Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Quilting Classes at Mary Jo’s

Our store has been a flurry of activity with customers buying fabric and supplies to make Christmas gifts and buying gifts for a special sewing someone on their list. 

Our sewing lounge has been humming like Santa’s workshop with students cutting, sewing, laughing and creating beautiful things! 

We thought you would enjoy a peek inside at one of our recent classes, where quilters gathered together to work on this cheerful Christmas tree quilt design.

Class instructor Aimee Griffin has years of experience as a quilter and teacher.  Students love Aimee’s fun personality, enthusiasm and extensive sewing knowledge.  Here Aimee is helping a student with the layout of her quilt pieces.

In our quilting classes you will learn techniques for selecting fabric colors and patterns, how to cut and use your fabric efficiently, sewing methods and the tools and supplies used by quilters to make quilting easier.

One of the exciting parts of attending a class is that you get to be with others who share your love of sewing and quilting.  

It’s fun to chat about your finished (and unfinished!) projects, ooh-and-ahh over fabrics and make new friends. You will be inspired by each other’s creativity!

Would you like to learn to quilt?  We have the perfect class to help you get started!   In addition to quilting, Mary Jo’s also has classes that will teach you how to make clothing, crafts, tote bags, curtains, pillows and more.   Be sure to check the class schedule often, as new classes are added every month or call 704-861-9100 to sign-up today. Click [here] to view the latest class schedule. 

Countdown to Christmas: Custom Tree Skirt DIY

How-to make a Christmas tree skirt with Pompom trim

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

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

 Yardage:

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

5 yards of trim

5 yards of ¼ inch diameter welt cord

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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