Twig + Tale - Driftwood

I was fortunate to be a pattern tester for Twig + Tale recently, testing this versatile pattern - Driftwood Blouse and Dress.  

I made a dress version, with long gathered sleeves. I forgot to add a little more length when I cut it out, the perfect excuse to use some cotton lace that I have saved for such a long time. The pattern calls for elastic through the waist, but I chose to leave it out. It makes for a nice loose, relaxed fit. 

There are so many options on this pattern, short and long sleeves,ruffle neckline, dress and blouse! It was amazing to see all the tester pictures coming through, each with such a different look. 

The pattern is currently on a launch special, check out this bundle it's the best way to buy it!

Twig + Tale - A blog tour

Now you might not of heard of Twig + Tale but if you've been reading my blog for any length of time you will know of "Big Little". Big Little has gone through a little transformation and is relaunching as Twig + Tale, same great patterns just a new name and a new place to get inspiration! 

I love these patterns so much, in fact I could bore you with how much I love their patterns, but I think Twig + Tale sum it up perfectly. 

"Twig +Tale is a place where imagination runs wild and is for everyone who shares a love of creativity and an adventurous spirit—beginner sewers especially! It's a celebration of the innocence of childhood and the wonder of nature. It's about comfy clothes and warm things like hugs and capes and coats. It's about handmade, love, and imaginary play—featuring classic, simple patterns that inspire us all to tell a story".

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I've long admired the Wild things coat, but the climate here means the number of days a full Winter coat are needed are few and far between. So combining the Wild Things features with the Pathfinder vest is the perfect combo, I'm not alone in thinking it is a great combo, you can actually buy that pattern combo !

My daughter decided that a fox was the "wild thing" she wanted for a vest. The very next day I spied a large woollen lightweight wool shirt at my local thrift store. It seemed perfect, I just hoped that it was going to yield enough fabric! 

Spot the tail! 

Fortunately there was just enough. I carefully cut around the pockets and reattached them in a new position. The only compromise was a join in the front of the band of the hood. 

Twig + Tale have also released a free Dragon add on for the Wild Things patterns, cool wings, tail and horns. Click here to download Free Wild Things Dragon add-on . It's super cute and might just be the next version I try perfect for a Pete's Dragon fan! 

You might have noticed the beautiful lining fabric, Art Gallery Fabrics has generously sponsored the Twig + Tale blog tour. I had such a hard time choosing something from the Art Gallery Fabrics collection, so many beautiful fabrics! In the end I went with this beautiful print from the Forest Floor collection, Nature Study Ridge. I don't often work with new fabrics so it was a real treat, thank you Art Gallery Fabrics! 

What would a Blog Tour be without a giveaway!

Art Gallery Fabrics is kindly sponsoring 2 yards of Art Gallery fabric of your choice. To make the prize extra sweet, we are also adding a collection of 5 Twig + Tale patterns of your choice.
International entries are very welcome. Our bloggers come from every corner of the world to celebrate the global nature of Twig +Tale too.
Enter using the rafflecopter below.
(The winning entry will be checked to ensure all criteria are met).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do check out the other Bloggers taking part in the tour, I've seen their finished projects. So many stunning versions of Twig + Tale patterns and it really shows that the patterns are just the beginning - let your imagination run wild! 

 Blog tour overview page
Monday: Falafel and the Bee - Handmade Boy - Sew A Little Seam - Sew Shelly Sew

Tuesday: Näh-connection - Khadetjes - Paisley Roots - Vera Luna - Inspinration

Wednesday: Skirt Fixation - Mend and Make New - Idle Sunshine - NZ Green buttons - Candice Ayala

Thursday: Vaahtokarkkimonsteri - Lulu & Celeste - Sprouting Jube Jube

- Life in our busy household - Elephant Dimples

Friday: Pattern Revolution - Milk Monster Momma - Small Steps Big Noises - Fliegfederfrei

Saturday: - Made by Sara - So Popo Sew - Big Little Tales - Needle and Ted

Crossroads

So yesterday I shared the Pathfinder vest I made for my son, today I'm sharing the one I made for my daughter. I find my children don't like to be too hot and the climate here means that big bulky jackets have very limited wear (if at all!). These vests seem to be the perfect compromise. I chose the longer length for both of them, keeping their lower backs warm as the climb tress and run about. 

