrific resource, for all kinds of projects. From faux finishes to garden tips. Thirdly there are countless blog entries form folks all over the world who proudly share with their readers how they re-upholstered a chair or sofa, usually with lots of how-to photographs, tips and their sources. The Internet is an easy way to get acquainted with the process, supplies and the level of skill required.
If you would rather learn in a classrooom/workshop setting there are several "Schools" that specialize in Upholstery. You may be able to take a continuing education class at a local college. In Charlotte, North Carolina,we are lucky, very near our store is a "Custom Home Furnishings" Academy! Imagine an entire school devoted to the Home Furnishings trade. Here is what they have to say about their special spot in the world of Home Decor...

"The Custom Home Furnishings Academy is the premier destination for hands-on learning. The state-of-the-art facility includes classrooms outfitted with professional workroom equipment, industrial sewing machines and a design studio. The instructors are experts in their field, dedicated to empowering students with the professional skills necessary to enter and thrive in the custom home-decor industry. Courses offered include window treatment and slipcover fabrication, upholstery, drapery installation, home staging and redesign. Whether you are a beginner at the sewing machine, or experienced in the workroom, you will find classes that fit your schedule and interests. Tuition includes fabrics, trims, workroom supplies, lunch and instruction manuals. You will leave the Custom Home Furnishings Academy with new skills, great resources and a network of supportive colleagues."

Think about the possibilities... Now let's take a minute and peruse some of the cool, modern, retro and colorful fabric selections Mary Jo's Cloth Store has, just waiting for your vision and your magic touch. On the website, click on fabric, then upholstery, then click on the different options for Patterns, Colors and Themes. Some of my stand-by favorite are, Flowers and Leaves, Stripes, Paisleys & Abstracts. Some designs are modern, others are traditional in style but all are heavy duty and designed for everyday wear and tear. Beauty matters but when you add in some practicality, perfection has been achieved. Of course there are many other categories to choose from, so block out some time and get inspired! It is always fun to dream and shop online!Enjoy the swatches we have put together for this article. They are all available online. It is fun to mix it up and use a few complimentary fabrics for different pieces of furniture, table runners and drapes. Have some fun and send us some photos of your work. We would love to feature you on a future blog.

Sunny Skies Ahead, Save Money, Time & Energy...

2011-04-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

It seems that lately every time we pick up a newspaper it is not good news. With the price of gas going sky high it seems like there is a whole lot of belt tightening going on. At Mary Jo's we have come up with a few ideas on how to save some time and leave more money in your wallet. Did you know Mary Jo's posts new "Sale" items almost everyday? Yes. At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we are sticklers for low prices and great service. Mary Jo has been in the cloth business for over 60 years and in that time we have seen good times and bad. This is another rough patch, but we know it will all be fine, life goes on and we will be stronger for the experience. Having said that, we are very sensitive to your needs at this time. Check on our Sale page often and remember the prices in all of our regular departments beat most fabric stores, across the nation, hands down.
Save gas, save time and find exactly what you are looking for at www.Maryjos.com. We have a vast selection of Quilting Fabrics, Fancy and Fine Fabrics for upcoming weddings, dances and special occasions. We are always adding to our Upholstery & Drapery Fabric Selection featuring name brands, and fantastic pattern and color choices. Our everyday fabric for children's clothes, men's shirts and summer dresses is colorful, bright and beautiful. So make yourself a deal and shop online. You will save money, time and energy. Sometimes everything you are looking for can be found on your computer screen. (Well almost everything, but fabric, especially!)
A while back we asked you to share your recent quilting projects with us. Thanks to all of you who responded, such lovely work and wonderful stories. Today we are featuring a gal named Jean Loussarian. She Has also created a website for her quilts.
"The quilt was inspired from when I was in Bonn, Germany touring the house that Beethoven lived in. He was also born in this house.
My name is Jean Loussarian from Westminster, SC. I travel at least twice a year to Mary Jo's to load up my car with the beautiful fabrics from Mary Jo's. My web site is loussarian.com if you would like to see some other quilts that I make. I have attached a picture of a quilt I recently made using fabric from Mary Jo's.
Jean, thanks for sharing your quilt and the inspiration behind this beauty.

If you have a quilt to share, we would love nothing more than to feature you here on our Fabric & Design Blog. Email us today.
Thanks for reading, save some money and log onto Maryjos.com today!

Mary Jo Has A Favor To Ask...

2011-04-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

Today we have a special request. Mary Jo's granddaughter Rebekah is quite the horse woman. She has had a passion for horses since she was a young girl. She is now a sophomore at William Woods University and is still going to competitions and showing her horses. So here is the deal. A photograph of her with her horse at a competition has been chosen to possibly be one of this years best photos for National Horseman Magazine! But here is the catch. We have a big favor to ask of you all. Could you please log onto The National Horseman website on the photo contest page and vote for Rebekah. She is #8. We appreciate your participation. It would be super if she could win this prestigious contest and we can do it with your help. Thanks in advance.

Red & White Quilts Take Center Stage...

2011-03-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

The buzz around "The Red & White Show" is in print, on the web and television. This show was a BIG DEAL. Joanna S. Rose claims she is not a quilt "collector". But she is. She recently turned 80 and her darling husband decided to give her 651 Red & White Quilts a 6 day show at The Armory in NYC. This show was curated by the Folk Art Museum. The layout and presentation was stunning. The quilts, more so. A high society Red & White Gala kicked off this event and then the show was open to the public for 6 days with free admission. Wow. What a guy, what a gift and what a pleasure to see 651 quilts hung and displayed so artfully and lit so perfectly. Quite a production.
The visitors had much to say, "Just came back from the exhibit. Visually stunning. Felt like Alice in Wonderland wandering around the deck of cards!"
"An unbelievably gorgeous exhibition! I would never have thought there could be so much variation in such a simple color scheme; the graphic quality of the quilts is impressive and incredible."
"As a quilter and a person who appreciates art, it was amazing to see how these things blend so seamlessly together. Thank you to Ms. Rose.".
For inspiration click on any, or all of the following links. These are talented quilting bloggers and newspaper writers who waxed poetically not only about the show but also about the history and the fantastic possibilities of Red & White Quilts and this exhibit. All of these sites have many photos of the show. This will be a true inspiration for all of you quilters and for those of you who love beautiful pieces of art.
Folk Art Museum , Wall Street Journal, Pincushion Blog, Helen James Design, Blackbird Design, Repro Quilt Lover, and The Bohemian American.

This show was a wonderful tribute to the art of quilting, which is great for all of us who quilt, or aspire to quilt. Take a minute and Google, "Red & White Show New York", you will not only be inspired, we think you will be amazed. We certainly were.

Mary Jo's Cloth has all of the Red & White fabric you will need for your next, collectible quilt. So what are you waiting for, great prices and amazing choices. Please send us your Red & White quilt projects, we will do a follow up article in the next few months, and your quilt could be featured. Have fun. Please take a moment to explore the sale section, you will never be disappointed, we promise. Happy quilting.

Quilting, Dresses & A Bit Of Dr. Suess...

2011-03-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air. In a few weeks we will be featuring some of the new lines from the fabric designers at Marcus Brothers, designed just for quilters. They have created some fantastic "Hobo" quilt fabric. It is terrific, you can cut the printed fabric up, re-sew and have a Hobo Quilt in a snap. Does your guild or organization have a show coming up? Drop us an email, include your web address, we will feature your Quilt Show info on the Community page section of the website. We also will list some of the shows in our special quilt article, featured on this blog at the end of March.

A special thanks to all of you that have been sending us your projects and letters. We are always impressed with the projects and special stories that you share with us. It is a delight to feature your projects on this blog. We encourage you to continue to share your magical creations and your heartwarming stories. It is as simple as an email, remember to include photos and if sewing or products derived from your projects is also your business, go ahead and provide your website or Blog address. We can then can share it in the article with our Mary Jo's Blog readers.

The other day a gal sent us a sweet note. She had been hearing about our store form several online sewing groups and could not resist. Thanks Jerry, so happy to see the lovely outfits you created.
First, let me tell you that I had the TIME OF MY LIFE the week before Thanksgiving when my husband and I took the “long way home” from DC to Mississippi. We came down through Williamsburg to spend the afternoon, and then drove on into Gastonia to spend the night. I belong to several online sewing forums and had heard all about the shopping adventure awaiting me at Mary Jo’s. I told my husband that I would need 3 hours at the minimum to be able to browse and see everything. Bless his heart, he dropped me off at 9 and was waiting in the car when I exited at 11:45. He told me I had cheated myself out of 15 minutes!! I bought three sets of coordinates to use for outfits for my granddaughter, Mary Kennedy, age 6. I have only finished up two of the outfits so far; the other set of fabrics is sitting in a holding pattern until I can get going on the heirloom Easter garments for MK and her little brother Charlie, age 2. I already have visions of how it will turn out! The first picture is of a Michael Miller Eiffel Tower print I loved. I found the perfect red-orange microcheck and Kona cotton coordinates to really make it special, I think. I loved that you had such a large selection of colors in your “basic” stock. And I bought that Children’s Corner Jacqueline pattern at Mary Jo’s too! (I bought four Children’s Corner patterns. One of them will be used for the Easter dress, done in a beautiful pale blue batiste I bought that day!!) The next one I finished up today. I had bought three of your Dr. Seuss prints, but found that the red fishbowl print just wouldn’t work for me with the panel print and the Cat in the Hat print; so I had to order the red “egg” dot to coordinate. I wish I had bought it that day. Darn. Thank you for the wonderful shopping experience. I hope that we will pass by that way again one day. I will have to hurry and sew up the fabric stash I have so hubby will agree to stop in next time!! J Jerry
Sweet, Thanks for sharing.
Springtime brings many new colors, patterns and prints to our collection of fabric available on the web and at the store. Take a few moments and cruise around maryjos.com, you will not be disappointed, we promise. Happy almost spring.

Sewing Seeds & Giving Back...

2011-02-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

Have you often thought of the many things you could do for others, but haven't stumbled on your exact course of action? We recently received an inspiring letter from a gal who figured out her own special path to giving. She was haunted by the passage in Matthew 25, 36, "I needed clothes and you clothed me".

This was Jennifer Sinclair's course of action.
I'd like to share with you about my "Sewing Seeds" project for orphans. I was feeling led to sew for orphans but didn't really know where to start and what was needed. Just recently, I was approached about a need for girls' dresses in Uganda, Africa. Talk about an answered prayer! For more details, see a recent post on my blog: My two year old daughter and I had a great time strolling through Mary Jo's picking out fabric. Within a week, I have completed three dresses, but I'm excited to do more. I've attached a picture of the completed three dresses from Mary Jo's fabric. I wanted fabrics that were bright, colorful, and durable. Of course, at Mary Jo's there is a lot to choose from and I found just what I needed. The employees were great to offer help and suggestions. Although my project seems small, it is my prayer that God will use my dresses to make a precious girl not only feel special, but also feel God's love. Mark 4:20..."Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what is sown." I'd love for this to become much bigger than me and my little Singer sewing machine. God may just make that happen. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share. Well, the sew must go on, Jennifer Sinclair
Thanks so much for your inspirational story. We hope some of our customers will be inspired to follow their "Giving Path". We have bolts and bolts of the style of fabric Jennifer did choose for her Passion Project. Bright almost retro, yet somewhat modern, this is a sturdy cotton blend with a giant pop of color. What could make a young girl, in any country happier then these sunny dresses. Remember, we also have incredible, beautiful fabric ON SALE in the store and online. Shop the Sale page frequently as the stock is always changing.

Do you have a project you would like to share? We are all ears and always delighted to see the handiwork of our Mary Jo's Cloth customers. Please send us an email with a brief description today.
Enjoy this lovely almost Spring day.

A Letter, An Article and A Big Thanks...

2011-02-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

Last week the Gaston Gazette featured an article about Mary Jo, her Cloth Store and the passion she has for her store. We also received a letter from one of our longtime fabric manufacturers, praising Mary Jo. Mary Jo mentions designing some of his fabric in the article.

The Letter From a Long time Fan...
Please let Mary Jo how much we enjoyed the article in the Gaston Gazette.
It does allude to but does not explain how "special " Mary Jo and Mary Jo's is to all in our business. Having had the distinct pleasure and honor of knowing and working with her for over 20 years being one of those who listened to her directions (see outhouses and much more) words can not express what she means to me and I presume many others.
Mary Jo congratulations, it is not everyday that one gets to work with a TRUE ICONIC person in an industry.
God Bless Mary Jo and all those are lucky enough to cross her path.
Richard Cohn

Richard owns Elizabeth Studios and designs some of the prettiest fabric. Oh, you are a dear to remember such sweet things.

Gaston Gazette article... Still Gaston County’s Fabric Queen
BY RAGAN ROBINSON

Mary Jo’s Cloth Store outfits the milestones that bookend lives. Starched white christening gowns. Sequined dance costumes. Glitzy wedding dresses. Millions begin here.
During six decades in business, the fabric mavens of Mary Jo’s have unfurled miles of stiff cotton and supple corduroy, intricate lace and iridescent taffeta.

In the middle of it all last week, sisters Joyce Mahaffee of Gastonia and Rebecca Jolley of Forest City scrutinized a bolt of quilted blue cloth. Jolley had a pattern in tow for a cushioned seat to fit inside any shopping cart lucky enough to receive her granddaughter.
She met up with Mahaffee for a late afternoon trip to Mary Jo’s because, she says, this is really the only place to buy fabric.It’s where their mother, who drove from Rutherford County to the former Dallas shop, came for the blue and pink material that adorned their bridesmaids.

It’s where the polyester originated for the side zip bell bottoms Mahaffee loved as a teenager. And it’s where she still goes when she needs burlap for table-scapes.

The cloth store has 32,000 square feet of retail space. That doesn’t include the top floor, where metal shelves are stacked with back-up stock and every alcove glitters with beads or buttons or bobbins of fancy trim. “You just always say if you can’t find it at Mary Jo’s, you can’t find it anywhere,” Mahaffee says.

Sewing’s siren song-
Mary Jo’s celebrated its 60th anniversary Jan. 16. The shop’s namesake, Mary Jo Cloninger, opened her first store on her 19th birthday in 1951. A rented space in the back of her father’s barber shop, it was smaller than the upstairs room where she meets with salesmen today.
Cloninger’s father was a barber, landlord, used-car salesman and all-around small-town businessman in Dallas. His daughter didn’t think she had his entrepreneurial spirit. As a little girl in Dallas, she wanted to be a missionary. Cloninger daydreamed of Africa and spreading the gospel. She would sit with her dad, the church treasurer, and watch as he counted collection money and tithes on Sundays. She learned to keep her mouth shut about who gave how much,even when it was hard.

Not that Cloninger always followed every rule-
Her mother’s sewing machine was off limits to the little girl. But Cloninger couldn’t resist. Left to babysit her three younger brothers and her baby sister, she would gather cotton scraps and stitch them together. She had to hide the results from her mother. If anyone had ever told, Cloninger knew she’d get a spanking for sure.But there was something, she says, about that sewing machine. She couldn’t keep away.

Choosing her path-
By high school, she was expert enough to teach her classmates to sew in their home economics course. But when Cloninger was in 12th grade, she says her father pulled her out of Dallas High School to run the family grocery store. She’d been manning the register since she was tall enough to see over the counter, running straight from school, jumping three steps and getting to work every afternoon. But after managing the store full time for more than a year, she formed a different plan.
Cloninger appealed to her father’s business sense. What if she could sell that grocery store? Could she rent the back of his barber shop for a cloth store instead?
He said, "Well sure, if you can find a buyer you go ahead and sell it," Cloninger remembers.
“I told him I’d already sold it.”

