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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Me upcycling in the studio. I have the luxury of a dedicated room for Paganoonoo work.
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.
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!!
Paganoonoo = upcycling made easy!
Happy upcycling,
Michelle
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