The New Zealand Leaf Pattern Blanket and Rug Review - Twig + Tale Patterns

Twig + Tale Patterns are whimsical and magical.  

As an adult, they bring me to a more innocent time - with classic soft touches to each pattern, and a multitude of options - meaning one pattern = a zillion options and designs.

Lisa and the team from Twig + Tale has done it again - with a collection of New Zealand Leaf patterns inspired by Lisa's daughter after watching a David Attenborough documentary.  

Her daughter was inspired to make a difference to animals - by helping to restore their habitat by planting trees - and a portion of sales will go towards her dream! 

I had the fortunate opportunity to test with Lisa and her lovely testers again - and this one means the world to me and someone very special to us.

There are 5 leaf options and 3 size options, including:
- Rangiora
- Puka
- Kawakawa
- Kowhai
- Makomako

The leaves can be used as a travel mat, outside blanket, dress up cape, pet rug, play mat, and so much more. 

As soon as I heard about the pattern...I know it was meant to be. 

We lost our Gideon on January 18, 2019 from an aggressive osteosarcoma (cancer in his leg that was in his lungs by the time we discovered it in Early December 2018). 

All of us had been sleeping in the living room on the main floor for almost a month - all of our pillows and comforters splayed through the room - in order to prevent Gideon from suddenly and painfully breaking his leg where the tumour was (a high possibility) and to give him the comfiest last days we could. 

After his passing, we slowly started taking away pillows and comforters - a few at a time - off the ground to be washed and to gain some normalcy back to our house. 

Fynn, our youngest Ridgeback, loved laying on the comforters that were on the ground at this point. 

And then the pattern testing came out. This would be a good tribute to Gideon, leaving Fynn with the comfort he had grown accustomed to. 

This is the small rug - it's pretty teeny, but makes a great throw rug, or even wall hanging!  

You can sew the leaf veins in by machine, embroider them, use iron on fabric, and whatever your imagination desires. 

I opted to sew felt veins and made some cute dragonfly accents (self drafted pattern). 

The fabric is an old curtain we replaced a few years back when it got colour stained from the sun. 

The next is the medium sized leaf - I used a fleece fabric for the main layer, and an old sheet the dogs had torn with their claws for the bottom.  

A piece of Gideon with each of these rugs. 

I made a self-drafter felt ladybug thanks to my handy glue gun, and sewed the veins into this one. 

Fynn lays on this rug in my sewing room. 

The large rugs are amazing - they take up the majority of our living room, but are well worth it. 

Again, I used the old blanket as the backing, and used some old fuzzy warm blankets given to us from Husband's Aunt for the main surface. 

Fynn Did NOT want to leave the blankets as I was taking photographs - I mean, look how cute he is! 

The paw prints are hand drafted from felt - from the numerous ink prints I took of Gideon's paw pads over the last few weeks he was with us. 

There are 4 paws per rug. This is my tribute to him, and for Fynn to know his brother is still with him. 

Fynn LOVES these rugs - even I get down on the ground with him for a snuggle!

They were an easy sew - with a couple layers of quilt fleece lining inside.  The most tedious part would be the creative part - the veins and any add ons. 

You can be as creative or follow the pattern to the T - and as you can see, they are a great use for old torn blankets.  

Share your love for the environment, a little girl's dream, and a puppy who is just darn stinking cute by purchasing the Leaf Blanket Pattern!

Summer is Coming...5 out of 4's Key West Bikini, Tankini, Dress Pattern Review

Summer is coming, right?  

Although weather in Ottawa doesn't feel like sunshine and rainbows, the new 5 out of 4 Patterns Key West pattern has definitely put me in the mood!  

 

Fun Features:
- Choose your cup - for the best bust fit!
- Option for bikini top, tankini, knee or maxi length dress
- Options for built in bra with or without removable cups!
- Banded or normal hem
- Key hole front neckline option
- Maternity options
- 2 or 3 back loops!

 

Honestly, I was concerned about the halter-style neck tie, as they cause me excessive neck and shoulder pain, but it is actually super comfortable and I'm able to wear my tankini around the house all day without pain.

The top is supposed to sit higher on the neckline (closer to the collar bone), however, this is comfortable in my situation (aka I stare at a computer all day long for work).

 

I love the band option as it makes the top longer - and I LOVE longer tops. 

This is the perfect tankini for me to wear at camp this year, as I can just jump into the river once I've finished my workout (wood clearing), but still look super stylish while driving the ATV. 

These are important things!

The instructions are detailed and easy to follow - and there is a lot of support on the 5 out of 4 Patterns Group if you have any questions.

