5-6: The Great Tapestry

Welcome to "The Great Tapestry," a level that truly lives up to its name by challenging players to interact with the environment in unique ways. This stage is characterized by its expansive, woven backdrops and foreground elements, many of which can be unraveled to reveal hidden paths, collectibles, and secrets. Mastering the art of unraveling will be key to finding all the hidden treasures here.

Unraveling Mechanics Explained

Throughout "The Great Tapestry," you'll encounter various woven elements that appear to be part of the background or solid platforms. These are often tapestries that can be interacted with to alter the environment. Here's how to unravel them:

Yarn Ball Toss: The most common method. Aim a yarn ball at a section of a tapestry. If it's unravelable, the yarn ball will catch a loose thread, and the section will begin to unwind, often revealing a hidden passage, item, or altering the platforming challenge.
Ground Pound: Less frequent, but some smaller, specific woven elements can be unraveled or broken by performing a ground pound directly on them.
Tongue Grab: Occasionally, a loose thread will be visible. Yoshi can use his tongue to grab this thread, pulling it to unravel a section of the tapestry.

Always be on the lookout for suspicious-looking woven walls, floors, or even clouds that seem out of place. A well-aimed yarn ball is your best friend in this level.

Level Walkthrough

This section provides a sequential guide through "The Great Tapestry," highlighting key platforming challenges, enemy encounters, and strategic unraveling points to help you progress and uncover secrets.

Starting Area & First Unraveling: The level begins with a straightforward path. Immediately, you'll notice a large tapestry wall ahead. To proceed, you must unravel a section of it. Toss a yarn ball at the bottom-right corner of this tapestry to create a path. Continue right, dealing with any standard Shy Guys you encounter.
First Checkpoint & Hidden Alcove: After passing the first checkpoint, you'll see another large tapestry wall to your right. This is where the first Smiley Flower is hidden. Toss a yarn ball at the bottom-right corner of this tapestry to unravel a section, revealing a hidden alcove containing Smiley Flower #1.
Moving Platforms & Vertical Ascent: You'll soon encounter a series of moving platforms. Navigate these carefully. Following this, you'll come across a tall, narrow tapestry wall blocking your path upwards. Unravel the middle section of this tapestry with a yarn ball. This creates a temporary opening. Quickly jump through to find a hidden area with Smiley Flower #2.
Needle Goombas & Hidden Floor: The next section introduces Needle Goombas. Remember, these require a yarn ball or a nearby ground pound to flip before you can stomp them. In this area, look for a section of the floor that looks slightly different, like a patch in the tapestry. Perform a ground pound on this specific patch to break through, revealing a hidden chamber below with Wonder Wool #2.
Rotating Tapestry Platforms: You'll then enter an area with rotating platforms made of tapestry. These require precise timing. Look for a small, unraveled opening on the underside of one of the larger rotating platforms. Wait for the platform to rotate into position, then jump into the opening to access a secret room containing Smiley Flower #3. While here, look at the very top of the screen; there's a small, almost invisible cloud. Jump and flutter high to hit it, revealing Stamp Patch #2.
Second Checkpoint & Under-Bridge Secret: After the second checkpoint, you'll cross a long bridge made of unravelable tapestry. Instead of just running across, look underneath the bridge. There's a small, hidden alcove accessible by dropping down carefully. Inside, you'll find Wonder Wool #3. Be quick, as the bridge might unravel if you linger too long on top!
Vertical Climb & Background Unraveling: The level continues with a vertical ascent section where you use moving platforms to climb. Observe the background tapestry on the right side. There's a subtle pattern that looks like a loose thread. Throw a yarn ball at this thread to unravel a large section of the wall, revealing a hidden pipe. Enter the pipe to reach a bonus area containing Wonder Wool #4.
Cloud Tapestry & Final Smiley Flower: Near the end of the level, just before the final set of platforms leading to the goal post, you'll see a large tapestry depicting a cloud. Throw a yarn ball at the cloud's center. This will unravel it, revealing a hidden cloud platform that takes you up to a small ledge where Smiley Flower #4 awaits.
Goal Post & Last Secrets: The final stretch leads to the goal post. Before jumping to the goal, look for a small, barely visible thread hanging from the ceiling directly above the goal. Use your tongue to grab this thread, pulling it to unravel a section of the ceiling, revealing a hidden pipe. Enter the pipe to find a secret room with Smiley Flower #5. Also, just before the goal, there's a very tall tapestry wall. Look for a small, discolored patch about halfway up. Throw a yarn ball at this patch to unravel a hidden passage leading to Wonder Wool #5.

Enemy Encounters and Strategies

This level introduces a few unique challenges and enemy types that are often integrated into the tapestry theme:

Shy Guys: Standard Shy Guys are present, often walking along platforms. They can be swallowed for yarn balls or defeated with a tongue flick or stomp.
Winged Shy Guys: These airborne foes carry items or simply patrol. Swallow them for yarn balls or to clear paths.
Tapestry Piranha Plants: Unlike typical Piranha Plants, these are often woven into the background tapestries. They pop out to attack. They can be defeated with a yarn ball to the mouth or by stomping on their heads when they emerge.
Needle Goombas: These Goombas are covered in sharp needles, making them impervious to a direct stomp. You'll need to hit them with a yarn ball or use a ground pound nearby to flip them before stomping.

Remember to always have a good supply of yarn balls. Swallowing enemies is the easiest way to restock.

