Vintage, Shake It Up and Have some Fun...

Lets talk about Buttons, Trims and Ribbons. Have you ever thought about incorporating old with new? You could go crazy with the antique buttons, sewn onto curtain valances or used as the artistic focal point on a newly sewn up pillow, duvet or pillowcase. I like to think of the charm of a beautiful Cloth Bag/Tote with a fabulous antique button maybe mixed with a bit of vintage ribbon and trim. You could also trim a skirt with vintage buttons and/or trim. Don't forget home design projects such as a newly upholstered ottoman or hassock, they would be terrific and very special with some vintage trims, tassels or even buttons. Yes, the possibilities are endless.

These past few days I was lucky enough to shop at the mega antique sale in Brimfield, Massachusetts. I was treated to booths filled with vintage and antique ribbons, buttons and loads of trim. It was so fun to think of all of the ways these items could be used with the vintage style and textured fabrics that we carry at Mary Jo's Cloth Store and on our website. We have many fabrics with patterns, colors and textures that seem as if they tumbled out of the fabric mill in 1880, 1930, 1950 and beyond. Do you or someone you know (or maybe even related to) have a vintage collection of Buttons, Ribbons and Trims that you could use in these types of projects? If not, a quick trip to your local Antique mall or Flea Market will yield a beautiful bounty of these items that often times are yours for very little cash.
The trick is to have your components ready for a project like this. First step find the buttons or trim you would like to use. Second, log onto Maryjos.com and cruise around for fabric that enhances the era of your special buttons or trim. Third step, create it and take a photograph. We would love to share your creation with the Mary Jo Cloth Community. We may feature it on this blog or on the website in the Community section.
Get to stitching, we cannot wait to see your beautiful and inspired work.

Summer is Over: Sale, Sale, Sale...

Labor Day is the official "end of summer". Hopefully your summer was packed with fun adventures, family visits and maybe even a few roadtrips. The kids are back at school and the fall schedule is now in place. OK, what to do, now that things are back on track? This is the perfect time of year to plan your upcoming projects.

Re-doing a room or recovering a chair? Stitching up some great Christmas gifts, tablecloths, curtains, Halloween costumes or a few new outfits? Now is the time to cruise around at maryjos.com. We have an amazing selection of fabrics on sale for all of your upcoming projects. Click on the "Special Editions" icon on the homepage, that is code for SALE! We also have an amazing selection of fall inspired fabric in all patterns, textures and colors.
Calicos, Upholstery, cottons, lace, patterns and prints. All beautiful and at amazing prices. Log on today for the very best selection and remember to log on often as we add new items almost everyday.

Did you know we are on facebook.com? Check it out and become a fan. We post not only the most current Mary Jo's Design Blog articles but also specials and new arrivals to the store and the website, check it out you won't be disappointed.

Inspired by the Sea...

Summer, long days filled with bright light, seashells, sandy beaches and sunsets that seem to last forever. The sea has been inspiring fabric designers for centuries. The colors of the ocean, pale blues to turquoise and deep marine blues all are quiet relaxing and lovely. Shapes of shells, seaweed, rolled stones and beach glass make
for very interesting textures and shapes.
This color palette drawn


from the Sea is filled with exciting color splashes. Seaweed Green, Stone Grey, Beachy Taupe (light or dark) Coral Red, Conch Shell Pink, or the subtle Green and Creme of a Sea Urchin. The list is long and the possibilities are endless.
At Mary Jo's Cloth we have fabric that is inspired by this rich and colorful Ocean Environment. Drapery and Upholstery choices are available in a wide range of choices. One of my favorite collections is the historic looking etched style that has patterns of Seaweed, Shells and Coral. These patterns are simple and classic and are available in many shades of Taupe, Dark and Light Corals, Rich Brown, Sea-foam and Dune Grass Greens. These are classic, timeless choices which will allow for many years of use without getting bored. These are terrific choices for Chair-pads, Slipcovers, Pillows, Table-cloths, Curtains or Roman Shades. The patterns are wonderful mixed with solids and striped fabrics. This collection is available in heavy weight cottons and canvas style fabrics or medium to light polished cottons. "Classic Sea" is always an elegant yet natural pairing that is a foolproof.
Click on the arrow below to view the slideshow...