 

The most tedious part has to be the tie. It's about 4.5 feet long, and bringing the tie through the loop takes as long as at least half a Netflix Episode.

You could cheat, and just fold the tie fabric widthwise  and zig zag slowly the entire 4.5+ feet and not have to turn the tie inside out.

Aesthetically, it's just nicer when it's turned - but if you get the zig zag in the centre of the back of the tie, it can look just as nice.

 

Really...this has been a LONG winter in Ottawa. A week ago, this snow was 2 feet higher....so I'll take the recent melt as a step in the right direction.

But summer really *is* coming!

I paired my Key West with my first (and not last!) pair of Tidal Wave Swim Shorts. I LOVE them!  The fit is perfect, I don't have muffin top, and they are easy to move in. I opted for just the normal band with elastic, and they stay up without any issues. They definitely feel like a second skin - but in a good way!

If you're wondering where my fabric is from - it's from Water Tower Textiles - my go-to fabric store. 

So, get your Key West Pattern now. 

If we all sew our swim gear, it will bring on the Miami Heat Wave!

What's Underneath It All? The Bra and Panty Sewing Pattern Reviews!

After 2 years of sewing-my-wardrobe and dabbling in the random pair of underwear and bralettes through pattern testing, I decided to just DO IT more recently on my own accord. 

Husband also hates my years old Lululemon sports bras - the comfortable bras I discovered after having a hate on with my La Senza wired and non wired bras.  

He DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THIS FEELING:

So not only am I on the search for a comfortable supportive bra, but one I can wear all day and night, and not really care that I have it on.  

Being alluring would be helpful too - then Husband would approve and stop making fun of my undergarments. 

Honestly - they aren't too difficult - just follow each step of the instructions, and each bra and panty you make will just get easier. 

Nora Knickers - Daydream Patterns

I made these from an old stretch cotton work shirt and lace from some random Ebay store. The lining I already had from my stash. 

My fold over elastic is from In the Pink Room - a fabulous notions store from Nova Scotia. 

The panties were quite simple to assemble, and I love the lace detailing. It's also a great scrap buster. 

For wearability, they don't ride up or move throughout the day, I can Yoga in them, and the gusset it the perfect comfortable size for me. 

I would use a super stretchier lace next time as they are about 1/4" tight on my hips (maybe that's just me, as I made them about 6 months ago), but otherwise, the part that matters (down under) is awesome. 

2) Mama Victoria and Bridgette Bralette

I think these were the second Bra and Panties I sewed up - again, with that Ebay random stretch lace. 

Reading the sewing instructions also got me into the habit of sewing my stretch clothes with a proper stretch stitch.  I only  have a sewing machine (no serger or coverstitch machine). 

I blogged about the Mama Victoria (Panties) and Mama Bridgette (Bralettes) in a previous post - you can read up about them there. 

I still have to make these again for the perfect fit - and after my recent experience, I feel I will perfect the bras. 

I'm wearing my Victoria Panties today, and honestly I feel like I'm wearing nothing, and haven't had to adjust. 

For me, that's a winner.  I even plan on practicing my T25 Workout and Yin Yoga later on tonight in them. 

They're just that comfortable. 

I prefer the Full Back Bridgette (comfort), whereas Husband prefers the Cross Back Bridgette (sexier). I also have Tech neck and have worked in front of a computer for the last 16 years, so any strain on my shoulders and neck is annoying.

3) Lovesick Bra - George + Ginger 

  

Ok, I lied.  THIS was my first bra. 

I made it from fun two way stretch cotton lycra (the Gnomes) and super stretchy lightweight cotton lycra (stripes) - both scrap bits and bobs (unsure where I purchased the fabric from). 

It was fairly straight forward to put together, and I was able to adjust the straps so they fit without falling off. 

I did find the fit quite tight along the armpits and the band, despite measuring myself first - so I am pretty sure this one ended up in the "place we don't speak of."  

I will reattempt this pattern again now that I have my lingerie sewing skills on, and likely measure myself more accurately at this point in my sewing game. 

It's a FREE pattern if you join the George + Ginger Group - just look under the Files section. 

4) Primrose Panties - Bella Sunshine Designs

Bella Sunshine Designs was brewing a baby for awhile, but now they are back - and their first pattern release was the Primrose Panties Pattern!  

I blogged about them here. 

After a few months, they are another pair of panties - more generic and less sexy - that I feel nekkid in all day long.  No adjustments required all-day-long!

I made both the hipster and regular versions. 

You can totally scrap bust these two by colour blocking the front or back panels. 