Business grows – and grows-
Cloninger opened Mary Jo’s that year and eventually took over the entire building.
She later moved into a different Dallas location — one of two airplane hangar shaped buildings in downtown — and before long took over the neighboring “hangar.” Her parents’ home turned into a warehouse in time. Then Mary Jo’s built a two-story building nearby.
The business moved into its massive Gastonia store in 1986.
In the early years Cloninger drove to Charlotte for wholesale cloth. Or she went to local mills and collected remnants,piling them high in the car and on her children’s laps.
“You couldn’t see anything but their heads,” she says, clapping her seamstress’s hands and tossing back her head in a wide smile of remembrance.
These days the fabric salespeople come to her — and they listen to Cloninger’s expert advice.
She tells them what designs they ought to offer, sketches out illustrations for them on the notepad she keeps handy. More often than not, they come back with the suggested print, says Cindy Gardener, one of 62 Mary Jo’s employees.
One of the samples draws a giddy giggle from Cloninger. Outhouse scenes line the cloth and she points to the feet visible below random doors. That was her idea.

From Gastonia to Hawaii-
Gardener is sure the store has tens of thousands bolts and rolls of fabric. Much of it is discontinued or made by companies long out of business. “If Mary Jo can get her hands on it, chances are she’s going to buy it,” Gardener says. That’s what brought shopper Kitty Kuhr last week.A maker of clown and entertainer costumes, she lives near Raleigh but made the trip to Mary Jo’s because she knows the shop has fabric she won’t find elsewhere.
Cloninger insists her selection is the largest in the United States. It draws shoppers from the entire East Coast and beyond.
International buyers fill wheeled suitcases, she says. Costumers from Wilmington’s film studios come once or twice a year and theater groups are regular customers, according to Thomas Cloninger, who handles much of the business for his mother.
In the webmaster’s office, pins on a world map mark orders from Australia, Africa, the United Kingdom and the Hawaiian Islands.

Millions of yards to memorize-
Mary Jo’s sold 1.2 million yards of cloth last year, Thomas Cloninger says. And still, his mother can offer details on most of it. Her memory, like a favorite handmade nightgown, has faded with time. She has trouble remembering the generations of Halloween costumes and pajamas she stitched together. But the store’s merchandise is a different story.
“What’s that?” she asks, stopping at a roll of unassuming, bottom-shelf beige fleece she doesn’t recognize.
It’s only been here about a week, Gardener assures her. Otherwise Cloninger would have known about it already. Her employees live up to the challenge, too. Marcella Beard has been with Mary Jo’s for 20 years. She’s the person who answers questions about threading sewing machines, picking pillow case fabric, making pastoral robes — almost any query customers can bring. And she can’t be stumped. Where’s the polyester pinstripe? Up front,on the exact table to which she points. Green Bay Packers fabric? A side wall. Any snakeskin? That’s on the animal table (one of several) near the water and fish subsection. A tablecloth? You’ll probably need about 110 inches of special fabric.

A missionary after all-
Mary Jo Cloninger still sews a little. And she still keeps her scissors attaches to a belt loop with a piece of elastic. Just like she did as a one-room shop owner, she says she’ll offer advice on putting in zippers, working button holes, making the wedding and the christening and the bridesmaids gowns.
If she can’t help, Cloninger knows she has someone who can.
“I got to be a missionary here,” she says. “I didn’t have to go to Africa.”

Thanks for being longtime customers and faithful readers. We appreciate you. Do you have a story you would like to share? Send us a few photos and a brief description and you could be our next featured article. Thanks again, Happy Sewing.

Winter Blues? Rejuvenate A Room...

2011-01-31T06:31:00.000-08:00

Have you shopped the Upholstery Department at maryjos.com lately? We have a wonderful collection of Fabric available online. All of the hip and cool colors and patterns you are seeing in the latest Home Collections are ready to be shipped to your door.
Neutrals, Pale Aquas & Celadon, Creams and Browns. It is a lovely, sophisticated toned down color spectrum with fantastic possibilities. These fabrics go well with dashes of Indigo's, Spring Greens and even a dash of Paprika. If you surf around the internet looking for ideas (check out The Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and Horchows) you will be inspired.
This week we are featuring two of our Mary Jo customers. One gal recovered a chair with "French Script" the other used a "Modern Pattern" to cover a Headboard. Both of these gals are part of the current trend and found what they needed at Mary Jo's.
Read on:
French Script Chair...
Hi MaryJo's
I just saw your request on FB for photos using fabric purchased from you. I have attached one of the two vintage chairs for my little eat in kitchen. I used this french script fabric I purchased last January (sorry I don't remember the real name of the fabric). I LOVE this fabric and have had several people ask me where I got the fabric once they saw my chairs. I happily directed them to your store. I hope you like what I did.
Cheers,
Gail Schmidt
www.shabbycottagestudio.com
Gail, you are one talented designer and we loved your website, thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and keep in touch.

Modern Fabric Headboard...
Hey! I am a huge MJ fan and love shopping your store for a little inspiration! I saw the post on FB about sending in pictures of your winter projects and wanted to share this with you... using MJ fabric (and crib batting) I recovered my original (DIY) headboard and gave my room a completely new look and statement price for about $20!
Thanks :)
Melissa Fuller

Melissa,
Thanks so much,you did a terrific job and only 20 bucks! You can't beat that with a stick.

Do you have a project or a Mary Jo's story to share? We are always interested, please send us an email today.

Mary Jo's Cloth Store, 60 Years and Counting...

2011-01-15T06:42:00.000-08:00

Holy smokes, time flies. Mary Jo is celebrating her 79th Birthday and the Anniversary of the 60th year of her beloved Mary Jo's Cloth Store. Our annual trip down memory lane is in order during this very special anniversary week!

First a bit about YOU.
We are blessed to have the MOST wonderful customers. You are talented, fun, bright and man can you sew. Thanks for sending us photos of your projects along with your sweet stories. We love to hear from you and it is always a pleasure for us to post your beautiful work, made from our fabric. So a big thank-you, to all of you, for showing up, logging on and buying your fabric from us. We know you have a choice and are so happy you have chosen us.

Mary Jo & her Cloth Store, the story...
In 1951 when Mary Jo's Cloth Store first opened, Mary Jo made a promise to keep prices affordable. Her original goal was to be able to serve a Grandmother making a dress or quilt for her grandchild or a young Mother who needed to make affordable clothes for her children. Since the beginning Mary Jo has held tightly to this philosophy. Over the years her business has grown, the location has changed and people come from all corners of the globe to shop. "Mary Jo's Cloth Store" has been doing mail order for many years and has now launched an online component that will serve her customers easily and still be very affordable. It is important to Mary Jo that she continues to bring her customers the highest quality fabric at the lowest price.

Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Inc. was opened on her 19th birthday in 1951 by Mary Jo (Margaret Colien Cloninger) in the back of her father's grocery store in Dallas, North Carolina. She began by selling unbleached domestic (muslin) and later added other makes of fabrics.

Throughout the years, the business prospered, outgrowing the Gaston Avenue grocery store. As business progressed, Mary Jo's relocated to a site at the corner of Trade Street and Gaston Avenue, whereby the adjacent buildings were eventually purchased and incorporated into Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Inc. However, on December 18, 1981 this location was destroyed by fire, resulting in another move to the vacant Ben Franklin Store at Windsor Center on Highway 321 located outside of Dallas.

Working with an inventory of salvageable goods, Mary Jo's reopened at its Windsor Center location on February 17, 1982. The store at Windsor Center was 22,000 square feet. By the spring of 1986 Mary Jo's had outgrown this facility and in August of 1986 the company moved to 32,000 square feet in the Gaston Mall.

Through the years, the Cloth Store's reputation has come to be widespread. Because of the varied selection of goods, at the best possible prices, and the assistance of a very knowledgeable staff, the Store's reputation has grown, servicing customers from within a 250 mile radius on a daily basis.

We now sell fabric to folks all over the world. The website Maryjos.com is open 24-7. So no matter what your schedule is you can shop for the fabric you want at a time that is convenient for you.

If you would like to send us a "Mary Jo's" story or a recent project made from your Mary Jo cloth, please drop us an email today.

Resolutions & Free Shipping and an Elephant...

2010-12-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today is the final day of free shipping. To tempt you we have added some new items to our Sale Page, we have 175 fabrics, on sale today.
Imagine a tapestry fabric for only 3.50 a yard or a beautiful cotton printed pattern by Richloom for only 4.50 per yard? We are also featuring a line of small prints and large damask style patterns, again as low as 4.50 per yard. One of the beauties we have on the Sale Page is a woven upholstery fabric with a contemporary pattern in beige's and deep taupe's. This fabric would look stunning on an Ottoman, Chair, Pillows or even a heavy Duvet Cover. Oh, the best part? Somewhere else you may pay upwards of 30-40 dollars per yard, we are offering this beauty at only 13.98 per yard. If you want to find this specific bolt, log onto the Sale Page and click until you get to number 124, you will not be disappointed. While you are shopping, think about the upcoming year and the projects you have resolved to start and complete. We have much of what you may need. Do not hesitate to "Ask Mary Jo" any question you may have about what we carry and what you are in need of. We are here to help and make your experience the best it could possibly be.
Here is a fun challenge, on the Sale page we have fabric that features a classic Indian style Elephant. So here is the idea, what cool thing can you do with this fanciful printed piece? A Pillow, Tote, or pieces in a Quilt. I am looking forward to some emails with photos of what YOU did with this fun and fanciful Elephant.
Let us be the first to wish you and your family a 2011 that is filled with harmony, happiness, prosperity and plenty of time to sew!

Free Shipping & A Holiday Project...

2010-12-23T05:10:00.000-08:00

We are down to the last moments before the big day. Ah yes, Christmas. Big dinners, gifts, family coming in from the four corners of the world. What a busy and fun time of year. The upcoming week between Christmas and the New Year is always a great time to take a moment and enjoy close family and friends. It is also a good opportunity to spend time with you. Doing a few things YOU would like to do for a change, we know this is easier said than done! With January approaching at at rapid rate we need to mention that the FREE Shipping promotion is almost over. So now is a great time to take inventory in your sewing room. Do you have a few large projects you would like to complete in the coming year or some small projects that you still need a bit of this or that for? Our website is open 24-7. Log on, shop, order, click. Shopping could not be easier. At Mary Jo's Cloth we always have a large selection of SALE fabric and frankly our prices on the standard quilting and upholstery fabrics are lower than our competitors. Remember to use the ASK Maryjo button on the website, we are here to answer questions about the fabric we sell.
Today we are featuring a project that was sent in by one proud customer, Shannon Bridges. Such beautiful details and craftsmanship. Her little Miss must be very happy when she wears this beauty.
This is Mary Ellen wearing my Christmas project. This is made from a pattern from Sew Baby. It is neon pink corduroy with cottons by Robert Kaufman and Michael Miller. All from Mary Jo's!
Shannon Bridges
Lincolnton,NC
Thanks for sharing Shannon.

All of us at Mary Jo's Cloth Store would like to take a moment and thank-you for being such a wonderful bunch of folks. We wish you the happiest of holidays. Merry Christmas one and all.

Warm & Bright, Just Right for Quilting...

2010-12-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you took a moment for you and spent some time on the "Quilting" section at Maryjos.com? We know it is always an event and an adventure to come into the store and spend hours perusing our 32,000 square feet of fabric. But here is a tip, you could browse around on Maryjos.com and find much of what we have in the store posted and for sale online! Our ladies work really hard to keep the collection online current and filled with most of what you may need.
Looking at the quilting section today was an inspiration. Did you know we have fabrics by some of the top fabric designers and manufactures in the United States? Yes, one of the collections we are featuring was created by Patrick Lose he calls it Marble Mania. It is a magical color saturated fabric and true eye candy. This collection would be at home matched with bold or subtle patterns and really lends itself to the popular colors we are seeing more and more of in this seasons home collections. Oh and the best part is it is only $6.09 per yard and remember free shipping during the month of December. We also have the perennial favorite, 1895 Bali Batiks by Hoffman. So fantastic and so many colors, this collection comes in at only 6.29 per yard. The third we would like to share with you is Palette by Jinny Beyer. Sophisticated this fabric comes in subtle and bright colors, color on color pattern it is a true beauty. You can pick this up online for only 5.99 a yard. Any of these series would also be lovely fabric for tablecloths, backsides of quilts and pillows.
When you are online take an extra moment and log onto our Sale and What's Hot pages. We of course have tons of sale fabric but we are also featuring many pre-made items (Blankets, Tote Bags, even a few large Cowhides), oh yes we have something for everyone and these gifts would be perfect for under the tree.
We look forward to hearing from you, what projects have you been working on lately? We love to get emails from our readers sharing there beautiful, handmade articles of finery. Email us today, we may feature you in an article. Happy Holidays form all of us Mary Jo's Cloth Store.

Free Shipping...

2010-12-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

Free shipping! What better way to thank you, our customers for your continued business. During this very busy time of year you can pour a cup of tea and snuggle up to Maryjos.com day or night. No driving, finding a parking spot or fighting with those pesky Christmas crowds. So the deal is this, buy as much as you want, with a minimum purchase of $50.00 we will ship it to your home or business for FREE. This special offer will continue through-out the entire month of December.
Now is the time to think strategically. Are you a Quilter? We have so many new prints, patterns and colors all just waiting for you to snap up and turn into a fabulous piece of creative genius. We know many of you own businesses that depend on Mary Jo Cloth for your fabric. Take a look and check your shelves, now is the time to order for next year. The prices of course are great and the shipping is free. It is always nice to capture a bit of income on the back end, now is the time. Designers, Upholstery Professionals, Costume Designers and Dress Makers we have loads of specials, closeouts and sale fabrics. Sweet deals just in time for the holidays.
Have you checked out our "What's Hot" section of the website? We have some cool instant gifts. We are carrying a line of Shopping Totes by Patty Reed, we have many different designs and colors, 15.5 x 15.8, for only 4.99 and it gets better they are created out of recycled bottles! We also have the very popular gift, "Snuggie". Perfect for curling up and watching the game! We have many popular teams in a variety of school colors. These quick pick up gifts are only 16.99 each, oh and we will ship them to you for free during the entire month of December.
Do you have project to share? We would love to see your work please take a moment and send an email with a few photos, we would delight in featuring you in an upcoming article. Happy Holidays.

Ho, Ho, Home for the Holidays...

2010-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

Alright, the Turkey is finished, family and friends are back home and if you have kids, they are in school. Four weeks until Christmas and only one week until Hannukah, gulp. December arrives every year and it is always seems to somehow sneak up on a person! OK, now is the time to think of all of the holiday projects on your list. Let's start with some easy projects.
Christmas Stockings. Have you pulled yours out of the storage area yet? Maybe this is the year you go all out, think of the magic you could create in just one afternoon. Mary Jo's has Velvet, Satin, Taffeta, Tapestry, Linen, and Faux Fur. As always you can create just about anything with fabric from Mary Jo's.
Today we are featuring a Sweet Stocking designed by Fabric Designer Linda Lum DeBono. She is one talented gal. You can check out her very inspired work on her blog Scroll down to her Sweet Stocking Article to download a template (PDF) for this fun and interesting Christmas stocking.
Sweet Stocking [approx. 12" x 22"]
You will need:
1/2 yard lime green for the stocking front and back exterior
1/2 yard of your choice for the lining
2 fat quarters of different stripes
batting
1/4 yard red fabric for the ruffle [NOTE: I MADE THE RUFFLE FAIRLY WIDE. THE MORE THAT I LOOK AT IT, I THINK THAT A SHORTER RUFFLE MAY LOOK JUST AS CUTE. YOUR CHOICE!]
coordinating thread
stabilizer
ribbon

Cutting:
From the lime green fabric, cut:
1 stocking front
1 stocking back [reverse the stocking template]

From the lining fabric, cut:
1 stocking front
1 stocking back [reverse the stocking template]
From the red fabric, cut:
1 ruffle, 6 1/2" x 42" - then trim in half lengthwise to yield two strips, 6 1/2" x 21"

Directions:
Fold your exterior fabric together, selvage to selvage right sides together. Cut out the stocking template. Do the same for the lining fabric.

