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!

Creating "The Red Hour" New Summer Collection Part 2

Last week, I mentioned my new summer collection, "The Red Hour" and a few photos showing the creative process. So here is Part 2 of that...


Above and below, creating the mini skirt...



Above: cutting out the flared pants, from a gorgeous bright red rayon!


Above: sewing the red polka dot satin fabric- this is to make a really cute top!


And altering the pattern for the flared pants.

Today I am creating the new catsuit style, and the fabric for this is going to be amazing! This will be a design that will stand out!

Meanwhile, take a look at some of my other designs in the Penelope Red etsy shop:

New Fabrics for Spring and Summer

I have some new and exciting prints to show you, which will feature in my new Spring/Summer designs for 2010 and 2011. I love colour, prints and retro inspirations, so these fabrics simply sang out to me as soon as I saw them!


1st print: a polished cotton. This print I will get in Aqua as well. You can take a look at the other colour-way on the blog here.




2nd print: a gorgeous red with polka dots polyester satin. I may even use a little of this during winter for some cute blouses!




3rd print: My textile agent said that she thought of me the moment they received it- is that saying something about my taste in prints or what? Anyone who knows my style, knows I love vivid and bold prints. I think this will be fabulous in a great dress, or perhaps a halter neck top.

New Summer Retro Fabrics: Vote for your favourite!

I visited my fabric supplier yesterday, and I am quite excited as they have a new print which I am in love with- I am just not sure which colour-way to get! In comes in a choice of three colour-ways, and they are pictured below.

1. RED



2. PINK



3. AQUA



I am loving the Pink colour-way and the aqua as well. So, I am now asking you, what do you think?

These fabrics will definitely come in handy for the summer, as I wanted to go back to my 60's and 70's retro styles- styles which I known for when I was selling at Paddington Markets. They are loads of fun to wear, and whenever I wear my catsuits, I feel like a million dollars!

Keep in mind that this fabric is a beautiful soft polished cotton, and I will probably make the following type of styles out of it...

1. Flared Pants like these:



2. Kimono



3. Catsuit



so please leave your comments! I would love to hear what you think!