Paganoonoo
Paganoonoo = upcycle sewing made simple. We design upcycled fashions that are classic/arty, flattering, with plenty of hip and belly room and sell instructions so you can duplicate our designs. Upcycle sewing is easy on the budget, good for the planet and all the tough bits are already complete, like buttonholes, collars, plackets, etc! Our commitment is that you have access to successfully transforming existing clothing into new creations.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Paganoonoo Denim Challenge, 2023
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Paganoonoo Contest - Magnolia Pearl (c) Style Inspired
Embellishment is great way to breathe new life into a garment, especially something a simple as denim. Magnolia Pearl (c) brand garments have a boho, romantic, shabby chic, grandmacore kind of vibe and frequently feature embellishments.
To enter the contest:
Once your garment is complete and shared on the Paganoonoo Upcycle Sewing Group on Facebook then send a message to Michelle via Facebook.Monday, April 10, 2023
Paganoonoo Judy Flower - easy scrap buster, great for gifts
Fabric flowers are fun to make, a great way to use scraps, easily dress up an outfit, and are terrific gifts. How to get started?
Paganoonoo has a set of illustrated instructions that walk you through every step. You will learn about sizing, fabrics, construction techniques and more.
This example uses shirting fabric from a man's shirt (perfect way to use leftovers from making Paganoonoo garments) and cashmere salvaged from a moth eaten sweater:
The fabric is added on layer by layer:
One option for a flower center is a faux seed head.
In this case cashmere was selected in a matching color. Other options include a carnation like center and one that looks more like stamens.
Once attached the flower is complete:
In this example quilting cotton was used and the seed head fabric is left over from a dress shirt:
Below: In the top example the center is carnation-like.
The one on the bottom is more like a stamen type.The one on the left is a variation using pinked felted wool circles in the center.
What colors would you like to make?
Turn your scraps into treasures today!
Digital copy
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Upcycled Dress with Bias Tape Accents - Critique
I recently took a class hosted by my wearable art guild, www.penwag.org, on the use of bias and straight of grain tape for embellishment. The teacher was www.LorraineTorrence.com who does beautiful work. The class was in 2 parts: 1) technique & then build a garment using the techniques, 2) project show & tell with feedback and Q&A.
- It is super comfortable! It is loose enough that I can sit on the floor to play with my grandson. This was a key consideration from the beginning. I was willing to sacrifice flattering for comfortable.
- The bias tape makes an interesting accent, highlighting the various shapes.
- The color palette - if the front top and bottom were better tied together.
- I was able to continue the bias tape over the pocket for a seamless line.
- The crow patch.
- The button accents.
- The bottom (skirt) section is too high in the front and/or too low in the back. Due to the construction techniques used it would be impossible to lower in the front and possible but time consuming to raise in the back (most troublesome).
- The contrast between the top and bottom of the dress is too pronounced in the front, with not enough to tie it together (potentially fixable and second most troublesome).
- In an attempt to make a more fitted bodice I crossed over the bottom front plackets to take up some of the extra volume. This did not take up enough volume to really work, and makes the bodice look crooked. I would consider on the next one potentially making it a wrap dress in the front with tie closures for a better fit. (not easily fixable)
- I pinked the edges on the shoulder sleeve seams, leaving them raw at the hem, then decided to add bias tape to the hem. The raw edges poke out under the bias tape and look odd. (not fixable)
- The scallop at the hem center back is too long, and the color stands out too much. (fixable)
Monday, September 13, 2021
Raw Edge Mandarin Collar Transformation
I scored a plain denim collared shirt recently at the thrift store. It will make a great fall top or dress. I haven't decided which. In the meantime, while on a zoom meeting and a bit restless, I picked up the shirt and seam ripper and picked out the top part of the collar.
I'd done this before and just stitched it back up into a polished looking mandarin collar (tip on how to do that here). This time I noticed the inside seam was a darker color as it had not faded in the laundry. I like a raw edged look and the idea of a darker band on the top of the collar.
I pulled up the seams, trimmed off the excess threads, layered them and hand stitched them together. This makes the collar a bit taller and softer looking.
Next up - it is just a tiny bit too tight across the bust. I think I will unpick the underarm seams and add a godet.
More as it progresses!
Happy upcycling, Michelle
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Ellie Dress Hack - Turn your Paganoonoo Ellie T-shirt into a Dress!
The Paganoonoo Ellie t-shirt is flattering and comfortable, solving the common problem of not enough room in the hips and belly.
Once you've transformed your t-shirt, it can also be made into a very comfortable and flattering dress. This post provides links to the methods for the dress hack.
Here is an example of an Ellie t-shirt that has been transformed into a dress. The bottom tier of the dress was made with another t-shirt and part of a vintage linen tablecloth.A PDF copy is available here.
We also did a live zoom session with additional information.
You can view it here.
Let me know in the comments section.