Understanding Fabric Dye Lots

When you visit our store you will find a lot of fabric!  Yes, we love fabric and try to keep a wide selection for our customers.   Our hope is that you find the perfect fabric for your quilting, garment and home décor projects! 

Sometimes the fabric is “perfect” because of the color.  You may have purchased twenty-five yards of a beautiful damask fabric for new curtains because it was just the right shade of yellow, but when you returned several months later to purchase more fabric to slipcover a chair it didn't match.  How can this be?  It is the same fabric!

An example of cuttings of the same fabric from three different dye lots

What happened is the new bolt and the old bolt were from different dye lots. A good explanation of dye lots can be found in the book Textiles: Fabrics, Application and Historic Style by Karla J. Nielson. 

“One batch of dye solution is referred to as a job lot or dye lot, and the dyed or printed textiles within that dye lot are exactly the same.  When subsequent batches are mixed according to the master or standard formula, they may be slightly different.  This means that a set piece-goods bolt may be just off from the standard, and a precise match may be impossible”.

For this reason it is always best practice to purchase all the fabric you will need at once.  Never assume you will be able to buy more of the same fabric later.  If you do return to our store, looking for additional yardage of the same fabric, bring a cutting of the original fabric to compare. 

The dye lots of this chevron fabric are slightly different, one is darker than the other

This applies to all types of fabric from quilting to upholstery – dye lots can vary slightly or a great deal.  The good news is that this is not a common problem, but one that should be considered as you plan your next sewing project.

Using Your Serger to Sew Stretchy Fabrics

The overlock machine, or serger has certainly improved garment construction with its speed and professional finishing ability; but many sewers are in a quandary about how and when to use different serging techniques and stitches.

For best results with stretch fabrics, serge the seams and attach ribbing using a 4-thread mock safety stitch. The extra row of stitching adds the strength that a stretchy seam requires. The 4-thread safety stitch works particularly well with two-way stretch fabrics, such as spandex, and is the perfect seam for bathing suits and leotards.

Control the stretch of knit, loosely woven and bias-cut fabric by reinforcing seams with twill tape, Stay-Tape (a fine sheer tricot), clear plastic, or a serger-tail-chain.

Feed the Stay-Tape through the slot of a standard presser foot on your serger (if it has a slot through which to feed the tape – as do the Baby Lock sergers) while serging the seam.

In this short video you will see Pam Carter, Sewing Center Director at Mary Jo's Cloth Store demonstrate how to serge a seam in knit fabrics with Stay-Tape.

http://youtu.be/beFi7ZXUsX4

For more serger tips and techniques, join us on April 11-12, 2014 for our Serger Event featuring Baby Lock expert Joan Friedrich. To learn more and to reserve your seat, call 704-861-9100. 

How to use Custom Detail with Pleated Ruffles

http://trophyw.blogspot.com/

Are you looking for a pretty embellishment idea for clothing, quilting or home décor projects?  Give pleated ruffles a try!

 www.blockaday.com

Pleated ruffles can be soft and fluffy or pressed flat for a more tailored look.  There are tools for pleating ruffles, but most often you will pleat the ruffle by hand, creating a knife, or box pleat along a strip of fabric.  Hand pleating allows for more variety in size and shape, and is easy to do. Create even more texture by manipulating the basic pleated ruffle into origami inspired textures.

Not sure how you would use pleated ruffles?  Here are some ideas!  Add a cute gingham ruffle along the hem jeans, around a tote bag, down the front of a sweater or jacket, on pillows, slipcovers and curtains. 

You can make pleated ruffles from just about any fabric: cotton, silk, burlap, linen, fleece or wool or ribbon.  You will be amazed at the different textures and styles that you can create!   

“Use burlap for a rustic ruffle with frayed edges”

Learn this technique in the upcoming Pleated Ruffles class at Mary Jo’s March 19, 2014 at 10:00 am – noon where you will learn hands-on how to make several different style of pleated ruffle.To find out more about the class click, here.

