The perfect wrist pincushion

I don't know about you, but I love using a wrist pincushion.  It is so much easier than carting around loose pin cushions, although I use those too.  

However, I have had pet peeves.  The kind with the plastic band band slips, is not very adjustable to wrist size, is narrow so I continually miss the cushion and prick myself, and when it is hot I sweat underneath. 

As an alternative I made an upcycled cashmere band and my own cushion, which worked very well except for the pins and needles sometimes hitting my wrist underneath and some shifting around of the cushion. The original band wore out so when I added a new band I glued a patch of leather underneath the cushion, which was an improvement as I did not get pricked as much.  Much to my disappointment it has been missing for some months.

I finally realized I don't want to wait any longer for it to show up, so I've been on a mission to build the perfect wrist pin cushion. I think I hit it!

The key is a wide leather cuff.  While I was in Florence, Italy with the Canada College Fashion Department Study Abroad (Italian Fashion) class a few weeks ago we visited a fantastic family owned leather business.  I saw leather cuffs on the wall and excitedly tried them on but none was perfect.  We had just toured their incredible on-site workshop and I realized I could order a custom-made cuff!

This is the result.  It is slightly wider on one end than the other to fit my wrist.  It is 2.5" wide and has snaps on  both corners. I requested perforations on both sides to accommodate attaching the cushion. Perfection!

Now for the cushion.  It is double upcycled and felted wool, LOL. It started as a thrift store score of a brand new Alpaca golf sweater which my husband did not want to wear (darn him!). 

So I upcycled it into a felted cross body handbag complete with a zippered inside pouch from FABMO fabric, and lining from a wool remnant purchased at the PenWAG (my guild) holiday party exchange/fundraiser, and embellished it with huge vintage mother of pearl buttons I got when visiting my Aunt Jane in Minnesota.  

It was a thing of beauty...until I washed it again in a load with a tube of red lipstick.  Not only did it shrink more, it got red streaks that did not come out.  Back to the "use it for something" pile. Unfortunately I do not think I ever took photos of it.

Felted wool makes a great pincushion. So I cut up the bag, layered rectangles and sewed them together by hand.  

Then I wrapped one long piece around the stacked ones, seam down the middle of the underside and stitched it closed.  It probably could have been used it just like this but it was shedding quite a bit.

I encased the felt cushion in crushed red velvet.  

I pulled and sewed all the raw edges down so that they would be hidden next to the leather cuff. Red is my favorite color so this will make me smile every time I use it.

 It was a mistake to use white thread on the underside as some showed once the cushion was sewn on.  Too lazy to redo it instead I colored over the threads with a red fabric marker. 

This is where the perforated holes came in handy.  I was able to secure the cushion with buttonhole thread quite easily. Changing out the cushion will be simple to do. 

Pins slid in easily.  The pad stays secure, not shifting around as it did with the cashmere band.   One improvement would make the pad more easily accessible is shifting the stitching holes in towards me.

The snaps keep the band secure.

I am quite happy with the results. 

I'm considering making these to sell, or selling a kit with a pre-finished cuff made of upcycled belts.  

I've had my eye on a professional snap setter, LOL, one more toy.

What is your favorite type of pincushion?

Happy Upcycling!  

Paganoonoo sewing instructions are available at www.esty.com/shop/paganoonoo

Handkerchiefs for tears of joy

I've been wondering, is using a hankerchief going to come back? My husband and I use them.  My Dad uses them.  When I was little somehow I associated having a hankie with being a grown man or lady.

If you've never used one it is much nicer than a tissue.  I wouldn't recommend them for a heavy cold, but they are great for general sneezes (I have hay fever) and tears and wash up very well.  I was in a vintage store the other day and they had stacks of beautiful hankies for sale. E-bay is brimming with them.

I set up a hankie bar for our Son's wedding with a sign that said "For Tears of Joy".  I had purchased enough vintage hankies for all 80 guests. Every single one was gone before the evening was over.  






























The sweetest moment was when my new daughter-in-law was so moved during the ceremony that she began to cry.  Her new nephew (the ring bearer) reached into his suit coat and whipped out the hankie he had taken and handed it to her.  She then ended up sharing with her bridesmaids.  The bridesmaids gave it back at the end saying she should keep it as it contained all their tears.

I've made a practice of giving hankies as a gift to key folks at weddings and funerals, where we will predictably cry.  They are always very grateful.  It's such a simple and inexpensive way to let someone know you are thinking of them in that special moment and offering your love and support.

Vintage is green! 

P.S.  If you are having a big wedding soon, 

look what I found on e-bay - no I'm not getting a kickback!

It's Sew Easy - Filming is complete

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting KP Productions in Cleveland and being filmed for upcoming episodes of "It's Sew Easy". Episodes will start airing in June this year.

The topics will all be upcycling (naturally).  We did 3 segments (about 11 minutes), 2 tips, and 3 Instagram commercials.