Follow manufacturer's directions and fuse the candy canes to the front of the stocking. Stitch around the candy cane applique with a zig zag/satin or any other decorative stitch. Make sure that you have some stabilizer behind the applique when you're doing this step.

Next, layer the front of the stocking with a piece of batting on the wrong side of the fabric. Quilt the stocking as desired. Swirls, loops and circles are always fun! Repeat for the back of the stocking. Trim excess batting away.

Fold the ruffle strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. Open up the piece and fold in at each end 1/2". Stitch the ends with a 1/4" seam allowance. Use a needle and hand-stitch with a large running stitch at the raw edge of the strip. Pull the thread and gather to form ruffles. Repeat for the other red strip.

Pin the ruffle to the top edge of the stocking with the raw edges aligned 1/4" in from each side edge. Stitch together with a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat for the back of the stocking.

With right sides facing, pin the front of the stocking to the matching lining. Repeat with the back of the stocking. Stitch across the top edge of the front of the stocking and lining. Repeat for the top edge of the back of the stocking and the lining.

Open up the stocking/lining pieces. Pin the front/lining piece with the back/lining piece with right sides facing. Stitch all around and leave a 4" opening for turning. Turn right side out and hand-sew the opening closed.

Push the lining back inside the stocking. Stitch a 1/4" across the top of the stocking body.
Hand-stitch the ribbon to the inside of the stocking. Overlap each end of the ruffle from the front and the back ruffle. Sew a small black button or just a plain stitch to hold the front ruffle to the back ruffle. Repeat for the other side of the ruffle.
There you have it! Your very own candy cane Sweet Stocking!

There you have it. Super simple and oh so sweet. Have fun and remember to surf around the internet to discover other new and different ideas to create a whole new pile of Christmas stockings this year. During this busy time of year, save yourself some time and log onto Maryjos.com. Our online store is open 24-7 and you don't have to worry about the weather or parking your car. Getting what you need could not be easier.

Not Your Mothers Apron Strings...

2010-11-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

Aprons, fun to wear and a time honored tradition. With Holiday Dinners, Entertaining and Crafting in full swing maybe it is time to pop on your apron! Our Moms and Grandmothers were always big fans back in the day. We have collected a few stories about the history of Aprons and a few ideas on Aprons you can create yourself. Mary Jo's Cloth Store has fabric just waiting for your inspiration. On our Sale Page we have some cool Dr. Suess fabric, cheap to buy and fun to wear. When you are online, check out our collection of fun retro prints, you are going to love them.

A gal named Emily has a cool blog called "The Open Pantry" she has a sweet take on Aprons and their history. I don't think our kids know what an apron is.The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be along time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Another happy and creative blogger posted her very cool Apron, from a pattern called "Emmeline". Ta Da.It was fun and fairly simple to make. The most tedious part being the bias tape (making it). I love this bright colorful fabric from Alexander Henry. I think my favorite color combination right now is this red and aqua.The contrasting fabric is red and white polka-dot. Those tiny dots are hard to photograph. Photo credits go to Emma. I made her take a bazillion and yet we still didn't get very good ones. I did not hand sew the bias tape on. I used the machine and if I were to make this apron again (surely I will) I would make that same decision again. Next time I will use thread that is the same color as the trim. I was trying to be all artsy fartsy and I used an aqua thread-- it is far too revealing of my lame sewing skills. The reverse side is a little blue dot pattern. You can see it in yesterday's post (it was the liner in the little clutch I made.)

This apron is pretty cute on, especially flattering in the area that I am, ahem- lacking. Now its your turn. Get the pattern.Emmeline Apron Pattern

The Emmeline Apron is the one you’ve been waiting for - modern, stylish, and fun to sew. You’ll never want to take it off! Best of all, Emmeline is completely reversible, so it’s like two aprons in one. It can be tied in the front or back. Make it for yourself, your mother, your grandmother, and your friends. It’s guaranteed to add some spice to your culinary adventures!
This pattern includes easy-to-follow photo tutorial instructions and full-sized pattern pieces. It is suitable for advanced beginners. It is now available for $11.95.

Lastly a blogger named JCaroline weighs in with her take on Aprons and their functionality. May 14th is National Wear an Apron Day. Don't know who came up with it, but I felt compelled to participate by making an apron on Saturday. The Anna Griffin's Calorie fabric from the Elsie collection was just made for kitchen and dining accessories. The pocket is out of the coordinating Red Double Dot fabric. The ties in the back and the top are 7/8" Lemongrass grosgrain ribbon.

My mom made the pattern, which I will put on our how-to's this week. The apron took about an hour to make and takes 1 yard of fabric for the apron and you can vary the pocket size based on how much fabric you have. Great gift idea!
The instructions and pattern are on the web. Click here.)

If you are not inspired yet, cruise around on our website, find some fabric that really grabs you and stitch up an old fashioned, time honored Apron, some traditions are fun and worth keeping.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mary Jo's Cloth Store.

Fabric, Family, Friends & A Feast...

2010-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Daydreaming of that special day is hard not to do. The house will be filled with the aroma of roasting Turkey, and all of the side dishes. Just thinking of who will be gathered round the table or maybe even how many tables will be full, is part of the fun! Laughter fills the air, oh yes it will be a good day. This yearly tradition of feasting and being with family and friends is a ritual worth to holding onto.

Here at Mary Jo's we have been helping our customers with Tablecloth and Napkin fabrics for almost 60 years! Our shelves are full of beautiful Heavyweight Cottons, Woven and Printed patterns as well as lovely Damask-style patterns that wash well and always look like a special event! Log onto maryjos.com or if you are close enough pop into the store, we would love to see you.

Speaking of the holidays, the next biggie is only six weeks in the future. Yikes. We have many new styles of Holiday Prints and colors to choose from.
Did we mention the Trim Department? In a few weeks we are featuring an article on "Trimming The Halls". You will be amazed to see the fantastic array of trims we stock. Golden & Silver Braided Threads, Shiny and Brightly Colored Beads, Painted Baubles, and plenty of over the top Baroque-style Tassels. That is a short list of the trim possibilities, cheap enough to by by the Spool to easily decorate your home for the Season.

If you have moment during this busy season could you snap a few pics of the holiday finery you have created and email them to us? It is always a delight to share our talented customers beautiful work.

Gear Up For The Holidays, Mary Jo Style...

2010-11-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

It is the time of year to turn back the clocks, sunnier mornings, darker earlier. Hmmmm, fall back, maybe it is not such a bad idea after all. The plus side is we have more time indoors before suppertime and possibly a bit more time to get into the sewing room and create some magic. The seasonal checklist includes, New Tablecloths and Napkins for holiday dinners or maybe a new Tree Skirt for your Christmas tree. A few more simple ideas could include Christmas stockings, Holiday style Aprons for looking your best while creating your holiday feast. Holiday Guests will be arriving soon, this is the perfect time of year to consider recovering a sofa or chair, stitching up some new pillows for a fresh look or you could even top off your decorating project with some new curtains. Yes, as always the possibilities outweigh the time you may have available but the benefits are a gift that will keep on giving.

At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we have everything you will need for your holiday sewing binge! Our shelves are stocked to overflowing and have an array of holiday inspired prints and colors that will make you swoon with delight. The upholstery section has heavy weight fabrics that are durable and affordable. Some of the woven styles that are as much as 40-60 dollars per yard in other fabric stores can be had at Mary Jo's Cloth for 20 dollars and under per yard! Yes you can really pick up high quality fabrics for less.
We have a beautiful collection of fabric for all of your curtain/drape needs. Lovely and inexpensive, it just does not get any better.
Log onto the website and as always check the sale section for some extra special bargains.

A few weeks ago we featured several costumes created by some of our Mary Jo's sewing community. We recently received a few more pics from some of our MJ Blog readers. We love the Wizard of Oz crew. So sweet and well done, so happy our fabric can be turned into beautiful costumes and memories, Dorothy and her motley crew never looked so sweet! A creative Mom stitched up a viking costume for her toddler. Cute as a bug.
Thanks for sending in your photos, we are always so proud to be able to share your beautiful work on our Fabric Blog. Do you have a project we could share? Drop us an email with a photo today.

Fabric At Scary Low Prices...

2010-10-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more fun than finding a great bargain. The recession seems to be hanging on and at Mary Jo's Cloth Store we are diligent about having a generous amount of "SALE" fabric. Online you will find it on the sale page and at the store, in the bins located at the ends of aisles.
We have heavy weight upholstery fabrics online for as low as 4.50 a yard. We also have fabric featuring dynamic colors, textures, patterns, weights and styles that will blow your mind.
A few of our favorite online picks, today, are a beautiful rich Paisley in a Forest/Autumn color schematic and at only $4.50 a yard it is an inspiration to think of all of the different ways this lovely material could be used. Another gem, for only $4.50 per yard is a fun cotton print which sports the cheerful palette of Blues and Yellows. This could brighten up a room, be paired with like colors for a quilt or you could even stitch up a few napkins for your next dinner party.
As always we encourage you to cruise around the SALE section of our website, we are always adding new choices. Remember the selection changes often and the supply is limited.
Do you quilt? If so please send us a few pics of your latest project. We would love nothing more than featuring your fine work. We thank you in advance.
Happy Halloween!

Halloween Costumes & The Possibilities...

2010-10-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

The final countdown to Halloween, only 5 more sewing days. We have 32,000 square feet of fabric, log onto the website or shop the store we are sure to have what you are looking for.

A few tips:
The trim section has everything you will need from Pirates to Princesses and Super Hero's. Looking for a cozy and warm costume? Shop the flannel department and stitch up a cute costume that can then double as a sweet pair of PJ's! The Bridal and Formal Department has all of the lace and fancy fabric you will need for any lacey confection you are about to create! We have Camo, Sports themes, Animal prints, Spooky prints and loads of patterns. Now is the time to put on your thinking cap and let your imagination run wild. If you are having trouble finding something specific, please go to the website and "Ask MaryJo" or pop by the store and any one of our employees will be more than happy to help you out.
Happy Halloween and eat alot of candy!
In the last few weeks we have received a few pics from our customers. So a special thanks goes out to Cristin Donley (Tree Frog) and Kimberly Connelly-Willner (Hippo & Rabbit) for their oh so darling costumes, what a pleasure to feature them in this article.
If you have a moment please send us a photo of the costume you made this year, we would love to feature your beautiful and imaginative work.

Presidential Fabric, West Africa & The Peace Corp...

2010-10-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our customers are incredibly talented and what they do with Mary Jo's fabric is nothing short of amazing.
The story you are about to read comes from a proud Mama, stateside (N.C.) and her darling son who is far way, in Cameroon, West Africa. What this generous hearted fellow did with the fabric, sent to him, is one sweet story. Wow, 10+ Yards of "Obama" fabric goes along way!

Read on:
Hi to all the lovely ladies at MaryJo's!
Our son (Daniel)is serving in the Peace Corps in Cameroon (in Western Africa). He's been there 2 years now, and will be coming home by Christmas.
He told us how excited everyone in his village was after Obama's election so when I saw the Obama fabric in your store I bought a few yards and sent it off for the 3 month mail journey to him. Before it arrived I told him it was coming, and he was so excited that I went back to the store and sent him another 10 yards. You can see from picture what happened to it! He is shown below with his friend, Djawe they "save" their Obama outfits for special occasions, and our recent visit qualified!
We just had a week visit with him and were able to see for ourselves! (He's looking a bit tired in some of these photos as he got malaria when we were there - fortunately he's recovered!)
The Cameroon people have bright fabric for sale everywhere, and the women wear them even when out working in the fields. I noticed that the men tend to wear solid, often pastel colors. The women use every bit of fabric, not even removing the printed selvage edges - nothing goes to waste.
So I'm attaching a few pictures.
One night we stayed in a mission, as there are no hotels in that village. We took a panel of nativity fabric from Mary Jo's and the priest was planning to use it on the altar at Christmas. So this Christmas, when hundreds, perhaps thousands by Dan's estimate, of people gather at the mission for Christmas service, they will be seeing the fabric on the altar!
Maeve Archibald
Belmont, NC
Thanks to our neighbor Maeve, in Belmont for sharing her very interesting story.

Mary Jo' Cloth is ready for all of the Halloween, special fabric you may need. Log onto to the website and start imagining all of the possibilities. If you have a moment send us a few photos of your ghoulish creations. We would love to see what you are all up to.

Hummingbirds, Fresh Air and Good Friends...

2010-10-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine a retreat center, nestled in the rolling hills of Louisville, Kentucky. This magical place is filled with fresh air, peace and quite, plenty of hummingbirds and a fair amount of nature. Hummingbird Hills Retreat Center is the perfect place to book for a relaxing "Quilting Retreat" with your Guild or group of quilting friends. Connie, a longtime Mary Jo Customer, was kind enough to drop a line about her long time dream, that is now her reality. Read on...

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Connie Koenig and I have opened a new retreat center for women who quilt, scrapbook, do bible studies, crafts, cardmaking, etc. This has been a dream of mine for quite a long time.
We have finally located a house that is perfect for this situation. It’s located ½ mile off a main highway on a country road. The view is beautiful from the upper back deck.
During 2010 this home will be able to accommodate up to 12 people (minimum of 8). The cost is $45 per night with a 2 night minimum. It has a fully equipped kitchen so you can prepare your own meals or you could use one of many local restaurants.
At the beginning of 2011 we will be able to accommodate up to 18 people with the same minimums. The work area is in a large walkout basement with an additional bathroom. Everyone will get a 5 ft table and chair on wheels for their workspace. We will also have a circut station available for scrapbookers and cutting and ironing stations for the quilters. We also provide the cutting mats and rulers.
There is a sunroom on the main floor where there is space for a massage therapist if you choose. Easy access to get your supplies in and out is a plus.
If you are interested in seeing photos or would like more information, please visit www.hummingbirdhillsretreat.com or you can send an email.
Connie Koenig
Hummingbird Hills Retreat
502-599-2967
Do you need some new inspiration? The seasons are quickly transitioning to Autumn, the days are getting shorter and chillier and the colors of the leaves are magical. Apples are dropping from the trees and, yes, it is time to be thinking about Jack-o-Lanterns and spooky costumes to outfit your little tricksters. Mary Jo's Cloth has Autumn colors galore and tons of Halloween fabric, all just waiting for your clever ideas and artistic abilities. Log onto the website today, we surely have most anything your heart would ever desire in the world of fabric. Oh, and did we mention, our prices are terrific and it always is a good deal for you to cruise around on the Sale section of our website for some screaming deals.
Do you have a story or a project to share? Please email us today. We cannot wait to hear from you.

State Fairs, Blue Ribbons and Quilting...

2010-09-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Our Mary Jo Cloth friends on facebook have been sewing up a storm!We recently put a call out for your sewing projects and have received many beautiful photos and descriptions of these labors of love. The stories are always wonderful. Thanks so much.

Today we are featuring Lisa Bryson, she has some award winning talent.
Read on...
What I have been up too lately....

I live in Statesville, NC and our county fair is always the first weekend in September. Three years ago I was working on my very first full size quilt and was encouraged by coworkers to enter it in the fair for judging. I had to rush to finish it in time by Sunday, 5pm deadline to enter. ( I got there at 4:15) I had no idea which category to enter it in and the older lady working there said it was a "pieced" quilt . So that is where it went. I could hardly wait until the following Tuesday to see if I had placed and won a ribbon. I DID! I won a first place blue ribbon! I was so excited you would have thought I just won the lottery.

