Lakes Makerie is always stuffed with fabric bolts, threads, and notions perfect for your next project.
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As the sewing scene grows, local shops are ready to meet demand.
MSPMAG: During the pandemic’s early days, many looked inside their own closets and tucked-away boxes to find new pastimes or reignite passions that had hit the back burner during busier years. One of those at-home hobbies? Sewing. Local fabric shops report seeing a larger, and often younger, group of shoppers over the past few years.
“It’s really encouraging to see so many new sewists,” says Michele Hoaglund, owner of Grand Avenue’s Treadle Yard Goods, which has held its corner of St. Paul since the 1970s.
Sarah Vernon, owner of Lakes Makerie, in south Minneapolis, agrees. “We had a robust website with e-commerce in place before the lockdown, and suddenly we were busy,” she says. “We were shipping all over the country and had a lot of people doing local pickup. I think people just needed to do something productive—you could only watch so much Netflix.”
Photo by Harold Lawton
SR Harris Fabric
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As for what people are sewing, it varies per shop—Lakes Makerie and Selby Avenue’s Sewing Lounge are more garment-fabric-focused, Treadle sells a mix of quilting and clothing supplies, and local giants like Brooklyn Park treasure trove SR Harris Fabric offer a bit (or a lot) of everything. But many shop owners say they’ve seen more people inspired to sew their own clothing—especially millennials and Gen Zers.
“A lot of people are coming back to sewing because they’re tired of the quality of clothing that they can buy, like the fast fashion that isn’t well made,” says Vernon, a former cardiologist who opened her shop six years ago. “They’re starting to focus on making things that are uniquely theirs.”
And now that in-person sewing classes and socials are back at local shops, the numbers only continue to grow. “Our kids’ classes are always full,” Hoaglund says. Treadle Yard Goods offers more than 20 types of classes, clinics, project workshops, and more—including specific classes for children and teens. Sewing Lounge offers classes as well, from complete-beginner programs to drop-in sessions for those stuck on a project or pattern directions. And Lakes Makerie’s project-specific classes, dyeing workshops, and mending lessons are always a hit, Vernon says. The shop even recently expanded into the storefront next door to create a larger classroom space.
While the sewing community has certainly changed and grown in recent years, Scott Harris, CEO of Twin Cities gem SR Harris Fabric, says it’s important to remember Minnesota has long been a crafty place—even if more people are discovering the store all the time. His father, Sid Harris, started the family biz in 1966 and, over the years, grew it into the enormous warehouse of cut-it-yourself fabric, notions, and patterns people know today.
“We’ve always had younger people, older, men, women, different groups coming in,” he says. “It’s a big mix.”
To shop owners, the diversity in sewists—including the pandemic class of newbies—and the number of local shops are exclusively positive. Since everyone sells something a little different, the scene is rooted in collaboration, not competition. “Every shop has its own flavor,” Hoaglund says. “At the end of the day, we’re a community”—one sewn together stronger than ever, with veterans willing to give a helping hand to those just joining the ranks.
Two local treasures have teamed up to co-create a capsule collection.
MSPMAG: Beloved boot maker Red Wing Shoes has teamed up with North Minneapolis non-profit youth organization Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) to create a limited-edition capsule collection.
The small-batch product drop includes a black screen-printed hoodie and a unique version of the heritage brand’s cult favorite boot: The Classic Moc.
For Red Wing Shoe’s head of brand and creative Aaron Seymour-Anderson, the collaboration brings his career full circle. “I credit my passion for exploring commercial arts largely in part of what I learned working as a JXTA apprentice when I was 16 years old,” he says.
After returning to Minnesota from Portland (where he worked as creative director for a number of Nike business units), Seymour-Anderson connected with JXTA chief cultural producer Roger Cummings, who co-founded the organization in 1995 with his wife, DeAnna, to plot and dream up ways their respective organizations could co-create and invest in the next generation of young creatives and change-makers.
“On one hand the organizations feel distant,” says Seymour-Anderson. “But on another, when you put them together, you find shared values and what we believe is some nice alchemy and magic.”
