Ursula's Mint Green Bolero Jacket

I love it when a design comes together and I am reluctant to sell it- it means I am very happy with it! This bolero was a custom order for a lady in Germany, named Ursula. She tried on my Black Latin Bolero, but I had run out of fabric and couldn't make it in her size.

After a while, we both decided that this mint green wool/mohair would be a great option for the cropped jacket instead. I appliqued the cream lace onto the mint green fabric, just like I had done with the black latin bolero.



Little buttons and loops fasten the front which meets edge to edge.


I lined this bolero with cream silk satin, and green silk- I love these two fabrics together!


The lace has been applied to the sleeve aswell.


I received some feedback from Ursula yesterday:

"Thank u much !! It feels comfortable , fits perfect , looks wonderful!!! Keep the measurements!!
Thanks again. Your fan in Germany"

It is always nice to hear that my designs have reached their owners, and that they are enjoying them! It makes all the work worthwhile in the end and puts a smile on my face all day!

Customers wearing Penelope Red

It is such a great feeling to see my customers enjoying their Penelope Red designs! It is especially lovely when they send photos of them wearing it- as it shows that they are excited about it as much as me!

I am very lucky to have met Lorelle and Leanne, two sisters who have been buying Penelope Red in the past few months. They went for a weekend away to Bowral, and decided to take a few photos for me. It is such a sweet gesture- I really appreciate it!

Above, Leanne wears the Paris Skirt, a one-of-a-kind skirt. Below, the Monet Flared Pants- another one-of-a-kind design.




Above, Leanne wears the Deco Sequinned Top, and Lorelle wears the Black Latin Bolero and Cosmopolitan Red Bow Tie Pants.




Above, Lorelle wears the Black Noir Bow Top (p.s. that red car is HOT!), and Leanne wears the Aqua Paisley Blouse.




Above, Leanne wears the Pink Candy Cowl Top and below, Lorelle wears the Pink Singapore Sling Kimono.

Autumn and Winter Designs 2010

Over the last weekend, I had some free time, and I already had make up on, so I thought I might as well take some photos of my most recent Autumn/Winter designs. I had been dying to get some decent photos, and I am quite pleased with these images below...



The Black Latin Bolero, available in US sizes 4, 6 and 8 or AU sizes 8, 10 and 12. You can take a look at the making of the Black Latin Bolero on the blog here.





The Black Rose Jade Dress, made from a stretchy rayon elastane knit, in a very bright Jade greeny-blue colour. This is available in US sizes 4 to 12 (or AU sizes 8 to 16). I hand applique black lace around the neck and shoulder, as this brings the eye up to that area and frames your face. I LOVE this colour!





The Liberty Flowers Wool Bolero... such a gorgeous fabric! Take a look at the details of the Liberty fabric on the blog here.



The Liberty Flowers Wool Bolero Jacket is available in US size 8 and 10 or AU size 12 and 14. I only had enough fabric to make 3 copies of this, and the US size 6 is already sold.





The White Rose Navy Blue Dress is perfect for an occasion or to wear for "just because". I like the idea of the Navy Blue being a bit different to black. Everyone sells black dresses, but not too many sell Navy Blue, so this is perfect for me. It really is an elegant and feminine style, while not being too "over-the-top".

This is available in US sizes 4 to 12 or AU sizes 8 to 16.



All of these styles above have been handmade by myself, and are available in the Penelope Red Etsy Shop Online.

Teena's Black and Cream Nouveau Bolero

I created a one-of-a-kind bolero for a lovely customer, Teena, last week. Teena had seen Helen's bolero on my blog, and asked me to create a bright coloured bolero for her, which is similar.

When I was searching for suitable fabrics, I found quite a few brightly coloured cottons, which would have been great for this design, but then this black and cream fabric jumped out at me for some reason.

I had already previously created a black, red and white coat for Teena, and I knew that she loved the graphic contrasting of those colours, so I thought, even though she wanted bright colours, she may still appreciate this print.

Evidently I went with my instinct, and Teena loved it, so here we are!



Teena's feedback was sent to me yesterday:

"I have received the bolero and once again I am very pleased with it. It is a perfect fit and makes me feel good wearing it.", Teena in Perth.

