Two Willow Tops, Two Different Moods


Two Willow Tops, Two Different Moods — and I Love Them Both

There’s something special about a sewing pattern that surprises you.
When I joined the Sew & Show team for the new Twig + Tale Willow Top, I expected to enjoy the process. What I didn’t expect was to finish my first one and immediately start planning a second.
And honestly? I still want to make more.


A Top That Feels Both Structured and Comfortable

The Willow Top has a beautiful structure to it that gives it an elegant, polished feel, but somehow it still works across so many different body shapes and sizes. That balance is hard to find.

This style is actually quite different from what I would usually choose to wear or sew, which made me a little unsure at first. But I am genuinely so glad I stepped outside my comfort zone because these tops have quickly become pieces I feel amazing in.


They feel feminine without being fussy.
Comfortable without feeling oversized.
Pretty while still practical for everyday life.
And as someone constantly moving, lifting, bending, chasing after three children, practicality matters.

The Willow Top allows movement while still making me feel put together — and that combination is priceless.

A Pattern That Challenged Me in the Best Way

One of my favourite things about sewing is learning new techniques, and the Willow Top absolutely delivered on that.


It challenged me technically in all the right ways. The details are thoughtful and beautifully designed, and every step felt purposeful. Rather than being overwhelming, it was the kind of sewing that keeps you engaged and excited to see the finished result come together.


Both of my tops are fully lined, which gives them such a beautiful finish and helps them feel substantial and luxurious to wear. My daytime version also has each individual panel interfaced, adding even more structure and shape while still maintaining comfort.

Another standout feature is the elasticated back. Not only does it create a gorgeous textured detail that feels unique and elevated, but it also adds extra comfort and movement — something I truly appreciate in garments I wear day to day.


By the end, I didn’t just have a handmade garment.
I had that deeply satisfying feeling of “I made this.”
And I felt proud wearing it.

My “Day Look” 🍄


For my daytime version, I chose a beautiful toadstool double gauze that feels soft, relaxed, and whimsical all at once.
This version features:

• The paper bag neckline
• Long sleeves with Princess seam detail
• Ruffled sleeve finishes
• Fully lined construction
• Interfaced panels for added structure

This toadstool version also felt especially meaningful to make during my personal May challenge of honouring toadstools — tiny symbols of growth, resilience, and quiet magic. There’s something beautifully heirloom-inspired about the print paired with the thoughtful structure of the Willow Top. It feels like the kind of garment that tells a story; slow sewing, careful details, and pieces made to be loved, worn, and remembered.


It feels effortless and wearable, while still looking special enough that I feel confident every time I put it on.
This is the version I reach for during busy days — school runs, errands, coffee stops, appointments — because it moves with me while still making me feel like me.

My “Night Look” 🍋‍🟩

My second Willow Top has a completely different feel.
Made in an embellished cotton scattered with limes, it instantly gives me summer evening energy — the perfect accompaniment to a mojito.


This version features:
• The elastic neckline
• Long sleeve with Elastic sleeve finishing
• Fully lined construction
• The stunning elasticated back detail

It feels relaxed yet elegant, playful yet refined.
I love how the same pattern can transform so dramatically depending on fabric and finishing choices.


More Than Just a Pretty Top

What surprised me most about the Willow Top is how it made me feel.
My body has been changing shape and size a lot lately, and finding clothes that feel both comfortable and confidence-boosting hasn’t always been easy. But these tops don’t make me feel like I’m hiding myself, and they don’t make me feel restricted either.


They simply fit into life beautifully.
Comfortable.
Elegant.
Wearable.
Confidence-building.
And most of all — pretty.

The Willow Top reminded me that sometimes the garments that end up becoming favourites are the ones we never expected to love in the first place.

Note: I received the Willow Pattern complimentary in exchange for joining the Twig + Tale Sew & Show team and helping show how the pattern works on a variety of different bodies. All opinions provided, however, are entirely my own — including the part where I apparently couldn’t stop at making just one Willow Top.

#ttwillowtop #ttsewyourstory ##ttstorytellers2026

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