During the ideation process, it was important for Red Wing’s team to find true purpose in the collaboration. “We didn’t want just an expected partnership,” says Seymour-Anderson. “But rather one that speaks to our interest in community and appreciating and celebrating creators and craftspeople in those communities.”
The collection gave JXTA apprentices a real-world, hands-on opportunity to take a legendary silhouette and make it their own. The result? A boot that feels fresh and unlike what we’re used to seeing from the brand. Design details and colorful accents—silver speed hooks, eyelets, lace tips, keepers, a red mid sole, and black and red laces—give off a contemporary edge, while also nodding to both brands’ signature design languages.
But in addition to product design, the collaboration was also intended to help teach marketing implementation and campaign creation. As part of the marketing strategy, the teams decided to enlist seven JXTA apprentices and alumni to create original works inspired by the partnership for billboards around Minneapolis. “We took an art, not ads approach,” says JXTA’s Roger Cummings.
Shop both the boot ($350) and hoodie ($100) on the Juxtaposition Arts website starting January 18 (with 100 percent of proceeds and profit going back to the organization’s educational programming), and keep your eyes peeled for a tour guide of billboard locations, available on Red Wing Shoe’s website. juxtapositionarts.org, redwingshoes.com
Aid2Art’s online gallery gives financial support to Ukrainian artists and designers whose incomes have been disrupted by the war.
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After almost 10 months of war, Ukrainian life and cities have been left ravaged and forever changed. The Minneapolis-based global humanitarian nonprofit Alight has been supporting Ukrainians in a number of ways, from guiding families to safety to partnering with Airbnb for short-term housing.
“When we started responding to the war in late February, early March, what we were hearing from our team was that one of the greatest needs was continued access to employment and income so that people could continue to support themselves and their families,” Jessica Phinney, experience lead at Alight, says.
Alight’s data told them that right after housing, the top need for Ukrainians is financial support. “We took these things and said, What can we create to bridge that gap and uplift these creatives, connect them to work, and provide some additional beauty and joy during such a difficult time?” she says.
From that need, Aid2Art was born, Alight’s creative fund to support Ukrainian artists, designers, photographers and illustrators. The response first went out in the form of creative emergency funds, $1,000 unconditional cash transfers for individuals to use for whatever they needed most, giving them the chance to provide for their families and to be able to express themselves through their art. To date, Alight has sent out over 200 creative emergency funds, and out of those artists who were funded, over 60 submitted a piece of art for the online gallery show called Iconic Ukraine, that has become an ode to the strength and beauty of the country and its citizens. “What we wanted to try to encourage people to create work around is the heart and soul of Ukraine and what that meant to each of the artists,” Phinney said.
The broader mission of Alight, Phinney says, is about serving displaced populations no matter where they are in their journey, which includes providing them with basic necessities. But to go even further, “we know that to be a whole person you need that and to experience beauty and joy and to see a future for your family and your children and to have opportunities yourself, so this is helping that in some small way.”
The gallery is available to shop online, with 50 percent of the proceeds going back to the artists and 50 percent donated to Alight’s Ukrainian response. You can also find Aid2Art pieces in person at Olio Vintage (21 NE 5th St., Mpls) in Northeast.
Plan to travel around these dates to see fall foliage at its most vibrant and colorful.
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If you’ve never been, the wonders of the tippy-top of Minnesota (practically Canada) are not to be missed. Zippel Bay State Park skims the shorelines of Lake of the Woods, giving visitors sandy beaches, whimsical forests, and picturesque views. Right next door, Beltrami Island State Forest is bursting with unique biomes and oodles of foliage. Pine Island State Forest is not to be missed as you meander south. With several peatlands and bogs in the area, you’ll also be able to see tamarack trees as they turn a vivid burnt gold. If you’d prefer to drive around and view the colors, Rapid River Forest Road is a nice stretch recommended by Lake of the Woods Tourism. Stay at one of the many campgrounds or resorts in the area, and you’ll be able to make the long drive worth it. Remember to stop by Baudette, the walleye capital of the world and home of Willie the Walleye, a very large fish sculpture.
