Welcome to Twig + Tale - Where Imagination Runs Wild

You might have noticed I have been a little quiet here lately - mostly because I have been busy behind the scenes transforming Big Little into Twig + Tale. Yes, we have a new name!

No need to worry though - everything you know and love about Big Little - is at the very heart of Twig + Tale.

Twig & Tale 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. Our sewing patterns embrace simple, step-by-step construction and the timeless charm of natural materials. Often inspired by our little family adventures at the beach at the bottom of our garden.

Tree Climber pants and a Pathfinder Vest are pretty much the staple attire of our family adventures of late. Often our vests are made from recycled wool blankets for extra warmth in winter, but now that Spring has arrived it is time for a (little) change! Still the classic Tree Climber Pants and Pathfinder Vest - but this time in linen and cotton.

Our wee boy's vest is made in gorgeous Panda Patches from Art Gallery Fabrics who sponsored this Welcome to Twig + Tale Blog Tour. Art Gallery have such lovely quality fabrics, I highly recommended them. Most of you know, I love using recycled finds in my sewing, and when I do purchase fabric - I love to go for a quality fabric with a delightful and unique print and Art Gallery Fabrics doesn't disappoint.  There is some absolutely divine fabric from Art Gallery in my studio at the moment, ready to make something special for our little girl.  I'll be sure to share that creation with you soon!

This little vest is completely reversible with Panda Patches on one side with the reverse side in a very fine wool, from a old pair of suit trousers. Lightweight, with just enough warmth for Spring.

I just love this combo, rugged enough for a spot of beach combing yet fancy enough to wear to a cafe too. The traditional leather buttons are off an old coat I rescued some time ago.

The wee bonnet is a prototype about to go into testing - super cute for winter in warm cosy fabrics, or a breezy sun bonnet in cotton or linen for the warmer weather. Oh my, how I love this kid - just look at that happy little face :)

... and where would we be without the quick-sew Tree Climber pants in our life! These ones whipped up in about 15 minutes (after cutting out) and are made from beautifully soft drapey linen. I love how linen is supposed to look wrinkled. Wrinkled is so lovely in my book. Hehe, our little girl calls wrinkles "crankles" which is pretty cute :)Tree Climbers are my go-to adventuring pants for the children - with a variety of lengths, with or without elastic - they are so versatile. The Tree Climbers pattern is undergoing an update into the new Twig + Tale format and will be back in the shop very soon. 


At the end of a day's adventuring, there is no place quite like Daddy's arms.

Gosh, I adore making handmade clothes for my children.  I can't explain it, but it just makes my soul feel good knowing they have mama-love wrapped around them.

I'd love to introduce you to a bunch of lovely ladies who are sharing their love of Twig + Tale patterns in our Welcome to Twig + Tale Blog Tour.  I've so enjoyed seeing all the inspiring things they have been sewing up - and imagine you might too!

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 - Sprouting Jube Jube

- Life in our busy household - Elephant Dimples

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

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

 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.  

Enter using the rafflecopter below.
(The winning entry will be checked to ensure all criteria are met).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Wild Things Coat - A Rainbow Unicorn

Those of you who have been following Big Little for awhile, know that my little girl is rather fond of clothes with sparkles.  "Sparkly" dresses and skirts, or those with suitably long, flowing elegant drape to them which trail dramatically in her wake, or those involving tulle.

What she is not fond of is anything that covers over her sparkles!  Needless to say, this makes dressing for Kindy, particularly in winter, a real challenge.


So together we set to work designing a coat that she would actually WANT to wear.  One that was cute, but still functional and practical.  "I'd like a rainbow unicorn coat Mama!"  Typically, she chose one of the more challenging animals to design, however, we would give it a go...

Off to the studio to choose a blanket!  Unbelievably we found (and made a joint decision on) the perfect one -  rainbow colours, but in muted tones and kind of dark-ish overall so won't show the dirt.  Paired with a pretty, floral, vintage sheet with pansies on it, we had a winner!