Well that got me hooked! I've entered several quilts and craft projects since then.
This year I enter a mini quilt from the book, "The Underground Railroad" by Eleanor Burns. It was done in Civil War Fabrics with six inch blocks and sashing. The finished size was about 22" square.
I received a blue ribbon on that! I was rather proud of this one.

One of my other entry's was a batik wall hanging that hangs in my office at work. I received a blue ribbon as well! You may have seen this back in January as it was featured on Mary Jos blog "A Snowstorm, A Quilt and A Lasting Love"

My husband asked me the other day while I was sewing... "Are you having fun?" Heck yea! To be able to sew something I enjoy making and then getting paid for it! Who wouldn't be having fun!

Lisa Bryson
aka www.QuiltingKrazy.blogspot.com
Statesville, NC 28677

Wow, Lisa you are some kind of special with all of your Blue Ribbons! Congratulations from all of us at Mary Jo's Cloth. Keep us posted on your projects.
Dear readers, do you have a project you would like to share? Now is the time, send an email today. We can't wait to hear from you.

Above and Beyond, Read All About It...

2010-09-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

We thought we would share the perfect example of how Mary Jo's Cloth Store is not only a place to buy fabric, for incredible prices but that we also go "above and beyond". It warms our hearts that we have made such a big difference. Remember fellow sewing friends, at Mary Jo's we all are passionate about sewing, so talking and giving advice is a pleasure. If you cannot make it to the store, log onto www.maryjos.com and click the "Ask Mary Jo" button and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Lisa Ramsey Burgess sent in this sweet story and the happy ending she shared with her daughter, the Bride!
Having only sewn small projects such as sun dresses for my girls as children, a few window treatments and baby quilts I am by no means a seamstress, but when we found the perfect dress for my daughter Holly’s beach wedding I quickly became one. The dress, a vintage Grecian style was about 3 inches too short for my daughters 5'6" frame. Having grown up in Dallas with a mother who has sewn numerous wedding gowns for family and friends and whose eye sight and nimble fingers have given way to age, I knew a trip to Mary Jo's was in our near future. In the bridal and finer fabrics department I was greeted by Melanie, one of a set of twins who works for Mary Jo's. I had brought the dress along and explained our dilemma and she quickly set out to ease all my worries. Taking a small piece of brown craft paper form her table she drew and cut out a small version of the skirt I needed to make. With all the calculations done, fabric selected and measured, and with Melanie’s assurance that I “could do this” I was off to my second hand machine to begin a frightening task. I must admit the scariest part was taking apart the dress whose skirt had a total of five layers. Melanie had shown me how to use the original skirt as a pattern and how to add the needed inches. In no time the new pieces were ready to be sewn together and reattached to the dress top. Boy was I nervous, I called on my Mom for some encouraging words and after saying a prayer I begin to pin and hand stitch the layers and then one by one my machine stitches were in place with the final stitch attaching the new skirt to the top in less than a few hours. WOW! I impressed my self, it was amazing. If you did not know the skirt was original you would have no idea that it had been changed out. My daughter was thrilled, and so was I. I could not have done this for my daughter with out the help of Melanie, I can tell you numerous times over the years where the wonderful folks at Mary Jo’s have answered questions for my mother and I and have always gone above and beyond your typical customer service to assist in our projects. Thank you so much for your continued service and sewn on.
Lisa Ramsey Burgess, Dallas NC

So happy we could help, Lisa. In the store or online at Mary Jo's we can assist you with sage advice and steer you to the fabric that is just right or even help you to try and find those items you just can't find anywhere else. Thanks for shopping with us we appreciate your business.

Do you have a Mary Jo Cloth story to share? No time like the present, send us an email today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Calico, What's Old Is New...

2010-09-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

Calico, we associate this style of printed fabric from the time of the Civil War and Pioneers heading West. Did you know this style of cloth was actually created in India in the 12th Century. Yes, this versatile and homey cloth has been around for eons. Let's fast forward to the Calico's of today. The biggest change is the dyes that are used and the machines that create this very special cloth! At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we carry many manufacturer's styles of Calico. In colors that range from the Historical Series of the Civil War to the modern bright and interesting color combination's that meet the needs of today's busier lifestyle. Some Calico's are treated to be Permanent Press or even Stain Resistant. Calico's are always a classic choice for Quilts, linings of Handbags and Shopping Totes, sweet summer dresses, Napkins, Tablecloths and even informal breezy curtains. Calico's come in a range of amazing colors and prints. We have AISLES of this style. Oh and just an aside, did you know much of the fabric used in several movies including The Patriot & Cold Mountain were purchased at Mary Jo's Cloth Store? The Costumers found most of the historic fabrics they needed for these movies that were set in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War Era's.

Take a moment and check out our vast selection of Calico's online at maryjos.com or stop by the store for a real WOW moment. Many Calico's have seasonal color combination's. Autumn is particularly stunning, with rich Russets, brilliant Blues, Butternut Golds and the ever present lush Olive Greens. It is truly easy to be inspired by this humble fabric print called, Calico.

Do you have a story or Project to share? We are always interested in you, our sewing community and what you are doing wit the 1.25 million yards of fabric you bought in 2009. Send an email today. We appreciate the effort.

Sometimes A Great Notion...

2010-09-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

Autumn is getting closer by the moment and with cooler days it seems a little easier to spend time in the house catching up on all of those "House Duties". What better time than NOW to get into your sewing room and take stock of your notions and the usability of your space. Take a close look at your space and all of your tools and materials that you use in your sewing endeavors. Starting with the basics, your scissors. Do you need to have them sharpened or is it time to treat yourself to a new pair? When was the last time you used your sewing iron? What is the actual condition? Is the cord and body still in good working order? If not how about considering purchasing a new Rowentra Iron, they really have created a state of the art iron. This beauty comes with all the bells and whistles. We have them in the Notion section on our website. The prices are great and we have three models to choose from! While you are checking out our online Notion department, look at our selection of Scissors, Dress Forms, Sewing Machine Accessories & Needles, Fabric Pens & Markers, Sewing Patterns, Rulers, Tracing Wheels, Quilting Stencils and, and, and the list goes on!

Okay, now that you are inspired to upgrade and organize your sewing area here are a few ideas from some design and organizer gurus to help make this a fun and interesting project. Martha Stewart has a very clever solution to creating a sewing space. Click to read about "Sewing Room In A Closet". E-How.com has a featured article that shares some wonderful ideas on organization. There is nothing better than knowing where EVERYTHING is and using tools and materials that are in tip top shape and ready for any job you have in mind, now you are ready to sew like a pro.
Imagine the beauty you will create, effortlessly in your newly organized and engineered space.
After you have created your sewing nirvana can you send us a few pics of your fantastic space? We would love to feature you in an upcoming blog article.
Happy Sewing. Now lets be thinking about Halloween, only 6 short weeks away,
Witchy Woman, anyone?

Quilting: A Passionate & Colorful Obsession...

2010-08-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Quilting is a passionate obsession. We love to see you in the store in pairs, busloads or just by yourself. We also like to hear your stories from Facebook and maryjos.com. We thank-you for being so talented, sharing your projects and for buying your quilting fabric here. We have always worked very hard to keep our prices low and our quality high. We stock the most current collection of quilting fabrics, featuring a historical reproduction collection, the latest patterns and colors, and the special beauties that come our way, as well as all of the old standbys that you have come to love.

Fabric Trends for Quilters is a delightful publication. It is always fun to cruise through an issue online, just to be inspired. The trends for this year are alot of bright colors and of course interesting patterns. A top pick is called "Summer Postcard From Home". There is a quilt that was designed by a gal named Pearl Louise Krush and it looks like she had some fun designing and creating this little beauty. It would not be that difficult for you to find a photo from a recent vacation or a favorite outdoor spot and design your own "Postcard" style quilt. If you need a pattern you can log onto Fabric Trends Summer Edition's website, scroll down a bit and you will see this picture perfect postcard! While you are scrolling down take a few moments and check out some of the other quilts they have featured we know you will be inspired. They sell a "Quilt Kit" for this project, however if you click on the Free Projects you can find quilt instructions which are free and download the PDF to your desk top. Easy.

Inspiration for a new quilt and just the right color palette are all around us. A bright blue sky and the vivid yellow of a sunflower can lead to many applications. Blue and yellow are a French Country staple. The crazy colors of a brilliant sunset or a grove of trees turning Autumn Gold, Red and Orange. Sometimes inspiration can be found in the produce section of your local market or better yet at this time of year at a Farmers Market it is a joyous riot of color. Heirloom Tomatoes, Flowers by the bucketful and piles of Apples. Color inspiration is everywhere.

When you cruise through Mary Jo's Cloth Store we stock much of our quilting fabric by color. If you log onto the maryjos.com you will see that we have many new choices posted with Autumn colors and patterned fabric. So get creative and look around you, the inspiration for your next quilt could be quietly waiting, well almost anywhere.
Now a favor, all of our faithful readers. We are looking for some projects to share. Can you email a photo and brief description? Do you own a business that uses Mary Jo's Cloth? We really want to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

Dog Day Afternoon, Grab Some Fabric & Make a Bed...

2010-08-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

It has happened, the Dog Days of Summer are upon us. What better time then now, to cruise the sale page of the website and find some really beautiful fabric and stitch up a Dog Bed or two!
A gal from Massachusetts recently sent us an email, she is in love with the selection and prices of Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, she only shops on our website at maryjos.com.
Michelle Lessing is quite a talented seamstress/designer and she decided to stitch up a bed for each of her two beloved Labradors, Lilly and Abbie. They were a hit and she was hooked, she then decided to create a company that makes Dog Beds from fabric she buys at Mary Jo’s. (Our prices are so great on fabric that she can sell a well-made and very beautiful Dog Bed for only $125.00.) Check out her fine work on her website, www.lillyandabbiedogbeds.com you won’t be disappointed. It is so wonderful to see such creative businesses popping up using the fabric purchased from Maryjos.com

This what Michelle has to say about Maryjos.com:
I love, love, love your website and all the fabrics you offer. There is such a wide variety and the prices are incredible. I'm starting a custom dog bed business and I would love to use some of your fabrics! I appreciate that I don't have to buy a whole yard like most other sites. It ends up being a lot of money especially when you don't end up liking the fabric or it fades.
my website: www.lillyandabbiedogbeds.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
-Michelle
Miss Michelle, we have amazing picks on our sale page and in the Drapery/Upholstery sections of the website. These choices will delight you, good luck with your new endeavor, we are sure you will be a howling success.

By the way, we thought we would post this comment from one of our readers/customers, Ellen. She is a frequent Commenter on this blog. Remember we love to hear feedback, it helps us to bring you the kinds of articles that will inspire you to create the finest projects possible.
Ellen’s feedback:
Thank you! You are very sweet to mention me.....
I comment because I also write 2 blogs...not daily, but often enough to really appreciate how much work goes into every post.
I think you have many folks that read you regularly, but might be hesitant to comment....DON'T BE!
It is easy...just click on the word "comment" and it will take you to a screen that allows you to write about how much you enjoy this blog.....believe me bloggers LOVE comments.
Don't be afraid you will say something wrong, even complaints can be handled in a polite way.....that's all that is required, common courtesy. I encourage anyone who follows this blog to comment with me (that means you too mom!)
Smiles, Ellen.

Mary Jo's Cloth with a French Twist...

2010-08-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

At Mary Jo’s Cloth we receive letters, notes and photos from our customers almost everyday. A few weeks ago we sent out a call for projects. The response is wonderful and wow you all have been very busy. Over the course of the next few months we will be featuring many of these beautiful, creative and well done projects. It so exciting to see all that you do with the fabric you purchase at our Mary Jo’s.

One of the notes we received was from a gal in France. Her name is Isabelle Martin Agnan and she has a true talent for “Art Quilting”. She uses a variety of fabrics to create tones and shades in her work. After visiting her blog we were particularly impressed with the breadth of her quilted projects. She makes and sells dear little handbags, coin purses and larger totes. She also creates huge, and we are talking huge, quilts that become Art as wall hangings. Her colors are vivid and bright and so much fun to look at. We think you will enjoy looking around on her blog and we know you will definitely be inspired.

Did you know we have all kinds of College and University Team Icon and colored fabrics. Now is the time to stock up. Think of all of the projects you can create with this fun and team oriented fabric. Tailgating, Shirts, Quilts, Throws, Tablecloths, Curtains, well the list is endless and you are only limited by your imagination. Sew something up and send us some photos we would love to feature your story here on our blog.
Thanks for reading our blog, enjoy the rest of the summer, it is almost gone.

Limited Edition+What's Hot= SALE...

2010-08-06T04:14:00.000-07:00

Limited Edition and What's Hot, what do these two sections represent on our website? SALE. Yes both are Sale sections of our website!
"What's Hot", features items that are a special purchase and won't be around for long. In the past we have featured Polar Fleece Blankets, T-Shirts and special Fabric purchases.
"Limited Edition", is filled with remnants and sale fabric from all of the different departments at our 32,000 sq. ft. store. Let' talk about Limited Edition for a moment. First and foremost it is always fun to click around and see what has been recently posted in this section. You need to click all the way to the very back page because that is where you will find the newest choices. Today, posted in this section we have some fantastic upholstery fabric in a wide range of styles, colors, patterns and weight. We are also featuring many sweet choices of Mary Jo's Cloth for back to school dresses, skirts, shorts and even a few choices of fun fabric for a tote bag.
Here is the deal, fabric that originally retailed for $18-25 can now be found for a fraction of the original price, which by the way is far less than competing fabric retailers. In both sections you will find a wide selection of fabric for Quilts, Curtains, Table Cloths, Upholstery needs. We even have some beautiful lace that could become part of a beautiful Wedding Dress, Table Cloth or Romantic Curtains. The best part is the price, in a word affordable. Log on to maryjos.com often and remember to click ALL the way through to the last page for the most current and very best selection.
When you have stitched up a masterpiece can you do us a favor and snap a photo, jot down a few words and fire off an email to us? We would love to know what you are up to and possibly feature you in an upcoming blog article. Happy sewing and enjoy your summer.

Beat The Summer Heat & Quilt Something Sweet...

2010-07-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

High summer is here. Our gardens are filled with flowers and the starry skies shine brightly.
However for those days that are hot & sticky and you have to be inside, why not be productive? What better time to make a "Summery Style" quilt? Today we are featuring two interesting patterns. The first can be made with our Batik line of fabric and the other lends itself to small prints like our fabled Calico collection and cheerful colored fabrics.

Tree Frog Quilt: Rain forests are home to myriad of wonderful and unique animals found nowhere else. The subject of this quilt is the brightly colored Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) found in the lowland rainforest areas of Central and South America.  Quilt pattern includes a full color picture of the finished quilt, full-size foundations, assembly diagram, yardage requirements, and instructions to make the quilt shown.

LuLu's YoYo's: This is a cute 60" x 68" quilt. Just in time for summer, this quilt features dimensional flowers with ric rac stems.

So here is the deal. We have loads of Batik Fabrics in many colors and prints. Imagine all that you could do with this very cool Rain Forest Frog. The color combination's are exciting to think about. We also have more Calico's than a store ought too! We carry a full line of Civil War Replica prints as well as the beautiful modern styled small print Calico's. Remember to surf around on "What's Hot" and our "Limited Editions" sections. These are Mary Jo's Cloth Store's "Code for Sale" pages on our website and wow can you save some money on quilting fabrics I was on Special Editions and noted some fantastic "Vera Bradley" inspired french paisleys. Lovely and we even have some pre-quilted for perfect tote bags or??? Check it out. Enjoy your summer, soon enough the light will have dipped far to the south and winter will be upon us.
Do you have a project to share? Now is the time, we love hearing from you and seeing all of the amazing projects you make with our carefully selected collections of fabric. Send us an email today.

College Dorm Rooms & Love Letters From Afar...

