I've always found used jeans irresistible, the velvety softness they get over time, the fading indigo dye.
You may have seen my original boro inspired upcycled kimono-style jean jacket on this blog (post 1), (post 2), or on Pinterest.
I made it for an upcycling contest at the Canada College fashion department a couple years ago.
Many folks have asked if I sell the jackets and/or instructions. I've only made one jacket so far and have not sold it. I am planning to develop written instructions and video class. I've started jacket #2 and am beginning the process of instruction development.
Developing a pattern/instructions, written or filmed, so others can make your design begins with sewing the newly developed design 4-5 times to find consistent and simple methods for construction.
Once that is done I begin photographing every step and making a written outline.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4yLB4xks5WfZOqCfxL-RAMjb0Rd-2hIRmiPuRISSEOm9lM2nPvl-nWCoA25D-VoTLz2rOB6-Qdxp0mKeQXSSK1_52LbxOb4etXcsQ3mdmQekaIu_PgkhnWcNBfyWxWS_ZkAlij9auQdU/s640/IMG_4125.jpg)
Here I'm auditioning a belt for the new jacket. The leather needs to be a bit supple or it cannot be sewn through. You can see that I have a collection of jeans in various stages of age/fading. I prefer 100% cotton or as close as I can get.
The next key supply is a waffle kimono robe.
I use the robe as a base to build on.
They are surprisingly hard to find in my local thrift stores. My niece suggested checking with local hotels for their discarded guest robes - brilliant!![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMYIFThq-xm2B0OmkAISotd1FtPpLQAZrg2f2-nuOno4TuC6_f0VBiVmYc1l-gODRz5quK1GXkVBrt9bcGcr4pTO3UYQgrOKXB6Ce57df_Ye6TjFRdk7DfHlYh033VdwjE3q1H0pnuDlS/s640/_GTP5803.jpg)
The neck area is curved so I've used bias cut strips in order to mold to kimono's shape.
Notice the pocket-stitching outline on the right shoulder?
When jeans are disassembled variations in the indigo color show up.
For me, the toughest part of designing the jacket is deciding on placement & proportion of lights, mediums, and darks, and making certain the end result is a pleasing arrangement.
Although the light section on the back is already sewn on in a grid pattern, I'm not liking it. Going to try something different. My seam ripper got a workout.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fxa91ek_XV5oqWP0I3NIIV6wCRzg5EiVXY7gyfbb_Ss9_d-JvVFbGbWCFCkZiyNQQIlg92D689hJxYjFUwSMGhujOxjisY-ERmLwjmo2rnrZyVhGDak1088kUXhDVxdjUIg0Sd1v-2I5/s640/_GTP5831.jpg)
You can see here that some of the back section has already been removed. See the follow-up post here.
Paganoonoo = upcycling made easy!
Happy upcycling,
Michelle
You may have seen my original boro inspired upcycled kimono-style jean jacket on this blog (post 1), (post 2), or on Pinterest.
I made it for an upcycling contest at the Canada College fashion department a couple years ago.
Many folks have asked if I sell the jackets and/or instructions. I've only made one jacket so far and have not sold it. I am planning to develop written instructions and video class. I've started jacket #2 and am beginning the process of instruction development.
Developing a pattern/instructions, written or filmed, so others can make your design begins with sewing the newly developed design 4-5 times to find consistent and simple methods for construction.
Once that is done I begin photographing every step and making a written outline.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4yLB4xks5WfZOqCfxL-RAMjb0Rd-2hIRmiPuRISSEOm9lM2nPvl-nWCoA25D-VoTLz2rOB6-Qdxp0mKeQXSSK1_52LbxOb4etXcsQ3mdmQekaIu_PgkhnWcNBfyWxWS_ZkAlij9auQdU/s640/IMG_4125.jpg)
Here I'm auditioning a belt for the new jacket. The leather needs to be a bit supple or it cannot be sewn through. You can see that I have a collection of jeans in various stages of age/fading. I prefer 100% cotton or as close as I can get.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4k0FyKfIafktJisC1YbXQ7jMKRob2y3YYypDhJrGpPYlz56qcMZMIT71_5ayc_MfdiGvDncdpQXUcPex1dDaqVIofHsw63tdKPmqRht3hFr-ObPD5vqrNKa1uPb4QUdWAbNboXuDxzoX/s200/IMG_0700+%25281%2529.jpg)
I use the robe as a base to build on.
They are surprisingly hard to find in my local thrift stores. My niece suggested checking with local hotels for their discarded guest robes - brilliant!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMYIFThq-xm2B0OmkAISotd1FtPpLQAZrg2f2-nuOno4TuC6_f0VBiVmYc1l-gODRz5quK1GXkVBrt9bcGcr4pTO3UYQgrOKXB6Ce57df_Ye6TjFRdk7DfHlYh033VdwjE3q1H0pnuDlS/s640/_GTP5803.jpg)
Me upcycling in the studio. I have the luxury of a dedicated room for Paganoonoo work.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4N6mjhqlADX3uShGXuX9XTvYyynxksm-b3AX9VOWvqBT7S7C67fDEmEMLbZlMnfTdEGwCQmGoew4LToyntE7Spbg9h6VhEZXBW1y0WfJJrT-w-d5L5D1mHLq__ASGWfmu2Jof2Vgqs1g-/s640/IMG_4064.jpg)
Notice the pocket-stitching outline on the right shoulder?
When jeans are disassembled variations in the indigo color show up.
For me, the toughest part of designing the jacket is deciding on placement & proportion of lights, mediums, and darks, and making certain the end result is a pleasing arrangement.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fxa91ek_XV5oqWP0I3NIIV6wCRzg5EiVXY7gyfbb_Ss9_d-JvVFbGbWCFCkZiyNQQIlg92D689hJxYjFUwSMGhujOxjisY-ERmLwjmo2rnrZyVhGDak1088kUXhDVxdjUIg0Sd1v-2I5/s640/_GTP5831.jpg)
You can see here that some of the back section has already been removed. See the follow-up post here.
March 2018 update:
Upcycling instructions now available for this jacket!!
Upcycling instructions now available for this jacket!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSp8jENHz-yj-MovLdZ6ojY0myIedk0jNapUNLVbRLEtUjexcY4b3tT1xai-3fs1GViiy91Wq3x3gpAveG8nkZLCAoW5Tova2_eH4J3lhYGhcoksqifGqyRSqVuXdkg2WmLK3P7B8wYNu/s640/fullsizeoutput_3481.jpeg)
Paganoonoo = upcycling made easy!
Happy upcycling,
Michelle
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