Puyallup Sewing Expo soon and more events in early 2017!

Hello and Happy New Year! All kinds of good things are going on at Paganoonoo:

I've accepted an invitation to go to Ohio and film 3 segments for It's Sew Easy,  the nationally syndicated sewing show. I am honored and thrilled with this opportunity to newly introduce many stitchers to the concept and benefits of upcycling.

 

We film in early February and episodes will air sometime over the summer.  I will keep you posted as to dates.  The program is shown on PBS affiliate stations, and also on the web and their YouTube feed.  I've never done TV before so I'm a bit nervous.

The following week I will also be participating in a TV panel of fiber artists for a local Santa Cruz show, Step Into Fashion.  Air date TBD.  The production is affiliated with a benefit show put on by Palo Alto Medical Foundation in early April.  Paganoonoo will have a booth, more details to come.

March 2-5, 2017 – Paganoonoo will have a booth at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA, USA. If you've never been consider going, it is the largest sewing expo in the US and it takes at least a couple of days to get through all the exhibits and squeeze in some workshops.
    

I'm thrilled to have been selected to teach again. The topic is transforming a unisex t-shirt into a more feminine silhouette. The class will coincide with the release of a new pattern, the Ellie Shirt.  An example is shown above. It will also include a trunk show of various other upcycled t-shirts.

 The two-needle workshop is on Sunday, March 5th.  

It is open for registration now, #2710D 

Transform Your T-shirt with Upcycle Sewing, $20.00

Speaking of pattern releases the long, long overdue Rebecca Shirt Dress will also be released at the expo.  Anne and Ellie have been proofing the final patterns and test sewers are trying out the instructions right now!  

Here are some in-process shots and Rebecca herself modeling the prototype.

A knee length version of the Rebecca Shirt Dress.  Looks great below the knee too!

Many of you have probably noticed I’ve not posted much lately.  I’m still working very hard on Paganoonoo but I have spent a considerable amount of time on my “day job” in medical device regulatory compliance consulting during the last 6 months (pads the bank account).  Our son was married in out backyard (a wonderful day). And a number of other scheduled shows and events have kept me on the verge of burnout.

While I would like to think I am the Energizer Bunny, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, I do in fact suffer from anxiety and depression (long family history).  Most of the time I’m able to productive but then there are “crash days” (ask my husband).  Thanks to family and friends, I have a great support system that helps pick me up when I’m down and stroke my head when I need it.

Over the last 6 years, my best friend has been battling cancer and the fight is just about over.  We are very close and seeing her move towards the end has been painful to watch and I’m very glad her pain will be soon over.  She's promised to record some short video clips I can watch when I need a dose of BFF.

Why am I talking about all of this??  I want to promote transparency for those in the same kind of battles I’m in.  Knowing I’m going to lose my very dear friend has made me think about my own future and legacy – I’m still youngish, but you never know.  Paganoonoo/upcycling is my passion. I’m committed to having all stitchers try upcycling at least once, have a successful experience and add it to their toolkit – together we can make a huge difference for the planet and each other.

Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm.

 I hope to see you in Puyallup.  Happy Upcycling!!  Michelle

Paganoonoo in Monterey California Friday Dec 2 for a show, 4-8pm

40% through Cyber Monday, Paganoonoo is thankful for you!

Hello Upcyclers!

For those of you in the United States, Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

In the American tradition of offering discounts over this weekend (today through Cyber Monday) all items in the Paganoonoo Store are 40% off with code 40THANKS.

For everyone:

I'm thankful for each and every one of you.
I'm thankful for my family, my friends, for good health
I'm thankful for the progress humanity has made in recognizing that we can make a difference in:

• Social Justice (fair wages and safe working conditions)
• Environmental stewardship (pollutants, energy, waste streams, etc.)

I'm thrilled that upcycling is becoming more common and that we as stitchers can make a difference by using existing resources and look great at the same time.

I'm thankful for the wonderful conversations I've had with experienced and new upcyclers, and their enthusiasm for Paganoonoo products.  

I'm thankful for those who have spread the word about upcycling and introduced the concept to those who have not yet heard about it.

I'm thankful for the perspective shift that occurs when people start to look to see what can be re-used and repaired, not just with clothing, but with anything.

My wish is that all stitchers in the world have a successful upcycling experience and add upcycling to their creative toolkit.  My instructions are designed to give upcyclers excellent support in creating garments they are proud to wear.

Ashlee Pattern examples on 3 people

Paganoonoo sells instructions so that stitchers can duplicate our upcycled clothing designs.  This post gives 3 different examples of the same design.