Rickrack and Ribbon...

One of my personal pleasures is walking through the Ribbon & Rickrack section at Mary Jo's Cloth Store. It is always a place to discover new colors, textures and design possibilities. With school starting it made me start to think about the shirts, skirts and blouses that have Ribbon and Rickrack embellishments. I also use these little beauties to tie together a flower arrangement, pretty up a package or

tie onto the handle of my scissors so I can easily hang them on a hook or knob. It is also fun to sew onto a tote or even a cloth purse, really nothing is safe! Ribbons made from fine satins, silks and cotton are always an inspiration, the color palette is endless. Take some time to noodle around on the internet, you will be inspired. Then take an afternoon and pop by the store to load up, the prices are great and the selection is divine.

Plain rickrack usually is made from a single color, and it has a dull or matte finish. Rickrack can also be made metallic, glossy, or variegated with strips or gradations of color.When I was a girl I remember that Rickrack was all the rage. Different thickness sewn onto shirt collars and cuffs were not only ultra chic but fun to wear. The colors were always bright and cheerful, ironing was the only draw-back. I used to sew them onto tote bags and doll clothes as well. It is a simple to stitch and it is always to great effect. I was on a cool blog recently, Knick Knacks & Ric Rac Hannah is a very inventive gal, she created really cool "Rickrack Dahlias" the instructions are on her blog!

Have fun with ribbon and rickrack, stop by the store and check it out. Remember we have many fine notions available online at www.maryjos.com

Quilt Shows and Mary Jo's...

I was flipping through a Home Design Magazine the other day and was very intrigued by an article featuring two different museums with amazing Quilt Exhibitions. One in Vermont the other in Washington D.C. The best part is even if you can't make it in person you can view portions online and be inspired by museum quality examples of truly fantastic quilts. Remember we have beautiful quilting fabric in the store and online. Amazing quality at affordable prices, check it out today at www.maryjos.com .

The Textile Museum in Washington D.C. is featuring a wonderful Exhibit.
Constructed Color: Amish Quilts. Thru September 6, 2009
Amish quilts are among the most striking and famous of all American quilt types. Renowned for their play of color and strong geometric patterns, their similarities to modern art have been noted ever since the 1971 exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York entitled Abstract Design in American Quilts. The parallels are perhaps most striking with regard to color field paintings and art that explores the manipulation of visual effect.

This exhibition, on loan from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, features 29 examples from the center’s highly regarded collection. The quilts represent three specific regional groups, each with its own distinctive features, drawn from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from Midwestern communities and from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Each of these Amish communities produces unique quilts that reflect the availability of materials, influences from non-Amish neighbors, and the relative conservatism of individual communities as determined by their Ordnung, or community guidelines. The objects which will be on view in the exhibition represent some of the finest Amish quilts in the world."

The Shelburne Museum in Vermont is featuring an incredible collection of quilts designed and made by Florence Cowdin Peto (1880-1970) the exhibit runs through October 25, 2009.

“Florence was an influential collector and quiltmaker who worked tirelessly to bring attention to quilts as an important and integral part of our heritage,” said Curator Jean Burks, who is organizing Piecing Together the Past. “Her goal was to show that this true form of folk art was as historically meaningful as the written word.” Peto’s influence extended to Shelburne Museum, when in the 1950’s, she actively encouraged Museum founder Electra Havemeyer Webb to include quilts as an essential part of the Museum’s collection.

"Piecing Together the Past" brings together ten Peto quilts on loan from a direct descendant, exhibiting them as a group for the first time. The exhibit also includes a selection of eight historic examples Peto collected that were acquired specifically for Shelburne Museum.

During the 1940s and ‘50s Peto designed and created an amazing body of quilt work using her extensive collection of Centennial and traditional fabrics. She developed a distinctive style using antique copperplate and roller-printed calicoes, chintzes and toiles over a homespun background. Her artistic technique is distinguished by signature floral vine appliqué borders, elaborate broderie perse work and fussy cut flowers.In 1980, Peto was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame, in Marion Indiana."