2010-07-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

College dorm rooms, yes indeed it is only a few weeks away! Summer is a fleeting season and it is time for the kids go back to college. Consider this, now it is time to sew up all of the items your student may need for their dorm room. Did you know Mary Jo’s Cloth has bolts and bolts of fabric available that is printed with most Colleges colors, icons and mascots? You could whip up a comforter or maybe some large pillows that the kids could lounge around on. Take a moment and stitch up a fleece blanket and have team spirit and warmth at those autumn football games. You can choose from flannels (in the school colors) for cozy pajamas or a heavy cotton for a Duffel Bag or Laundry Bag. We also have solids to coordinate with the College Collection. (click on College Logo Cottons or College Logo Fleeces)

LOVE LETTERS from our Customers...
Every week we get notes, emails and postings on Facebook and on the Blog. It is wonderful to hear from all of you. We get feedback about the store, website and even kudos for good service. Recently, the most interesting note to come into my inbox was from a gal in Virginia Beach. Her inquiry was a simple, did we know of anyone who would like to carpool from her town STRAIGHT to Mary Jo’s Cloth Store for a day of shopping heaven!(Note to follow.) If you know someone or would like to start a carpool from your town, drop us an email and we will make sure folks see it. It is an interesting idea. Just think of the new friends you could make!

Dear MARY JO'S, Why don't you consider starting a carpool section on your website? Sure it sounds silly because you are right there!! But let me tell you ,those of us way out here would jump on it.I am in Virginia Beach area, with a 8 passenger recent model van that would love to share gas and time and lunchboxes all the way there! Thinking I could do anything to stand in that store and just be with that awesome fabric, I STUPIDLY AGREED to go to The Ole'Virginia Hunt Club with a neighbor (12 miles from you) The trip up was ruff, but I just kept thinking FABRIC. Then we arrived to the Club and I tied up fruit trees and watered plants and sweep out the bunkhouse, only to find the dogs were loose in the woods,bet nobody will forget a city girl getting the dogs in that pen. EVERYTHING SECURED TO LEAVE except me,yep,I should of taken a diaper bag with a change of clothes. And now when friends ask " whats those clothes in your van" I just tell them ,you never know about those hunting dogs. If you know of anyone that wants to go STRAIGHT to Mary Jo's please let me know. stitchesbykathy@cox.com

Now here is one interesting and ongoing story. Last year we featured an article about a gal who designs handbags, "Not Your Momma's Handbag", her name is Ellen Reed. She is also a fantastic Photographer! Anyway, she most always comments on our blog articles. A shout out to Ellen for feedback. It is always appreciated. Good luck with all of your creative endeavors. Oh and keep commenting. Smiles

From Facebook...

Just got back from a trip to Mary Jo's from VA. Found beautiful fabric to cover my couch, some for curtains for my living room and some for curtains for a guest room. I LOVE MARY Jo's! I think this sign should say "Entrance - Fabric Heaven"

Camilla Hanes Porter I have been there once but it sticks out in my mind. You have a tremendous amount and variety of fabric. I cannot wait to come back.

Do you have a project to share with us? Please send an email today, you and/or your business could be our next feature. Thanks in advance, enjoy these languid days of summer.

Sunny Days and Sewing Projects...

2010-07-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

With all of this amazing Summer weather it can be hard to stay in the house and create in our sewing rooms. However, sewing is a state of mind and a simple conversation with a friend can be sheer inspiration for many new projects. I was on our Sailboat chatting with a new friend about Sewing, Projects, Fabric, Design and Family. The "Fabric" of our lives intertwining as we discussed the pluses of making our own napkins. She has a house full of small children so her napkins are fun and vibrant. I like colorful woven fabric (as opposed to printed) for napkin making. The woven will last longer and hold its vibrant colors for many years. Mary Jo's has fabric for your napkins in departments you would not typically associate with such a mundane item.
Let's take a cruise through the Drapery/Upholstery Department. First there are many woven fabrics that truly lend themselves over to a long-term napkin. If you choose a light weight damask you can create napkins and matching table cloths and table runners. Damask is also a great choice for a light summer blazer or a skirt with fantastic weight and texture. We also have some very bold and large patterned florals which can be fun and sophisticated.
The quilting department has wonderful colored and fun patterns of all designs. Your children will love the bug and butterfly patterned prints.
Another great tip log onto our sale page and see what is newly posted "on sale". Click through, the last few pages that is where the new stuff is hiding out.
So take a moment and log onto the website. It is quick and easy to make a napkin and at Mary Jo's we make it extremely affordable.

The Skinny on Fat Quarters...

2010-07-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

Fat Quarters are a sure fired way to get in the mood to be creative. Think of the leftover fabric that you have in your closets that can be turned into fun and useful little fat quarter projects, and there are many!
Read on for "The Skinny on Fat Quarters".

What Is a Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter is a one-fourth yard cut of fabric that (usually) measures 18" x 22" instead of the typical 9" x 44" quarter-yard cut. The longest side's dimension will vary if your fabric is not 44" wide.

Why Would I Want a Fat Quarter?
Look at the illustration and you'll see that a fat quarter gives you the opportunity to cut larger chunks of fabric than would be possible from a regular quarter-yard, including strips that are twice as long on the fabric's (less stretchy) lengthwise grain.
A fat quarter offers more versatility, whether it's for patchwork or appliqué. Quilt shops know that fat quarters are popular, and usually offer a wide assortment of them, pre-cut and ready to go.
You can use fat quarters for strip piecing by making extra strip sets from shorter lengths of fabric until you've cut the number of segments required for the pattern.

The projects featured below use anywhere from 1-6 fat quarters.

iPod or Small Camera Case- This is a free tutorial for a case for your iPod or small camera. This project is quick, easy, and ultra useful. What a fun way to keep your technology cozy and scratch free. It uses two fat quarters.

Pincushion- This is a project I've had my eye on for a while. It uses up to six different fabrics but can easily be made with less. From six different fat quarters, you would be able to make at least six different pincushions. It is an excellent gift idea for any of your crafty friends or online swaps you might participate in.

Quilted Coasters- I made a set of these coasters for a wedding gift and they were quick and easy to make. I made a set of six using two fat quarters and I had enough leftover to make a few more. I enjoyed making them and my husband was happy I had a handmade wedding gift for $2.

Box Bag- This link features several tutorials for various box bags. The one featured is a smaller size and you can make three bags from one fat quarter. Some of the larger box bags use up to two fat quarters. Use these to hold small projects, makeup, pencils, feminine products, you name it!
If these projects don't inspire you to get out and create with fat quarters, I don't know what will!

Christy Nelson is the Mom Crafts editor here at Type-A-Mom and she crafts and blogs over at christynelson.net. She's also always on the lookout for a few good crafters to join her craft challenge.

Stop by the store, we have stacks of "Fat Quarters" pre-cut and ready for your magic touch. Log onto maryjos.com for inspirational patterns and colors, Batiks, Calico's and beautiful floral prints.

We received an email from Lisa Gay in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was kind enough to include a few photos of her "Fat Quarter" Wristlet Pouches. They are sweet and practical. If you would like to see more of her fabric creations you can catch up with her on the web.

Do you have an interesting project to share with our readers? Please send an email today, we cannot wait to see what you have created.

A Snowstorm, A Fabric Fix & Saving Loads of Money ...

2010-06-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

It is almost the 4th of July, where does time the go? We have plenty of new choices at Mary Jo's Cloth Store and on the pages of our website. The choices are terrific and the prices, sublime.

We received an email from a gal who is "Batik Crazy". She came to the store this past winter just ahead of a snow storm! We love our dedicated customers and share their passion for amazing fabric on sunny or snowy days. We love to see you come into the store and tool around with a grin from ear to ear. Imagine, 32,000 square feet of fabric, oh the possibilities! It is mind bending!

This is our featured story this week.
"On Dec 23 my husband had major back surgery and so my time has been spent at work or taking care of him since he is unable to get around on his own yet. If you know men, they are such babies when they are "ill". They think they can't survive without you! He "misses" me during the week so he thinks I should spend my entire weekend with him. Don't get me wrong, I love him, been married since 1984, but he just doesn't get that "need for fabric" that I have! hehe

My step-daughter gave me a Gift Certificate to Mary Jo's for Christmas and it has been burning a hole in my wallet since she gave it to me December 19th! Unfortunately I live in Statesville so I can't just up and run down to Mary Jo's and be back in an hour. Heck if I ever get there I will spend the entire day just getting my "Fabric Fix" so it will last awhile.

So I spent hours on end at their website trying to choose Civil War fabrics my my Underground Railroad sampler I want to do. Since computers are not picture perfect in giving true colors it took me forever to choose each piece of fabric, about 15 different ones. When I finally made the decision and hit the submit order button, I was so excited! I couldn't wait to get my fabric and get started. But the following Monday I received a phone call from Mary Jo's saying several of the pieces of fabric I choose had been sold out! I was devastated!!!!!!!! I asked them to just cancel the order for now and maybe one day soon I would be able to make a trip down there. So far, no trip yet.

So as I was pouting, I began to look through some quilting magazines and came across a wall hanging pattern I fell in love with. Stepping Stones from American Patchwork and Quilting, Oct 2009. It was done in Batiks which I have never really cared for that much. But maybe if I tried this project using batiks it would change my mind. I also had just read a blog on the website about a lady and her husband buying wonderful Batiks at Mary Jo's.

So I thought about the upcoming Quilting Extravaganza this past weekend in Statesville. I could get new fabric there. YEA, I was going to get my "Fix" after all. But then the "SNOW" decided to show up and ruin everything. (So I thought)
I needed that "Fabric Fix" something terrible and the thought of not begin able to go because of the road conditions was not making me happy. So I begged and pleaded with my boss to leave work a hour and half early on Friday so I could get my much needed Fabric Fix!

Well I got there at 4pm and they closed at 5pm plus the snow was on it's way fast and furious. I paid my way in and had to make a mad dash around to every booth trying to see who had batiks in fat quarters that I liked. Then I had to hurry and choose my colors. OH MY GOSH! I don't ever recommend trying to choose fabric colors in that much of a hurry.
Well I did get my fabric fix and used batiks! Well now I am hooked! I have decided when I do get to Mary Jo's I will choose more batiks and make this project for Christmas Presents for 2010! Not to mention by having to wait so long in being able to get to visit Mary Jo's, my tax return will be soon. What does that mean...
A BIGGER $$$ FABRIC FIX from Mary Jo's!

See you soon!!!!!!! one way or the other!"
Lisa Bryson
Statesville, NC

Lisa Thanks so much for sharing your story. Enjoy these summer days!

Are you looking for some awesome Batik fabric? Log onto www.maryjos.com and type "Batik" into the search bar at the top right. We have over 280 varieties and colors of Batiks online!

Do you have a story to share? Please send it to us, you may be the next featured article!

A Passion for Purses...

2010-06-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

We love to feature stories from our customers. We received a note recently from a gal who creates one of a kind handbags. She is so passionate about handbags that she created a business so she could make and sell them! Her website is an inspiration. She buys her many types of fabric and faux leather from Mary Jo's.
I am a frequent visitor at Mary Jo's where I find unique fabrics for my purses. I started a home-based business, Via dei Fiori, a little more than a year ago. I design and make one of-a-kind purses, with the mission of helping women recognize their own uniqueness and beauty, both inside and out. I take special care in finding beautiful lining fabrics, and Mary Jo's certainly has those! Attached are just some of the creations from Mary Jo fabrics. You can see more at www.viadeifiori.com. Sally Tolentino
How cool. Thanks Sally for your note and we hope to see you soon at "Mary Jo's Cloth Store".
If you are interested in making your own handbags, Mary Jo's has what you need online and in the store. Please remember the ultimate money saving tip... check the sale page first, then if you do not see something that will work for your project, click around online, we have tons of fabric at super low prices. Do you have a project, story or business to share with us? We may even feature it in a future article. Take a moment and send an email today!

Luck, Love and Money...

2010-06-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

Love, luck and money. These three things help to make the world go round! At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we are lucky to have all of you as our customers. We love that you shop with us online, on the phone and in person. Lastly we absolutely cannot imagine not saving you money each time you shop with us. So today as Spring turns into Summer we have put many of our fabrics "On Sale". New remnants are in bins at the store and some great new picks are on the "Special Edition" (Sale) page of our website. Log on to the web or stop into the store. We have 32,000 square feet of fabric & notions, enjoy your many hours of looking, dreaming and purchasing in air-conditioned comfort!

The other day we received a wonderful note from a gal in Concord, NC. She had used our fabrics for a project that was not only fun but a great community effort.

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures with you of our Christmas Spectacular 2009 at Crossroads Church,Concord. As the costume designer and maker, I bought tons of felt at Mary Jo's in many different colors to make my take-off on the poodle skirt, which I call the reindeer skirt. You can see from the pictures that I placed an appliqued reindeer instead of a poodle on the skirts to keep with our Christmas theme. I wore out two different employees of your store on the day I came in to buy the fabric, haha. They really earned their paycheck that day. The pictures don't show all of them. I think there were about 20 in all. That was 20 different colors! Anyway, I just want to thank your ladies for having a lot of patience with me that day and show you the results. Thanks, Suzanne Hege

Great job Suzanne we thank-you so much for sharing your story and shopping at Mary Jo's. We are wondering, wow, what will you be creating for this years "Christmas Spectacular"?

We love to hear the stories of your projects. Please take a moment and send your project our way. You could be the next featured story. Thanks in advance and try to stay cool during these hot summer days!

Sex & The City, Morroccan Style & You...

2010-06-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed the buzz, hubub and cultural effect of popular movies today? Take the new smash hit “Sex & The City”. Ladies all over the country are dressing up in their Diva inspired outfits and having a “Girl’s Nite Out” in theaters across the country and the world! Gals have gone wild for the “Styles” that Carrie Bradshaw and her friends in this movie are wearing. Morocco was the scene of some of the most fantastic, brightly colored outfits that have hit the big screen in years. The colors are rich and saturated and the patterns, with sprinklings of metallic reflect the exotic local of where this movie mostly takes place.
The costume designer, Patricia Fields has always done an interesting interpretation and has been responsible for creating the look of each woman featured in this long running series of stories about four single ladies in New York. The clothes add a dimension to the personality that goes beyond the spoken word. Can you imagine Carrie Bradshaw without her signature tutu? The newest set of costumes is a treasure trove of inspiration to fill in your own Summer Wardrobe.

Question? Where do you find such extravagant fabrics to create such imaginative ensembles? Mary Jo’s of course! Did you know Costume Designers from around the country come to Mary Jo’s to find much of the fabric for their productions? Are you a the Costume Designer for the Opera, Ballet, Theater and Movies, Maryjos.com is the place for you, we have fabric for all of your “special needs”. It is always super fun for us at the store to hear about these projects when the Designers are choosing their fabrics. We have a wide selection of sheer fabrics that are shot with gold, and silver threads. Did you know Mary Jo's is also a destination spot for the Indian Dress called a Sari. For this simple dress, approximately 6 yards of shimmery, slightly sheer, flowing colors and patterned material is used. Why not try a Sari for some summer fun?
To find the perfect fabric, log onto our website and cruise around in the Bridal & Formal Fashion section, tons of choices are available. You could also pop by the store, for some real fun.
If you are looking for the hot styles of fabric used in the current hit, Sex and the City Part 2, we would be glad to help you find all of those rich, bright, patterned and glittery fabric you could ever want. You will look fabulous, darling. Now go and have some fun.
One more thing, if you have a moment, send a photo of your newest project, we would love to see your inspired creation.

Birdies and Owls, Hoot It Up...

