Sharon's Black and Grey Winter Coat. Part 1: The Making of...

The following photos show the step-by-step making of a Penelope Red Winter Coat. This coat was handmade from two contrasting fabrics: 1. A 100% wool black spotted jacquard and 2. a wool/elastane blend cream and black woven twill (from a distance it looks grey).

This is a made to measure garment, and the lady (Sharon) who now owns it, picked it up this past weekend. I was so happy with the fit on Sharon- it looked fantastic on her! I am hoping to receive some photos from Sharon in the coming weeks, so that will be part 2...



First I had to grade the pattern from a size 10, to the correct size.



Next, I altered that pattern to suit Sharon's body shape. I created a toile (prototype) which she tried on before commencing the final garment.


Above, cutting out the wool jacquard, and below, cutting out the fur trim.



I used a cotton voile to interline ALL pieces of the coat. This creates a warmer coat, as well as gives the coat more durability and better shape.


Above and below, piecing the sleeve together.




Above, I am sewing the centre front and side front together.


All seams are trimmed, and clipped, then pressed open.


After this, I hand sew the seams open- using a big stitch. Since the seams and fabric gets quite thick, it is important that they all lie flat, and perfect. It also makes the seams durable for longer.




Above, sewing the interfacing to the interlining.



Before I attach the sleeves, I then create the welt button holes down the centre front.


Above, the inside of the button hole. Below, the outside the button hole.




To make sure that the button hole and the binded cording stay in place and all seams lie flat, I then hand sew the binding edges down to the interfacing.


Inside of the coat, where the pocket is sewn.


The coat collar is made from wool, fur and a very thick interfacing.


The collar seams allowances are also hand sewn down.


After attaching the sleeves, I apply a shoulder pad and sleeve head roll to the shoulder area.



Once the outer layers of the coat are created, I then attach the lining.


Above is a photo of the coat before I had completed it- as I still had quite a bit of hand sewing to go to finish it off. I will hopefully have more photos to add to part 2 soon!

Stunning Liberty Floral Printed Wool

Isn't this print divine! The best part about it is that it is a 100% wool fabric, and it is soooooo soft. Being a wool, it truly is very unique, and I can't wait to create something out of it!



I think I might make bolero's out of it, a similar style to the Venus Floral Bolero.



Judging from the tag it came with, this is a Liberty printed wool. I am not an expert on Liberty prints, and I wasn't aware that they even printed on wool, but either way, I am in love with this print! It is so tempting to make something for myself with it... hmm... one for me, one for the shop!



The colours are so vibrant, but in quite dark and deep colours; an olive green background; bright red, blue, aqua, and dark magenta, green, and brown are mixed together with black heavy outline in a floral motif. STUNNING!

I will keep you posted with what I decide to do with it.

Penelope Red New Design: Mauve and Black Coat sneak peak

After 3.5 metres of wool, 2.5 metres of silk lining, 3.5 metres of cotton interlining, 2 metres of interfacing, 4.5 metres black satin corded piping and 3 days of marathon sewing, I have handmade a beautiful Mauve and Black Winter Coat!

As you can probably tell from the photos, I have not finished it yet. I still need to complete the bound button holes, and apply the buttons to the other front piece. I was just too excited to not show it to you so far!



I decided to accent the mauve with the black as I thought it would be the best impact, as well as being the most wearable. Some beautiful black heels and a black hat would really finish off the look of this coat.



This looks loose on the dummy, because the coat is a size 14 (or US size 10), and the dummy is more like a size 8-10. I decided to make this in a size 14 because it is the most popular size at the markets, and I already have the Jade Winter Coat in a size 10.



I plan to make another coat in a size 12 (US size 8), and if I have time, one more in a size 8 (US size 4).



The Penelope Red Jade Winter Coat and this new style, the Mauve and Black Winter Coat will be available at The Rocks Markets this Saturday and Sunday.

The Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top

I am always watching old movies, and I admire the costumes, and this design is another example of my vintage inspiration and my modern take on it.



I was actually inspired by the above costume worn by The Baroness, from "The Sound of Music". I only watched the movie about 6 years ago, for the first time (strange, hey?), and loved it of course, but I instantly fell in love with the costumes, in particular, the orange suit and bow top outfit shown in this photo.



Obviously, I have changed the style quite a bit, and I don't have polka dots on the fabric (although, I at first tried to get them), but I think the right idea is to not copy, but be inspired! I don't like to make my designs so vintage, that they look like costume.



So I am introducing my take on this look... The Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top.



When searching for a photo of the Baroness, I stumbled across a blog named BLEND, which described the Baroness's fashion perfectly.

Crystal, the lady behind Blend, seems to have a great sense of style- a love of vintage style, but with a modern edge. Take a look at Blend here.



So, I have quite a few photos of this design, so here are some more...



It is made from a red and white stripe jersey knit fabric, made from a cotton elastane. I placed the stripes on the bias around the body, as it creates a more elegant shape and waist line.



The oversized bow is the main element I took from the Sound of Music original, and I think it works really well here with all of the stripes!



you can buy the Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top in the Penelope Red Etsy shop.

Penelope Red featured on Style Collective: Jade Dress

The online magazine, StyleCollective.com featured a Penelope Red design, The Black Rose Jade Dress. I was a guest blogger, and I suggested a few items you could wear it with, and the inspiration behind the design...

Take a look at the feature to find out a little more...

Penelope Red Featured in Northside Magazine!

Look at this!!! The Penelope Red Cherry Bolero is on the FRONT COVER of Northside Magazine!!! How exciting!



Just below the editors letter is the credit for my bolero.



Also, my Navy Pinstripe Fluted Skirt was featured in the spread.

It is such an honour to be selected for the front cover!

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!