Tiny Paganoonoo "Patti"

I've long thought that some of the current Paganoonoo upcycle designs would work as children's clothing too, so I decided to start experimenting. 

                 

I selected three boys shirts, ranging in size from 18months (plaid) to an 8.  The base shirt, the one that determines the garment size is a 4T.

I had planned to make a Paganoonoo "Ashlee" blouse however I guess my default is a "Patti".  

I worked on autopilot while watching a vintage noir film and then noticed I had made the cuts for a Patti, not an Ashlee.  

Laughing at myself, I decide to go with the flow.

 

I played around with the color/pattern distribution.

    

And sewed on a raw edge cuff

I think the results are adorable

I made the sleeves 3/4 with a raw edges & color blocked cuffs

I left the back hem raw-edged too and then put a pinked seam scrap over the edge to strengthen it. It makes the bottom a bit stiff so it stands out away from the body.



The chair in the background gives a bit of scale. Although it looks full sized it is actually a toddler's size 4T.

Here are a couple final shots of a full sized Patti with Patti Jr.

Paganoonoo Patti Upcycle Design

Wouldn't this be a fantastic Mommy and Me upcycle?
It wouldn't be to difficult to find dress shirts in the same colors. 

Purchase the Patti Blouse instructions here in either PDF or Hard Copy.  The instructions cover all sizes.  Sizing is based on selecting a dress shirt that fits the person's chest and shoulders the way they like.  Everything else is built on that base garment.

Happy Upcycling, Michelle

Upcycled Bead Cuff - via 1980s beaded jacket

 I've been thinking about beaded garments and how they can be upcycled for several years now.  When I see them in the thrift stores sometimes my breath is taken away by the amount of work that went into them and the resulting beautiful beaded patterns. 

I remember when these were popular, a status symbol even.  

Sadly do not know anyone that will wear them anymore so they show up in thrift stores, on eBay, secondhand stores, etc..  Such a treasure of beads and sequins!  

         

Most are mounted on silk organza with a poly lining. 

 Motivation to experiment arrived unexpectedly.  I was invited very recently to have a Paganoonoo booth at the Santa Clara Bead and Design Show held August 10, 11, 12, and 13th at the Santa Clara Marriot in Santa Clara, California.  

There was also an opportunity to teach (which I love to do), and I immediately thought of beaded jackets. Hmmmm. I found a very beautiful one on eBay and purchased it. 

 I researched likely projects and saw that beaded cuffs are popular, so I set out to make a beaded cuff by harvesting from the jacket. 

I have to tell you that cutting up the jacket made me want to throw up a little bit.  It was tough to do.  


I gently removed a sleeve, and let it sit for awhile, contemplating what and were to harvest.  

Finally I made the call and gently, trying not to ruin my scissors by cutting through beads, began to cut the cuff shape away. 

 

I worked on removing beads to yield the pattern I wanted and devised a way to mount it securely then selected an appropriate bottom layer.  
Corded elastic and buttons will make the closures. 

I love the result!  I will be teaching a class on how to do this at the Bead and Design Show  in Santa Clara, CA, on Saturday, August 12th from 1-4 p.m.  The cost, including materials is $65. There is also an admission fee to get into the show.  The number of students is limited to 8 so if you are interested register ASAP! 

P.S. I have enough of that jacket so that you can make the exact same cuff and will also have a few other choices.
Happy Upcycling!

Michelle

It's Sew Easy Paganoonoo line up, Series 1300, 2017

Michelle was invited to appear on It's Sew Easy and she answered with a resounding yes!  She flew to Solon, Ohio in January and filmed 5 different segments on upcycling (her favorite topic!), 4 of which appear in series 1300 and one that will air in series 1400.

At this time (mid July 2017) episodes have already aired on TV in the United States and in some areas, not at all (SF Bay Area included).  ISE is syndicated on PBS and local stations select when to air the episodes. To find out which stations in your area carry ISE, check here, or check your local online listings.  After the whole 1300 series has aired on TV they will become available on the It's Sew Easy website. 

These are Michelle's episodes:

Episode 1303 has tips on harvesting sewing notions from second hand clothes - more choices and often better prices!

Episode 1304 covers how to upcycle a double collar on a dress shirt.  Full details of how to do this for any size dress collar combination are for sale at Paganoonoo's Etsy Store. 





Episode 1305 has tips on 1) how to deal with itchy labels and retain your garment's full value, 2) how to upcycle a chemise for use with a blouse using a slip or nightgown, and 3) what to do about pesky zippers and buttons that undo themselves.





Episode 1312 covers how to add reverse applique to your upcycle for a design boost.

Angela Wolfe, fellow presenter, models a Paganoonoo Sandy Blouse.  Michelle has on an oversized version of the same design rendered in neutral gray stripes.

Just prior to filming. 

I'd never done TV before and the crew was really supportive. 

Prepping for episode 1312

There was definitely fun on the set, starting with fellow presenter Carolina Moore and Brother Sewing Machine Educator Kim Campbell photo bombing me taking a selfie in what felt like an inch of makeup, needed for HD TV. 

Joann Banko, fellow presenter generously
shared a copy of her excellent book "Wrapped in Embroidery" 

Last but not least when I got off the plane there was a fresh undisturbed snowfall!  Being a California girl I had to take a selfie with snow in the background.  I also stomped around it it, LOL.  Couldn't resist sending my husband a screenshot of the weather.

 

For the full lineup of the 1300 series episodes, including fellow presenters, check here.  Episode photos courtesy of ISE.

The Paganoonoo upcycle sewing instructions collection, 
all available on our Etsy site.