Tour Mary Jo's Cloth Store...

Have you ever been to Mary Jo's Cloth Store? It is 32,000 feet of Fabric, Notions and possibilities! You would not believe what we have done. We have been working on this project for a while and we are finished! The store has been re-organized and set up a bit differently.

It is easier to find things and it seems by shaking it up that we have even more fabric, on the Sales Floor! You will love the new check-out area and waiting area in the front of the store. We decided to install a television for all of the patient fellas waiting by the door for their sewing divas to finish shopping the aisles of their favorite fabric mecca.

Yes the store looks different but the prices are as low as ever, you will not be disappointed. Nope, not at all. Stop by if you have not been, you will LOVE it! Our address is 401 Cox Rd. Gastonia, NC

If you cannot stop into the store, you can always log onto our website, www.maryjos.com., we are open 24-7 and the selection and prices cannot be beat. Just a reminder, check out the SALE page, it is always filled with deeply discounted fabric and other items.

Quilting, Gee's Bend, Flags and Levis...

Art, Quilting, Sewing and Creativity. Sometimes a storm of perfection happens, this is a story about that Perfect Storm. A few years back we featured an article on the Gee's Bend Quilt Collective. Recently we stumbled on a fun video featuring many pairs of re-purposed Levi Jeans that had been transformed into flags, in the Gee's Bend signature style. They were hung in the windows of Levi Stores across America. They were made by two gals, Hannah Sitzer & Sarah Snyder who have an overabundance of vision and an adventurous spirit. More about these gals in a while.
The ladies of Gee's Bend, pronounced "jeez" have been creating quilts since the late 1800's, in a small little hamlet in Alabama. Their style is distinct, unique and graphic. Their quilts are shown in Museums and Galleries all over the country. The color, style and workmanship are fantastic. The interesting thing is that these quilts have inspired Artist's and Quilter's the world over. It is a feast for the eyes to go online and search Gees Bend Quilts and take time to really look at the images. WOW. The colors and graphic punch of these very special pieces is truly brilliant. Imagine how a quilt like this, on a bed, hanging on a wall or placed over a banister could change the look of a room and punch up the art and color in any space. It could easily be placed in a modern/contemporary style home as easily as a traditional/historic home. The possibilities are endless.
Many Quilter's and Artist's are using this particular line of quilt design for inspiration. The look is both Contemporary, Historic and Artful and apparently timeless.
So maybe now you will be inspired you to create your own version of a Gee's Bend Style quilt, painting, wall-hanging or???

A Group of talented window dressers whose client was in this instance, the Levi Store, came up with a fun and creative idea, inspired by the Gee's Bend Quilts. They created "Flags" from old pairs of Levi's. Many of the Gee's Bend quilts have old denim in their patterns, some quilts are entirely made from re-purposed denim.

Want to learn more? Click on these links. 1 2 3 4 5

Click and watch this 1 minute video. Fun.


Boy, it has been BUSY here at the store. We can only guess you all are inspired and have "creating fantastic projects" on your minds! First we would like to tell you some good news. The SHIPPING NEWS. We are offering a maximum $4.99 shipping cost for ground orders sent within the continental US!
For many of you that is cheaper than the gasoline to get to Gastonia and shop the store. We know it is super fun to come in and spend a good part of the day, in 32,000 square feet of cloth. Bolts and bolts, aisles and aisles oh yes, fabric, everywhere. But you can also have a great time on our Website. We would like to remind you to visit the SALE page and SEASONAL SPECIALS. The prices are lower than our everyday prices and you will save a bundle, guaranteed. Log on today, peruse our online fabric collection, you will have a great time, be inspired and probably find exactly what you have been looking for at a great price!
Do you have a project, made with Mary Jo's Cloth? Would you like to be featured in a future blog article? Now is the time, email us a few photos and a few words about your project, you and your blog or website. We thank-you in advance.

Fashion Week and a Blast From The Past...

Charleston Fashion Week is a BIG deal in the south. This is the show that can make and break talented Fashion Designers careers. It is not exactly "The Devil Wears Prada" but sometimes you might think so! Competition is stiff and for new and emerging designers who apply to be in this show it is a coup and an honor to be accepted. Well, do we have some news, one of our favorite Mail Order Customers was chosen to be a part of this Annual event, which will take place March 20th-24th, 2012.


