tutorials

{tutorial} Cashmere Wrist Warmers

by Patty | December 8, 2016 | finished objects, how-to, inspiration, tutorials | 0 Comments

Hey Snugbugs! I’m coming at you with another fun new project! Unlike the last few finished projects, like the Jane Tunic and the Cozy Wool Socks, these cashmere wrist warmers weren’t made just for my pleasure, I made them for our shop. Although, to be completely...

{trash to treasure} Shabby Chic Lamp + Vintage Trimmed Shade

by Patty | April 3, 2015 | finished objects, sewing for home, the vintage home, tutorials | 2 Comments

Hello lovlies! This week's project is not only fun & lovely, it's a joint venture between my mother and me! We took a fairly boring, run of the mill thrift shop lamp and fixed it (and it's sad, sad, shade) up into something lovely! Here's where we started: And...

{how-to} Signmaking… from laptop to stencil to paintbrush.

by Patty | March 27, 2015 | the snugbug mercantile, tutorials | 1 Comment

We recently came across a haul of old door panels - absolutely perfect for making signs. We've got most of them sitting on our porch at home, waiting to get cleaned up a bit (so watch for them in the shop!) In the meantime, we needed a sign for our new space at...

Patty Brower

Owner

Hi there! I'm Patty. I'm a writer, innkeeper and maker. Read the blog for tutorials, tricks and inspiration. Visit the online shop and check out our handcrafted soaps, candles, cool finds and more. Or plan a visit to Northern Comfort, the bed and breakfast and antique shop in northern Minnesota that I run with my husband, Jeff, and our basset hound, Peppermint. Are you a business owner? I also work with indie retail and creative business owners to build beautiful social media platforms, websites and email marketing programs.

{current sewing projects}

See what I'm up to this May -- just click to see Me Made May or Curvy Sewing Collective Capsule posts!

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Three tips for sewing burlap drapes (plus a step-by-step!)

Oct 16, 2014 | the snugbug mercantile, the vintage home, tutorials

Here's what surprised me most after we opened up our doors last week: How much everyone liked our curtains. If you haven't been by the shop, our curtains are burlap panels and were super easy to make. Burlap is not only an awesome, natural fabric......

How to get one more year out of sad, sad Uggs

Dec 8, 2011 | tutorials

Morning you long-haired, wooly freak creatures. Sheep. What manner of strange beasts are you? Speaking of sheep, I came across an AWESOME idea for refreshing an old, worn pair of Uggs. Stuff 'em with wool! Here's my sad, sad pair... They look like they are in slightly...

Flop Week wrap up… tips’n’tricks.

Nov 13, 2011 | tutorials

Greetings, weekend parrots! I missed the blog boat yesterday, as I had a sick basset on my hands (she's fine, but now hates me for ramming antibiotics down her throat.) I still think we need to wrap up Flop Fixin' week with a good, old fashioned tips post, though -...

Flop #4: Sleeves for my Legs!

Nov 10, 2011 | finished objects, tutorials, what i wore

Morning wombats! Here we are on Day #4 of Flop Fixin' week! Today's flop, like yesterday's, isn't technically a flop, it's more of a creative restyle using the scraps from yesterday's sweater project. Boot cuffs! I'm guessing that this might be of PARTICULAR interest...

Flop Fix #3: Fine-tuned Thrift Find

Nov 9, 2011 | finished objects, tutorials, what i wore

Morning basset hound child stars! Today's project isn't TECHNICALLY a flop, as I was not involved in the construction of the offending garment. I DO have to confess, though, to a stint of compulsive thrifting that led to the acquisition of a giant, bright orange,...

How I did it: Crepe ‘skirt’ and the portrait collar sweater

Sep 7, 2011 | tutorials

Greetings you humpy bumpy camels and chimpanzees! Yesterday I showed off my new skirt and sweater and today I'm back with a few more details! First, the portrait collar sweater. This sweater was mostly view C from Butterick 4230 - unfortunately for all you camels,...

Circle skirt calculator – for the drafting of full, half and 3/4 skirts. With bonus grading worksheet!

Aug 14, 2011 | tutorials

Special Sunday greetings you naked molerats! Since you're so naked, I thought you might want to make yourselves some nice little circle skirts. And perhaps, like me, you find yourself with little mole rat patterns just a touch on the small side. But the grading of a...

Tutorial: How to make a simple zippered bag

Aug 12, 2011 | tutorials

Greetings squirrels! It's getting to that time of year where you rascally types begin excavating our mulch, hiding away your treasures to tide you over for the long, cold winter. This year, I thought I'd provide a quick tutorial to make a simple, zippered pouch -...

How-to: Pressing board edition

Aug 10, 2011 | the vintage home, tutorials

Morning you brightly colored koi! Your little cousins, the goldfish, were here yesterday. You guys sure are a lot more flashy! I think it's super cute that you come when called. Yesterday's project was my pressing board! I've hemmed and hawed a lot about this project...

A mixed Macaron. Fitting, part 1.

Jul 26, 2011 | techniques and tools, tutorials

Morning bunnies! My, you are a proliferate lot, aren't you. Could you please stop hopping around and driving my poor hound crazy? One day she actually will catch one of you and I think all involved will be traumatized. She's more of a lover than a fighter, but you...

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