New Pattern,The Sandy Blouse

JUST RELEASED:

  The Sandy Blouse is created (upcycled) from three dress shirts. 

Set yourself up for success with this Paganoonoo upcycling pattern! 

Save yourself time and aggravation; 

we've worked out all the kinks for you.  

Each step of deconstruction and reconstruction

is clearly defined and illustrated. 

What Paganoonoo customers say about using the patterns:

"Great directions - easy to use. 

I've made two of these shirts so far and 

have received lots of compliments!"

"Absolutely brilliantly clear & concise instructions"

"Amazing inspiration along with 

wonderfully helpful technical details."

Purchase your copy today!

New Pattern! Double collar instructions.

Adding a double collar to an existing shirt gives it instant flair!

Take the guesswork out of the equation and save yourself time and aggravation. Leverage upcycler fashion designer Michelle Paganini's proven methods. 

This Paganoonoo pattern will guide you through every step of harvesting a collar from and existing shirt and transferring it successfully to a new shirt. Includes instructions for mismatched collar sizes.  

Upcycle sewing made simple. 

Purchase your copy today!*

*Already included in the Peggy pattern so no need to buy this if you have a Peggy pattern.

The complete Paganoonoo collection.

Cashmere in July? Ashlee Blouse

Cashmere!




Off season is a great time to pick up out-of-season goodies like cashmere at the local thrift store.  What to do with it?




In this example the ribbing from the bottom of a sweater was used to form the band specified in the Paganoonoo Ashlee Blouse Pattern.  It was also used for the sleeve cuffs.



The color play is very subtle between the shirts so the addition of texture spiced things up a bit.



Happy upcycling!

I did it again, red and cream oxfords! Happy Forth of July!

While I was in New York for the FIT Sustainable Fashion Summer Institute a couple weeks ago I went to Grand Central Station.  Breathtaking!

I was wearing a pair of Born oxfords that I'd painted red, leaving the original cream color for part.  Lo and behold I found a shoe shine stand that sold colored waxed laces.  I purchased a number of colors.  Here I am with one of my red laces on, one to go. 

 I was wearing grey, black and white so my red oxfords really popped.  All I need with them today is blue jeans. 

 Happy Fourth of July!

I painted the oxfords "Sassy Feet" style using Lumiere paints. 

In the studio - testing new patterns

We are having a great time in the studio, 
preparing to release some new patterns. 
Here are a couple of test run samples for the Rebecca Dress.  

 It's a shirtdress that buttons all the way down the front. The top is unaltered except for the addition on a double collar.  The skirt is made with sleeves and plackets from other shirts. 

 It will be a terrific pattern for hourglass and pear shaped ladies. 

Coming your way soon!

Upcycled Paganoonoo Ashlee blouse, mango colored version for summer

 

Summer is here!  




I love the tropical colors and use of Hawaiian print in this in this version of the Ashlee blouse.  

Have you made your first upcycle blouse yet?

Paganoonoo patterns are a set of instructions (no actual pattern pieces) for how to deconstruct and reconstruct ready-to-wear into a new fashions.  This pattern starts with 3 collared shirts.  In this case one was a rayon Hawaiian shirt used for cuffs, the double collar and one side panel.

Give yourself an upcycling advantage with Paganoonoo pattern instructions!  Upcycle sewing made simple. Etsy Shop.

I transformed a pair of plainish oxfords into silver wonders!

I transformed a pair of plainish oxfords into silver wonders!   These oxfords from Born are very comfortable but I thought a bit plain.  

A member of my wearable art guild, PenWAG, wrote a book called Sassy Feet about painting leather shoes and purses.  Margot Silk Forrest has brought examples into our meetings and Ive always been impressed.

I thought I'd try my hand at painting these oxfords.  I used two tones of silver paint.  Lighter on the sides and darker on the tips and uppers.  It takes 5+ thin layers to provide good cover.  They really look great.

I wore them on my trip to New York and I was stopped a number of times by people who loved the color.  They are a bit flashy but in a subtle way.  

Next, a pair of red and cream.   And I'm thinking a pair of teal and cream would be cool too.  

I may buy a gross, paint them in every color, and make them a trademark fashion staple.

5 simple (and 1 crazy) ways to be greener with your wardrobe

1. Pass on your old clothes to someone else before donating them to thrift stores. Only a small percentage of donated garments are actually repurchased in the U.S.

2. Don't throw out any textile, even a stray sock. If the item is donated it is much more likely to get to a textile recycler.