Phew - now all I had to do was design it!  So long story short, her new unicorn "Kindy Coat" was born.  Of course we had to go galloping along the beach, because that is where unicorns roam don't you know?

Then of course her little friend needed an animal coat too, so we made him a  "Max" coat from Where the Wild Things Are.


Too cute and so much fun!

I hadn't actually even sewn the sleeves cuffs up when we took these pics, hence they are rolled rather generously, and there have been a few tweaks to the fit and construction since this original coat - however, the coat is designed to be a roomy fit, with roll back cuffs and a long-line style, which *hopefully* will give two years of wear as the sleeves can be rolled down and the coat worn at a regular hip length the following year.

The pattern for this unicorn coat has just be released in my shop along with another thirteen animals - yes, fourteen different animals all together in one pattern!  You could potentially make a different animal coat every year for 14 years as the sizes go from toddler to teen.

If you would like to make your little one a Wild Things Coat you will find the pattern here.   Or if you already have the Pixie or Pea coat, you can simply upgrade it here.

Lisa xx

Pps:  Gorgeous images by my friend Suzanne Holsted

Tuesday: Big Little Tales and Miss Castelinhos and So Popo sew

Wednesday: Sew a Little Seam and Life With a Milk Monster and Inspinration

Thursday: Max California and Small Steps Big Noises

Friday: Kate and Crew and Squishy Face Collection and Tea Dust and Stitches

Saturday: Adventures with Bubba and Bug and Blessed x Five

A Birthday Stitching Kit

I wonder to myself - when is the right time to introduce a child to stitching and what projects are suitable age/skill appropriate to avoid frustration and make for an enjoyable experience?

For the last few months our little girl has taken quite an interest in my stitching.  I often find her poking about in my stitching bag (a bag where I keep my embroidery floss, needle case, scissors and embroidery hoop) and sometimes find my embroidery hoop with a bunch of random 3 year old stitches on it.  Often she gathers different coloured cottons from my thread board and cuts off lengths of it,  happily telling me " I'm making a dress mama!"  Not to mention I have to be ever so careful leaving a pair of scissors lying around anywhere near fabric!

Well, when our little girl asked for a stitching bag of her very own, I thought well why not?  One delighted little girl chose the fabric from my stash. Her wish was for pink and purple flowers and a bumble bee - this was followed by her spending ages carefully choosing and re-choosing which floss colours she would like for the flowers (it is a very serious business choosing colours!)

So during the hot summer days whilst she played outside with water and teapots and the like,  I sat quietly with her in the shade, my feet up, creating a sweet little stitching bag.

Progress is checked regularly by a wee girl in between pretend tea parties and fairy conventions.

Flowers inspected.  An extra bumble bee ordered - it needed to have a friend...

This wee bag was part of her birthday present.  Included was a pink embroidery hoop, ball of pink wool, some large sized needles in a little case, some sharp pink scissors with rounded ends and of course some pink cotton thread (as she has long since used all mine up in her favourite colour....)

She absolutely loves it.  "Lets do some stitching mama!"  Ok, I say.  She cuts the thread and threads the needle herself, then passes it to me to make a knot.  I breathe and for a few very short blissful minutes, mama feels ridiculously happy and proud as her little girl creates her beautiful haphazard stitches.  

Long may it continue :)

xx

Crafty Adventures of the "Last Days"

 

What is it about a deadline that is so ... um... well I don't know.

On one hand I am aiming to rest and relax and soak up the last days of just the three of us, before baby arrives, taking my time and pottering around getting things just so.  On the other hand I seem to be making lists like they are going out of fashion and wishing to make a start on lots and lots of new projects!

Then there is the inevitable "nesting", which for me has been lots of decluttering and simplifying.  Our little girl's room has been the centre of my attention with shelving built (thanks Dad), baskets purchased and piles of girly clothes sorted through and stacked neatly away. No more garments too big, too small, out of season or that we simply don't like much.  I even found myself with my watercolour paints out, making wee cards for the front of the baskets so we don't have to remember/guess where everything is!  Doing little things like this makes me feel seriously good.  I simply can't explain it.

