Puyallup Sewing Expo starts today at 8:30am - stop by!

Jessica, George and I will be manning the Paganoonoo booth at the Puyallup, Washington, USA Sewing Expo.  

If you are there during the next 4 days, please stop by, say hello, and check out the newest Paganoonoo Pattern - the Michelle Dress.

Next week this pattern will be released on Craftsy - and I will post more samples.  It is charming, conformable, a bit playful with the big pockets.  I'll create a short video clip, it is hard to see how charming it is in 2D.  Happy upcycling!

Michelle

 

 

Accidental cut repair

Have you ever accidentally made a big cut through your fabric?  Or should I say when was the last time? 

For me it was yesterday.

I was working on recreating an iconic Paganoonoo blouse using a very hard to locate shirt. And, I cut right through the part I wanted to use.

The best way I know to salvage this type of cut (huge) is to repair it with another foundation fabric beneath.  So I cut some  batiste weight white into a strip.

I then laid it half under the fashion fabric.

And straight stitched it in place.

Here I am coming up to the end of the cut.

I sewed across the end and started down the other side, matching the pattern as I went.

About to sew off the end onto the backing fabric.

Sewn down on both sides. I pressed it.

Then did a multi step zig zag over both edges.

Pressed it again, then trimmed the excess backing fabric off. 

Doesn't look too bad. If you are in Puyallup for the Sewing Expo stop by the Paganoonoo booth and I will show you the repair up close.

Happy Upcycling!  Michelle 

P.S. If you would like to be on the Paganoonoo mailing list, never sold or shared, and see new example garments, get links to my video tips, hear about sales, new patterns and events, please click here.

Embellishing a Split Double Collar With Mother of Pearl Buttons

When I made the Cindy blouse cover garment I really wanted to use the collar that matched the decorative front panel, so I did.

There was one issue, that the second collar was much smaller, leaving a big gap center back.  I finished the edges nicely, but it needed something more. I tried a big and beautiful mother-of-pearl button.  One was not enough.

No problem, I pulled out the rest of my stash.  As you can see i am a fan of MOP buttons. 

Once upon a time I covered a good portion of a jean jacket with MOPs.  Wish I still had it.  I gave it away and I hope the recipient wears it and enjoys it. 

I'd like to do that again so my big stash looks small to me : >.

So I started to audition combinations of 3 buttons, looking for just the right balance:

Hard to see but the bottom one was too dark.

The smallest one is too small

The smallest one is too big and too white

Nice size balance, but the smallest one is too plain.

Perfect size balance and the smallest one has more interest
 because of the ring.

Time to sew on the buttons


I like the smaller ones tucked under and the asymmetric placement.

The back of this shirt is plain so having the double collar and the buttons creates an interesting focal point. 

If you'd like to make your own version you can get the Double Collar and Cindy Blouse patterns here.

Give yourself an upcycling advantage with Paganoonoo pattern instructions!  Upcycle sewing made simple. Etsy Shop.

Happy Upcycling,

                   Michelle

If you would like to see new example garments, get links to my video tips, hear about sales, new patterns and events, please click here to be added to the Paganoonoo mailing list, never sold or shared.

Mini Paganoonoo "Ashlee Blouse" becomes a toddler dress

There is something irresistible about small versions of everything. I've been wondering for some time now if current Paganoonoo patterns could be adapted for children's clothing.

I decided to start with the Ashlee Blouse Pattern.  Here are the results along with in-process shots.

 I think this test was successful!  The pattern will need very little adaption. 

Mock of of Paganoonoo Booth for Puyallup Sewing Expo, Feb 25-28

I'm doing mock-ups of the Paganoonoo booth for the Puyallup Sewing Expo. It's less than three weeks away, starting on February 25 and runs through the 29th.

Building this feels a bit like replicating one of California's missions for a fourth grade project, but without parental help and more fun. 

I'm thinking of you Wayne Wichern, guru of Visual Merchandising.  

 The decks of cards represent garment racks, the foil represents a mirror. 

 The salt and pepper shakers are dressforms, the upside down custard cups the sales table, and the butter dish cover is the display table. 

The banners are miniatures of what I ordered on VistaPrint. 

George is going to be very happy when he sees this. As my chief logistics person he's been asking exactly what is going to be packed for the show. If this is not it, I'm getting quite close.

If you are going to Puyallup, please to come to one of the 45 minute Paganoonoo "1 Needle Sessions"! I'll be doing a demo, and talking a bit about why upcycling is great for the environment and your budget. 

The cost is $6, and you can register with the Expo folks here. 
I'll be looking for you!  

Happy Upcycling, 
Michelle

Zero waste upcycling?

As I disassemble and reassemble dress shirts, I end up with scraps. 

 Being the kind of person that doesn't like to throw away anything potentially useful, I have A LOT of scraps.

Ever since I heard about Timo Rissanen's Zero Waste Design focus, I've been intrigued.  

My designs are not zero waste, but what if I used up the leftover scraps?  I could make lap / baby blankets.  

I've been experimenting.  
Here is one made recently.  


The scraps are on a piece of wool. I did some free motion quilting that is almost visible. 

Making these is both fun and therapeutic.  Unfortunately it is also time consuming. I'm wishing I could have elves, like the shoemaker, so I could wake up in the morning with all my new scraps transformed into a blanket. Anyone feeling elfish?  Come on over. 

Happy Upcycling,
Michelle