She will be launching her Pret-A-Porter (Ready To Wear) 2012 Fall Collection for Children!!!
Nancy Faw Crowell is from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. She has every reason to be over the moon excited about this very special week. "My design philosophy for this collection is to create high quality children's clothing with hints of vintage styles but completely modern for today's fashion conscious children and parents." She is one talented gal. Nancy has been shopping with Mary Jo Cloth for at least 17 years, according to Maggie, who helps run our Mail Order Department. Nancy has been buying cloth for custom children's clothing and other projects for over 17 years, Maggie says she just thinks the world of her. She is one talented designer and we are so happy that she has this great opportunity with Fashion Week in Charleston. Miss Nancy, we at Mary Jo's wish you all the luck in the world, but we think you don't need luck, what, with all of your hard work and talent, you are going places. Congratulations and kudos to you.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to post on our Mary Jo's Cloth Facebook Wall, wishing Mary Jo a Happy Birthday and to all of you who dropped a note or/and a story about your experience over the years with Mary Jo and her Cloth Store! We are going to share a note from a longtime customer named Marge Crunkleton. Read on, it is delightful.

"Enjoyed reading about the "big eighty" Mary Jo experienced recently...I know how she feels. Time certainly does pass quickly. I too, am 80 and a long time friend of Mary Jo.
My first shopping experiences were much different than shopping at Mary Jo's today.
I was 23, (from the big city) married a southern boy and settled in Dallas, North Carolina...no malls, no movie theatre,no, no, no anything.
However, it was not long that I found a wonderful wonderful cloth store in Dallas and being a creative sewer...the void in my life was filled. I was in "sewers heaven."

I would put the baby in her stroller and trudge the long walk to "downtown" Dallas, to the first Mary Jo's Cloth Store in Dallas, NC.
Mary Jo's was the place to find unusual fabrics...and priced cheap ! In those days, I had only a dollar or two to spend...so "cheap" was very important to me.
A friendships developed between Mary Jo, her husband Polie, sales clerk Addie and myself since I was there looking and shopping a time or two each week. This was in the early 50's and where else could I shop for an hour, spend only a dollar ....and get my creative juices flowing.?
Mary Jo's was a haven for creative people. She had impossible to find, mill end fabrics...exclusive to the retail industry only. For example: she had, in the 50's waterproof tan trench coat fabric. Making it possible for me to copy "store bought" trench coats for my 3 year old.
I loved Mary Jo's Cloth Store. Now and then, I would cut my own yardage... when clerks were busy. Several times Polie would hand me a small remnant of fabric and say "here, make something for the kid".
As I reflect, while writing this ... It feels like all this was just yesterday. Suddenly reality steps in and I realize this story happened some sixty years ago. I stop remembering and come back to today....and think "man, was it that long ago?"
Yes, time does march along.
To Mary Jo: Thank you for all your efforts, providing all of us, sewers and creative people, a place where we can gather to exchange ideas, get ideas and suggestions to make our ideas and dreams become reality.
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY TO YOU MARY JO ...you are appreciated by us all.
Sincerely, Marge Crunkleton"
Sweet! Thanks Marge we appreciate you taking the time to send such a lovely note.

Do You have a story to share? A project we could feature? We would love to hear from you. Post on our Facebook page or send an EMAIL today! By the way if you click on the word FACEBOOK, you will be directed to our page and if you click "like" you will be notified of specials, blog articles and Fabric news items on your Facebook wall.

Mary Jo Celebrates the BIG 80!!!

This week we have a lot to share. Did you know that on Monday we helped Mary Jo celebrate her 80th Birthday? Wow, where does the time go? Things in the fabric business have changed greatly over the years and Mary Jo is still around to tell the tale. Remember, she started Mary Jo's Cloth Store when she was a mere 18 years old! Her Cloth Store has grown tremendously over the years. We not only have a huge Retail and Mail order operation but in the past several years have added Online/Web shopping. We ship orders all over the world, every day. Want to know more about "The Cloth Queen"? The Gaston Gazzete did a fine article about Mary Jo recently, click here to read all about it.

