New Fabrics for Autumn Winter Collection 2012

Since the upcoming Penelope Red Autumn/Winter Collection will be inspired by Picasso artworks and Ballet Russe costumes, you can imagine that there will be a lot of decoration, embellishment and decadence! I can't wait!



The images included in this posting show some of the fabrics I am planning to use in this collection.


I have been very lucky to obtain quite a few vintage fabrics.

-Photo 1: a vintage organza with a squiggle lined texture, and a red wool blend
-Photo 2: a vintage 100% wool check, and a cream stretch lace
-Photo 3: a vintage pleated organza in black, and a silver, black, cream and brown jacquard.



The above photo shows two wool blended fabrics that I will be blending together to make a design- the colours look amazing together!


Above, shows a black and blue jacquard, and a vintage red fringed metallic fabric- this fabric will be a real challenge to use, but i am looking forward to seeing what I can come up with!


I will be using a collection of vintage buttons, that have been handed down to me from my husband's family. Most of these buttons have come from Russia, so they will fit nicely in this theme!


Below is a brand new lace which I just simply LOVE! It is such a statement and very dramatic- so I had to have it for this collection!


I can't wait to start designing the new designs! They will be gradually created over the Summer break, and I will try to post my work-in-progress photos as I go.

Fabrics and Textures for Autumn 2011 Collection

Previously I posted about my Penelope Red Autumn 2011 Collection inspiration. Today I wanted to show you the fabrics, trims and textures that I may decide to include in this collection....



As with any design, my ideas will evolve and change as I go, but right now, I am thinking of using a mix of fabrics, textures, and trims in colours ranging from gold, silver, brown, blue, purple, and mixing them with shades of white, cream and black.

Included in these photos is a brand new print, white silk, black sequinned lace, a few vintage laces, a couple of vintage metallic braids, black ribbed fabric, olive silk, beaded chiffon. This is just a small selection of the fabrics and trims I have to choose from, and I can't wait to get started on this range!



Stay tuned for more updates throughout the next few months.

Fabric swatches: which one do you like?

I wanted to buy some new knit fabric prints. I have three options, images of each are below. As you can see, they are all the same print, just in different colour-ways.



1. Mocha Blue



2. Charcoal



3. Blue

So, what do you think? I am considering using the blue colour-way, but I like the others too, so this is where your opinions count!

I was thinking of using the print to make either a dress, perhaps like the Jade Bow Tie Dress (below)



or the Black and White Printed Bow Tie Top (below).



Please leave your comments below or on the Penelope Red facebook page

New Fabrics!

The photos included in this post are a few quick shots of new fabrics that I have purchased in the past week. I have only draped them around the dummy- so you can get a feel for the fabric.


The above fabric (the purple, yellow and brown) and the below fabric (emerald green and white) will be used to create kimonos. I can't wait to see the finished product!



The above fabric was purchased from an antique's dealer, along with the vintage tulip fabric. It is a one way print, so I will have to be careful how I use this. I don't want birds and flowers upside down!

This candy stripe is a knit- I love a good candy stripe! This will most likely make some really cute tops.

So much to do, and so little time!

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

The Tessuti Awards 2009

The Tessuti Awards were on lastnight, at Esmod Fashion School, Sydney. Its a chance for designers and people who love to sew to show off their creations, to like-minded people, so I decided to join in!



Some of the lovely designs are pictured below.....

The neckline of the above dress was gorgeous!




I thought the back of the above dress was very unique! I imagine this to be at home in the Ascot "Breakfast at Tiffany's" scene. Very sophisticated!


Pictured above: myself in my own design (left), and the other design (right) was one I really admired. The detailing was stunning, and very different.



The third dress from the left came 2nd in the LBD category. This dress was probably my favourite of the night, or perhaps the one below, that is pictured with mine.


I couldn't resist also sharing my own design with you... I based my design on the Penelope Red Winter Dress, which had always been inspired by Old Hollywood movies, in particular, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", as well as "An Affair To Remember".


My signature is the contrasting fabrics, as well as the sleeve, which, I am proud to say, many people commented on!



All of the fabrics, and the lace used in this dress were purchased from Tessuti, the Surry Hills store. The lace was just beautiful, and once I spotted it, I knew I had to have it!


Above are the finalists for the LBD category


Above are the finalists for the Smart Daywear/Evening Wear category.

It was a fun night had by all, and most importantly, it was a chance to meet other people who love doing what I do!

For anyone who loves fabrics, and you are living in or visiting Sydney or Melbourne, you should visit Tessuti Fabrics. They stock a beautiful range of European designer fabrics, and it is well worth the look.

If you can not visit any of the stores, then take a look at the Tessuti online store.