This bolero jacket has been handmade from a 100% cotton print, fused on the inside, and fully lined with polyester lining.





I thought I was pretty darn clever matching up the centre front so well! - look above, yes, that is an opening between those two halves.


I have a box full of old vintage buttons, collected by my Aunt (who is 80) and my Mum. They are buttons from my Aunt's Mum and Mother in law, and my Grandmother. I included two black buttons from this stash on the front of Teena's bolero.



A close-up of the front of The Black and Cream Nouveau Bolero, above.



This bolero has 3/4 sleeves, and the centre front meets edge to edge. It is a loose fit. If you are interested in this style, I have more bolero styles similar to this available in the Penelope Red Etsy Shop, where you can buy online.

They include The Venus Bolero



and The Gothic Coffee Bolero.

Helen's One-of-a-kind Oriental Fireworks Bolero

Last week I completed and posted a One-of-a-kind Penelope Red Bolero to a lovely lady in Melbourne, Helen. She had previously bought the Black Rose Jade Green Dress, and as Melbourne is quite a cold city, a new bolero was needed to keep her warm!



Over an email or two we both decided that the best option was using this beautiful and bright printed cotton to make the bolero. I am so happy with the results!


I call this design The Oriental Fireworks Bolero as the print remind's me of fireworks, and has a definite Asian influence. The print really makes an impact, and it looks great together with the dress. The finish of the bolero is great too- I included vintage buttons from my Aunt's stash.



There was only enough fabric to create one of these bolero's, so lucky Helen has a one-of-a-kind bolero!

Helen kindly wrote some feedback about the bolero and few other items she purchased, and I thought I would share it with you....

"I received the clothes this morning!!! I was like a child in a lollie shop!!

Everything was so gorgeous and fitted perfectly. The Bolero is beautiful. I absolutely love it and it looks divine with the dress. I also tried it on with several other things and it is just fantastic. You have made everything beautifully. The tops are gorgeous; I adore the "Liechtenstein" top- it is my favourite. The red stripe with the bow looks fab as well and the mint green is lovely. All in all great shopping and I will feel very special wearing everything!!! Keep me up to date with all your designs.

Thanks again,

Helen"

It makes me so happy to see my designs sent to good homes!


I have included a few photos of me creating the bolero below....


Cutting out the fabric.


Sewing the outside pieces together.


Sewing the sleeve to the body. I also used cotton interlining to stiffen the outside fabric, and to also make it warmer!


Hand sewing the finishing touches!


You can take a look at my other handmade and unique designs in my etsy shop.

The Penelope Red Black Latin Bolero Jacket

I have been busy making a few more handmade winter pieces for the markets recently, and I wanted to show you this brand new style, the Penelope Red Black Latin Bolero! I call it "Latin" as, for some reason, when I tried this style on, I thought the cream appliquéd lace gave it a very Spanish type of feel.



Sometimes my designs come to me at the most unusual times... when I am sleeping and I dream it; when I am cooking or walking; basically when my mind is somewhat shut off from the constant design process. I guess you could say they are like instant snap shots that kind of appear in my brain for a split second, then disappear. I usually can't do anything else until I draw the idea on paper.

This design came to me in one of those moments!



Above, cutting out the black jacquard wool fabric.



Next, I cut out the interfacing. The whole bolero is interfaced. A much better finish, and it will be much more durable.


Above, sewing the sleeve together.


I apply my Penelope Red label to the inside back facing.


I used silk lining for these jackets. The size 8 and 12 have black silk lining, the size 10 has pale blue silk lining.


I love the lace I used on these jackets! It is a very Art Deco styled lace- the lace I used for my wedding dress! I had a fair amount of it left, and I had been looking for the right design to use the rest in... so here it is.


I applied the lace in parts to the centre front, the shoulder seam, the sleeve hem and the centre back.



It was lucky that I could use the machine to appliqué all of the cream lace pieces on.


Above, clipping and trimming the seams- I do this on every seam!


Attaching the lining and facing to the main outer side.






The lace on the sleeve cuff/hem.

I will hopefully have some nice elegant photos of this design in the next week or two, and will add it to my etsy shop soon. I currently have a few bolero's already in the Penelope Red etsy shop, so please take a look, and visit again soon!