Sense and fatigue are mostly winning out though - finishing off little projects only requiring small effort in order to tick them off the list.  You know the ones that leave you with a sense of accomplishment even though you did the bulk of the work some time ago...

Sewing up a new dress for our little girl (the pattern for which I planned to have tested and in the shop by now, but good things take time :)  Finishing off the dress for Mum's Christmas present (I know - a tiny bit late, but better late than never.  Washing and folding teeny tiny baby clothes and muslins, re-arranging the furniture a little to accommodate a few simple items of baby furniture.

When I am feeling vaguely energetic the smell of meals cooking (for when baby arrives) has been emanating from our kitchen. Moroccan chicken, hot pots, home made pizzas, beef bourguignon, lamb shanks, lasagne, mild curries, pasta bakes.  Lots of things which are super simple to reheat and if anything only require only a simple salad or rice to go with them.  My honey said to me the other day, "Babe the freezer is full, stop cooking!"  Hehe, hearing him say that felt so good, knowing we can snuggle in with baby with no thoughts of food preparation for weeks.  I have also been reminded to stop making batches of jam as there is no more room in the cupboards or the secondary preserve storage in the garage. Ahem.

I have also been spending quite a bit of time chipping away on new patterns which only require me to sit quietly at the computer with no physical exertion :)  The updated version of the children's Pixie Hood Coat and Classic Pea Coat along with the Ladies Pixie Coat are now in the shop, with the new Tree Climbing Pants ready to release soon too, so by the time evening rolls around I relish my time on the couch with some mindless quiet handwork -  embroidering random flowers with no purpose other than "just because" and to let my mind relax.

I made one of those embroideries up into a little sac the other day for the toiletries in my hospital birth bag.  It makes me feel ever so organised and calm when I see everything tucked up neatly inside there.  Bliss.

But now the time is up.

Although there are lots of things I still want to do, it is time to put everything down and just be.  Taking some time to regroup before the big day, and breathe.  Today I will spend the afternoon focussing on me, a good soak in the bath, doing my nails, exfoliating, moisturising and simply luxuriating with our little girl being with grandparents for a few days.

I am ready to finally meet our newest and last addition.
See you on the flip side,

Lisa xx

New Winter Coat Patterns

Over the last few months, behind the scenes I have been beavering away at updating some of the most popular Big Little coat patterns.

Many of you have asked for larger sizes as your children have grown since the original patterns were made available some years ago.  As winter is coming I thought it would be a good time to work on them and now they are finally in the shop!

There have been lots of new additions, upgrades and fun features added to these new coat patterns. I do plan to update all the Big Little patterns with the added new features, and re-release them as and when they are ready.  Oooh exciting.

So what is new?  
*  Layered pattern pieces which means you can select to print only the size you wish making it simple and easy.
*  Universal "print & cut" pattern pieces.  No coloured ink or scaling required.
*  Will print perfectly on both A4 and US letter sized paper.
*  Clear and simple page assembly diagrams - no confusion as to how to join your pattern pieces together.
*  Gorgeous step-by-step tutorials providing simple yet extensive detail
*  Lengthening/shortening provisions to customise your pattern
*  Size charts
*  Fabric requirement charts in multiple fabric widths
*  Inspiration pages showing multiple versions of the pattern sewn up in different sizes and styles
*  Added size ranges and in some cases a "size upgrade pack" so you can purchase just the larger pattern pieces for a smaller cost.

You also have the option to join the Big Little Patterns Facebook group for pattern support - a place to share pics, ask questions and discuss your "makes"with myself and other Big Little lovers.

The new patterns released with these features are:
Pixie Hood Coat - Sizes 1-14 
Classic Pea Coat - Sizes 1-14
and the SIZE UPGRADE for the Pixie Hood Coat (Pattern pieces only in sizes 7-14)

and today is the launch of the Ladies Pixie Coat!

