Sewing, Quilting, and Home Decor in March!

Quilting
	Saturday, March 1st Block of the Month Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 9am to 10am Fee: $55
This is the second month of a 10 month program. Each month you will pick up your block fabrics along with the block pattern and get full verbal and visual instructions. Once finished, this quilt will measure 100"x100".
	Tuesday, March 4th Victory Garden Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
This fun quilt is perfect for your favorite whimsical fabric, or you can make it a traditional Union Jack in blue, red and white. In this class, you will learn how to make templates and how to use them correctly.
	Tuesday, March 4th Paper Piecing Instructor: Patti Hayden Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $25
Learn paper piecing - a foundation technique that will allow you to create blocks that are all the same size; each with precise, sharp points and perfectly matched intersections. This easy to learn method will open up the world of quilting to include designs you thought you couldn’t do. You’ll be seeing “stars”!! We’ll focus on one star block per session. Book: 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars by Carol Doak
	Wednesday, March 5th Quilt with Aimee (Beginning Quilting) Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 10am to 1pm Fee: $75 plus supplies
Learn the fundamentals of quilting in this 4 session class. You'll be on your way to becoming a master quilter. Pattern: Window Boxes This is a 4 session class Continued Dates: March 12th, 19th, and 26th This series is offered at another time as well: March 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. Time: 6pm to 9pm
	Thursday, March 6th Cranberry Chutney Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $25
This quilt is an amazing refresher from geometry class, but don't worry, there will not be a quiz. Eight inch squares have never been so much fun. Learn how to make an 8" square and placing 1" strips in each square.
	Saturday, March 8th Quilter's Day Out! Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 10am to 5pm Fee: $65 plus supplies
It's a Party! Be the host of your own Quilting party. Your fee is free when you have 6 paid friends. Pattern: The Strip Quilt
	Tuesday, March 11th Twilight Weave Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
The weave look in this pattern gives it depth and interest. We will learn to streamline traditional strip piecing methods to organize and chain piece this pattern. This is great for a beginner that wants to stretch themselves or the intermediate that is ready to learn some new tricks.
	Thursday, March 13th Stiks and Stones Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $25
Learn how easy making half square triangles can be while making this fast and easy quilt.
	Friday, March 14th Intro to Thread Painting Instructor: Karen Ponischil Time: 10am to 2pm Fee: $55
Learn the basics of painting with thread. In this class, students will learn how to add color, shading and highlights to a flat area to give it dimension. Students will learn about stabilizers, what threads work well for thread painting, how to build color and how to add overall color, shading and highlights.
	Friday, March 14th Pet Portraits Instructor: Karen Ponishcil Time: 3pm to 6pm Fee: $75
Create a beautiful portrait of your best friend, your pet. Student will learn what pictures will work well for a pet portrait, how to trace an image of pet, how to create pattern from tracing, what fabrics work best for portrait and thread painting techniques to bring your pet to life. This is a 2 session class. Continued Date: March 21st
	Friday, March 14th Sonoma Stars Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $55 plus supplies
This quilt pattern is reminiscent of a quiet summer evening in the beautiful wine country of California. With just 5 half yards, this pattern is just one of 6 projects you can make from this book. Book: Six Halves Make a Whole Lot More This is a 2 session class Continued Date: March 21st
	Thursday, March 18th Lucky Stars Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
This fat quarter friendly quilt is a great way to learn to make flying geese. Not sure what "flying geese" are? Even more reason to take this class! Come work on some of those fundamentals with me and make your own Lucky Stars quilt.
	Tuesday, March 25th Finishing Class Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
Need some extra time and instruction on a project? Stumped on the next step of something you started? Join Daniela and get the help you need with those WIP's (Work-in-progress). This is a free form class that you can bring your won project and work at your own pace!
	Tuesday, March 25th Machine Quilting Instructor: Karen Ponischil Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $45
Curvy, Geometric or Both? Learn what style you like best in this free-motion quilting class. Students will learn the basics of free motion quilting. This is a no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different free motion quilting patterns.
Sewing
	Saturday, March 1st Wrapped Baskets Instructor: Patti Hayden Time: 10am to 1pm Fee: $25
Learn to make these amazing bowls, baskets and purses from clothesline and fabric, using simple wrapping and coiling methods and zigzag stitching. You'll make one project in class, but you'll learn the techniques to make any project. These projects are easy and FUN to make and they make great gifts! Anyone and everyone can do this! Book: It's a Wrap (book is not necessary for class)
