New Style: the Jigsaw Skivvy

This Winter I have designed a very new skivvy or turtleneck, using a variety of contrasting prints and colours, in a triangular motif, in the one design. 

I wanted to create a style that was stylish and glamorous while still being very wearable and warm! I realized I had all of these small pieces of beautiful fabrics, that were not big enough on their own, but together they could make something amazing... So the jigsaw skivvy was born!

The best part about this design is that the possibilities are endless since as long as I have different prints to choose from, I can then create variations on the same theme. I am even thinking about making this into a dress for next winter or using a blue or red instead of the black- depending on what colored prints I can find. 

Below are just some of the variations I have created recently...

Above, a customer pic of Katrina wearing her Jigsaw Skivvy...

And another customer pic of Lorelle wearing her Jigsaw Skivvy, below...

And the below design variation has been created all out of merino wool knit. This colour way really does make me want to do more in other colours! 

Please take a look at my etsy shop- link below-  for all the details of how to order this beautiful, versatile and easy to wear style! 

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/241700515/womens-black-long-sleeve-top-choose-your

 

The New Penelope Red Bias Blouse with Flared Sleeve and Asymmetrical Neckline.

Recently I have been experimenting with bias cut designs, predominantly a style I had created a few years ago with an asymmetrical neckline. It originally had only one sleeve, which I think for some people was a little too avante garde! So this season I created it with a pair of flared sleeves and it has made a great style so much more fantastic, more versatile and easier to wear. 

(Above is yesterday's outfit, and I am wearing a version of the bias blouse with a new pair of flared pants- all by #penelopereddesigns)

I have now made quite a few versions of this new flared sleeve bias blouse- I have kept a few for myself and some of my regular customers have bought a few too.

The above version has been made from two vintage red wools- a fantastic red wool print and a plain red crepe. This is a one of a kind design!

Once I find more photos of other versions of this style I will add them to the blog too. 

New high waisted flared pants

Summer is approaching! These colourful high waisted flared pants will be perfect for many warm days and nights. I made them out of a light and floaty rayon, with a large floral print in very bright colors. 

I had been envisaging flared pants with a high waist for so long and finally I have them! I added a godet at each outer leg to give it a bit more flare and it makes them fall very nicely. 

The copy pictured here is my personal copy but hopefully there will be more where this has come from!

New Style: One Of A Kind Black And White Cotton Kimono Women's Dress

I recently created this Black and White Cotton Kimono Dress. It is a one of a kind design, and its the first of many new Penelope Red fashion designs for this Spring and Summer!

This 2013-14 Spring and Summer I am intending on using up a lot of my vintage fabrics. There are so many special fabrics I have collected over the years! Since all of the fabrics have very limited meterage there will be plenty of one of a kind designs!

The Black and White Cotton Kimono Dress pictured here has been handmade using a vintage cotton twill that is lightweight and has a slight sheen to it. The black print looks kind of like a splash of a paint brush in a circular motion.

I decided to add black rik rak braid (also vintage) down the front, to go with the black shoulder yoke and black cuff. Then I happened to have the white beaded flowers and they make the design look even more special I think!

Check it out: The One of a Kind Handmade Black and White Cotton Kimono Dress is available in my Penelope Red etsy shop online here.

Recent Outfits

Here are a few outfits I have worn recently. Whenever I go out I only ever wear my Penelope Red fashion designs, the reason being I believe in my own style! I started Penelope Red because I would always receive comments on what I was wearing (and it was always my designs!), and I am never satisfied with fit/style/quality of others. 

I can be seen around the local parks quite often in my daggy mummy clothes, but just because I am a mum doesn't mean I can't dress up a little when I want to! So here is some Mum fashion for you...

All of the designs I am wearing in the photos above are my Penelope Red designs. You can see more designs in the Penelope Red online shop... Follow the links on the right column.

Handmade Flag Bunting: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie May Gibbs

On the weekend I finished hand making two May Gibbs Snugglepot and Cuddlepie printed flag buntings. They will be gifts for some little girls overseas!

I wanted to make them something they hopefully couldn't get over there, something that kind of says, "Australia", but without being too kitschy. 

And who doesn't want to decorate their kids room?!

I handmade the flag bunting using May Gibbs patchwork fabric that I found in Spotlight recently...( Sadly the only fabric retail store within walking distance.)

I hope the little girls enjoy them!

Custom Order: A Handmade Emerald Green and Bright Blue Silk Kimono

I was looking for some time to compose this post about this fabulous custom ordered green and blue silk kimono, and now that my bub has woken up with teething woes, and is desperately wanting a cuddle, it seems the perfect time to start! I think I sometimes live a double life! Fashion designer in one life, mother and wife in another! 

I just finished hand beading this kimono design last night, and Leanne only picked it up today- so it's hot off the press! Leanne was sweet enough to model it for me in these pics so I could show it off.

Leanne has purchased quite a few of my cotton kimonos, and its one of her favourite styles. She had asked me for a more evening wear type of kimono, and after discussion we decided on this gorgeous emerald green vintage silk. 

The green silk in the main body of the kimono features a dark blue floral print, so I decided to use a bright blue silk for the sleeve, then blue vintage rik rak braid,  and blue sequins to give it that finishing touch!

As with all my kimonos it's the pleating of the fabric that really makes my Penelope Red kimonos stand out... And it's unfortunate that you can never see it in the photos. Each kimono uses around 2 to 2.5 metres of fabric due to the pleating  and how it has been cut. 

I have handmade so many kimonos since starting my Penelope Red fashion designs. Each one has been unique or at least made into a select few. It's quite fun for me to imagine just how far some of my unique designs travel. In its life time, I wonder how far this kimono will go?!