2010-05-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

Life is funny. Today I was in the garden, watering and contemplating this article. I was noticing how nature really lays on the color in the late spring. Rich Blues and Purples and the happiest Yellows and Oranges this side of a Canary, a true feast for the eyes. As I was filling up the birdbath I was surprised to find a Blue Robin's Egg lying in the water, perfect in every way no cracks or chips and blue as could be. I looked to the tree above and could not spy a nest. For me nothing is as engaging as a "Garden Mystery". I believe this must be my spring-time gift from the heavens! So sweet and so odd to find an egg lying in a half filled birdbath.

Birdie and garden prints are a mainstay at Mary Jo's Cloth. She always stocks a great collection of prints and patterns inspired by nature. If you log onto the website and put "Birds, Bugs & Butterflies" into the search bar 49 results appear! Most are 6.59 per yard. They are soooo sweet. I am not the only one who has noticed that Owls are very popular this year. Michelle Lamb, a trend spotter says "Owls can be drawn and printed in a real graphic way that can be used really well in fabrics and textiles. They are easy to carve and to etch. The owl is like the new bird -- a retro perspective on the bird trend." Keep your eyes open you will see Owl inspired items for sale in Giftstores, Boutiques and Antique Malls. At Mary Jo's we have Owl fabric in prints and patterns that are colorful, bright, modern and classic. Something for every owl lover. They would be especially fun in a pillow, Quilt or even a lining or an accent in a purse or tote bag. If you have a cabin, camp or vacation getaway in the woods or in the mountains, this would be a super hot pick for curtains, tablecloth or even a light quilt top for a bed.
Do you have a business that uses Mary Jo's Fabric? Dolls, Purses, Aprons, Totes, Costumes, Tablecloths, Napkins, Wedding Dresses, Quilts, Set Design or Interior Design? If you do we WANT to hear from you. Email us and remember to include your website/Blog, a brief note and a few photos. We would be happy to feature YOU in a future column. Thanks and enjoy the last moments of this special Memorial Day weekend, because as you know it is the kick off to Summer Fun!

Quilts for Healing...

2010-05-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

This poignant "Quilts for Healing" project is an inspiration.
Cancer touches all of our lives sooner or later. Often times it strikes when we least expect it. How many times have you heard someone say, "a close friend or family member was diagnosed with the big "C"?". Scary stuff. How do we help or do something that can create community and make a difference? Judith House did just that. She had a vision.

Judy began quilting in 1986 and eventually taught and lectured on art quilting. Her work was recognized at local and nationwide quilt shows. When she died, she was leading a group of contemporary quilters who were creating quilts for donation to a local area hospital. On July 28, 2005 JUDITH A. HOUSE, a well-known quilt artist, died in her home under hospice care after a nine-year battle with breast and ovarian cancer.
A fantastic website, the "Healing Quilts in Medicine", is a tribute to the quilts inspired solely by the healing properties of the different components used in Cancer treatments. This is the vision of Judy House who died of breast cancer in July 2005. Judy said, "We are dedicated to projects that bring beauty and education through art quilts into hospitals".

Here are a few of Judy's inspiring words:
A dear friend of mine who lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer said, "Cancer equals WAITING". You are either waiting for doctors appointments, tests, results of those tests, treatments, and results of treatments. This is stressful time for the patient, their family members and friends. I would therefore like to provide them with something pleasant to look at and reflect on during those often-difficult moments.

In 2005, before Judy died, from Cancer, she organized a group of 37 art quilters to make art quilts based on the plants and animals used in chemotherapies. These quilts now hang in the oncology areas of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. You can view images of these quilts by going to the Walter Reed Quilt Gallery.

Since the Walter Reed project, a group of quilters from the Washington D.C. metro area have continued Judy's legacy and are involved in several healing quilt projects. We call ourselves Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends. We have been working with the Gifts of Art at the University of Michigan and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare to bring healing quilts to new venues.
Log onto www.healingquiltsmedicine.org, you will be delighted and inspired.

A Quilter named Lisa Ellis is the gal who hosts and maintains the online "Quilt Gallery" for this project. She shares her ideas and process for "Healing Quilts" with Quilt Guilds all around the country. Her work is amazing, log onto her website and see what you can do in your own community. What a wonderful world of sharing and caring!

Mary Jo's Cloth has many new fabrics and some of your old favorites that are waiting to become an inspirational quilt. Check out our website, click onto the "Quilting" for the widest selection of quilting favorites. Also always take a moment to look at the SALE page, always the best price on discontinued, remnants and overstocks.

Do you have a sewing project you would like to share? Now is the time, send us an email with a description and a few photos and you may be our next "Featured Article".
Thanks in advance, we always love to see what you are up to.
Enjoy this early summer day.

Petunia is a Renaissance Woman...

2010-05-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

It is almost the time of year to be thinking about the very special Shakespeare and Renaissance Faires that dot our country and the world during the summer season. Are you looking for the perfect fabric? Cottons, Muslins, Velvets and Tapestry style woven cloth. Wow, at Mary Jo's we have everything you may need for your authentic 1500-1600 costume. Remember we also carry all of the historic prints for your CWA costumes (1860's). Mary Jo has been supplying costume makers and fair participants with authentic styles of cloth for every costume need.
We recently received a note from a Gal who is wild for Mary Jo's and the selection of historic styled fabrics, read on.

Hi, my name is Kathleen Tronsor, and I have been working at Renaissance Faires as a performer since 1993. Last year I purchased 10 yards of 100% linen (upholstery), some dark green cotton, and some velvet from your store, and I thought you'd be interested in seeing how my project turned out.
I create a new costume every year for my character. And yes, I am one of those annoying folks who research every aspect of what a person in those times (I use 1533 as a base year) would have worn, what materials and colors they used, sewing techniques, accessories, etc.
At the North Carolina Renaissance Festival, our costumes have to be comfortable enough for a 21st century person who has to walk, run, dance, grovel and sing in our usual North Carolina weather -- changeable to say the least!
Add in the fact that "Petunia the Pink Pirate" is not exactly an historically-correct character, and you can see that I had both strict guidelines and vast amounts of lee-way when I designed this dress. Petunia would have "acquired" this dress from a wealthy woman, and she has discarded the petticoats, hoops and underskirt that the higher class lady would have worn.

This is a one-piece dress, based on a couple of designs from The Tudor Tailor, by Ninya Michaela and Jane Malcolm-Davies. The bodice is boned and laces up the front. The lacing is hidden by a boned panel that wraps across the front and buttons under the arm. In Tudor times, this would have been pinned with brass pins, but they also had maidservants who followed them around with extras, so I used buttons instead. This gives the bodice the smooth, laceless look, and also allows me to skip wearing a corset under the dress. Dark green velvet trims the front and the edges of the hanging sleeves, further accented with pearls and "gold" jewels. Pirate booty, of course!
The skirt is lined with dark green cotton, which is also turned up around the hem as a guard. Cotton is not an historic fabric, but was easier on the budget. The skirt is open down the front, and is cartridge pleated to the bottom of the bodice. There are three large inverted pleats at the center back. I also made several pairs of sleeves that tie over the hanging sleeves. These were all different patterns, stripes, brocades, etc., all with the same pink/green theme. Very easy to take off or slide on as the weather changed.

The hat is velvet, trimmed with jewels and feathers, and I wear black (cotton) bloomers, pink and green (cotton) stockings, and a pair of red (leather) boots under the skirt. The chemise is cut off short so as not to show under the split skirt, and is made from fine linen with redwork around all the seams and edges, done by hand.
The parts that show (hems, edges, applique, cartridge pleating, embroidery, etc.) were all sewn by hand. I used flexiboning in the bodice, and sewed them in using my 50+ year old machine. Long seams were also sewn using the machine.

The North Carolina Renaissance Festival runs on weekends from October 9th through November 21st, 2010. For more information, here's a link to their website www.royalfaires.com.
Kathleen Tronsor

Thank-you Kathleen for your inspiring story. You are a darling "Petunia the Pink Pirate". Readers, do you have some period costumes to share? Do you make costumes for others? We would love to feature you as a story on our blog. Please send photos and a few words today. Happy Spring and have fun creating!

Tips, Tricks and Ideas for Summer Curtains...

2010-05-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

The answer is blowin' in the wind...
Walking into a room that is filled with fresh air, light with the curtains billowing from a slight spring breeze is perfection. The Lilacs in bloom outside your open window can fill a room with a scent that is heady sweet/spicy and sometimes so strong you never have to cut them and bring them indoors. It seems that when the birdies are chirping and the flowers are blooming, our personal worlds are filled with as many possibilities as the natural world. This is a magic time of year.

Now is the season to turn your eye towards your windows and the curtains or drapes that are covering them. Light white cotton catching a breeze, a voile or lace panel that diffuses the view, or even a new cool hip/modern colored pattern that is woven or printed are wonderful choices to catch the light and breezes of Summer. Here are a few tips and tricks to consider. What kind of views do your windows have? An easy idea for color continuity is to bring some of the colors from the outside view, inside. Do you have a mountain view or do you look out onto water? Do your windows look out into the garden or do you need to screen the view of a neighbors home.

The list is long, the solutions are many, however it can be a simple process. Look at the furniture in the room, the colors of the walls, then look outside and find the colors that tie it all together. Neutral White and Taupes or even the paler shades of Greens are perfect for creating a "together and cohesive look".

Here is the 411 on curtains. They are really not as expensive as Restoration Hardware or The Pottery Barn would have you believe. Did you know that you can buy Silk Duponi fabric that is a generous 54" for only 13.98 a yard? How about a fantastic Paisley or Toile for only 11.98-13.98 per yard? All this and more is available in our Drapery Department.
So, what is stopping you from living in an environment that is lovely and beautiful? It really does start in your own home and it is simple. The first step is easy, log on to maryjos.com today or pop into the store. You, as always, will be delighted with the selection and the prices.

Please send us photos of your Drapery Re-do's, we would love to feature them on our Community page or in an upcoming article.
Enjoy this beautiful, magical season, Spring is always so fleeting.

Krazy, Kooky, Fun and Lacey, Spring Sale...

2010-04-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

Browsing through the sale section of the website is always fun. I am always amazed at the variety and the price points. If you are making a wedding dress, we have lace on sale. Going to the prom or know a young lady who is? Wow, do we have some sequined beauties for the perfect sparkly dress. Thinking about making new curtains, drapes, roman shades or a valance? The choices are many and the possibilities are, well, truly endless with colors and prints galore. We even have fun fabric printed with happy elephants, scottie dogs and laughing children, perfect for a sundress or a child's room. We also have many choices of lace collars and lace embellishments that are not only inexpensive (some as low as a $1.50!) and beautiful.
Quilters, you could have a field day, with prices as low as $3.50 a yard you could design and dream up a quilt that will not only be exquisite but very affordable.
Now is the time to grab a cup of coffee or tea, go to your computer and noodle around in the sale section. Oh, it is also fun to click around and see what other treasures you can uncover to add to your fabric collection!
Mary Jo's online selection is terrific, but if you are anywhere near Gastonia, NC., stopping by the store is always a treat.
Be well, Be happy and know we at Mary Jo's Cloth Store are always working very hard to bring you the very best quality fabrics for the absolute lowest price.
Thanks for shopping at Mary Jo's.
Do you have a quilt or a fabric project you would like to share? Send us an email with a photo and we may feature your beautiful project in a future article.

June Brides, Happily Ever After...

2010-04-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

June is fast approaching and it is traditionally the month of sweeping changes in family dynamics. Our children graduate from High School and College and others are saying "I Do" and marrying their sweethearts. A lovely month filled with many traditions. So the question is how do you impact your family's future history? Here are a few ideas, how about a "Wedding Ring Quilt" for the special couple or a Quilt for a recent Graduate? There is also the lucky Bride who's Mother, Grandmother, Sister or Aunt will help in the making of her wedding dress. The future is filled with the memories of these milestone events. Quilts, dresses and the like are mementos of these milestone occasions.
So let's start with the dress. Lace, Satin, Taffeta and Organza? Ahhh, the mind swirls around with all of the choices and possibilities. Mary Jo's Cloth has a Bridal Department filled with all that you will need. When you are contemplating making your very special Bridal Gown and Veil we can lend a hand. Our Bridal Department has a section devoted to Headpieces and the tulle and netting for the veil.
This would not only save you some cash it will make the Brides day that much more memorable and heartfelt to know that someone she loves has helped to create her "Perfect Look" for this very special day.

Now let's talk Quilts. If a couple dear to you is getting married what could be more traditional and thoughtful than a "Wedding Ring" quilt? Frequent Mary Jo's customers Bob & Sharon Kennedy sent us a photo of a beautiful quilt they recently finished. They are thrilled to be able to give their Grandson a gift that will become a treasured family heirloom.
The possibilities are endless, we have tons of great fabric and prices that are often times too low to be believed. Log on the website or stop into the store today. We are always happy to help you find what you are looking for and exactly what you need.

The World Is A "Quilting" Garden...

2010-04-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

Spring. Trees are bursting with the most magical blossoms, Daffodils are everywhere, Azaleas are happily showing off their spring colors and the fields of grass are the most spectacular shade of emerald green. Spring never fails to delight, with it's vibrant and interesting color palette. At Mary Jo's it feels like Spring on the main floor. Whether you are at the store or shopping online, wow, do we have some fab choices. We have quite a selection of fun colorful florals and other patterns and designs that are inspired by the bright and cheery colors of Spring.
Today we are featuring a quilt by Debbie Clarke that was inspired by a garden, possibly her own. Debbie put much thought and effort into the delicate color blending that the different fabric pieces offered her. It is quite wonderful.
"I have been shopping MJ's since 1984. What a treasure trove of fabric.
My first photo is "The World is a Garden" done in a colorwash technique of all florals.
The second is "Turning 60" to celebrate my 60th birthday. It is a scrappy memories quilt and includes strips of fabric saved from my sewing past. Fabric from the first vest I made for my daughter (that I remember purchasing at MJ's) is there, as well as lots of other garments. Around the vines and leaves are favorite sayings and words I live by.
Thanks for being my favorite destination.
Debbie Clarke"
We are blessed to have folks like Debbie send in stories and photos of the pieces they create with Mary Jo's Cloth. Thank- you for sharing your lovely and inspired work. Do you have something to share? Please email us with your project today, you may be the next featured article. Also a big thank-you for all of you who responded to last weeks article "A Call for Quilts". It always feels so good to give to those who need it most. Thanks, from all of us at Mary Jo's Cloth Store.

A Call For Quilts...

2010-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

It has been said that unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls. Indeed. Recently we received a note from one of our Sewing Community members, Catherine Moran. She lives in Santa Rosa, California and has committed this phase of her life to community work. She works with several different organizations in her county. Catherine is all about her work, "Presently, I am the president of the Women's Club for our church and the coordinator of our Sewing Guild. Most of our sewing is quilting for our local Men and Women's shelters. I am also very active in, "The Living Room" which is a homeless shelter for mother's and their children, "Memorial Hospice" which serves the poor and elderly, "Kids Place" which is a a high risk elementary school and "Valley of the Moon Children's Home"." She is also a member of ASG (American Sewing Guild). Whew, this is one busy lady!

We were lucky enough to have a phone chat with Catherine, she is very passionate about her volunteer projects. "Everyday, I am amazed at the generosity of the people here who care about these folks big and small. The other day a young woman told me the story of how one of our quilts that we donated to the homeless shelter that she had stayed in as a child had given her so much pleasure and comfort over the past several years. These stories always remind me that making a difference in someones life is very important. I love my work"

All of you Quilting folks and other Sewing Community members,
we have a question for you. Do you have an extra quilt or fabric that you may want to donate? Think of the impact this simple act could have. A family that is staying in a shelter or someone who is poor or elderly, homeless or terminally ill, would truly appreciate such an act of kindness. Take a moment and think about your cupboards that are possibly full of fabric, maybe you can donate some to this cause. It is as easy as popping the fabric or quilt into a shipping box and sending it out to Catherine in Northern California. We are sure that she and her sewing brigade will quickly turn your generous donation into a quilt for someone who could really use something made with love and goodness.
If you are so inclined you can email Catherine and she will give you the shipping details.
We have faith that some of you will respond to this very special "Call for Quilts". We thank-you for your generosity in advance.