Collectible Guide: Smiley Flowers, Wonder Wools, Beads, and Stamp Patches

To achieve 100% completion in "The Great Tapestry," you'll need to meticulously search for all five Smiley Flowers, five Wonder Wools, and collect at least 2000 beads, along with discovering the hidden Stamp Patches. This level offers numerous secrets, so thorough exploration is rewarded.

Smiley Flowers

Smiley Flower #1: Immediately after the first checkpoint, you'll see a large tapestry wall to your right. Toss a yarn ball at the bottom-right corner of this tapestry to unravel a section, revealing a hidden alcove containing the first Smiley Flower.
Smiley Flower #2: After navigating a series of moving platforms, you'll come across a tall, narrow tapestry wall blocking your path upwards. Unravel the middle section of this tapestry with a yarn ball. This will create a temporary opening. Quickly jump through to find a hidden area with the second Smiley Flower.
Smiley Flower #3: In the section with the rotating platforms made of tapestry, look for a small, unraveled opening on the underside of one of the larger rotating platforms. Wait for the platform to rotate into position, then jump into the opening to access a secret room containing the third Smiley Flower.
Smiley Flower #4: Near the end of the level, just before the final set of platforms leading to the goal post, you'll see a large tapestry depicting a cloud. Throw a yarn ball at the cloud's center. This will unravel it, revealing a hidden cloud platform that takes you up to a small ledge where the fourth Smiley Flower awaits.
Smiley Flower #5: The final Smiley Flower is located in a hidden area just above the goal post. Instead of immediately jumping to the goal, look for a small, barely visible thread hanging from the ceiling above the goal. Use your tongue to grab this thread, pulling it to unravel a section of the ceiling, revealing a hidden pipe. Enter the pipe to find a secret room with the last Smiley Flower.

Wonder Wools

Wonder Wool #1: After the first set of tapestry platforms, you'll encounter a large, seemingly solid tapestry wall. Look closely at the top-left corner; there's a faint outline of a hidden cloud. Jump and throw a yarn ball at this spot to reveal a hidden cloud platform. Jump onto it, and it will carry you to a small ledge with the first Wonder Wool.
Wonder Wool #2: In the area with the first Needle Goombas, there's a section of the floor that looks slightly different, like a patch in the tapestry. Perform a ground pound on this specific patch to break through, revealing a hidden chamber below with the second Wonder Wool.
Wonder Wool #3: Following the second checkpoint, you'll cross a long bridge made of unravelable tapestry. Instead of just running across, look underneath the bridge. There's a small, hidden alcove accessible by dropping down carefully. Inside, you'll find the third Wonder Wool. Be quick, as the bridge might unravel if you linger too long on top!
Wonder Wool #4: In the vertical ascent section where you use moving platforms to climb, observe the background tapestry on the right side. There's a subtle pattern that looks like a loose thread. Throw a yarn ball at this thread to unravel a large section of the wall, revealing a hidden pipe. Enter the pipe to reach a bonus area containing the fourth Wonder Wool.
Wonder Wool #5: Just before the final boss door (or the final stretch to the goal if no boss), there's a very tall tapestry wall. Look for a small, discolored patch about halfway up. Throw a yarn ball at this patch to unravel a hidden passage leading to the fifth and final Wonder Wool.

Beads and Stamp Patches

Beads: "The Great Tapestry" is rich with beads. Focus on defeating enemies, unraveling every possible tapestry section, and hitting all visible item clouds. Many hidden areas revealed by unraveling will contain large clusters of beads. Aim to collect at least 2000 beads to unlock the bonus reward for the level.
Stamp Patch #1: After collecting the second Smiley Flower, continue right. You'll see a small, elevated platform with a single Shy Guy. Below this platform, look for a small, square section of the background tapestry that appears slightly brighter than the rest. Throw a yarn ball at it to reveal the first Stamp Patch.
Stamp Patch #2: In the section with the rotating tapestry platforms, after you've collected the third Smiley Flower, continue moving right. Before exiting this area, look at the very top of the screen. There's a small, almost invisible cloud. Jump and flutter high to hit it, revealing the second Stamp Patch.

Tips & Tricks for "The Great Tapestry"

Explore Every Thread: If a section of tapestry looks suspicious or out of place, try throwing a yarn ball at it. You never know what secrets might be hidden. Many walls, floors, and even seemingly solid background elements can be unraveled.
Yarn Ball Management is Key: Always keep a good stock of yarn balls. Swallowing enemies frequently is the easiest way to replenish your supply, as they are essential for unraveling paths, defeating certain foes, and revealing hidden items. Don't be afraid to use them!
Master the Flutter Jump: Precise flutter jumps are crucial for navigating the unraveling platforms and reaching hidden areas before they disappear or become inaccessible. Practice holding your jump for maximum height and distance.
Look for Outlines and Discolorations: Hidden clouds or areas often have faint outlines, subtle discolorations, or slightly different textures in the tapestry. Pay close attention to these visual cues; they are your best indicator of a secret.
Patience with Rotating Platforms: The rotating tapestry platforms require good timing. Don't rush; observe their pattern and jump when the path is clear or the hidden opening is accessible.
Revisit for 100%: If you're struggling to find all collectibles on your first run, don't hesitate to play the level again. Knowing the general layout will make it easier to focus on thorough exploration.
Use the "Mellow Mode" if Stuck: If you're having trouble with a particular platforming section or finding a tricky collectible, consider activating "Mellow Mode" from the pause menu. This gives Yoshi wings, making navigation much easier and allowing you to reach otherwise difficult areas.

By following this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to unravel all the secrets of "The Great Tapestry" and collect every item this challenging level has to offer!