The Ashlee upcycle design is the second easiest Paganoonoo design to make (Patti is #1). It's a great casual shirt to wear with pants. I love my plaid version, made from three men's dress shirts.

Michelle Paganini in the Paganoonoo "Ashlee" upcycle design. 

Another version of the Ashlee design on a happy customer!  

And a third example made by knitter, seamstress extraordinaire, and friend, Jeannine Bould.

The blouse is made with 2 - 3 existing dress shirts (men's or women's). 

There are no pattern pieces to cut out and pin. The design is created by deconstructing the shirts and then reconstructing the pieces into a new blouse.

Fit is achieved by selecting a base shirt (torso, shoulders & bust) that fits the way you like.  Then our step-by-step illustrated instructions guide you through each step, resulting in a custom fit for you.

Intermediate sewing skills are needed - if you've followed a pattern and have successfully made a garment before, you can do this design.

   Michelle 
 Upcycle sewing made simple. 

To shop already released Paganoonoo upcycling instructions, 

click here.  To link to other Paganoonoo Social Media or join the mailing list (never shared!) click here.

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.

Paganoonoo @ Pacific International Quilt Festival this Weekend

Hello,

We've had some wonderful family events that have had me occupied so I have not posted much lately.   Yes the Rebecca dress is sooooo close to done, but has been on hold due to aforementioned activities.

I have two new team members, Anne and Ellie Vogel, who've been instrumental in moving pattern progress forward.  Both helped at the Paganoonoo booth at Artistry in Fashion show last month.  They will be there is person helping at the next event too, so stop in and say hi.

Starting this Thursday. 10/13 Paganoonoo will have a booth at the Pacific International Quilt Festival, in Santa Clara, California, at the convention center.  The show runs through Sunday.

Come by while wearing your Paganoonoo garment and we will give you 25% off your next purchase of a garment pattern, or a free copy of either the Double Collar or Judy flower patterns.

Don't let the name fool you.  This is a show for stitchers of all sorts.  I've gone almost every year (as a customer and garment stitcher) since I found out about it, and I purchased my machine at the show.  Not only are there many, many vendors, there is a wearable art contest and out local wearable art guild, PenWAG, has a booth nearby. It's a big enough show that it's worth coming back a second day as it is hard to get through everything in one day.

The quilts are truly astounding.  If you haven't been to a quilt show lately you will not believe the strides taken and innovative ways of using today's machines and notions.

Hope to see you there!

Michelle 

Felted works of art for your head - Acme Hats by Lauri Chambers

Thanks to a heads up from Sham's Facebook page I went to the San Francisco Crafts Council show last weekend.  Shams showed off a new hat she had purchased from Lauri Chambers of Acme hats. 

I stopped by this irresistible booth, and saw an AMAZING selection of playful felted hats. 

Many of them reminded me of the best of Dr Seuss illustrations and the world he created. 

  Women were irresistibly drawn to try on the hats.  Lauri guided them unerringly to hats that fit and created flair. 

As a group, all of the folks in the booth voted on which ones we liked best on the other women. I really wanted to see every person walk out wearing a hat, with that big grin still on their faces.

After trying on many, many hats I settled on this black one. Lauri doesn't like her photo taken, so she agreed that I could have a photo with the back of her head, which I did. 

Many of the vendors commented that those of us who bought and wore Lauri's hats were "rocking" the hats.  

Here is a little better selfie once I got in my car.  I love my hat.

I am also a fiber artist and write upcycled fashion sewing pattern/instructions booklets and create one-of-a-kind upcycled garments, more here: www.paganoonoo.com   

Paganoonoo instructions guide stitchers through each step of taking existing garments and transforming them into new fashions. Upcycle sewing is good for the planet, terrific on your budget, and simple as the tough parts are often already sewn for you.

Example designs for sale on Etsy:

 

 

Happy Upcycling,  Michelle

Upcycled Fobots! Darling robot creations

I was at the American Craft Council show this weekend in San Francisco and ran across a wonderful booth. It was full of upcycled materials turned into robots. Small darling robots and I wanted to take every single one of them home.

You know I am a sucker for all things upcycled. Nothing tickles me more than seeing other upcycler's artistic creations. 

This is Amy, the talented artist behind these creations. 

Oh the variety!

The booth itself was a work of art. I can't think of a more effective way of displaying these beauties. 

Simply delightful. Thank you Amy! 

Happy Upcycling, 

Michelle

P.S.  If you are into upcycled fashion then visit my Etsy store.  I sell instructions for my upcycled designs.