The Ellie T shirt - upcycle your way to more hip room!

I love a classic unisex t shirt but when the bust fits me, it is always too tight on my hips. Yes, I am a curvy girl with a waist one size under my bust, and hips two sizes larger than my waist. 

I wore them anyway for casual days and ended up frustrated as they bunched up on my waist, looking unattractive.  With summer coming I thought there has be something I can do. 

I've come up with a simple solution: The Ellie T shirt - upcycle your way to more hip room!

The hip room comes from the addition of a pleated panel in the lower back and a few other simple changes.  

The fit difference is dramatic.  Clothes that are too tight invariably make the wearer look heavier while garments that skim the figure without hugging make the wearer look slimmer and are far more flattering.  

If you have ever started or been tempted to start an upcycle sewing project then you've encountered the puzzle of working with 3-D garments rather than cutting from flat fold cloth. 



The Paganoonoo Ellie T Shirt instructions are available in a PDF version and hard copy.





Michelle, founder and owner of Paganoonoo is committed to every stitcher in the world try upcycling at least once, have a successful experience, and get hooked, adding upcycling to their sewing tool chest.  This is how Paganoonoo Patterns was born.Why upcycle?  Because fashion is over-abundant and ending up in landfills.  Michelle believes that as stitchers we have magical sewing skills that can transform "waste" garments into treasured and flattering fashions. 
As an added bonus, purchasing second hand garments is often quite a bit less expensive that purchasing flat fold cloth and some of the tough bits are already done, such as buttonholes, colors, collar stands. etc.


 Join her in sewing green!

The Paganoonoo design "Ashlee blouse" is upcycled from 2-3 dress shirts, men's or women's. This version features a shirt with a great cornflower blue and lime green color combination and a bold stripe. The empire waistline has flattering pleated lower front that skims the figure. It is flattering for many figure types.

It looks fantastic on the customer who purchased it.  Make your own! The instructions are sold as PDF and hard copy in booklet format (printable on standard 8.5 x 11 paper).  There are no pattern pieces to cut out and pin.  Instead the booklet walks through each step of disassembly and reassembly of the starting garments. 

If you have ever started or been tempted to start an upcycle sewing project then you've encountered the puzzle of working with 3-D garments rather than cutting from flat fold cloth.  

Paganoonoo instructions give complete disassembly and reassembly instructions and illustrations, setting you up for upcycle sewing success.  Also included are sewing, fitting, finishing, and color choice tips and more. Any stitcher who can find a dress shirt that fits their bust line and shoulders they way they like will get an excellent custom fit.

Michelle, founder and owner of Paganoonoo is committed to every stitcher in the world try upcycling at least once, have a successful experience, and get hooked, adding upcycling to their sewing tool chest.  This is how Paganoonoo Patterns was born.

Why upcycle?  Because fashion is over-abundant and ending up in landfills.  Michelle believes that as stitchers we have magical sewing skills that can transform "waste" garments into treasured and flattering fashions. 

As an added bonus, purchasing second hand garments is often quite a bit less expensive that purchasing flat fold cloth and some of the tough bits are already done, such as buttonholes, colors, collar stands. etc.
 Join her in sewing green!

Paganoonoo on It's Sew Easy!!!

Hello!  It's been quite a while since I posted and there is all kinds of great news.

For you "It's Sew Easy" fans be on the lookout for me in upcoming programing!!  It's a nationally syndicated PBS show on sewing featuring guest presenters.  One of my segments from the 1300 series is already on You Tube:

Michelle talking Double Collars

It's a great program with a good variety of speakers! Visit their website to find your local station. Also check the episode descriptions after June 22 to find out content details.

I'll be on 4 episodes in the 1300 series (1303, 1304, 1305 and 1312) which starts airing June 22, 2017. The episodes will also become available on their You Tube channel (contains other programing from the same production company).

The Paganoonoo Double Collar pattern, which covers split collars, is available on the Paganoonoo Etsy site in both hard copy and digital download.  While you are there check out the new summer skirt pattern, The Bekah, and t-shirt pattern, the The Ellie.

Our class visiting an Artist

In late May and June (up until now) I was in Europe getting inspired.  Half of the trip was a bucket list item - "study abroad".  I took Canada College's Fashion Department's study abroad program in Florence (a.k.a. Firenze) Italy.  It was informative and inspiring.

The whole class

I can't recommend the fashion program at Canada program highly enough.   The college is located a Redwood City, CA and I have loved every one of my classes plus I gained the skills to start Paganoonoo!

You'll be hearing from me more!  Check PaganoonooPaganini on Facebook for more frequent news.