Here Comes the Bride!

Mary Jo’s Cloth Store has a huge bridal department.  We can’t even imagine the thousands of brides that have worn dresses made with fabrics from our store.

Shopping for wedding fabrics can be fun, and a special part of the process of designing and creating the perfect dress, but it can be overwhelming with such a wide selection to choose from.

After you say “yes”, plan to visit the store for an overview of what is available and to become acquainted with all the different materials used for bridal dresses.  At Mary Jo’s you will see brocade, crepe, embroidered net, lace and lace trim, organza, satin, shantung, sheer, silk chiffon and charmeuse, silk dupioni, taffeta, tulle, velvet and more.  Fabric styles vary from modern and trendy to traditional, timeless and elegant.

You might fall in love with a fabric at first sight - it happens!  Or you might only buy a few sample pieces on your initial visit to Mary Jo’s, but this will make the ultimate fabric purchase much easier.  Here is a link with helpful tips for sewing wedding dresses from Sewing.org. http://www.sewing.org/html/weddinggowntips.html

In addition to fabrics you will find wedding dress patterns and all the notions you will need to complete your dress like pearls and sequins, buttons, zippers, seam binding and hook-and-eye closures.  Plus you can find fabrics and ribbon to use as decorations, table linens and favors.  We haven't even mentioned dresses for brides-maids, mothers and grandmothers, flower girls…   Yes, of course we have fabric for them too.

We are thrilled when brides share wedding pictures with us.  It is exciting to see fabrics that once lived on bolts in our store transformed into the most exquisite dresses.   Thank you to Deanna and Zoltan for sharing photos of their special day with us.  The dress, and the bride are beautiful! 

  

Prairie Rose Block of the Month Club

What do you get when you mix Jo Morton fabrics and 9- 12” pieced blocks? This gorgeous quilt called Prairie Rose! 

Now mix in Daniela Hogan, and a monthly lecture and you have the Block of the Month Club.

Why join this club? Not only will you get great step-by-step instructions for building the block, you’ll also learn tips, tricks and perfect your piecing skill. No need for hauling your sewing machines, as this is a lecture styled club.

This is 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”x 100”. 

All of the club meetings will be held in Mary Jo's classroom.

Date: 1st Saturday of every month. Starting in February

Time: 9am to 10am

Fee: $55 for the first Month and $19.99 for each month.

Price includes all fabric needed to make the 100”x 100” quilt plus monthly instructions and patterns. 

10% off the price if you pay for all 10 month’s ahead 

Space is limited to 12 spaces

If you are interested in joining please call Mary Jo's and ask to speak with Aimee or email her at aimeeg@maryjos.com to book your spot today!

Free Pleated Ruffle Mini-Workshop

Join Susan Woodcock AKA Home Dec Gal for a free Pleated Ruffle Mini-Workshop, Saturday, December 14, from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Learn how to add pleated ruffle details to your home decorating projects, and see a hands-on demo of how to make a variety of styles including knife edge, boxed, and pick-up boxed ruffles.

Fabric Makes Us Happy, Happy, Happy

Hey Jack! Our latest fabric are in, and just in time for the holidays! The infamous bearded family of Monroe, Louisiana, the Robertsons, has taken over the country with their hit TV show Duck Dynasty on AETV. 

The Robertsons built a multi-million dollar sporting empire manufacturing duck calls. Phil, Willie, Jase, Mrs. Kay and Uncle Si continue to charm TV viewers with their special brand of down-home practicality, southern charm and occasional wacky antics. 

Now you can take home your own little piece of Duck Dynasty with our four new fabrics.

