Custom Order: Navy Jacquard Jacket

Recently I created a double breasted navy and black jacquard jacket for a custom order. 

The above photo shows the jacket half done, with lots of pins!

The original idea was to have a double breasted jacket that can be done up as normal, and then you can choose to wear the front as an asymmetric collar.

The customer, Leanne, had previously bought a navy blue and black jacquard skirt in Penelope Red. The skirt has the same fabric as shown in the body of the jacket, and she wanted a jacket that would co-ordinate well with the skirt, as well as other pieces in her wardrobe. 

As with any custom order I hand make, we discussed the style and shape, the fit, length, fabric and embellishments. I take the certain criteria the customer wants into account and then let my creative brain do its magic! I am lucky to have some wonderful customers who are very loyal, know my style, and trust what I do!

I decided to add a contrast band around the hem, front lapel, and sleeve hem in a black floral jacquard. Then I highlighted the contrast with gold stitching- this was also featured on the skirt. 

Four amazing gold and diamanté vintage buttons were added to the front of the jacket- they were very special! Then I hand bound each button hole to make sure they lasted the test of time!

Leanne loved her handmade custom jacket, and I was very happy with it too! It was fun making it! I love making these one off handmade designs.

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!

New Style: The Gothic Coffee Bolero

One of my very latest styles, The Penelope Red Gothic Coffee Bolero.



This design evolved from the fabric-up. I already had the pattern, as it is the same pattern as the Venus Floral Bolero, and I had the fabric roll in my sewing room, just begging to be used. For some reason, I automatically had a vision of black lace on it some where, and then as I looked through my box of trims and things, the black velvet ribbon looked so elegant next to the lace.



Once I started to put it all together, it had a little French feel to it, a little bit of a Gothic undertone, and an Art Nouveau vibe.



The Gothic Coffee Bolero jacket is made from a very unique 100% cotton weave. The fabric has been woven into tiny diamonds, from white and coffee coloured yarns (It almost looks beige from a short distance). Then a silver foil print has been applied to the entire fabric. The silver metallic finish is noticeable, but is not something that takes over the style.



The centre front has been decorated with velvet ribbon, and a vintage black nylon lace. The front meets edge to edge, and little black buttons and hand-stitched loops helps to fasten the bolero.



The jacket has been fully lined with a polyester lining.



I will be placing this bolero in the Penelope Red Etsy shop very soon. I hope to get some amazing photos with a proper model very soon!

Winter Colours Liberty Wool Bolero

Introducing the very latest design. the Penelope Red Winter Colours Liberty Wool Bolero!



I featured a little posting about the gorgeous Liberty designed fabric used in this jacket a few days ago, and this is the finished hand made product.

This bolero jacket will look great with a dark pair of jeans during the day; beautiful with a navy blue or black dress during the night; and great for the office with a black pair of pants.

This has been made from a Liberty printed 100% wool, in a beautiful winter colour palette of flowers and leaves. The bolero has been interlined with a 100% cotton fabric to create body to the fabric, durability and warmth, then fully lined with a bright blue silk lining.



I only had enough fabric for three of these bolero's. So whoever buys one of these will truly own a piece of unique design! I have already sold the size 10 (or US sz 6), so the only other sizes I have left are sizes 12 and 14 (or US sz 8 and 10).

Please email me on designer@penelopered.com.au if you would like more information or would like to purchase one of these bolero's.

My Personal Penelope Red Outfits: A look inside my wardrobe!

Above, my Blue Indian-inspired corset dress. It features one-shoulder, gold sequinned beading, and a scarf hanging from the shoulder. I LOVE this dress, and I can't wait for another opportunity to wear it. I feel like a million dollars wearing it!

When I am at the markets, I tell a lot of my customers that virtually my whole wardrobe is Penelope Red. If it isn't Penelope Red, then it is a pair of jeans, vintage pieces, or something that I bought over seas.



Since I am the designer, I feel it is important to wear my own designs... for one thing, it is self promotion, but really, it isn't about that. I design what I want to wear- not what I think would sell. I dream up my ideas in my head, and it is up to me to transfer them to a 3-D object.



The above outfit was worn to the Tessuti Awards 2009. My Black and Lace Winter Dress makes me feel so special! I recently wore this to a wedding.

I love wearing something entirely different to everyone else, and also showing off what I can do!

I think it is also important to try out each style, and work out if it is comfortable; if it fits perfectly; if it needs adjusting.

So, in this posting I have included a few of my favourite Penelope Red outfits.




The above design was for a bush wedding; this red halter dress was a comfortable and beautiful dress, which could easily be worn with my flat sandles.



Yes, the above photo really was shot in Paris! I had planned to go to Europe at the end of their winter. I started to realise before I left that I would be freezing without a coat. I had this wool lying around, that my sister gave me, so I decided to create this coat before I left- I had 4 days before I was leaving! I wore it constantly, and I still wear it today, 5 years on!



Ok, so the little jacket is not Penelope Red, but the skirt is. I have constantly worn this skirt- I have lost count how many times... atleast 50 times. The hubby and I toured Moscow and St. Petersburg, and this is one of the outfits I constantly wore.



Above, the same coat I made before I left for Europe, and this photo was shot in Rome!



This orange top was worn constantly last summer, with my jeans or my black leather mini skirt (a fantastic vintage purchase!).



The Pink Victorian Corset would have to be one of my best ever designs. I have worn mine so many times, and receive comments on it constantly!


My Blue Squiggle Organza skirt was made from a stunning vintage fabric. There was only enough fabric to make one more of these skirts, which has been sold to a lady in Canada!


I made the above vest/blouse especially for this wedding. I started off with one idea, and then it changed as I created it- like most of my designs. This vest always receives many comments when it is worn, so I hope I can wear it again in the coming Summer.



The Penelope Red Black Chiffon Bow Tie Blouse is a top that I wear weekend after weekend! This photo was taken at the Observatory Hotel, having High Tea with a friend.



This was an interesting day (above). My hubby and I went to the Fifties Fair, at Rose Seidler house. I decided to go in Fifties inspired Penelope Red!



My Emerald and Ivory Coat keeps me so cosy and warm in Winter, but I also feel so glamorous, as soon as I put it on! This would have to be one of my all-time favourite designs.


My Coral Kimono (above)... I love it with my black pants, and a sexy heel. One of my friends said to me, "Penny, your wardrobe is like Austin Powers's wardrobe! So much colour..."

I just laughed at that- it made me happy. I can't help it- I love colour! She said that all she has in her wardrobe is black or grey.



One of my favourite dresses, the very first Penelope Red Winter Dress.


Dancing the night away in my Pink Victorian Corset!




I decided to put the above photo last. The girls in this photo I have known since I was 13 or younger. They have seen me in my daggy-est moments, but they have also accepted my style from a young age! I can still remember sitting in maths class, and designing formal dresses, and they all supported me in one way or another while I was designing for my end of school project, or while I was in college, stressing out!

So here's to another couple of decades of my style and fashion!