By the way, lots of new items on the sale page, perfect for quilting, tablecloths or a pretty little sundress. Log on soon for the best selection. Do you have a story or a project you would like to share and possibly have featured on our blog? Now is the time, email today!

Birdies, Bees & Flowers, Spring has Sprung...

2010-03-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

After a wild weekend of crazy weather, Spring has blown into town. Now that the storm has past we will happily enjoy this special "Springtime" of year! Mild temperatures, sunny skies and the landscape is ablaze with intense colors.
The fields around Gastonia are an incredible Emerald Green, which is the perfect backdrop for all of the flowers blooming in a riot of color on trees, bushes and vines. Easter is less than a week away. So now is the time to embrace fresh, new, colorful ideas in design and fabrics!
At Mary Jo's Cloth Store, flower patterns are bursting out on the shelves and on the website. It is delightful to see such an array of color, patterns and style. But sometimes making a choice can be overwhelming. So let's start with color. Bright, muted, rich, pastel or various tone on tone? Now you need to consider the spring favorites, flowers, butterflies and other spring themed patterns. Yes, we have quite a selection for you to choose from.
This is the season to stitch up a simple skirt, blouse or tote-bag in a moment of creative genius! Easter Sunday is always so colorful and festive and it is always fun to absolutely embrace the season! Consider choosing some bright floral fabric for a large bow or sash to brighten up a dress or hat, it is a fun tradition for Easter Sunday Celebrations and Dinners.
It is the time of year to leave the drab of winter behind and to snap up the color in a room. We have many bright choices for a quick table topper, pillow, curtains or even a few new spring napkins to enjoy at the dinner table. How about a spring inspired quilt, beautiful to look at and satisfying to create. Life is short, embrace color!
It is always interesting and fun to find Spring themed fabrics on Maryjo's website! Click onto the "Main Floor" on the "Fabric" section of the website. Some interesting clicks on the "Main Floor" for Spring inspired fabric choices are, "Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice""Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails" "Floral""Birds, Bug & Butterflies".
At Mary Jo's our fabric prices are low and our selection is high. Remember we add to our shelves and upload new fabric choices to our website almost everyday. No matter what you are looking for you will probably find it at our Cloth Store! If you have a special request, simple, just Ask Maryjo! Shopping for what your heart desires couldn't be easier. Have a wonderful Easter Weekend.

Quilting in the Hawaiin Style...

2010-03-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

There are so many different styles of quilting. With warm weather well on its way it is the perfect time to feature the Hawaiian Quilting Style. This is a very graphic take on traditional quilting, using mostly solids and batik fabrics. The "Quilt Hawaiian" site had some great info about Quilting and the history of Hawaiian Quilting. These are some of their top tips.

"What makes it a Hawaiian quilt?
Quilting was first introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800's by the wives of American missionaries. The art form was quickly adapted by the Hawaiian women who have since created their own quilting style, inspired by their heritage and their fondness of nature...
Even with all the stages and innovations that Hawaiian quilts have been through, the elegant simplicity in the repetition of the silhouette design commands a place of distinction in the world of quilting. Over time, new techniques, tools, fabrics and design elements were applied to the basic format of the appliqué style in Hawaiian quilts.

The Hawaiian quilt is a living art. A description of Hawaiian quilting can never be the ultimate authority on the subject, because in the writing of it, the limitations are automatically set within the snapshot of time in which it is written.

Lines have become blurred between the classic Hawaiian appliqué and more contemporary Hawaiian quilt designs with the use of techniques from other traditional American quilting styles. This may lead some to be concerned that the "traditional appliqué Hawaiian quilt" and its accompanying distinction, will be lost in the abyss of 21st century innovations.

The above quilt was created by Martha Marques...
But even with the introduction of many choices of colored threads, use of non-solid colored fabrics, machine appliqué and quilting, use of fabric piecing additions and many other innovations, Hawaiian quilting is still recognized as it's own category. There is no mistaking a Hawaiian quilt. When a quilt strays too far from the classic appliqué style that we have come to love, it then becomes a "quilt that was made in Hawaii" or a quilt made of Aloha fabrics, and not a recognizable " Hawaiian quilt". Where that line is drawn, is not to be delegated to a body of authorities, but to the viewer and admirer of the distinctive style.

At Quilt Hawaiian they use these guides for the recognition of a Hawaiian quilt:
1) the design is primarily appliqué work
2) the design is a circular repetition of 4 or 8
3) the design uses one or two fabrics (there are exceptions)
The website www.quilthawaiian.com has a great amount of info and patterns available for sale. Log on to learn more about this unique style of quilting, it could be fun.

If you happen to be in Portland, Maine in the next few months stop by "The Salt Exchange" there is a wonderful and amazing show of "Hawaiian Style" quilts. This show features the artist Martha Marques, she is a passionate Quilting Artist. Her work will inspire you to create large, colorful and meaningful quilts in the Hawaiian tradition.
This style of quilting lends itself to our collection of amazing batik style prints, check out the collection online or in the store.When you are online, just type Batiks into the advance search field in the top right hand corner. We have an overwhelming selection posted online, grab a cup of tea and enjoy the browsing!
Hey everyone, please send us your stories and projects, we are here and we are looking forward to hearing from you.

Why Shop At Mary Jo's Cloth Store?

2010-03-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

We know you have a choice. Back in 1949 Mary Jo had a vision, simply put, it was to create a Cloth Store that had great selection, quality, service and most importantly the best prices anywhere. Mary Jo still oversees much of the buying and she remains adamant about keeping the prices low and the quality high.
We hear stories almost everyday about "The Other Stores". Just yesterday a woman was working with the gal who heads up the Upholstery and Drapery department. She was over the moon happy that the fabric she had seen at another store was here at Mary Jo's. But the story gets better, the same fabric was 18.95 elsewhere and only 8.95 here! WOW. Oh yes and we had enough for her to do her Drapery Project! She was also able to pick up some companion fabric that she will use to recover a few chairs. So all in all our Customer is happy and we were so pleased to have been able to help her to find exactly what she was looking for! A happy ending indeed.
Online you will not find a more comprehensive choice of fabrics offered at prices that are irresistibly affordable. We are always searching for only the best to offer to our customers. Did you know we now carry a line of "Green" fabrics? The idea behind Green fabric is to have less impact on the environment when the fabric is being manufactured. Green is a choice that starts with you. The more folks buy, the higher the demand and the more choices of colors and patterns will be available. Green seems a new trend however trends turn into demand. So the more you buy the more the manufactures will create and the more choices you have. It is the beautiful circle of evolution. Check out our Green selection. You will not be disappointed.

Sew, we thank you for being our customer and letting us help you to find the right fabric at the right price.
Drop an email and share your bargain moment, project or Mary Jo's story. We always look forward to hearing for you.

What's New? All That Is Old...

2010-03-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Fabric is always so fun. The designs and colors are cyclical and what was in fashion always seems to re-invent itself and show up decades later. We are always receiving news of what is new, trendy and available in the fabric world. So let us talk about that for a moment. Colors for the season, this year are bright and turned up. The popular color palette for 2010 are Turquoise, Violet, Orange, Tomato Red and of course, Taupe and a shaded pale Green, just to name a few.

The other trend is what is old, historic and somewhat romantic, is yes, you guessed, new again! The folks who make the fabric are turning to designers to create collections that are not only brightly colored but featuure the things we love. Themes are as varied as Botanicals, Circus, Chickens, Animals, Florals and historically correct fabric from the Civil war era. What is being created and manufactured are truly inspired and created with you in mind!

We recently received a newsletter from one of our Fabric manufacturers. The news was interesting. They are creating collections based on history. These collections include the very romantic, "Hankie Club" collection. Beautiful colors with lots of floral, large and smallish print. This fabric collection would lend itself to a Bedroom make-over, a lovely summer dress or some really fantastic lining for a jacket, purse or tote bag and of course quilting. This is what Windham Textiles has to say about this particular collection.

"One of the true fashion innovations of the sixteenth century was the introduction of the handkerchief as a fashion accessory. Handkerchiefs themselves were not new; people had been carrying a small cloth for blowing their nose for years. These soiled items, however, were kept tucked away out of sight, causing uncertainty as to when the first handkerchief was actually invented.

In the Middle Ages ladies presented men with their handkerchiefs to show their favor. Decorated with luxury embroidery, silver and golden fibers and fringes, the handkerchiefs were used to perform church and coronation ceremonies. However, hankies appeared in vogue during the Renaissance when they became an essential part of any upscale wardrobe.The same women who dressed in exquisite silk gowns had their tailors add lace or a scalloped edge to a fine linen cloth and elevated the handkerchief to the status of fashion accessory. A fine lacy handkerchief, or hanky, was not tucked away in a pocket but held in the hand or draped coyly across the arm.

Handkerchiefs have remained fashionable ever since. It is rumored in fashion history that Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was frustrated that handkerchiefs were offered in so many shapes; round, oval, rectangular, etc. Her husband, King Louis XVI (1754-1793), made it a law that all handkerchiefs must be square, and have remained so ever since. An old Irish proverb advised “Always carry two handkerchiefs, one for show and one for blow.”

Skip in time to America when up until the early part of the 20th century people worldwide either wiped their nose on their sleeve or on their handkerchief. During this period inexpensive decoratively printed squares of cotton and linen were carried in handbags, given as gifts, and pulled out when tears were about to be shed, or a sneeze was on its way. They dabbed at lipstick, were sprinkled with perfume, and were even dropped in strategic locations to be picked up by that certain person.

The history of handkerchief bazaars, or hankie clubs, is an interesting one which made headlines on more than one occasion. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, thousands of requests for handkerchiefs were printed on penny postage postcards and mailed to women across North America. One of the most famous of these resulted in the following New York Times Headline:
Mrs. Roosevelt Stops Gifts; Declines to Send Handkerchief to the Women of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Territorial Pioneers Association could thank the women of Texas for Mrs. Roosevelt’s decision to abolish the White House Handkerchief Bureau after a group of Austin women labeled her donation to their handkerchief bazaar, “a cheap cotton rag.”

Finally some historians blame Little Lulu for the decline of the handkerchief. Used as an advertising icon in the 1940's, the popular cartoon character touted the benefits of using disposable paper tissues, and sales of Kleenex soared. But cloth "hankies" had been losing ground to paper since 1924, when Kleenex tissues were first marketed as cold-cream removers. Almost immediately consumers began using the disposables, instead, to blow their noses."

This collection was created by Whistler Studios.

Collections like these will are being stocked almost every day. Log onto the website or stop into the store for the latest in colors and patterns.
Sew, friends please remember to take a moment and send us your newest projects, we always love to hear all about you and your creations!

Hot Deals, Fabric Sale and Spring...

2010-02-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

Our website is a treasure trove of bargains. The Sale page (Limited Editions) is loaded with new offerings and the "What's Hot" section is always fun and filled with the unexpected. I was cruising around on the "What's Hot" section and I was not disappointed. I was truly inspired by a fantastic, pre-quilted Paisley fabric (11.99 per Yd.) in hot colors that are reminiscent of

Vera Bradley style fabric.
It would be easy breezy to stitch up a french style Handbag, Overnight Satchel or a Tote Bag for your favorite friend or sister on her Birthday. You may also want to consider updating your everyday Placemats and use the matching companion fabric (6.09 per Yd.) for Napkins, a Tablecloth or even some fresh french Cafe' Curtains. Yes indeed

it would be easy to achieve a true French Country look with this collection of high end, well priced Paisley fabrics. Geez, imagine what this beauty of a cloth would cost anywhere else?

The Sale page is filled with wonderful prints, I was taken by the most amusing print of Elephants and other circus characters and their antics on a pale yellow background (6.98 per Yd.). This would be a cool fabric to use as a quilt backing or a darling children's shirt or dress. You may want to think about using this print and some of our sale priced stripes as companion fabrics in a child's circus themed room. Whimsy does not get much better than this. You will have to click through to almost the last page of this section to view this darling pick, but it is worth the look. Hey, maybe you will spy some other on sale fabric which is only 3.50-6.98 per Yd. Now this should tickle your fancy.

Thanks to all of you who have sent in your projects, your websites, fabric blogs and your creative energy. We always appreciate hearing from all of you.
Sew for now, keep creating!Oh and it is now the official countdown to spring which begins as it always does on March 21st!

Not Yo' Momma's Handbag...

2010-02-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Mary Jo's Cloth Store has been getting ready for spring. Lot's of new choices in the season's hottest colors are in, stocked and ready for you to take home! We have 32,000 feet of floor space, the choices at the store and online are amazing. Log onto the website to check out the newest and coolest arrivals.

Today we are featuring a gal who makes fantastic handbags. Her company is called "Not Yo' Momma's Handbag". She sells on Etsy and posts regular articles about these sweet bags on her blog.
Miss Ellen is an inspired lady. She spends her days creating quirky handbags, photographing, traveling and caring for her family. We know of Ellen because she frequently comments on our Mary Jo's Cloth Design Blog. She is sweet, sunny and writes the word “smiles” often. Delightful. We thought it would be fun to share Ellen’s passion for her funky and creative handbags (she uses Mary Jo’s Fabric for the linings of her handbags and is a fan of our store and the blog.)
These are her words, from her Blog, unedited....
Smiles...that's what I love!
I am a mother, wife, sister, friend, mentor, student, traveler, daughter, and photographer. That makes me an observer as well as a participant in life.
I am constantly amazed and inspired by the talent I find on Etsy....amazing truly amazing how creative my fellow Etsy-ers are...smiles.
For many of us a pair of cut-offs are synonymous with comfortable, casual living...
so, it only made sense that at some point I would do something with that memory.
This is that something...
Not Yo Mommas Handbag is a series of handbag creations
that I have named for the friends, family and mentors in my life...
They are all different, as the women they are named for...
they are tough as nails, but sweet on the inside...

Each NYMH comes with a new name, background description, and a special token of appreciation for the new owner. If you would like to know a little more about my purses, their names, how they are made, I write about it nearly everyday.....
check out my blog.;

this jeans purse thing....
started as a way to make something for me... yep, just for me...
and then, things started to happen.
I would get comments from strangers, saying how much they loved that cute purse...
did you make it?.....where can I get me one of those...? My dear sweet baboo would look at me with those beautiful blue eyes and say "You know....you might want to think about marketing those things...just thinkin'..."
Well...I do just that now. But just in case you have some time... and a creative bent... and need a purse. Here's how I did it;
1. I went to Goodwill .
browsed the children's section, and bought 2 small jeans, one
smaller than the other (slightly).
2. Then I perused the purse section in search of handles that I liked.
3. $6.98 later, I went home to start the assembly.
4. Take the smaller of the 2 jeans, turn them inside out,
and put inside of the larger pair, cut them to "shorts-wearin' length".
5. Sew up the legs of the smaller/inside pair, securely, as this seam
will hold all your stuff in.....
6. Ravel the cut ends of the larger/outside pair so that they remind you of
jeans you used to fit into....(sniff).
7. Take 4 belt loops off the smaller/inside pair
for use in securing your handles to the purse.8. Put the smaller pair back inside the larger, pin the
belt loops/handle loops where you
want them to hold the handle in place,
and then start sewing the whole thing along
the top waistband
(match the gold jean thread as close as possible).
I used some of the left over leg material for the makeup case. The jeans on the inside will provide lots of pockets for your stuff and if you are lucky,
and find a small pair of "carpenter's pants" to use..... you will also have a hammer loop to hold your hair brush (sweet!)
Smiles.

On her blog she features this quote…
Success means having the courage,
the determination,
and the will
to become the person
you believe you were meant to be.
-George Sheehan
Keep up the great and inspired work Ellen. We appreciate your enthusiasm for sewing and for living a creative life!