Everything you love about the children's version in ladies sizes (6-18) including options for the pixie hood, classic round hood and collar.  It is the perfect pattern for those of you who love up-cycling vintage blankets into warm and cosy garments for winter.  A super-simple-sew with no button holes or zips to trip you up - a beginner can sew this and feel very proud!

It is on a launch sale today and tomorrow - you will find the 25% discount code within the listing here in my Etsy shop: Ladies Pixie Coat.  Alternatively you can find buttons to purchase all the new coat patterns at the bottom of this post.

With our new baby arriving very soon, it is time to lessen the time pressure on myself and take it slowly for a while.

I fully plan to soak up all that newborn goodness for as long as it lasts and when I am ready to start thinking about lovely little garments again - I will focus on updating and creating new patterns instead of making actual garments. This means I can do it in my own schedule, in increments of time as it becomes available which is far more manageable for this girl who has trouble taking things slowly :)

I'm so excited about this new direction for Big Little, and I hope you enjoy all the improvements too.

Much love and happy sewing,

Lisa x

(Photo credits: Kaile Myers, Roxanne Kennedy, and Sophie)



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Off to Alaska!

Remember back here when I had a mountain of  half finished "makes" on the table?  Well I forgot to share with you this completed pile of lovely wintry goodies which is winging it's way to Alaska for a photo shoot!

I'm ever so excited to see how they turn out, Kaile is such an extraordinary photographer - her images of my garments always take my breath away.  I can't wait.  xx

Winding Down

 It seems like the final month of pregnancy is often one of finishing off odd jobs, pottering about, and generally preparing and finalising things.

With my gallstones attack last week (yes, I can barely believe my poor luck!) I have spent the week resting, recuperating and gaining strength ready for the big day.   But of course you know me, I find it quite challenging to be doing nothing so it was a nice little treat to find a half finished pile of items only requiring some simple hand sewing to finish them off.  The perfect compromise to lying on the couch with my feet up, is lying on the couch with my feet up with some gentle hand sewing :)

Gosh, don't you feel so productive when you see a nice stack of finished items.  I had a lovely time packaging them up  in brown paper and string.  I had forgotten how joyful it is to pen little handwritten notes, and send goodies you have crafted with love and care off into the world for someone to enjoy. 

But now it is time to wind things down -  I wish to be able to soak up all those soon-to-be precious newborn moments and enjoy my days settling into a new life with the four of us very soon. My shop will still be open for "instant download" pdf patterns but this little pile of goodies will be the last things listed for some time.  (Update: All of these items have now sold except the yellow hottie cover)

Saying that, hand stitching is still my favourite time for me activity.  I love that place I can go to where my imagination runs free with a needle and thread in quiet moments here and there.  I'm sure there will still be some little embroidered things happening around here to share with you :)

xx

Flower Boots - A New Pattern!

 With autumn/winter just around the corner here in New Zealand my mind is turning to wool and warmth one again.  Do you remember me making woollen boots last winter?  Our little girl needed warm and cosy non-skid slippers or indoor shoes for kindy last year, so I set to work designing a wee pattern for boots with leather/suede soles.

It was quite the process, but I was ever so proud when I finally perfected my little boot pattern.  Since then I've made many, many pairs of boots - they are so much fun to make!  I love to give them as wee newborn gifts, but the pleasure of making something for your own children, which they love, is really rewarding.  Of course it is no secret that I love to use natural materials, preferably recycled and these wee boots are the perfect project to use up scraps of beautiful leftover wool from other projects.

I've had a lot of pleasure in embroidering different designs and coming up with lots of ideas for my boots - pirate treasure maps, inch wincy spider, dandelions (of course!) but I think perhaps my favourite pairs have been the flower ones.