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North Shore
Peaks mid September to early October
Head east towards Lake Superior and stop and stay at Grand Marais, Two Harbors, and, of course, Duluth. Enjoy the view from the luxury of your car on the North Shore Scenic Byway on Highway 61, an all-American road that will take you from Duluth to Grand Portage. Alternatively, follow the coastline on the Superior Hiking Trail by foot or bicycle. If you make it all the way up to Grand Portage, explore Grand Portage State Park to see Minnesota’s highest waterfall, and if you’re feeling ambitious, climb Mount Josephine for spectacular foliage-filled views. While passing through Two Harbors, stop for arguably the best pie of the Midwest at Betty’s Pies. Then hike off your pie at the nearby Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse and take in the autumnal beauty before hitting the road again. Tettegouche State Park and Temperance River State Park are iconic North Shore stops in Silver Bay that become all the more treasured in the fall. Duluth makes for a wonderful addition to any trip, especially when the foliage reaches its peak. Enjoy the city and brightly toned trees from the Lakewalk, Bayfront Festival Park, and Jay Cooke State Park. For a bit of a break from all of your journeying, stop by one of the many Duluth breweries like Bent Paddle, Fitger’s, and Hoops for a nice cold beer.
Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
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Bemidji
Peaks mid September to early October
The birthplace of Paul Bunyan and Babe suggests multiple different methods of enjoying the brilliance of fall. Pick from five different self-guided auto tours, or bike one of many trails in the area such as the Paul Bunyan State Trail, Mississippi River Trail, and paths in Lake Bemidji State Park. Alternatively take in the abundance of lakes and the reflection of colors by canoe, kayak, or motorboat. If you feel like you’d enjoy a more historical experience, enjoy the foliage from a horse-drawn covered wagon. Relax at the Cabin Coffeehouse and Cafe or Bemidji Brewing after your autumn adventures. Nearby, Itasca State Park and Mississippi Headwaters State Forest offer a variety of understory colors, vibrant shrubbery, and treetop bursts of color. Remember to say ‘hi’ to Paul and Babe before heading home.
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Mille Lacs and Gull Lake
Peaks late September to early October
Drive around the entirety of Mille Lacs Lake on the Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway to take in 68 miles worth of shoreline. Father Hennepin State Park’s sandy shores and Mille Lacs Kathio State Park’s 100-foot observation tower provide stunning views of fall foliage you won’t want to miss. Head west from Garrison on Highway 18 to relish in the trees of the Brainerd lakes area. Travel along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway to see the luscious colors surrounding the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, and zoom around on your bike on one of the many local biking trails and hear the satisfying crunch of leaves under your wheels. Stay at one of the many local resorts to make a mini-vacation out of the trip.
Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
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Stearns County
Peaks late September to early October
Bike for 65 miles on the mostly flat Lake Wobegon Regional Trail, as you traverse through the small towns and local countryside. If you’re going for the long haul, there are plenty of places to stop for a rest, grab a snack, and hydrate before cycling onwards. For a pleasant pick-me-up, you’ll find delectable coffee and pastries at Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop in Avon and the Local Blend in St. Joseph. Wedged between those towns, St. John’s Abbey Arboretum has over 2,500 acres of prairie, lake, and forest with a plethora of trails for you to enjoy a peaceful walk and autumnal beauty. For more outdoor exploration, visit the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve boasting idyllic fall foliage, scenic overlooks, and numerous biking and hiking trails. Visit downtown St. Cloud’s West St. Germain Street, and peruse Books Revisited, antique shops, and the Spice of Life Tea Shop. To enjoy the reflection of the autumn colors off of the Mississippi River, take your lunch and a book to Munsinger and Clemens Gardens for a relaxing picnic.