	Monday, March 3rd Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Time: 2pm to 4pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make a pillowcase using the tube style. Learn how to make hidden seams and a French seam. Book/Pattern: provided in class
	Thursday, March 6th Cooking up Spring Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 2pm Fee: $30
Looking to brighten the kitchen this spring? How about adding this cute apron to your kitchen wardrobe?
	Friday, March 7th Stabilizer Class Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 12pm to 3:30pm Fee: $30
Take your embroidery to heights by learning about stabilizers, needles and more in this lecture! We will discuss the what, when and why of stabilizers, needles and thread.
	Monday, March 10th Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Time: 2pm to 4pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all home school kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make an apron with pockets. Book/Pattern: provided in class
	Wednesday, March 12th It's in the Bag Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 2pm Fee: $30
Week 3: Pleats, straps and pockets. My very first purse is the one I still carry today. As I have learned more and come to understand bag making I often look at it and think, I need to make this one again! So here is (my) your chance to join me. We will be working together to create this fabulous pleated handbag created by one of my favorite authors. The main handbag is a simple structure featuring pleating along each side. We will ad several structured pockets as well as a key hook to keep your keys close at hand. This class is offered later in the month on Saturday, March 22, 10am to 2pm
	Saturday, March 8th Stitch-by-Stitch Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 2pm to 5pm Fee: $100 includes Book/DVD
Learn to sew one project at time. Book included. This is a 4 session class Continued Dates: March 15th, 22nd, and 29th.
	Saturday, March 15th Sun and Fun Hat Instructor: Vickie Clontz Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $60
Whether your look is Downtown Abbey "shabby chic" or contemporary, this is the hat for you! With only 3 pattern pieces and 2 brim widths, this attractive style can be made up in lots of different fabrics to suit your fancy. The fun is in the embellishments! All skill levels welcome.
	Monday, March 17th Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Time: 2pm to 4pm Fee: $25 includes supplies
Calling all home school kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. this week learn how to make a small tote. Book/Pattern: provided in class
	Saturday, March 22nd Girl Scouts Project Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $15
Two hours of learning and fun with the girl scouts. New project each month.
	Saturday, March 24th Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Time: 2pm to 4pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all home school kids 10 years and older. come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make a table runner - great for Mother's Day! You can never be too early! Book/Patter: provided
	Thursday, March 27th Drawstring Backpack Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $30
Drawstring Backpack is "bigger on the inside" with an oval base this bag will quickly become your go to bag when you are headed out for the day! Measures 14" Tall x 12" wide x 5" deep. Pattern: provided in class.
Home Decor
	Saturday, March 8th Grommet Drapery Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 12pm to 3pm Fee: $40
Grommet draperies are a popular style, and are simple to make once you learn the basic steps and techniques. In this class, you will make one sample size grommet top drapery panel with lining. You will leave class ready to make grommet draperies for your own home!
	Saturday, March 8th Home Dec Days Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 10am to 11am Fee: FREE
Join Susan Woodcock, AKA Home Dec Gal at Mary Jo's Cloth Store every second Saturday of the month for free home décor mini-workshops starting at 10:00am. 10:00 - 10:30 Cord Free Window Coverings for Children's Rooms 10:30 - 11:00 Learn How-To Retrofit a Cord Operated Traverse rod into a Baton Operated, Cord-Free Rod
	Wednesday, March 19th Pleated Ruffles Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 10am to 12pm
Learn how to create a variety of beautiful pleated ruffle embellishments that you can add to tote bags, pillows, curtains, lampshades, jackets, t-shirts and even jeans! In this class you will make samples of the following ruffles: accordion pleat, box pleat, pick-up box pleat and bow-tie box pleated ruffles.
Clubs
	Saturday, March 8th Serger Club Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 9am to 11am Fee: $10
There are some things a serger can do for your sewing projects that an ordinary sewing machine cannot, and you do not have to be an expert at sergering or quilting to get good results. This is a demo lecture so no need to bring your machine. You will be able to do some hands on work and explore this fun new twist on quilt making!
	Saturday, March 15th Embroidery Club Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 9am to 11am Fee: $10
Description: New techniques each month To sign up for any of the above classes, call 704-861-9100!