I was part of the pattern testing group, and for this vest I chose the "Crossroads"front option. It's not actually part of the Pathfinder Vest pattern, but a free add on for Big Little Newsletter subscribers. You can sign up here. 

I've had this woollen blanket for a number of years, quite thin and a bit stained on one side, perfect to transform into a cozy vest. I chose the pleated back and I'm kicking myself that I didn't line up the darker stripe with the middle - but you probably didn't notice till I pointed it out!

My daughter has had her eyes on these buttons for ages in my stash (yes I seem to be a crafting hoarder) and they matched the colours in the vest perfectly. She arranged them artfully and I stitched them down. I love the "crossroads"front as it gives a extra layer of warmth across the chest, perfect for the windy weather. I'd quite like one in my size!

Want to make your own Pathfinder Vest? You can find the pattern here, Make sure you sign up to the newsletter to get the Crossroads front option! I can see many more in my sewing future!

Pathfinder Vest - Pattern release

I love sewing for children, not just my own, but making small clothes is so satisfying don't you think? They take very little fabric, often fast to sew and they seem to fit so much better than trying to sew for an adult body!

I recently was a pattern tester for Big Little, testing this fabulous and versatile pattern. Let me introduce you to -

The Pathfinder Vest from Big Little! 

Mix and match styles to achieve over 70 stunning combinations, for both girls and boys.

Curved Dropped back option - keep those kidneys warm

Yoked Pleated Back optionTwo lengths - Classic & Extended for extra warmthFlutter sleevePixie hood & Classic Round hoodCollarV-neck & Round neck2 Pocket stylesOptional overlapping button standNumerous options for closures!

I'm known for my love of upcycling and try not to buy too much new fabric so it will be no surprise that I made this Pathfinder vest for my son using a wool suit jacket that I thrifted for just $3.It was lovely and light weight wool, more suited to our mild climate than a thicker wool. Keeping to the thrifted theme, I used a men's shirt for the lining. I kept the original pockets from the jacket, cutting the pattern pieces out carefully. The pockets were so skillfully sewed that it seemed a waste not to use them!

In my haste of cutting out I didn't quite line the pockets up on either side, so I added some applique to hide that a little and distract the eye from my glaring mistake! The applique has actually turned out to be my favourite part! 

It was hard to choose a pattern combo from all the different options, but for this one I chose a Pixie Hood, a curved drop back for added warmth and a pleated back so it wasn't too tight and straight.

The verdict is that it's an instant favourite! We were away for the weekend and it was hardly taken off. Perfect for exploring the Red Wood forest.  He seemed quite at home like a woodland pixie.

For a limited time the pattern is on sale, you can find the pattern here at Big Little

I also made a vest for my daughter and I'll share that one tomorrow! Once I can workout how to get the photos onto my new computer. 

Blooming! Things I've made (7/52)

I'm sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again. My favourite thing in the world to sew is recycled and felted sweaters! It seems almost magical to take these poor wee sweaters that someone accidentally shrunk down several sizes, making them only fit for small people to wear, and turning them into something that is useful again. It's so satisfying!

I made these Winter flower boots for my girl, the Summer days are cooling and the evenings aren't quite as balmy as a few weeks ago. So it's fitting that I make a start on some Winter projects, before they are actually needed!

The pattern is Childrens' flower boots by Lisa of Big Little, it's so nice to have a pattern that isn't just for baby sized feet! But she has also designed the Flower Boots in Baby sizes too! So little feet from baby to youth size 4 are covered. I can see how people would want to make these year after year for their little ones. Simple and snugly.

