Quilting: A Passionate & Colorful Obsession...

Quilting is a passionate obsession. We love to see you in the store in pairs, busloads or just by yourself. We also like to hear your stories from Facebook and maryjos.com. We thank-you for being so talented, sharing your projects and for buying your quilting fabric here. We have always worked very hard to keep our prices low and our quality high. We stock the most current collection of quilting fabrics, featuring a historical reproduction collection, the latest patterns and colors, and the special beauties that come our way, as well as all of the old standbys that you have come to love.

Fabric Trends for Quilters is a delightful publication. It is always fun to cruise through an issue online, just to be inspired. The trends for this year are alot of bright colors and of course interesting patterns. A top pick is called "Summer Postcard From Home". There is a quilt that was designed by a gal named Pearl Louise Krush and it looks like she had some fun designing and creating this little beauty. It would not be that difficult for you to find a photo from a recent vacation or a favorite outdoor spot and design your own "Postcard" style quilt. If you need a pattern you can log onto Fabric Trends Summer Edition's website, scroll down a bit and you will see this picture perfect postcard! While you are scrolling down take a few moments and check out some of the other quilts they have featured we know you will be inspired. They sell a "Quilt Kit" for this project, however if you click on the Free Projects you can find quilt instructions which are free and download the PDF to your desk top. Easy.

Inspiration for a new quilt and just the right color palette are all around us. A bright blue sky and the vivid yellow of a sunflower can lead to many applications. Blue and yellow are a French Country staple. The crazy colors of a brilliant sunset or a grove of trees turning Autumn Gold, Red and Orange. Sometimes inspiration can be found in the produce section of your local market or better yet at this time of year at a Farmers Market it is a joyous riot of color. Heirloom Tomatoes, Flowers by the bucketful and piles of Apples. Color inspiration is everywhere.

When you cruise through Mary Jo's Cloth Store we stock much of our quilting fabric by color. If you log onto the maryjos.com you will see that we have many new choices posted with Autumn colors and patterned fabric. So get creative and look around you, the inspiration for your next quilt could be quietly waiting, well almost anywhere.
Now a favor, all of our faithful readers. We are looking for some projects to share. Can you email a photo and brief description? Do you own a business that uses Mary Jo's Cloth? We really want to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

Dog Day Afternoon, Grab Some Fabric & Make a Bed...

It has happened, the Dog Days of Summer are upon us. What better time then now, to cruise the sale page of the website and find some really beautiful fabric and stitch up a Dog Bed or two!
A gal from Massachusetts recently sent us an email, she is in love with the selection and prices of Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, she only shops on our website at maryjos.com.
Michelle Lessing is quite a talented seamstress/designer and she decided to stitch up a bed for each of her two beloved Labradors, Lilly and Abbie. They were a hit and she was hooked, she then decided to create a company that makes Dog Beds from fabric she buys at Mary Jo’s. (Our prices are so great on fabric that she can sell a well-made and very beautiful Dog Bed for only $125.00.) Check out her fine work on her website, www.lillyandabbiedogbeds.com you won’t be disappointed. It is so wonderful to see such creative businesses popping up using the fabric purchased from Maryjos.com

This what Michelle has to say about Maryjos.com:
I love, love, love your website and all the fabrics you offer. There is such a wide variety and the prices are incredible. I'm starting a custom dog bed business and I would love to use some of your fabrics! I appreciate that I don't have to buy a whole yard like most other sites. It ends up being a lot of money especially when you don't end up liking the fabric or it fades.
my website: www.lillyandabbiedogbeds.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
-Michelle
Miss Michelle, we have amazing picks on our sale page and in the Drapery/Upholstery sections of the website. These choices will delight you, good luck with your new endeavor, we are sure you will be a howling success.


By the way, we thought we would post this comment from one of our readers/customers, Ellen. She is a frequent Commenter on this blog. Remember we love to hear feedback, it helps us to bring you the kinds of articles that will inspire you to create the finest projects possible.
Ellen’s feedback:
Thank you! You are very sweet to mention me.....
I comment because I also write 2 blogs...not daily, but often enough to really appreciate how much work goes into every post.
I think you have many folks that read you regularly, but might be hesitant to comment....DON'T BE!
It is easy...just click on the word "comment" and it will take you to a screen that allows you to write about how much you enjoy this blog.....believe me bloggers LOVE comments.
Don't be afraid you will say something wrong, even complaints can be handled in a polite way.....that's all that is required, common courtesy. I encourage anyone who follows this blog to comment with me (that means you too mom!)
Smiles, Ellen.

Mary Jo's Cloth with a French Twist...

At Mary Jo’s Cloth we receive letters, notes and photos from our customers almost everyday. A few weeks ago we sent out a call for projects. The response is wonderful and wow you all have been very busy. Over the course of the next few months we will be featuring many of these beautiful, creative and well done projects. It so exciting to see all that you do with the fabric you purchase at our Mary Jo’s.

One of the notes we received was from a gal in France. Her name is Isabelle Martin Agnan and she has a true talent for “Art Quilting”. She uses a variety of fabrics to create tones and shades in her work. After visiting her blog we were particularly impressed with the breadth of her quilted projects. She makes and sells dear little handbags, coin purses and larger totes. She also creates huge, and we are talking huge, quilts that become Art as wall hangings. Her colors are vivid and bright and so much fun to look at. We think you will enjoy looking around on her blog and we know you will definitely be inspired.

Did you know we have all kinds of College and University Team Icon and colored fabrics. Now is the time to stock up. Think of all of the projects you can create with this fun and team oriented fabric. Tailgating, Shirts, Quilts, Throws, Tablecloths, Curtains, well the list is endless and you are only limited by your imagination. Sew something up and send us some photos we would love to feature your story here on our blog.
Thanks for reading our blog, enjoy the rest of the summer, it is almost gone.

Limited Edition+What's Hot= SALE...

Limited Edition and What's Hot, what do these two sections represent on our website? SALE. Yes both are Sale sections of our website!
"What's Hot", features items that are a special purchase and won't be around for long. In the past we have featured Polar Fleece Blankets, T-Shirts and special Fabric purchases.
"Limited Edition", is filled with remnants and sale fabric from all of the different departments at our 32,000 sq. ft. store. Let' talk about Limited Edition for a moment. First and foremost it is always fun to click around and see what has been recently posted in this section. You need to click all the way to the very back page because that is where you will find the newest choices. Today, posted in this section we have some fantastic upholstery fabric in a wide range of styles, colors, patterns and weight. We are also featuring many sweet choices of Mary Jo's Cloth for back to school dresses, skirts, shorts and even a few choices of fun fabric for a tote bag.
Here is the deal, fabric that originally retailed for $18-25 can now be found for a fraction of the original price, which by the way is far less than competing fabric retailers. In both sections you will find a wide selection of fabric for Quilts, Curtains, Table Cloths, Upholstery needs. We even have some beautiful lace that could become part of a beautiful Wedding Dress, Table Cloth or Romantic Curtains. The best part is the price, in a word affordable. Log on to maryjos.com often and remember to click ALL the way through to the last page for the most current and very best selection.
When you have stitched up a masterpiece can you do us a favor and snap a photo, jot down a few words and fire off an email to us? We would love to know what you are up to and possibly feature you in an upcoming blog article. Happy sewing and enjoy your summer.

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.