So over a year later, with lots of tweaks and an extensive testing period I present to you my Flower Boots pattern.  A simple yet satisfying afternoon sewing project.  It is one of those lovely patterns where you look at your finished work and say " Wow, I made those!"  and of course you can also feel pretty chuffed with yourself when your child tells everyone that "Mama made these boots for me" :)  Truly delightful.

The boots have a non-skid leather or suede sole, warm woollen insole and secret elastic hidden between the layers to ensure they stay on active feet well.  They are also fully lined - no scratchy or irritating seams here.

There are two patterns: The first is for baby sizes (newborn to 18 months) and the second pattern goes  up to approx age 8 or 9 so you can make comfy cosy slipper boots for everyone!  I hope you enjoying making these sweet little boots as much as I do.   I'll be back again soon with a roundup of some of the gorgeous boots made by the wonderful and talented ladies who tested this wee pattern.

You can see all my shoe and boot patterns here, or simply click on the buttons below for the Flower Boots pattern.   Both sizes of the Flower Boots pattern are on sale until Sunday for $5.

xx

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A Belle Dress

Don't you just love it when something turns out well, especially when you have your doubts as to how you might pull it off?  Last week I shared the Everest of works in progress on my table - perhaps you remember some deep yellow/gold fabric patiently waiting to be made into a Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) dress?

Our little girl's brief for some time has been an "off the shoulder dancing dress" and I must admit to being a tiny bit flummoxed as to how I might achieve that and still be practical for a 3 year old.  So on our "home day" last week, we sat together over breakfast and chatted more about what she had in her mind.

The details to come forth were quite surprising, and truly gave quite an insight into her mind and what she notices and takes in.  From the position of the dress on the shoulders, to the shape of the neckline, the swag, and even the gloves.
Without her being able to draw what she wanted, she explained to me while I drew - with some trial and error on my part...  It has things on it mama. No mama it doesn't have roses on it, or flowers, it has things! What kind of things sweetheart? Things, mama!  Eventually she fetched a picture to show me the gathering detail on the skirt and was so excited when I finally got it and drew just what she wanted.

Phew!

A few hours of cutting and sewing and just like that, we had a Belle dress.  I'm so stoked.
The smile on that wee girl's face says it all :)
Although she is prone to surruptitiously slipping the sleeves slightly more off her shoulder because "that's how Belle wears it".



Mama, can I go down into the jungle in my new Belle Dress?
Sure! Lets go pick some things for lunch...  and off we went.

A bunch of pictures to follow because, well, who doesn't enjoy seeing pictures of a happy yellow Belle dress, in a New Zealand "jungle"!  Enjoy xx

More Toadstool Love

Gosh, what an amazing response to the toadstool house pattern!  I am blown away by your support in purchasing my latest pattern: "A Village of Toadstools" and it makes my heart sing to know that so many of you want to make your own little toadstool village - I can't wait to see the results :)

Yesterday I promised to share with you some of the delightful toadstool houses made by the super talented ladies in the testing group.  There were so many wonderful ideas, and I think everyone really enjoyed putting their own little touches onto their 'shrooms.

So today is a selection of work from the testing team.  Thanks so much to Sarah, Jacqui, Miriam, Aimee, Louana, Stacey, Jodi, Wendy, Gail, Toni and Viki for sharing your pics with us.

Be sure to stop by these blogs and check out Louana's Green and Red Toadstool here, Miriam's Peacock and Spotted Toadstool here, and Aimee's Magic Toadstool House here.

...and a few final pics, because, well why not?!

If you would like to have a go at making your own toadstool, you can get your copy of the "Village of Toadstools" pattern in my shop here or using the button below.

It features three different sized toadstools, a full tutorial, pattern pieces and a handy embroidery & inspiration guide.  It is an easy sew construction, and the perfect project if you are new to embroidery.  Use the code TOADSTOOL50 for a half price launch discount of only $3.75.  I know it is rather generous, so take advantage today!  It is for a very limited time :)

xx

Buy "A Village of Toadstools" Pattern