They have leather soles which hopefully will make them more long wearing than the crocheted ones I've made in the past and not slippery on our lino floors too. A long black leather skirt that I picked up for a song was carefully unpicked and used for the soles. It was a large skirt so there will be many more Flower boots in my future! Luckily as my son also wants a pair. Just perhaps without the flowers, although I don't think he'd mind a bit. Red is his favourite colour after all.

The pattern itself is an easy and quick sew, elastic sewn into the lining means they will stay on little feet too. Great for the baby sizes I'm sure, those little baby feet do like to kick don't they?

For a limited time the pattern price is just $5! Bargain right?

Baby Flower Boots
Children's Flower Boots

Now to convince Lisa she needs to make them in adult sizes too! I'd quite like a pair for myself.

A Village of Toadstools - Pattern release!

A Village of Toadstools is the latest pattern release from the talented Lisa of Big Little. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the pattern early as one of the pattern testers. Isn't this toadstool so cute? The pattern comes in three sizes and  I tested the large, I think if you made it weighted in the middle it would make a great door stop or book end. 

I just used fabrics and notions I had at hand, a portion of a woollen blanket, some green hand spun/dyed wool for embroidery, even fabric scraps to stuff it with!

There is even  a wee clothes line on the back complete with pegs and removable mini clothes! The pattern has lots of other details that you can add, like a bicycle. But really you are just limited by your own imagination, window planter boxes, mailboxes, tyre swing all would be a sweet addition to a wee toadstool house.

If you would like to make your own Village of Toadstools (or just the one?) now is your chance to buy the pattern for a whopping 50% off the normal price. As a super special launch special you can buy the pattern for just $3.75 USD  using the discount code TOADSTOOL50

But hurry as the discount code expires at Midnight Sunday 8th February!

Things I made (4/52)

Argh!

Late last year the super talented Lisa from Big Little asked me if I would be interested in being a pattern tester for her girls pirate jacket. I had already been  lucky enough to test way back here for her Pirate Jacket pattern, so I wasn't about to say no! Miss E was desperately jealous without a pirate jacket of her own so I was pleased to see that the new pattern went up to larger sizes (up to size 6). I love all the little details Lisa puts in her patterns, the treasure maps are such a inventive idea and I often spy the kids out in the garden looking for treasure with their maps. The patterns are so easy to follow which makes them suitable for sewers of all abilities. The kids wear their jackets out all the time, getting lots of comments, especially when they are out together.

If you would like to make your own pirate jacket you can buy the amazing pattern from the Big Little Etsy Shop, or if sewing isn't for you, Lisa can custom make one for you! Check out the other great things Lisa has in her shop, I have my eye on a hot water bottle cover!

hooked

Quite a few things seem to be flying off my crochet hooks at the moment. One is this  demi cape that I was pattern testing for a very talented local designer. It hasn't been released yet, but when it is I'll post the link. It was quickly worked up and miss E was happy to pose in the crunchy leaves. Dancing about in a skirt that I got from a local thrift store a while back, it's the "thing" to be wearing at the moment, as she's hardly worn anything else all holidays! She's quite keen to change quickly once I mention that a trip to the local skate park is on offer though! Then it's back to shorts.

pattern postie

If you have ever spent ages pouring over a pattern book at your local fabric store with a toddler and maybe a baby also in tow, only to get to the counter and find they don't have the pattern you are after! You will be able to understand why Bronwyn started her site - Pattern Postie. You can browse patterns (all the latest ones!) in the privacy of your own home! How amazing is that? The postage rate is really reasonable too, meaning that there is really NO reason not to buy them online. The Pattern Postie also stocks all those great sewing magazines too, Burda style and Ottobre too (she can also get the back issues for you too!). Now you maybe wondering how I know all of this? Well I was so lucky to have a stall right next to Bronwyn at Fabric-a-brac over the weekend. We chatted lots about her business and our crafting hoarding collecting!

The best part of me bringing this wonderful site to your attention is that Pattern Postie is currently having a HALF PRICE sale!!!! (the sale ends this Sunday)