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Taylors Falls
Peaks late September to mid October
Interstate Park, which has a foot in Minnesota and Wisconsin, is a leafy wonderland of hiking trails and some of the largest explored glacial potholes along the trails on the river bluffs. Float through fall colors with a Scenic Boat Tour on the St. Croix River. Or enjoy colorful River Valley views from your seat on the Fall Color Express with Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway. The scenic railway also has brunch, dinner, and pizza train ride options.
If the leaves are red, your wine should be too–but let’s be honest, wine goes with every season. Imbibe in a wine tasting and stroll through the vineyard at Wild Mountain Winery, nestled in the colorful trees of the Wild Mountain ski area near Taylors Falls. The 1,700-foot alpine slides at Wild Mountain (not the winery) are a must for any Taylors Falls trip. You know your inner child is begging you to! Then, grab your poodle skirt or high-water pants and head to The Drive In Restaurant for milk shakes and hand-packed burgers straight out of Grease, and a round of mini golf behind the restaurant.
Don’t forget to stop at the Franconia Sculpture Park on your drive to or from Taylors Falls for some creative art installations in a field. You’ll know it when you see it.
Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
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Stillwater
Peaks late September to mid October
The original home of the mammoth scoops at Nelson’s Ice Cream (now also on Snelling Avenue in St. Paul), Stillwater has ample fall color views in a Hallmark-like riverside setting.
The Brown’s Creek State Trail is 5.9 miles of fall color touring, starting in Stillwater and connecting to the Gateway State Trail in Grant. The Brown’s Creek route follows its namesake trout stream for two miles and following the St. Croix for a mile with fantastic National Scenic Riverway views. Join other autumnal enthusiasts for a fall colors walk on Brown’s Creek Trail on September 28, and get romantic with a candlelit walk on October 18.
If your sea legs are stronger than your hiking muscles, cruise the St. Croix with Stillwater River Boats. Bright fall colors meet vintage paddle boat vibes. Stroll down Main Street and stop in at vintage shops and local boutiques for unique finds, and don’t forget the always Insta-worthy Mara-Mi (stop at the in-store coffee shop for a PSL to go with the crisp air and changing leaves). Revival, MADE, and The Daily Grind are other caffeination options, and MN Nice Cream is serving up gold-dusted swirls of artful ice cream in Stillwater, too.
Riverfront dining abounds, with great views from Freight House, which claims the largest patio in the area, and Dock Cafe, closest to the water. Maple Island Brewing has park and river views, flights, and free popcorn, so drop your non-outdoorsy friends here and meet them after your hike. The Velveteen has an edgy, First-Ave feel in an underground speakeasy (to escape the foliage), and The Tilted Tiki is a slice of Hawaii on Main Street. LoLo American Kitchen also has a hub in Stillwater, for a modern mishmash of American cuisine. Enjoy the brief moment known as Minnesota fall with a stroll through the riverfront park. The historic Lift Bridge is set to reopen for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in late 2019. Finish off your Stillwater adventure with drinks at a local brewery. Lift Bridge Brewery seems fitting, and their seasonal beers include Fireside Flannel, how cozy!
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Red Wing
Peaks late September to mid October
Put those Minnesota-made hiking boots to work among the scarlet trees of this river bluff town. Memorial Park has excellent views of the city and surrounding landscape from the top of Sorin’s Bluff. Bonus: a 9-hole frolf course adds extra fun to this top of the world party. Hike, bike, or rollerblade for almost 20 miles on the scenic Cannon Valley Trail between Red Wing and Cannon Falls. About five miles of the trail will be closed starting October 1 until Spring 2020. But, the trail from Welch to Red Wing will remain open. Campsites, hiking trails, and equestrian paths wind through prairie grasses, forests, and along Lake Pepin’s shores in Frontenac State Park’s 2,300 acres. Birders can watch for Red Wing’s signature eagles in the parks or from the water on a Bald Eagle Tour with Brian Klawitter.