Did you know we have been posting some great new "Sale" fabric on our “Limited Edition” page? Wow, the bargains are amazing. Take the time to really click around, today I saw some incredible tapestry fabric, cheap! It could be just the right choice for recovering your dining room chairs, a pillow or even a table topper. Take the time to look carefully, you will save a lot of dough!

A Snowstorm, A Quilt and Long Lasting Love...

2010-02-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

What a great week. It seems like it always Valentines Day around here. All of you who are sending your love notes about your visits and experiences here at Mary Jo's make our work special. The stories you have to tell are heartwarming, fun, fantastic, poignant and just plain fun to read. The Mary Jo Sewing Community seems to be growing at a fast clip, please keep forwarding these postings to your friends & family and continue sending us your beautiful photos and notes of all that you do with your cloth from Mary Jo's. We appreciate it.

Today I am featuring a story from a gal out in Statesville. She is funny and ambitious and a talented Quilter. We will be watching for her at the store in the near future!
These are her words, we have not edited her story.

"February 1, 2010!
On Dec 23 my husband had major back surgery and so my time has been spent at work or taking care of him since he is unable to get around on his own yet. If you know men, they are such babies when they are "ill". They think they can't survive without you! He "misses" me during the week so he thinks I should spend my entire weekend with him. Don't get me wrong, I love him, been married since 1984, but he just doesn't get that "need for fabric" that I have! hehe

My step-daughter gave me a Gift Certificate to Mary Jo's for Christmas and it has been burning a hole in my wallet since she gave it to me December 19th! Unfortunately I live in Statesville so I can't just up and run down to Mary Jo's and be back in an hour. Heck if I ever get there I will spend the entire day just getting my "Fabric Fix" so it will last awhile.

So I spent hours on end at their website trying to choose Civil War fabrics my my Underground Railroad sampler I want to do. Since computers are not picture perfect in giving true colors it took me forever to choose each piece of fabric, about 15 different ones. When I finally made the decision and hit the submit order button, I was so excited! I couldn't wait to get my fabric and get started. But the following Monday I received a phone call from Mary Jo's saying several of the pieces of fabric I choose had been sold out! I was devastated!!!!!!!! I asked them to just cancel the order for now and maybe one day soon I would be able to make a trip down there. So far, no trip yet.

So as I was pouting, I began to look through some quilting magazines and came across a wall hanging pattern I fell in love with. Stepping Stones from American Patchwork and Quilting, Oct 2009. It was done in Batiks which I have never really cared for that much. But maybe if I tried this project using batiks it would change my mind. I also had just read a blog on the website about a lady and her husband buying wonderful Batiks at Mary Jo's.

So I thought about the upcoming Quilting Extravaganza this past weekend in Statesville. I could get new fabric there. YEA, I was going to get my "Fix" after all. But then the "SNOW" decided to show up and ruin everything. (So I thought)
I needed that "Fabric Fix" something terrible and the thought of not begin able to go because of the road conditions was not making me happy. So I begged and pleaded with my boss to leave work a hour and half early on Friday so I could get my much needed Fabric Fix!

Well I got there at 4pm and they closed at 5pm plus the snow was on it's way fast and furious. I paid my way in and had to make a mad dash around to every booth trying to see who had batiks in fat quarters that I liked. Then I had to hurry and choose my colors. OH MY GOSH! I don't ever recommend trying to choose fabric colors in that much of a hurry.
Well I did get my fabric fix and used batiks! Well now I am hooked! I have decided when I do get to Mary Jo's I will choose more batiks and make this project for Christmas Presents for 2010! Not to mention by having to wait so long in being able to get to visit Mary Jo's, my tax return will be soon. What does that mean...
A BIGGER $$$ FABRIC FIX from Mary Jo's!
See you soon!!!!!!! one way or the other!"
Lisa Bryson

Thanks Lisa, you are super. Keep up the beautiful work and thanks for sharing. You may want to consider using your gift certificate online, we have a ton, literally, of fabric to choose from. Think about it, no driving, parking or time being wasted. The "Online" Mary Jo's Cloth Store is open 24-7!

Do you have a Story, Blog, or Fabric Project you would like to share? We would love to read about you and possibly feature your story in a future blog posting. Email today!

Sew Many Blogs, Sew Little Time...

2010-01-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Blogging and fabric go together like peas and carrots. Yes, blogging is a wonderful way to share your latest projects and passions to an audience that is at times somewhat invisible, but remember you do have fans, so keep writing and posting. It is always a special treat to log onto a blog created by one of Mary Jo's Sewing Community family. Fantastic, really. Many of you have links on your blogs and websites that click directly through to Mary Jo's website and blog (which we really appreciate). I have also found that many folks feature their visits to our "Cloth" store in Gastonia on their blogs. By the way, we do love it when you stop into the store. It is always wonderful to see our customers in person!
This week I was introduced to a blog called "Studio Kat Designs". Kathy Southern has a passion for purses and uses Mary Jo's Cloth to make them. She sells these fantastic creations online and at Art/Craft/Design Shows. Kathy lives in Advance, North Carolina with her husband and two cats. She posts articles on her blog several times a week about various subjects which usually weave back to her passion for fabric purses and other sewing projects. Kathy is a very industrious gal who also has a website featuring her purses and patterns for sale. This is one talented lady. She is very approachable, I loved what she had to say about her business: "All my designs are one-of-a kind and totally original. I specialize in meticulously written instructions with drawings that even a sewing novice could follow. It is my firm belief that your purse should serve YOU, yet also be as unique as you are! The "Bags with Panache" patterns provide you with an opportunity to own a functional bag that is also stylish and one-of-a-kind......... like YOU!"
If you are interested in checking out her work you may want to log onto her blog and/or website. You will not be disappointed.
One of her stories on the blog was about a shopping trip to Mary Jo's, this is what she had to say:
"Black Friday. It seems that's all I've heard the TV talking about for weeks. But I've never really been much of a shopper. I can't imagine getting up at 4 in the morning to shop for anything. I don't even like to drive NEAR the shopping centers on Black Friday or anytime thereafter. But THIS year, when my daughter suggested we go shopping on Black Friday, I jumped at the chance. How could I not? First of all, our destination was Mary Jo's Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC, (only the best fabric store in NC). And second, the objective of this trip was to find the PERFECT combination of layette fabric for my grandson (due in April). So all in all, it really was a perfect day. We may have missed all those bargains out at the mall, but I think I got the best deal of all. Because it really doesn't get much better than an all day road trip to my all-time favorite fabric store with my all-time favorite girl!"
Sweet. So happy you love Mary Jo's as much as we do!
The following is a call to all of you fellow sewing enthusiast's and bloggers. Do you have a fabric blog? Would you liked to be a feature on our blog? We are always interested to hear about all of your projects. Remember to send photos. Take a moment and email your link today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Batik's, A Blessing & A Quilt...

2010-01-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Mary Jo's Cloth Blog community is a wonderful and passionate group of people. These folks love their fabric and the art and process of creating amazing projects from their Mary Jo's Cloth. We receive notes, emails and letters from all over the world. People like sharing their experiences at Mary Jo's Cloth Store and what they have been doing with their fabric. Recently we received a poignant story from a gal who lives in South Carolina. She has an extreme passion for Batik cloth. She and her husband have been through alot in the past several years. I am posting her story, unedited.
Sonja, we love your newest quilt made from that very special Batik fabric. We wish you and your family all the kindness the world has to offer. You deserve it. Be well.
Sonja's Story...
January 12, 2009
Dear MaryJo-
Back in 2003 my husband was diagnosed with an incurable, inoperable cancer. It was a rare form of cancer in the soft tissue of the back. After his 6 mos. of treatments and on March 16th, 2004 we left our home for a weekend anniversary trip to NC. We stopped in at your store and that day he bought me over 600.00 in Batiks alone. That weekend he and I stayed in Hendersonville, NC and we both sewed together on our sewing machines. I can remember like this was yesterday, laying all those beautiful batiks on the
bed and photographing them. Well, that was back in 2004 and now in 2009 those Batiks still sat on my shelf. I was always told I would have to learn how to use Batiks before I could really make something with them. They were so pretty, so I just couldn't bare to cut into them without the knowledge of how to use them, right?
Several times in 2009 I prayed, "G-d please.. if something ever happens to my home, please don't let these Batiks burn up. If they were to burn L-rd, owning them would have been in vain, when I could have just given them away". I prayed that again just before Thanksgiving, not knowing my house would catch fire the day after. But the very same night of the fire, although smoke damaged throughout and family coughing, they helped me to load all my fabrics into boxes and get them out the house. I lost most of my thread and alot of the fabrics had to be washed, but those Batiks.... well they never had a hint of smoke in them. I had them wrapped tightly in bags and stored on those shelves tightly. I felt so blessed and so humbled that G-d allowed me to keep them.

We are basically homeless for now until our lawyer can sue the insurance company to get our home fixed so we can live in it again. (Long Story) We live in my parents home and at the foot of my bed in the room they gave us to sleep in, is a table setup and my sewing machine. I started the Mystery Quilt from Planet Patchwork on New Years Day. I am in the process of expanding the quilt to about a King Size quilt so it's not finished yet. I used the Batiks I bought in your store in 2004 and we called this quilt "FireStorm" for all the trials we faced in 2009 and how G-d continues to bless us and is faithful no matter what the circumstances are. I am happy I found a way to use the Batiks and have had alot of compliments on this top. I will enclose the picture. And by the way.... G-d healed my husband in 2004 and he is still cancer free after all these years.

Thanks for a wonderful store. I love your prices on your Batiks and I hope to be in there really soon to replenish what I've used.
Blessings,
Sonja Noskowiak
South Carolina
Editors note: Sonja finished the Batik Quilt and we are bowled over by its beauty. Sonja, stay upbeat, loving, kind and accepting. Thanks and be well.
Do you have a story to share? We would love to know what fine things you are creating with Mary Jo's Cloth. Send us an email today. Take a moment and check out the sale page, lots of new items are on sale. Save big and create with reckless abandon!

Celebrating Mary Jo's Birthday & Anniversary!!!

2010-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

Holy smokes, time flies. Mary Jo is celebrating her Birthday and the Anniversary of the 59th year of her beloved Mary Jo's Cloth Store. A trip down memory lane is in order during this very special anniversary week!

In 1951 when Mary Jo's Cloth Store first opened, Mary Jo made a promise to keep prices affordable. Her original goal was to be able to serve a Grandmother making a dress or quilt for her grandchild or a young Mother who needed to make affordable clothes for her children. Since the beginning Mary Jo has held tightly to this philosophy. Over the years her business has grown, the location has changed and people come from all corners of the globe to shop. "Mary Jo's Cloth Store" has been doing mail order for many years and has now launched an online component that will serve her customers easily and still be very affordable. It is important to Mary Jo that she continues to bring her customers the highest quality fabric at the lowest price.

Mary Jo's Story:
Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Inc. was opened on her 19th birthday in 1951 by Mary Jo (Margaret Colien Cloninger) in the back of her father's grocery store in Dallas, North Carolina. She began by selling unbleached domestic (muslin) and later added other makes of fabrics.

Throughout the years, the business prospered, outgrowing the Gaston Avenue grocery store. As business progressed, Mary Jo's relocated to a site at the corner of Trade Street and Gaston Avenue, whereby the adjacent buildings were eventually purchased and incorporated into Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Inc. However, on December 18, 1981 this location was destroyed by fire, resulting in another move to the vacant Ben Franklin Store at Windsor Center on Highway 321 located outside of Dallas.

Working with an inventory of salvageable goods, Mary Jo's reopened at its Windsor Center location on February 17, 1982. The store at Windsor Center was 22,000 square feet. By the spring of 1986 Mary Jo's had outgrown this facility and in August of 1986 the company moved to 32,000 square feet in the Gaston Mall.

Through the years, the Cloth Store's reputation has come to be widespread. Because of the varied selection of goods, at the best possible prices, and the assistance of a very knowledgeable staff, the Store's reputation has grown, servicing customers from within a 250 mile radius on a daily basis.

We now sell fabric to folks all over the world. The website Maryjos.com is open 24-7. So no matter what your schedule is you can shop for the fabric you want at a time that is convenient for you.

Thanks so much for being a part of the Mary Jo's Cloth Store Family. It is always a pleasure for us to come to work each day, we are surrounded by incredible fabrics and folks who are soooo happy to be shopping with us. Thank-you. Log on to our website or come to Gastonia and shop at the store, we look forward to seeing you.

Steppin' Out, Cowhide For Your Home Decor'...

2010-01-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Mary Jo's Cloth Store is not coloring within the lines! What??? We are shakin' it up over here in Gastonia!
Yes, we are now carrying a fine line of Cow Hides from Sante Fe! Imagine all that you could do with them.
This new edition to the Upholstery Department has been flying off of the shelves. Our customers are using them for floor coverings, upholstering chairs, couches, chaises and even throwing on top of their beds, for a wild look! We hear many folks are even using them for simple floor covering solutions. Cowhide rugs are becoming increasingly popular.Interior Design Magazines are now featuring cowhide rugs and many people are attracted by their uniqueness.
Cowhide rugs have a high visual appeal and are somewhat neutral in color.
Yes, this artful cowhide really can be fun. Give it a whirl.

These interesting pieces are approximately 6.5' x 7.0'. (quite large) They are large, sturdy and very good looking. To find them on our website type "Saddlemans" in the top right corner search window on the front page of our website, www.maryjos.com, this will take you to our "Animal Skins" page. We have many colors and even some printed Zebra, Giraffe and Pony prints.
The prices are $249.98 - $329.98, what a bargain for such a punch of style!

Check out the buzz in the "Design World' about Cow Hides and how they are being used in the home. Absolutely lovely. Have fun.

A young designer in Buffalo NY writes on his blog ....."Yesterday I happened upon the opportunity to own a cowhide rug, in a beautiful fawn cream color about 7'x6'. I've counted my chickens a few too many times before they actually hatched, so for now, I will just say it's an opportunity - as it's not in my home at present. I've always been in love with the look of cowhide, especially the more interesting hides of solid colors and very few blotches. Something about walking all over those California Cheese Cows just isn't as appealing. So, as you can imagine - the idea of having such a beautiful rug got my motor running, and I wanted to see what you all thought about the idea. First, and foremost - I love the durability, function, and sheer beauty of cowhides. I'm not out slaughtering cattle for the chance to own a hide of my choosing, but for something so wonderful, floating out and about in prior owner land, I won't give up an opportunity to have one that was "gently used" This glorious chaise lounge is beautiful as is, but can't you see it in the gorgeous fawn colored cowhide? From afar it might not even look cowhide, but once you get close enough to touch it the subtle texture of the fine hair would be like heaven. What a great idea for my bedroom?" "There is something very luxurious about cowhide rugs. Many countries are famous for their cowhide rugs such as Brazil, Argentina, and France. American cowhide rugs are quickly growing in popularity as well. Whether you choose a black and white splotch or a light brindle shade, you can be sure it will invigorate your room. Brown and white cloud pattern cowhides are also available. The salt and pepper pattern is also very popular, and that is usually a background of white with a spattering of black, sort of like a painting by Jackson Pollock. Black and white salt and pepper cowhides as well as brown and white are very intrinsic to the traditional southwestern decor. The most popular design in natural cowhide is the cloud pattern, and that would be the black and white cloud pattern cowhide. This is a classic contrast between black and white with basically even quantities of these two contrasting colors spread throughout the hide in a cloud pattern."

We at Mary Jo's Cloth Store agree, these amazing pieces can make a whole room sing!

Send us photos of your projects. We would love to feature your handmade Quilts, Clothes, Dolls, Purses, re-upholstered Furniture, Tablecloths, Drapes and whatever else you are creating with Mary Jo's Fabric. Send an email today.