The crew was wonderfully supportive and I learned some the tricks for filming vs. live presentation.  They said I did well, whew!

Here are some photos from my adventure:

on set with #AngelaWolf, she's wearing Paganoonoo!!

The taping was in February. I saw and touched real snow! 

In my TV makeup. 

The set

Give yourself a boost - Paganoonoo makes upcycle sewing simple.  Available in the Etsy store.

Michelle Paganini YouTube channel first video posting

Yahoo!  My first official YouTube post courtesy of It's Sew Easy!!!

As the other segments and tips from season 1300 become available I will load them too.

Happy Upcycling!  Michelle

Upcycled Shirt Dress - The Rebecca Dress

I don't know about you but I love a classic shirt dress.
That's what this upcycled Paganoonoo Rebecca Dress is, a classic shirtdress. 

Using men's shirts as a starting point is a fantastic way to take advantage of the the already completed details such as collars, cuffs, plackets, buttonholes, etc. 

Men's shirts are typically made of great fabric and have excellent construction details making them the perfect choice for upcycling. 

To make your own version, purchase this set of Paganoonoo detailed step-by-step instructions.

These instructions will work for anyone who can find a shirt that fits their bust and shoulders in a way they like.  All the rest of the sizing falls out of that starting shirt. They are available as a PDF file and hard copy on the Paganoonoo Etsy store.

This dress takes 3 to 6 dress shirts, depending on the size and color choices. Intermediate sewing skills are needed. 

Happy Upcycling!

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. 

Simple upcycled summer skirt - The Paganoonoo "Bekah"

Paganoonoo is offering sewing instructions for this upcycled DESIGN, perfect for summer!!

The Bekah skirt is an A-line skirt constructed of dress-shirt sleeves and front plackets.  The sleeve cuffs form the waistband (built-in interfacing, pleating and flair!!).  Harvested front plackets are used to make a front button closure. Three to six men’s (or women’s) dress shirts are used to achieve the color blocking.

ALL SIZES INCLUDED

WORKS FOR PETITE, AVERAGE, TALL, SLIM, CURVY FIGURES 

RESULTS IN A CUSTOM FIT! Sizing is scalable; fit is adjustable based on the shirt sizes chosen as starting materials. The key to sizing success is to select shirts with total cuff widths larger than your waistline. Instructions for calculating useable cuff width, including seam allowances, are included.  For example, an XL might take 3-4 shirts, which includes 6-8 sleeves.

Click here to purchase yours today! 

$16 for digital download, $22 for hard copy

Supplies 

INSTEAD OF FABRIC: 3-5 Men’s dress shirts or equivalent women’s shirts.  Select shirts that are not prone to excessive wrinkling.  Cotton/ploy blends work well.  If you are a larger size or want a longer skirt stick with men’s XL and XXL shirts.

NOTIONS AND EQUIPMENT: Thread, 2 hook & eyes, 2 small snaps, iron and ironing board, marking tool (dressmaker’s chalk, etc.), pins, hand sewing needle, ruler, tape measure, seam ripper, sewing machine and scissors.

All information copyrighted by Paganoonoo.  

Sewing pattern sizing

Did you know that sewing pattern sizing is not the same as retail clothing sizes?  

I wear a 14 retail and a 22 or 24 pattern size.  If you've ever been faced with making massive adjustments trying to get a pattern to fit you've probably purchased the retail size. Choose your proper pattern size from the measurements on the back of the envelope. Also note that vintage pattern sizing is different than today's sizing. 

One of the advantages of Paganoonoo upcycling instructions is that the sizing self adjusts.  Because you are starting with a ready made garment, the fit is all determined by the starting garment you choose. The fitting in Paganoonoo garments is in the bust and shoulders so that top garment dictates the size.

For instance with the Patti Pattern so as long as you choose a dress shirt that fits the way you would like across the shoulders and bust, you get a perfect fit.

Buy your Paganoonoo instructions today: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Paganoonoo

Happy Upcycling!

Give yourself a boost - Paganoonoo upcycle instructions make upcycle sewing simple!  Available in our Etsy Store.

Happy Earth Day! 30% off Paganoonoo

In celebration of Earth Day Paganoonoo upcycle sewing instructions are 30% through April 28th! https://www.etsy.com/shop/Paganoonoo

With Fashion being the second largest polluting industry on the planet we stitchers can make a difference by sewing "green".  The greenest clothing that exists is that which has already been made.  No new resources are depleted when we "Upcycle" a.k.a. "add value" to unwanted clothing by reinventing it.

As a citizen of the planet my commitment is that every stitcher try upcycling at least once, successfully, and get hooked, adding upcycling to their sewing tool chest.  Together we can help green the planet and look great.  Paganoonoo sewing instructions set you up for upcycling success!

Rebecca and I wearing the "Rebecca Dress", one of our three new patterns.

Happy Upcycling!  Michelle