Enjoy a brew at Red Wing Brewery or treat your inner sommelier at Falconer Vineyards. Stay for great sunset views from the deck and wood-fired pizza (like their signature Grapes of Wrath). Stroll downtown streets for dinner options, like the riverside panorama of The Veranda inside the St. James Hotel, or Bev’s Cafe, the oldest restaurant in Red Wing. It’s a classic diner-type joint, opening at 5 a.m., but serving breakfast all day. An all-day coffee supply costs “Eleventy Billion Dollars.” We love these people already.
Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
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St. Peter and Mankato
Peaks late September to mid October
Between St. Peter and North Mankato off Highway 169, 7 Mile Park is over 600 acres of forest hugging 7 Mile Creek, with eight miles of trails, great for hiking, biking, blading, and getting lost in nature… or really just getting lost. Just outside Mankato, Minnemishinona Falls is a scenic overlook with a wide falls area. The Minnesota River Trail goes from Riverfront Park through Mankato’s City Center to Sibley Park, with views of the vibrant fall hues along the Minnesota River. This trail is less mud-caked backwoods and more city stroll. The Red Jacket Trail is a 6.3-mile trail that winds through rolling hills and bluffs, stretching from Mankato to the Rapidan Dam. Elevate your heart rate and your ride as the trail crosses the LeSueur River on railroad tresses more than 80 feet in the air. Finish with pie at the Rapidan Dam Store.
Minneopa State Park is near the Red Jacket Trail and just a jaunt from Mankato. The bison, introduced to the park in 2015, give a glimpse of the South Dakota landscape in southern Minnesota. The quickest–and least terrifying–way to see the Minneopa bison is through the windows of your vehicle on Bison Drive Road. Also, make time to ride the zipline and take a Kerfoot Canopy Tour.
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Lanesboro
Peaks early to mid October
This town of about 750 people is known throughout the Minnesota biking community for its pedal-friendly trails and town. (They don’t discriminate, rollerbladers are also welcome.) Take the 42-mile Root River State Trail that runs through the town, and connect with the Harmony Preston Valley State Trail for another 18 miles of cruising. Fall colors paint the view from 300-foot limestone bluffs. Lanesboro is also the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota, go figure. If you’re looking for a bed after all that biking, walking, and blading, choose from many Victorian-era B&Bs in the town, or stay in a historic inn like Stone Mill Hotel & Suites or, if your name is Anne, try Green Gables Inn downtown.
Fall Color Report on the North Shore and Gunflint Trail
Fall is one of the most captivating seasons on the North Shore and Gunflint Trail. Our deep green forests transform into brilliant fields of red, orange and yellow over the course of a few short weeks. Whether your fall color viewing plan is to go for a hike, bike or a scenic fall color drive – we’re here to help guide you toward the best activities.
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The MN DNR does a great job of updating their Minnesota Fall Color Map on a regular basis to make planning peak viewing a little easier. Of course, nature does have a mind of her own and can change at any time. Our recommendation is to make a plan but be prepared for things to change.
Generally speaking, “Peak Fall Color” is when both the treetop canopy and the ground below are at their brightest. That typically occurs the last two weekends in September thru the first weekend in October. However, fall color continues to be stunning in different types of forests at different times. The Gunflint Trail‘s peak fall color sometimes doesn’t occur until October and there are pockets of tamaracks on the back roads that do not peak until late October.
Many think of the north shore communities as being the top spots for viewing the fall colors. However, it would be a shame to overlook the Gunflint Trail. For over a decade, the fall colors on the Gunflint were minimal due to the Ham Lake fire. The forest was mainly spruce and pine trees with few deciduous trees like maples, birch and aspen. Now, after years of regrowth and forest evolution, variety has regrown and sprung up all around the Gunflint Trail. Treat yourself to a drive on the 57-mile Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway – who knows, maybe you’ll even spot a Moose too!
Meet the baker who has accumulated thousands of ribbons. She is a staple at the Minnesota State Fair’s baking contests, where she has competed for decades.
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“You never know if you win any ribbons until you come to the fair and look,” the now four-foot six-inch tall baker says, adding that she’s always waiting for the gates to open so she can go and see if she won. “It’s so exciting to see a ribbon on anything you brought in–gosh it is.”