 

5) Lucky Bra - Rad Patterns

I absolutely love the twist in this bra.  This is another early sew for me, so the fit was a bit tight around the band and straps - I will definitely size up and try another round

6) Thondlewear - Stitch Upon a Time Patterns

These were VERY simple to make - with straightforward directions and multiple options for leg and waist bands. 

This was my first attempt with fold over elastic, and I used an old t-shirt and thin hoodie for the fabrics.   

I found my lack of proper stretch sewing with the fold over elastic made this a bit wonky on me, and I do have to adjust them down under for proper comfort.  

But thongs are definitely a personal feel - the wrong fabric or fit, and they are just not happening. 

So these are another pair I'll make again now that I have a vast amount of fabric and sewing skill knowledge vs 2 years ago. 

Lighter stretchier fabric, and maybe even lace for a no-feel thong!

Scrundies - Hipster Style - Stitch Upon A Time

These were my second attempt, with some random Fabricland clearance stretchy rayon fabric and scrap two way stretch Cotton Lycra (Gnomes).

Honestly, the stretch in these fabrics together is perfect!  

The fit is spot on and the instructions are very easy to follow - even for a beginner.  

I now realize why I prefer bands over fold over elastic:

- it's easier to sew on

- More forgiving for stretch

- Doesn't accentuate any muffin top or leave marks on my skin after a long day. 

- Doesn't dig into crevices

- Great scrap buster 

7) Greta Thong and Lana Bra - Made for Mermaids

Sorry for baring my behind, lumps, and bumps. But I'm a real woman. And no longer a size 0 (as I was 20 years ago).

As soon as I saw the recent sew-a-long for this set, I bit the bullet and found a few bits and bobs for lingerie sewing from Libelle Sewing, Trimmings & Supplies, and a store going out of business on Etsy. 

My lovely soft double brushed polyester fabric is from Water Tower Textiles - and  is SOOOOO soft - definitely the perfect fabric choice for this mid waisted Greta Thong. 

I used stretch lace that I had already for the bindings on both the Lana bra and the Greta. 

With this combo, the panties sewed up quickly and easily. And I barely notice they are there when on - bam!  I finally perfected sizing and fabric types to use with panties!  

I did sew up the higher waisted Greta, and although comfortable, I think the double brushed polyester is MUCH more comfortable in the nether regions than Cotton Lycra is. I also prefer where the mid height thong hits my hips - it's more flattering.

For the Lana bra, I did have to cut a good inch off either side of the back, and the front is wonky underneath the bust (it has a big bubble of fabric)....BUT apparently after the Lana's February release, they already had a MAJOR update to the pattern with dozens of sizing combos, and an entire blog indicating how to choose your proper sizing. 

I have one cut up on my table waiting to be made, so I'll use my newly printed pattern pieces to see if I can reuse that fabric, or will just have a wonky bra before I have the perfect bra. 

I can wear it all day and evening while relaxing, can work out in it (foam padding - from an old repurposed bra), and I don't adjust it all day long.  Honestly, the most comfortable non-sports bra I have ever worn. 

I will NEVER go store bought again!  

8) Mary Ribbon Cinch Hipster Panties from Oooh Lulu Patterns AND Havana Bralette from Evie La Luve 

I fell in love with both of these patterns when I saw them. I believe they both had a sale at the same time - and I was trying to expand my lingerie as per Husband's request. 

He even offered to buy me more feminine undergarments....but for $40-$60 for something that I like and looks nice...I can make quite a few pieces for the price of one ill-fitting store bought version. 

In comes the Havana and Cinch Hipsters!

 

The bralette doesn't have padding (I'm sure you could add it), but the seams lie in such a place that it isn't necessary. Nothing pokes out where it shouldn't. 

I used a nice piece of lycra spandex for the top, along with lace and a LOT of lingerie straps from Libelle Sewing. 

I just LOVE the way this bra feels while on - and I adore the multi straps - it's so different, sexy, and because the straps are adjustable - no squishing of skin because of tightness.

And oops - I was SO excited with the panties that I didn't realize the sizing was too small for my 44" hips. *sigh* 

So, as it goes up to 42", I just guessed at the size increase on the pattern, and cut it out a size larger.  And they fit like a nice glove now. 

I LOVE the cinching and ribbon touches. 

And Husband was quite excited with my not-store-bought attire. 

BAM.

So sew up some new lingerie that ACTUALLY fits and makes you feel good no matter what, and tell me how you did, what your favourite part was, and if you flaunted your stuff to someone you love (your dog, cat, parrot, husband) - someone who appreciates and loves you. 

***I sew for the passion, fun, and confidence it gives me. Affiliate links have been used, but I only promote what I believe in and adore ***