The Making of Lorelle's Black and Purple Wool Jacket

Recently I created a custom order for Lorelle. She wanted a black and Purple wool jacket in the shape of the Pallas Athene Wool Jacket style.

I thought it would be best to have less of the purple, and more of the black, since it would therefore be wearable for more seasons and be able to wear with more designs.

We chose a stunning blue, black and purple floral brocade to team with the black, then I added a purple satin piping in between the two main fabrics. This is the making of this custom order jacket...



Cutting the fabric out neatly and precisely!


As well as cutting the brocade- see how it shimmers in the light!



Creating the piping involves many steps- first cutting the fabric into bias strips, and sewing them together.


Attaching the interfacing to the wool pieces, and then I start to sew the pieces together.




Once the binding is one long strip, I then wrap it around the cord, and sew as clse to the cord as possible to create the piping.


Above, the piping has been inserted between the fabrics, and I need to clip and trim the layers so they all sit nicely.


The back body piece of the jacket is shown above, before I insert the brocade and piping.


Sewing the brocade to the black fabric with the piping in between- not as easy as it sounds!



The jacket with the piping and brocade attached, before I sew the lining onto it. (above)


The back of the jacket- it was very difficult to get the piping and brocade around those corners!


Getting the sleeve ready to be attached.



Now I am starting to sew the lining pieces together.








Inside the sleeve and shoulder I place a shoulder pad, a sleeve head roll, and many pieces of interfacing, so they all must be neatly sewn and steamed.



Attaching the sleeve to the body of the jacket.


I decided that the jacket would look best with a little extra piping, so I did this along the neckline.


The jacket has been finished, and now I hope I can get a few extra shots of Lorelle wearing the coat, so I can show it off to all of you!

Penelope Red now available in Design-A-Space, Melbourne

A HUGE announcement to make! My Penelope Red designs are now available to buy in Melbourne!!!

They are stocked in the indie designer boutique, Design-A-Space, on Chapel Street, Windsor.




As you can see, there is lots of colour in my display- I wouldn't have it any other way!


And I think the big Penelope Red sign at the bottom, and the smaller one at the top finishes it nicely!

Some of the designs stocked in Design-A-Space, Chapel Street shop include:



The Black and Gold Judith Dress, The Liberty Flowers Wool Bolero, The Black Rose Red Jersey Knit Dress...


The Brown, Cream, Orange and Yellow Wool Pallas Athene Jacket, the Emilie Asymmetrical Blouse, the Ornage Sphinx Blouse....


The Black Rose Jade Dress, The Oriental Red Cherry Bolero, and the Silk Road Winter Dress.

More designs are in stock in the Melbourne shop, and as they are sold, other designs will be added to the shop.



My Emerald Green and White Winter Coat came in handy in the afternoon. The photos above and below were taken on my way to the museum to see the King Tutankhamen exhibition. I was walking through this park, and the autumn leaves against the bright green grass were calling out to me, saying "photo moment!"

Through out the day, three people asked, "where did you get that coat from?"- so business cards were given out, and I told them a little about what I do.

I started to want to sell because every time I went out, people would ask about my designs, and ask that exact question (because even when I wasn't designing full time, I would still wear my own designs).




Above, I am standing inside the Design-A-Space shop, next to my designs. I am wearing one of my tailored winter dresses, which is a similar style to one of the dresses in stock at the shop.


New Penelope Red swing tags for each and every design!


Outside the shop, on Chapel Street.


Bag packed and ready to head down to Melbourne- my big Penelope Red sign makes it look so much more professional- don't you think?!

Now I hope Melbourne likes what I have decided to show off to them!

New Penelope Red Swing Tags!

I have decided that it would be nice to add a swing tag to my designs. I wanted to let my customers know, as soon as they see my designs, that they are limited edition designs, and they have been made by hand with quality. So I hope these Penelope Red swing tags help to portray this!


I decided to attach them to the Penelope Red woven label in the back of my designs because I don't want the safety pin damaging the garment.





From now on, each garment will be numbered, to tell you how many garments will be the same as the one my customers have just purchased. For example, the Pallas Athene Jacket pictured in these photos, will have a swing tag stating:

"This is an original Penelope Red design. It is one of three that will be made worldwide."

I only have enough fabric in the check to make three of these jackets.

Just for fun: My outfit on Saturday 30th April

Last weekend, I attended a baby shower for one of my wonderful friends! The weather was finally not too miserable, and I was inspired to wear a dress, and brighten up the day!

So I wore my Black Rose Jade Dress, in a jersey knit fabric. This dress is super comfy, the bright jade green colour (almost aqua in some lights) is such a glamorous impacting colour, while also being a bit fun!

I decided to wear it with my black and white polka dotted peep toe shoes, instead of black boots- it would've been too heavy for the day.

Then I was inspired to wear something around my waist that helped to tie the shoes in- this scarf turned into a belt for me! It is a scarf I made, and includes colours of black, white, silver and peach. It si the first time I have worn it, and it is funny it was used in such a different way, but I really like this outfit, and will be wearing it again!

(The scarf looks great when you walk too- it glides in the air like a sash- a little bit glamorous, with a quirky edge)


My friend, whom the baby shower was for, and me. Aren't the decorations cute? They are by the mum to be and her mother - in- law.

Congratulations to Ana and Andoni!