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. 

Tailored Linen Table Runner

Turkey, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, table décor…. 

What?  TABLE DÉCOR! 

Don’t worry!  You still have time to make beautiful linens for your holiday table.

Sign up today for the “Table Setting” class with Sindy Burgess on Monday, November 4, 2013 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm and learn how to make a tablecloth, placemats and napkins. 

Create the perfect look for your dining table from the wide variety of fabrics available at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store.  Turn your table into an elegant affair with velvet, silk and fringe or create a fun, conversation-starter by using quilt fabrics printed with just about theme from food to football.

One of the most popular trends in home décor is to use burlap or linen for table linens.  The woven texture and solid colors give a neutral background for dishes, candles and floral designs. Add antique china and it’s romantic,  pottery and wooden bowls it’s natural and earthy or set the table with square, white plates and platters and it will be chic and modern.

Above is a little inspiration we found online at Facebook.com/OnSuttonPlace.

Here is a simple table runner that you can create with linen, or a linen blend fabric. It features a box pleated ruffle with button details that you will enjoy all year long, not just at Thanksgiving. Use this to decorate your dinning table or buffet, with our without a tablecloth.

Sewing step-by-step:

Measure across your table and add 8 inches.  This is the length you will cut the main piece of the table runner by 16 inches wide (includes seam and hem allowances). 

For the pleated ruffle on each end, cut two pieces 26 inches by 8 inches. 

 1. Sew a doubled ½ inch hem along the edge of one long side and both short sides of the ruffle pieces. 

 2. To create the pleats, fold under 2” on each end and press. Then mark the center and measure 4 inches from the center on each side and fold the fabric to meet in the center, creating a box pleat and press. The ruffle will be 12 inches across.  

3. Place the ruffle pieces face down and centered on each end and pin in place.  Fold the extra fabric on each side over, and then back and pin in place.  

4. Sew the ruffle to the table runner and then serge the raw edges.  

5. Turn the ruffles right sides out and press.  Fold a doubled 1-inch hem down each side of the table runner and sew. 

6. Make 4 covered buttons (or use purchased pearl or wooden buttons) and sew to the center of the pleat on each end.  

Mary Jo’s Spooktacular Halloween Costume Contest

Do you have a DIY Halloween costume this year that is to die for? Enter it in our Mary Jo’s Halloween Costume Contest and secure your bragging rights as the best homemade costume maker in town!

Enter your costume creation into one of these three categories: infant/toddler 0-6, youth/teen 7-16 and adult for those 17 and up. Remember they all have to be handmade costumes in order to win.

Submissions must be sent to maryjocloth@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, to register. Please include your name and the title of your costume in the email. 

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, it is up to the public to vote for a winner by liking their favorite costume on Mary Jo’s Facebook page. Voting will run until Friday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m.  

The costume with the most likes will be crowned the winner, and awarded a $50 Mary Jo’s gift card.

Remember, if you are looking for a little inspiration we have all the fabric a costume designer needs!

Just like this sweetest scarecrow we have ever seen!  Good thing we have the perfect Tulle to make it: http://whirly.it/TCqnr2