Even after winning thousands of ribbons over the years, Johnson is still thrilled each time she wins another.
“I get excited as though it were my first ribbon, because Minnesota has so many, many wonderful bakers. So, the competition is just fierce, because, oh gosh, you’re competing against people who are wonderful bakers,” she says. “I’m always grateful when I see a ribbon on anything I bake.”
After seeing some of the same people year after year, Johnson knows many of her fellow baking competitors, which keeps the competition nice and friendly. And of course, it’s enjoyable to see old friends, she says.
She first got into entering the competitions in 1974, but her interest was piqued in the 1960s when she and her husband moved back to Minnesota and they took their children to the State Fair.
Her kids were the ones to encourage her to start entering competitions, but ironically, it wasn’t for baking.
“They said, ‘Oh mother, you should enter your doll clothes. Yours are so much cuter than the ones that are there,’” Johnson says, reminiscing. “So, I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll have to do that sometime.’ And I still haven’t gotten around to doing that. But what I saw was the baking entries.”
Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was 1974. That’s when she decided it was about time to start competing. So, she called up and registered (now it’s all online).
“The first time I entered, I only entered four things, and I found out that I had three ribbons on my things. And so, oh boy, I was really hooked,” Johnson says. “I thought, ‘I’m going to try this again.’”
And in only her second year of entering, she won a sweepstake.
“I just wanted to see if I could be as good as the other bakers in Minnesota. So, I kept entering, and then I kept getting more and more ribbons,” Johnson says.
What started as four entries, kept growing to about 50 entries – until the rules changed and people could only enter half that much. Lee Johnson, her late beloved husband, thought she was working too hard, and was a bit relieved with the new rules.
“I did work too hard. I realize that. Like one time, I worked in the evening and didn’t look at the clock – I just kept working,” Johnson said. When she finally finished, it was 5 o’clock in the morning. “So, I’m going upstairs, and Lee’s coming down, and I’m saying, ‘goodnight,’ and he’s saying, ‘good morning.’”
Photo: Marleen Stromme
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The rest, as they say, is history. Since she started competing nearly five decades ago, Johnson has become one of the most adored, famous, and nationally recognized bakers from Minnesota. Yet she remains as humble and as sweet as can be, just like her banana coconut cream pie – one of her family’s favorites.
While she’s talented at baking of all kinds, her favorites are yeast breads, pies (principally for entertaining), and most especially caramel rolls (aka, sticky buns). When Johnson was little, her mother would bake caramel rolls on Saturdays.
“So, Sunday morning, when I got up, I would go out and get the paper to read the funnies, and I would have some of those caramel rolls,” Johnson says. “And those really are my favorite. So, I always try to have some caramel rolls in the freezer.”
At the fair, some of Johnson’s favorite things include seeing the exhibits and demonstrations. The only part of the fair she does not like to go to is the Adventure Park, with the amusement rides.
“As a child, that’s what I thought was the most fun,” Johnson reflects.
Now, she collects more recipes instead of going on the dizzying rides.
“I pick up recipes every time, not that I need more, but I love recipes,” she says.
This year at the Anoka Fair, Johnson left with 50 ribbons, including four sweepstakes. At the Minnesota State Fair, she entered 20 items in the Bee & Honey Competitions, and per the results announced Thursday, she won 6 more ribbons to add to her collection. But Johnson will still be busy as ever.
“I have a paper on the refrigerator, and it says things to do after the fair. And so, I let everything go, and boy, that list keeps getting bigger and bigger,” she says.
And accomplished baker or not, that’s something we can all empathize with. After 45 busy summers of baking, flying all over the country, and living a very full century, one of her biggest pieces of advice for staying happy and heathy is to think positively.
“I’m a cockeyed optimist,” Johnson says. “I always think only wonderful things are going to happen. And you know, they do. I don’t know how it works out that way, but it’s wonderful.”
Gunflint Trail Professionally Framed Giclee Archival Canvas Wall Art for Home & Office from Travel 
