Beat The Summer Heat & Quilt Something Sweet...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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!