Today we would also like to talk a bit about our shipping department. Anyone who has placed an order, may not know this, but it arrives at your door because of Beth Cobb and her crew of devoted workers. Beth heads up the Mail & Web Order Department. She is the gal who makes sure your order is not only filled properly but is billed and shipped. What a big job. Beth has been with Mary Jo's Cloth Store just over 20 years. Wow. She does a terrific job. We are always receiving notes, letters and kudos in general, directed to Beth and her "Mail Order" Department.
We would like to thank Beth and her crew of folks who make this department work like a well oiled piece of machinery. Thank you ladies.
Oh and on another shipping note we are extending our FREE SHIPPING for a bit longer. It won't last forever and it sure is an easy way to save some cash, so log onto the website and keep Beth busy, pulling an order just for you! She will be delighted, as always.

We recently received a nice note from our customer, Karen May, read on...
My adorable fabric came yesterday! The packaging worked; the outside was scuffed and slushy but it held up, especially with the inside bag.
I was amazed at the promptness of my delivery, I had to look at your address again because I thought you were local. If you have any more of this fabric I may purchase more, I have another project in mind.
I would be happy to post feedback at a public site for you, or you can use this. Thanks..good stuff!!

So there you have it. No driving, no waiting all you need to do is log onto www.maryjos.com anytime of the day or night and have yourself a good ol' time. It is always so much fun to find some great bargains and dream up some cool projects. Hmmm new Quilt? Drapes or slipcovers? Tablecloths or some new Throw Pillows? Dresses, Wedding Gowns and Dance Costumes. If you can dream it up, we more than likely have the fabric you have in mind and usually at an outstanding price.
Do you have a story or project to share? Now is the time. Send a photo and a brief description of your project. You may be featured in a future article.
All for now, enjoy these quiet winter days. Great weather for sewing, don't you think?

Free Shipping and A Big Thank-You...

Our first order of business is Shipping. 2011 is rapidly coming to a close. That means our December FREE SHIPPING is almost over. Our website is filled with truly amazing bargains, as always, nothing new there! Always check the SALE page first, that is where we show off the biggest bargains.
Now is the time to be thinking about your sewing needs for the coming year. Our most ambitious clients will turn their eye towards recovering or slip-covering that careworn Chair or Sofa. Maybe you just need to just change up a space? Spice it up with some cool colored or patterned fabric. You could do something as simple as creating a few new tablecloths or stitch up several sets of curtains. You could even take out all the color and go with some fresh white linen for a sunny room. Muslin and Burlap style fabrics seem to be quite popular as well, with prices like this and free shipping, maybe you should give it a whirl, what is stopping you?
We would also like to THANK-YOU for being our loyal customer. Yes, YOU.
Mary Jo's Cloth Store is blessed. Every Monday-Saturday our 65 employees can be found scurrying around the bolts of cloth or one of the many cutting tables, stocking, arranging, cutting orders and answering your questions. Our mail room keeps many of the employees very busy with web and phone orders. There are always several folks working near the front of the store at the cashiers desk and in the notions departments. Our 32,000 square foot building is absolutely filled to the rafters with bolts of cloth and all of the notions that our customers may need. When Mary Jo started her Cloth Store over 60 years ago, she vowed that it would be a store where all of her customers could afford to buy cloth that was affordable, always. She holds true to that statement today. Mary Jo still comes to the store everyday, helping, ordering, managing and making sure her dream is carried out. She will be celebrating her 80th birthday in mid-January!
We are thankful to have such a special place in the hearts of those who sew, create, quilt and use our fabric for a variety of purposes, at home and in their businesses.
So again, Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you. We appreciate your loyal patronage over the years. We love to hear about your projects and all of the special things you do with Mary Jo's Cloth. Keep up the good work and we will be seeing y'all in the New Year.
Drop us a note, share your project and if you have a "Cloth Store" story please share it with us. We are all ears.
May your New Year be filled with joy, magic and love.

Holidays, Winter Re-Do, Sales, & Free Shipping..

