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. 

Countdown to Christmas: Faux Fur Throw

We continue our countdown to Christmas with a great gift idea that you can make for your family and friends. Faux fur throws are a hot trend in home décor because they add a texture and romance to any room. 

You will see them them thrown over the back of a sofa, draped over a leather chair or at the foot of a bed. Faux fur throws are the perfect, cozy little blanket for watching television, reading a book or taking a nap. 

To make your own faux fur throw, begin by selecting your favorite faux fur for the front.  There is a tremendous selection at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, from solid colors to realistic animal prints.  Keep in mind that faux fur with a short pile will be easier to sew, especially if you are inexperienced with sewing faux fur.  

We selected a faux chinchilla that is silky, soft and oh-so irresistible! For the lining we chose a red satin from the Mary Jo’s bridal department. Red is perfect for Christmas, but any color would be lovely.  

If you don’t want to make a color-statement, choose a warm brown or black lining.

Step 1:

Cut a square for the front and back.  We cut this throw 54 inches x 54 inches, which used exactly 1½ yards of the fur and satin material.  Serge the edges of the fur, and the satin if needed.  Mark the center of each side.  Place the fur and satin face-to-face, line up the corners and center marks and pin together.   Then secure in-between the pins, keeping the fur stretched taut between the pins while pinning together.

Step 2: 

Sew around the edges using a ½-inch seam allowance.  (Test stitching on a remnant of fur and satin to determine the best settings for your machine).  Leave a small opening along one side for turning.

Clip corners and turn right sides out.  Hand stitch the opening closed with matching thread. Your fur throw is finished!  

You will want to keep this gift for yourself, or make two, one for you and one for a friend, even your furry friends will love this cozy throw.

'Sew Fun' Book Signing

Join Mary Jo's as we welcome sewing expert and Sew Fun author Debroah Fisher to our inaugural book signing event on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m.

After an exciting introduction, Fisher will be speaking about her brand new book as well as some of the projects she is currently working on. You also won't want to miss out on her project demonstration featuring her favorite samples in Sew Fun. The session will close out with a Q&A segment, followed by Fisher's book signing. 

Unlike many sewing-for-children books, Fisher's Sew Fun: 20 Projects for the Whole Family is a thoughtful approach to crafting with and for children. 

Readers will discover a variety of ways to get children involved in fun sewing projects, whatever their age or ability. Several projects are strictly for adults to make and children to enjoy. 

A piece of Mary Jo's History

Enter for your chance to win

Purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a 54 x 58” wall hanging quilt, colored by Mary Jo, herself.

Tickets are being sold for $1 a piece or 12 tickets for $10. Drawing will take place on Mary Jo’s birthday, January 16, and the winner will be announced on Facebook. 

All proceeds from the raffle are going to National Lutheran Communities & Services. NLCS has been blessed with a long tradition of service to people of all faiths. Since 1890, they have helped people find wonderful choices for retirement living, new options for financial security and expert services for health care and wellness. 

10% Off online and in-store purchases

We apologize, but it looks like our website has encountered an unexpected error. It appears the 10% off and free shipping amounts are not being reflected online at check out. However, they will appear in the total amount your card is actually charged. Also, free shipping is only available for all continental US orders. We apologize for any confusion!

(EXCLUDING SEWING MACHINES)

FREE SHIPPING ON GROUND ORDERS SENT WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US FOR ORDERS PLACED ON OUR WEBSITE NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST

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Patterns! Patterns! Patterns!

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Sewing Classes at Mary Jo’s

This week we are featuring holiday sewing projects and kits from our classes; a soft Santa chenille fabric panel and “Feather Fancy”, a quilted, applique wall hanging.

Santa Chenille Panel

In this class students learned how to make chenille by sewing and cutting layers of fabric.  Before sewing, multiple layers of fabric are basted together. 

Then the panel is sewn with rows and rows of parallel seams and the top layers are carefully sliced between the stitching. 

The secret is to sew on the bias or diagonal of the fabric grain. 

This allows the cut fabric edges to slightly fray and soften without completely unraveling.  

As you can see this Santa is very warm and fuzzy!  The same technique can be used to make throws and baby blankets.

Feather Fancy Quilted Wall Hanging

This beautiful Christmas wall hanging is made with a technique called raw-edge appliqué, where the pieces are cut and applied to the base fabric with an iron-on fusible. 

This saves time and is so much more accurate than trying to pin all those small pieces in place.

Imagine how long it takes to cut all those little shaped pieces!  Students were lucky to have a faster process, a wonderful tool called the AccuQuilt® Go! fabric cutter.  If you have a quilter in the family, this is probably at the top of their Christmas wish-list! 

If you would like to make the Feather Fancy wall hanging, the kit is available at Mary Jo’s and includes a full size layout diagram, illustrated instructions, and sewing tips.

Bring a friend and join us for a class this December!  You can learn how to make Christmas projects, gifts and so much more.  

Be sure to check the Mary Jo’s class schedule online or call 704-861-9100 to sign-up today.