Do you have a story or project to share? We are working on a "Mary Jo Cloth Quilter's" article, send us your beautiful work, you could be featured on the blog or the community page.

Fabrics With A Colorful Past...

Lancaster County, Sturbridge Village, Charleston and York County. These historic places evoke a sense of time and place and are also the names of a few of our many "Historical Collection" of fabric. Folks have been buying these patterns since the 1800's. Today they are used mostly for Quilting and Costuming. These patterns are also used in Home and Design projects. Think of how nice it would feel to wake up under a beautiful quilt pieced together with patterns and colors that have been used for over two centuries. The colors were rich and drawn from nature. From Colonial times through the Civil War Era, bright Indigo's, Red's, Emerald Greens and Rich Butternuts were all the rage. We often think of fabrics from this era as muted, but research shows that the fabrics and paint faded from bright to muted over time. So whether you like the "faded glory" look or the bright and original palette of colors you will not be disappointed.

We also have a large collection of fabrics from the 1930's. This is a happy, fun and cheerful collection filled to full with fanciful characters, prints and even some stripes. The 1930's depression was anything but happy, however designers have always helped to buoy the spirits of the people especially in the worst of times! Ducks, Scottie Dogs, Kitties and Bunnies all in Greens, Red's, Pinks,and sunny Yellows and Oranges. These make fun Kid's Clothes, Retro Curtains, Tablecloth, Quilts and Bags.
We have the full collection at the store and many are for sale online. To find these Fabrics, go to www.maryjos.com, on the front page click on the "Quilting" link. On the next page, click "Continue to Search", Now check "Browse by subcategory>Fabrics", click on "Proceed to next step", (Whew you are almost there...) Now you have lots of choices, the collections we are featuring today are Civil War Reproductions By Andover and Civil War Reproductions by Marcus Brothers also 1930's Reproductions. You may also view the slideshow which showcases many of these beauties. Click on the arrow below.

Sunflowers and Garden Prints, Step Inside...

When the Sunflowers bloom, high summer has arrived. Their beautiful heads of developing seeds follow the sun across the sky during this special time of year. Later they are decorated with birdies, who are busy extracting the seeds and singing to their hearts content. The colors are a predictable but stunning and happy clear yellow. This family of composites also have a range of creamy yellows to deep rusty oranges. Mmmm lovely.
At Mary Jo's Cloth we have an outstanding collection of Sunflower Prints. Creating Pillows, Quilts, Curtains, Duvets, Tablecloths or Napkins is not difficult to imagine. I have seen many "Sunflower" related home-goods in the catalogues that seem to show up in my mailbox. Sunflowers are popular this season, possibly because they are a joyful color and a flower that make folks smile. I have been tempted (well not really) to purchase everything from painted pillows to hammock throws. It is easy enough to purchase some fabric and whip up a few of these items. You can be inspired by some of the finest retailers in the nation!

Bringing the garden indoors is not hard, it is a way of thinking. Ask yourself these three simple questions... What are your favorite colors, flowers and interests? In the various "Home Design Magazines" I lift ideas and concepts, but whole rooms seem a bit forced and fussy and consumer based. Sometimes I feel like they are selling a product, or many products to create "a look". It takes thought to be original but once you get into the habit it can be very satisfying process. After all, your home should reflect what you love and how you live.

All of you creative sewing friends out there, take a moment to peruse our Sunflower and Garden print collections. I think it will inspire you to create some fun and happy pieces to integrate into your home and maybe even your garden. Send us photos of your creations and projects, we would love to feature your "work" on our community page or even here on our blog. You are some of the most creative and clever folks we know and I thank-you for sharing your talent in advance.

Tips for finding these and other garden prints online...
Go to our website, www.maryjos.com click on fabrics, select main table, proceed, now select florals, now click around and find what you like...
The prices are great and the shipping is fast and cost effective.
Did you know that Mary Jo's Cloth Store is on facebook.