Christmas is coming and 2012 is not far behind. Where does the time go? Life and living seem to scream by at an accelerated pace. So here are a few thoughts from Mary Jo's Cloth Store.
First, remember "Free Shipping" now through December 31st. If you are thinking about stocking up, now is the time, please make sure to tell your friends.
Second, we have 238 items posted on our SALE page. For all of you Pillow-makers and Upholstery buffs, we have many choices of trim and fringe on SALE for as little as .79 cents per yard. WOW, that is crazy cheap, with free shipping we are almost giving it away. If you would like to be inspired and learn a bit more, Linda Lee from HGTV is featured in a lovely article showing you just how easy it is to "Fringe" up a pillow or two.
Third, we still have plenty of Holiday fabric, just in time for a few last minute Tablecloths, Stockings and Tree Skirts. Many of the Holiday Fabrics we carry are also a general Winter theme, so you won't have to put it away until the Daffodils start poking their little heads out of the ground! It is always nice to enjoy our personal spaces in a state of lovely Winter Decor. Quiet and peaceful, mmmm, I do believe it sounds like a soothing tonic.

Lastly, when the weather outside is frightful and snow and rain are our constant companions, beat those winter blues by shaking up your personal habitat! Now is the time to be thinking of re-doing a room, re-upholstering a chair, making new curtains, or throwing on a new coat of paint to give your world either a pop of color or a quiet moment. Either way January is the perfect month for home improvement. Most Home stores have deeply discounted sales on sheets & towels. Paint stores often have major sales on basic paint & brushes, furniture & accessories are also easy to pick up on sale in January. At Mary Jo's Cloth Store we always have a great selection of Home & Design Fabrics at prices that always beat the other guys!

You may want to check out the latest design and decorating trends in the magazines, Veranda and House Beautiful. They are a wealth of information and inspiration. The pages of these periodicals are chocked full with ideas on color, style and home decor. A pleasure!

In mid-January we would like to feature some of your projects. Do you have something to share with us and our readers? We all love to be inspired and wowed. So take a moment, photograph your space and send in your own Personal Habitat, you may be a featured article! We look forward to hearing from you, Happy Holidays.

Holiday Projects and FREE Shipping...

It is hard to believe that the Holidays are almost here. The month of December can be filled to full with Parties, Events, Dinners, Gatherings and many visits and trips to the homes of friends and relatives. Yes, this time of year can be a blur. You may want to consider slowing down and taking time to smell the Christmas Tree! What if this Holiday Season you choose to stay home a little more often and make all sorts of amazing treasures, holiday and otherwise. Here at Mary Jo's Cloth Store we are gifting you with FREE shipping for the holidays. This offer is good for the entire month of December. If you are thinking about your next Quilt, Dress, Drapery, Duvet Cover, Tablecloths and oodles of crafting projects, now is the time to stock up. If you make your living with needle and thread, we do not have to remind you that not only are our prices some of the best in the nation, for the month of December you can score a little extra dough with this special offer of FREE Shipping. Want to be inspired and tempted with some great fabric? Log onto www.maryjos.com, you won't believe the selection or the SALE page, really. We are always posting new items at great prices.

A few weeks ago we had a shout out on our Facebook page for Holiday Projects. Today we are featuring two gals and their inspired projects. By the way if you are not a Mary Jo's Cloth Store Facebook friend, click this link and "like" us. You can keep current on specials, sales and shout outs for specific projects and quilts.

One of our readers, Barbara Dersch, a talent from Crystal Lake, Illinois submitted this beautiful quilt. The Christmas colors are lovely and the workmanship certainly looks perfect. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

Our next featured project comes Emily Brown a local talent. She has shared several of her favorite holiday items with us. Her Mom also contributed Christmas Stockings made with Mary Jo's Felt.
She writes, Hi! Saw on facebook your call for holiday items made with Mary Jo's fabric. I am local (grew up in Shelby, spent many a weekend day at MJ's with my mom fabric shopping.) Now I work in Gastonia a couple miles from Mary Jo's and stop by frequently as I have a handmade kitchen accessory line that I sell on etsy. I make aprons and oven mitts and pot holders. Much of my fabric is from Mary Jo's. Thanks Miss Emily your work is well designed and executed. Seems like you may sell quite a bit at your ETSY Store. Stop in anytime, Emily, we would love to see you. Do you have a project to share with us? Please email us a few photos and a brief description.
We cannot wait to hear from you.