Vintage Finds: cotton prints I currently have in stock

I use vintage fabrics, especially cotton prints, in my fashion designs all the time. They always seem to be very unique and special, and to me, good quality fabric means so much when creating a design.

The following swatches are just some of the vintage cotton prints I currently have in stock. I custom make a lot of my designs out of fabrics like these, and I simply adore collecting fabric!

(I have taken the photo of each fabric with the cutting blade included so you have a point of perspective. The rotary blade is 45mm wide.)

"Cute apples"- vintage cotton in blue, yellow, orange and white on a blue background.

"Pink Gingham"- Pink and white check vintage cotton.

"Green gingham"- Green and cream cotton check.

"Lilac Flower Power"- Large lilac stylised flowers on a cotton drill.

"Strawberry Fields"- red, yellow and green strawberry vines on a denim background.

"Aqua Jewel Stripe"- vibrant jewel tones of orange, navy, green and aqua in a striped cotton.

"Pretty Blossums"- red and blue flowers and a white background. A vintage cotton voile.

"Autumn Blossums"- pretty brown flowers on a very fine and sheer cotton voile.

"Yellow Blossums"- tiny little yellow flowers on a cotton poplin.

"Gold Jigsaw"- a very unique vintage cotton, printed with an unusual gold and black geometric design. The fabric has a sheen to it, as well as the printing. I haven't made a lot with this yet, as its one of those fabrics which I absolutely adore and I want to get the style just right!

All of the above vintage fabrics and more (that are in my collection) can be made into many different Penelope Red creations. Please check out my website at www.penelopered.com if you would like to see more.

New Vintage Fabrics

When people have seen my designs at The Rocks Markets, or when I am wearing my Penelope Red designs out, most will ask me the same question, "Where do you get your fabrics from?". I know that my interesting fabrics and prints is what sets me apart from a lot of the other designers out there, so while I won't give away all of my secrets, I will share something with you...

I come from a long line of dressmaker's, and now that my Aunt's are getting past the stage of wanting to sew, they have decided to pass on their collection of fabrics to me! It only means great news for me and for my Penelope Red designs.

I have always loved vintage fabrics and prints- and they add an exclusive touch to my designs as no one else will have that fabric. Even when in was in TAFE, studying fashion design, I would visit the local op-shops and vintage stores, and collect beautiful pieces of fabric. Vintage fabrics is part of the Penelope Red aesthetic now, and around 50% of my fabrics and trims are vintage- especially after the latest editions.

The above photo and the below two photos are of fabrics collected from my Aunt Christine.
1. two cotton prints, and a beaded and sequinned trim.
2. printed linen, printed polyester and more beaded trims.
3. a black and blue jacquard and a printed cotton.



If you know anyone who likes to sew, you'll probably find out that we like to collect and hoard! Some people call it, "insulating the walls", other's call it, "fabric-holic". So when I meet a dressmaker who is giving up the trade, I always ask if they would like to sell their stash to me. The fabrics in the next image are from a recent "stash-buy". I love the printed wool (left), and the linen has come in handy (middle). The lace is probably my absolute favourite thing I acquired from this lady.



The fabrics above and below are from another aunt of mine, Aunt Patricia. All of these are cotton prints, and they will come in handy for the coming Spring/Summer- I can't wait to use them!

Penelope Red featured in Peppermint Magazine!

I am very excited to announce that two Penelope Red designs have been featured in the Peppermint Magazine!!! The items featured were the Venus Floral Bolero and the Cream Bow Tie Blouse, both available in the Penelope Red etsy shop.

Peppermint Magazine is a quarterly fashion magazine, which focuses on the "green" and eco side of things. I told them about my "Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection", and how a lot of the pieces had been designed from vintage and recycled pieces of fabric (as in fabrics that I salvaged from my Aunt, Mum, their friends, from other people who once sold at the markets, from antique and 2nd hand stores, etc)- all helping to reduce the landfill that is forever rising!



Pictured above is the Venus Floral Bolero and the Cream Bow Tie Blouse is below.





Above, the current issue's front cover of
Peppermint Magazine, in which Penelope Red is featured.

New Style! The Venus Floral Bolero

I have finally had a chance to update this blog with a new Penelope Red design! Introducing the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero.



I have deliberately used photos that only show you sections of the bolero, as I want to unveil the whole design in a photo shoot, which will be taking place later on in the month- so keep watching this space for more!

This new cropped jacket design was inspired by Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" painting, and Jane Austen. Read more about this here.



The main fabric is a gorgeous vintage screen printed cotton, which was purchased from an antique dealer a few months ago in Sydney. The ruffle is another vintage fabric, which I have previously used on the Victorian Pink Corset as well. I thought the ruffle accents the bold flowers with a more delicate feel- I like the idea that each woman that wears this has a little boldness to them, but also has a little delicate, feminine side to them as well.



The jacket or bolero has been fully lined, and I have added a lovely pink decorative blanket stitch to the edge of the hem.



I am currently working on other styles that will be a part of this mini-range. I can't wait to show you more! I already have a corset and a gathered neck blouse to include.

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

Updated on Tuesday 23rd March, 2010: I have added the Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero to my etsy shop. Please take a look at this beautiful design here!

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 Penelope Red Vintage Tulip Dress: A new style

The Penelope Red Vintage Tulip Dress is a new design... I finished it last week.

The dress is made from two different prints. The print around the bust is a printed cotton- white print on cream background. The print placed around the waist and skirt is a gorgeous vintage screen printed cotton blend, featuring bright and bold large flowers in various colours including orange, yellow, peach, green, and aqua with a navy blue background.


I found the vintage floral fabric in an antiques store, amongst the clutter! I love bold prints, and this print was screaming out to me, "take me home!"



The shape of this dress is the same shape as the Penelope Red Pop Dress, pictured below.



Even though it is from the exact same Penelope Red pattern, it is amazing how the different fabrics create a completely different look. Also, swapping the contrasting waist (as it is in the Pop Dress), to the contrasting bust area makes the waist and legs look longer as well. I still like each dress as much as each other- but it is fun to mix it up and create different looks!


The back has an invisible zip to that starts from around the bra line- down. The back is actually open from the top of your bra and up; it gives you a bit of breeze around your back on those warmer days. A large orange button fastens the back around the neck and another secures the zip.


If you are interested in this style or any other Penelope Red style, please email me at:
designer@penelopered.com.au

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