3. Have a clothing exchange. Donate whatever people don't want.

4.  Repair it and wear it

5. Rent special occasion garments. Www.Renttherunway.com

6. Form a group to share clothes. With just one other person both of you could potentially double your wardrobe. (crazy but clever)

Another version of the Paganoonoo Peggy Blouse

The latest version of the Paganoonoo Peggy Pattern

The lines of the garment show through clearly, 

even in a different color combination.

 

 

Have you made yours yet?  Paganoonoo.com  Upcycle sewing made clear.

I'm loving this version of the Paganoonoo Peggy Blouse in yellow.  

I lucked out finding the yellow stripe as it is a cotton seersucker with a beautiful hand.  All three of the shirts are men's dress shirts.

Fitting the Peggy blouse is easy once you find a shirt that fits the way you'd like across the shoulders and bust.

I recommend semi-fitted, no gaping at the buttons across the bust and no binding across the back when you swing your arms forward. 

This blouse is done in one of my favorite color schemes, which is using all one color family with subtle patterns like stripes.  

This combination shows off the lines of the pattern.  It is also a bit art-to-wear as it clearly did not come from a department store. 

The ⅔ to ⅓ color split across the back is on purpose.  It is more slimming than splitting the color down the middle.

With summer here I've also been doing combinations of yellow/grey,  pinks, pink/light grey, purples, and pale aqua.  If you can't find any of these colors at the Goodwill on Meridian in San Jose it's because I've cleaned them out.  Happy Thrifting!

Available at Paganoonoo.com

Paganoonoo on the runway in LA this weekend! EcoFashion World Ethical Fashion Presentation

This weekend three Paganoonoo garments will be featured on the runway in Los Angeles:

Bel Esprit  and

MODA 360: LA - APRIL 24-25, 2015 

In partnership with The New Mart, Moda 360 is expanding to the West Coast April 24-25, 2015. Moda 360 will capture the West Coast spirit and culture while presenting the best in international fashion, art, design and fashion film. The event will include a special focus on ethical and sustainable fashion in honor of Earth Month. And as always, Moda 360 will include a charitable side, contributing to the charities supported by The Ben and Joyce Eisenberg Foundation.

Natural skin care sponsor bel essence is returning for the Los Angeles event, along with media partner Linger Magazine and partners and sponsors from media, lifestyle and fashion industries

REGISTER TO ATTEND

SCHEDULE 

APRIL 24: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - OPEN HOUSE  APRIL 25: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM EXHIBIT AND RUNWAY PRESENTATIONS: 11:00 AM - Runway presentation of Tammam, Ruth Dorsla and L'Shandi - the beauty of fair trade and eco fashion and versatile knitwear 12:00 - EcoFashionWorld ethical fashion presentation - Designers with sustainable style  2:00 PM - Runway presentation of Yoli, Cardhouse and Mon Amour  3:00 PM - "Badass Babes" - collective runway show produced by celebrity stylist Melissa Laskin
DESIGNERS/BRANDS  Andes Made  Baharat Beau Monde Organics  elvislaskin by Melissa Laskin Freckled Sage  Juan Pablo Martinez Lozena International L'Shandi Mon Amour  Moonlight  Paganoonoo !!!! Pretty Pretty Rebel Pure Pod  Ruth Dorsla  Stadler-Kahn Talk Design The Eighth Continent Yoli Here are the garments:   Thanks to George Paganini for the fabulous photos! too small for my dress form, hence the gaping front This garment is a variation on Paganoonoo's upcycling "Peggy" sewing pattern, buy it here . Start upcycling your own garment today!  Purchase instructions here.	ARTISTS  Melissa Laskin - abstract art Alexander Stadler - Graphic art Andrew Dahlgren - textile art Shawn Frederick - Photography David Klein - textile art	READ ABOUT THE EVENT!     UPDATES DAILY! Moda 360: LA - The Trailer! Philadelphia Artisans Bring the Maker Movement to a National Stage at Moda 360: LA MODA 360 Opens 2015 in LA in Partnership with The New Mart and a Spotlight on Ethical Fashion Moda 360 Announces Schedule for Los Angeles Event @TheNewMart Moda 360: LA - Eclectic Style Hits the Runway @TheNewMart

Pattern under development - The Marci Blouse

New pattern coming soon!   The Marci blouse is designed to be made using striped fabric. The blouse is intended to be very loose fitting. 

The first version I made is 3 different grays which makes the stripes stand out as the feature.  People are drawn to the subtlety of the pattern play and the fun of the circles.

  
 

The Marci Blouse side view

The Marci Blouse Back View

The Marci Blouse front view

I paired mine with this Marcy Tilton skirt pattern, also made in gray and color blocked with one fabric in front and one in back. The combination makes a surprisingly elegant outfit.   Photos of the outfit to follow. : >