The Penelope Red Vesper Kimono

The Aqua and Black Vesper Kimono has been handmade from a 100% cotton print. This fabric is so beautiful and soft, with such a vibrant print- most people assume it is silk until I tell them that it is actually cotton!

I pleat the back panels, so you don't need to arrange it in a particular way- it is done for you. This is another surprise that people seem to love- because it is very hard to see this when it is hanging on the rack.


Above, the inside of the kimono- all seams are over-locked.


It is always nice to have a few extra photos of my designs- plus I love wearing my creations, so any excuse will do!


I like to wear the Penelope Red Vesper Kimono with a dark pair of jeans and heels for a more smart casual look...




... and I think it looks pretty HOT with a Penelope Red mini skirt. I wasn't sure if I could tuck it in and make it look good, but I am actually very happy with how it looks tucked it! I think because the kimono is quite a full in silhouette design, this actually makes my waist appear smaller- and let's face it, that is always a good thing!



The skirt I am wearing with it is my very latest design, and it is made from two cotton elastane prints. I haven't even named it yet!


A lot of people would probably say my choice and mix of prints is a little out there- but I love mixing up different textures and prints. It is my trademark. If you are not a brave as me, perhaps a black, blue, or red skirt would be just as lovely. I always say, "Your wardrobe is limited only to your imagination!"


You can buy this handmade Penelope Red Vesper Kimono online, in the Penelope Red etsy shop.

The Penelope Red Sweetheart Blouse: A new design!

Last week, I finished a new design: The Penelope Red Sweetheart Blouse.

It is based on the same loose waist/hip fit of the Monet Pleated Neck Blouse, and of course, the bust area has been re-designed, into a lovely sweetheart neckline.



I love the bright colours on the print- bright orange, aqua, red, cream, on a brown background. Placing the bright orange fabric around the bust, and keeping the darker print around the waist, creates an even and flattering silhouette- and you don't even need to have a trim waist for it!



This top is great for the warmer months. Wear it with your favourite jeans, shorts or a skirt- a mini could look really cute with this! I have used gold buttons where the shoulder straps attach to the bust area, so dress it up with some chunky gold jewellery.



I plan to create other sizes in this top- each with different contrasting orange fabric prints. Can't wait!



The blouse is a loose fit from the underbust down. Pleats are at the centre front and centre back. An invisible zip is on the side. You can also very easily wear a strapless bra underneath this top (I am wearing one in these photos)- or some bra straps will fit this style as well.

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

The Penelope Red Silk Road Winter Dress

I wanted to show you one of my very latest designs! This is the Penelope Red Silk Road Winter Dress. I have shown you the same Winter Tailored Dress style, in other fabrics, before, but it still amazes me how different each of these dresses can look by simply changing the fabric.

Please note these photos were taken with a very simple camera, and the photos are not the best, but I couldn't wait for the photo shoot to show you the design! It will look amazing in the photo shoot, once we have a proper model and a fantastic photographer.



Each of the fabric's featured here are recycled fabrics. The black and white check is a wool blend, the aqua is wool, and the red is made from a synthetic fibre.



I love creating contrast, and the colours really pop out! I used these colours together as they accentuate the shapes of the panelling, and I also think it is something unique.



The dress has been fully lined with red polyester lining (which was recycled too). I love using recycled fabrics, or vintage fabrics, as it means that no one else will have it!



This is a one-off design, and there will be others I can make in other fabrics, but they will never be exactly the same. It will be on sale in the Penelope Red Etsy store in late September/Early October 2009.

Meanwhile, please take a look at the latest Penelope Red photo shoot here.

If you would like to order this style, or want one custom made (and we can discuss other fabrics and colours), then please email me at: designer@penelopered.com.au

The Penelope Red Hooded Coat: The Making Of

The above photo, of me, was taken with the help of my hubbie. So it isn't a professional photo, but atleast you can see the hood!


Recently I finished a gorgeous Hooded Coat, that will go on sale late September in the Penelope Red Etsy store.

I was inspired by the loose fitting coats of the 50's, as well as the fabrication, a beautiful, soft and bright coloured bouclé. The fabric is actually a recycled fabric, which I bought recently, and it captured my attention straight away! I wanted a more fun feel with this coat, and I thought the hood added something unusual and striking, that you wouldn't get elsewhere.

I wanted to share with you some of the detail and effort I have put into the making of this coat....

First, I decided to interline this coat. The bouclé' is a very loose weave, and the cotton interlining adds stability, as well as warmth, and durability.

I placed interfacing in all of the areas where it was needed- no cheap fusing here! I have also hand sewn the interfacing down the front, as shown below.
All seams were clipped and trimmed, to reduce the bulkiness of the layers, where possible as well.

Shoulder pads were added to create a very tailored look. It is amazing the difference a good shoulder pad does to the look of a coat, as well as to your figure!


I have added a sleeve head roll to the shoulder seam- this creates a very soft roll-like effect that the sleeve falls over, so you don't get the top of the sleeve collapsing, or a sharp edge from your shoulder pad. It is just something extra which may not seem like much, buts adds to the overall look!So that is some of the inside details, now for the outside details.

I love, love full sleeves at the moment! I especially love full sleeves with added detailing, so I created a pleated sleeve, and it gets narrower towards the wrist.

The front and back panels have been made to be very loose from the bust area down, so I have added pleats that fall loose from just above the bust.
Where possible, all checked lines are matched up to each other in corresponding seams. This itself is quite a challenge, as you not only have to get the sewing right, but the cutting has to be spot-on too!
All of my coats and jackets are always fully lined, and this is no exception. I like to try and make the inside as beautiful as the outside, so each person who wears my designs feels like they have something special and beautifully crafted.
The buttons on the outside ofthis coat are vintage buttons, that I have collected. They were the perfect colour.
The actual fastening is positioned on the inside, so I have the buttonholes on the inside, along with other buttons that fasten .

This is a picture of the hood- well, the best I could do on a dummy. It looks so much better on a body, these photos don't do the coat justice! I can't wait to take some good photos of this design, and others that I am currently working on, but for now, this will have to do!
Hopefully I will have some good photos to share with you, of this coat, ASAP! Some of the Penelope Red Autumn/Winter designs can be viewed here....