Carolina Pride at Mary Jo's

It's not too late to get your Panthers fleece and show your Carolina Pride! Get a 2 yard cut for $19.99 (Reg Price $21.98). Order yours today by calling Mary Jo’s Cloth Store at 704-861-9100 or 1-800-627-9567 and it will be ready for pick up today at the front register. Yes, you read that correctly - TODAY! Get your Panther fleece before it’s all gone!

Available for purchase here: http://whirly.it/N87Dyv

(Other NFL fleece also available. All orders will be prepaid.)

New Year’s Resolutions

As we say goodbye to 2013, it reminds us all to reflect on what we have accomplished in the past year and what we hope to accomplish in the new one. Below are some of the top resolutions for any fabric lover, seamstress and anyone in between!

Clean – It has been a year already; why not clean your sewing machines, craft closets and fabric stashes?  There is no time like the present. Plus you never know what you may find hiding in the back of that shelf buried under bobbins, tulle and glitter.

Sharpen -  Gather your scissors, rottery cutter blades and even your kitchen knives! You will be shocked at the difference a nicely sharpened pair of fabric scissors can make.

Separate out old or different bobbins – For Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, 2013 was the year of the sewing machine. If you are like us and purchased a new machine, be sure you are not using those old bobbins for your brand new baby!

Take inventory – Don’t fall prey to shopper’s remorse! How often have you come home with a new set of sewing needles only to discover you had already purchased the exact same needles 3 months ago? Stop the madness and take inventory of what you already have, you will not only save yourself money but a few stress wrinkles along the way.

Designated idea container – A desk, corkboard or folder, are all great options for your designated idea holder. Use this space as your go to place to catalogue your to-do lists, inspirational clippings and even your weekly recipes.  This way when you want to start a new project you will have plenty of ideas to choose from.

Sign up for a class – Challenge yourself, and learn something new! It is a new year, why not dare yourself to tackle new obstacles and expand your sewing knowledge.

Take on a new project - You know that dress you always wanted to make, but never had the time to, or that chair you wanted to design, but couldn’t bring yourself to finish it? Make 2014 the year you actually complete your dream task! If not now, then when?

Happy New Year from Mary Jo's

It is hard to believe another year has come to an end.  It has been a very special year for Mary Jo’s Cloth Store. 

We have added new products, started in-store sewing classes and had spectacular sales events, but our mission remains the same; to offer a wide selection of fabrics and sewing supplies at the best prices. 

As we reflect on the success of this past year, what we treasure the most are our customers.  People who come from close by and far away, to purchase sewing machines and equipment, fabrics, notions, and sewing supplies in-person, and on our website.

Our customers are incredible people: creative, talented and fun.  Magic happens when sewing and fabric enthusiasts come together!  Thank you for making our year magical.

To celebrate the arrival of 2014 Mary Jo’s is setting off fireworks in the store.  Fireworks fabric that is!

Ring in the New Year with fabrics embellished with sequins and metallic embroidery. 

Give a toast in honor of materials that sparkle, shimmer and shine.

In the quilting department you will find punchy and bright firework themed cotton fabrics.

Photo credit: www.marthachellingerhoudquilts.com

We just had to share these fireworks quilt designs. What a creative inspiration from www.etmcreative.com! 

 

All of us at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store wish you and your family a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.