                            

 Duck Dynasty - Duck Camo Brown 48870 2160715 

(Springs Creative)

$5.99 / Yard/Row

Color: DUCK DYNASTY

CAMO - Brown(Springs)

Width: 45"''

Repeat: V-'' x H-''

100% Cotton

Duck Dynasty - Duck Camo Pink 48870 C47 

(Springs Creative)

$5.99 / Yard/Row

Color: DUCK DYNASTY

CAMO - Pink (Springs)

Width: 45"''

Repeat: V-'' x H-''

100% Cotton

Duck Dynasty - Faces Sayings Toss 49347 2160715 

(Springs Creative)

$5.99 / Yard/Row

Color: DUCK DYNASTY

CAMO - Face Sayings Toss (Springs)

Width: 45"''

Repeat: V-'' x H-''

100% Cotton

Duck Dynasty - Brothers of the Beard 49542 F330715 - Panel 

(Springs Creative)

$5.99 / Yard/Row

Color: DUCK DYNASTY

Width: 45"''

Repeat: V-'' x H-''

100% Cotton

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: Faux Fur Throw

We continue our countdown to Christmas with a great gift idea that you can make for your family and friends. Faux fur throws are a hot trend in home décor because they add a texture and romance to any room. 

You will see them them thrown over the back of a sofa, draped over a leather chair or at the foot of a bed. Faux fur throws are the perfect, cozy little blanket for watching television, reading a book or taking a nap. 

To make your own faux fur throw, begin by selecting your favorite faux fur for the front.  There is a tremendous selection at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, from solid colors to realistic animal prints.  Keep in mind that faux fur with a short pile will be easier to sew, especially if you are inexperienced with sewing faux fur.  

We selected a faux chinchilla that is silky, soft and oh-so irresistible! For the lining we chose a red satin from the Mary Jo’s bridal department. Red is perfect for Christmas, but any color would be lovely.  

If you don’t want to make a color-statement, choose a warm brown or black lining.

Step 1:

Cut a square for the front and back.  We cut this throw 54 inches x 54 inches, which used exactly 1½ yards of the fur and satin material.  Serge the edges of the fur, and the satin if needed.  Mark the center of each side.  Place the fur and satin face-to-face, line up the corners and center marks and pin together.   Then secure in-between the pins, keeping the fur stretched taut between the pins while pinning together.

Step 2: 

Sew around the edges using a ½-inch seam allowance.  (Test stitching on a remnant of fur and satin to determine the best settings for your machine).  Leave a small opening along one side for turning.

Clip corners and turn right sides out.  Hand stitch the opening closed with matching thread. Your fur throw is finished!  

You will want to keep this gift for yourself, or make two, one for you and one for a friend, even your furry friends will love this cozy throw.

A piece of Mary Jo's History

Enter for your chance to win

Purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a 54 x 58” wall hanging quilt, colored by Mary Jo, herself.

Tickets are being sold for $1 a piece or 12 tickets for $10. Drawing will take place on Mary Jo’s birthday, January 16, and the winner will be announced on Facebook. 

All proceeds from the raffle are going to National Lutheran Communities & Services. NLCS has been blessed with a long tradition of service to people of all faiths. Since 1890, they have helped people find wonderful choices for retirement living, new options for financial security and expert services for health care and wellness. 

10% Off online and in-store purchases

We apologize, but it looks like our website has encountered an unexpected error. It appears the 10% off and free shipping amounts are not being reflected online at check out. However, they will appear in the total amount your card is actually charged. Also, free shipping is only available for all continental US orders. We apologize for any confusion!

(EXCLUDING SEWING MACHINES)

FREE SHIPPING ON GROUND ORDERS SENT WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US FOR ORDERS PLACED ON OUR WEBSITE NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST

Applicable on Internet Sales Only

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The truth is simple really.

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

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

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

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

Slow cooker BBQ with Adam Scott’s BBQ Sauce

1 – 4 to 5 pound pork shoulder or pork butt

½ tsp black pepper

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup apple cider vinegar

½ cup Adam Scott’s BBQ Sauce

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup water

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

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

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

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