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.

Teena's Black and Cream Nouveau Bolero

I created a one-of-a-kind bolero for a lovely customer, Teena, last week. Teena had seen Helen's bolero on my blog, and asked me to create a bright coloured bolero for her, which is similar.

When I was searching for suitable fabrics, I found quite a few brightly coloured cottons, which would have been great for this design, but then this black and cream fabric jumped out at me for some reason.

I had already previously created a black, red and white coat for Teena, and I knew that she loved the graphic contrasting of those colours, so I thought, even though she wanted bright colours, she may still appreciate this print.

Evidently I went with my instinct, and Teena loved it, so here we are!



Teena's feedback was sent to me yesterday:

"I have received the bolero and once again I am very pleased with it. It is a perfect fit and makes me feel good wearing it.", Teena in Perth.

This bolero jacket has been handmade from a 100% cotton print, fused on the inside, and fully lined with polyester lining.





I thought I was pretty darn clever matching up the centre front so well! - look above, yes, that is an opening between those two halves.


I have a box full of old vintage buttons, collected by my Aunt (who is 80) and my Mum. They are buttons from my Aunt's Mum and Mother in law, and my Grandmother. I included two black buttons from this stash on the front of Teena's bolero.



A close-up of the front of The Black and Cream Nouveau Bolero, above.



This bolero has 3/4 sleeves, and the centre front meets edge to edge. It is a loose fit. If you are interested in this style, I have more bolero styles similar to this available in the Penelope Red Etsy Shop, where you can buy online.

They include The Venus Bolero



and The Gothic Coffee Bolero.

New Style: The Gothic Coffee Bolero

One of my very latest styles, The Penelope Red Gothic Coffee Bolero.



This design evolved from the fabric-up. I already had the pattern, as it is the same pattern as the Venus Floral Bolero, and I had the fabric roll in my sewing room, just begging to be used. For some reason, I automatically had a vision of black lace on it some where, and then as I looked through my box of trims and things, the black velvet ribbon looked so elegant next to the lace.



Once I started to put it all together, it had a little French feel to it, a little bit of a Gothic undertone, and an Art Nouveau vibe.



The Gothic Coffee Bolero jacket is made from a very unique 100% cotton weave. The fabric has been woven into tiny diamonds, from white and coffee coloured yarns (It almost looks beige from a short distance). Then a silver foil print has been applied to the entire fabric. The silver metallic finish is noticeable, but is not something that takes over the style.



The centre front has been decorated with velvet ribbon, and a vintage black nylon lace. The front meets edge to edge, and little black buttons and hand-stitched loops helps to fasten the bolero.



The jacket has been fully lined with a polyester lining.



I will be placing this bolero in the Penelope Red Etsy shop very soon. I hope to get some amazing photos with a proper model very soon!

Winter Colours Liberty Wool Bolero

Introducing the very latest design. the Penelope Red Winter Colours Liberty Wool Bolero!



I featured a little posting about the gorgeous Liberty designed fabric used in this jacket a few days ago, and this is the finished hand made product.

This bolero jacket will look great with a dark pair of jeans during the day; beautiful with a navy blue or black dress during the night; and great for the office with a black pair of pants.

This has been made from a Liberty printed 100% wool, in a beautiful winter colour palette of flowers and leaves. The bolero has been interlined with a 100% cotton fabric to create body to the fabric, durability and warmth, then fully lined with a bright blue silk lining.



I only had enough fabric for three of these bolero's. So whoever buys one of these will truly own a piece of unique design! I have already sold the size 10 (or US sz 6), so the only other sizes I have left are sizes 12 and 14 (or US sz 8 and 10).

Please email me on designer@penelopered.com.au if you would like more information or would like to purchase one of these bolero's.

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.

The Making of The Venus Floral Bolero

Last week, I needed to create another Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero for an order, so I thought it was a good opportunity to show you the "making of" this new design...

First I cut out all of the "main" pattern pieces from the vintage cotton floral fabric.


Next I cut out the fusing; this is a stiffening which you iron-onto the main fabric. By the time I cut out the vintage cotton, the fusing and then the lining, it takes a while!


Once the fusing is attached to the floral cotton, I then start to sew as many seams as I can.


In some areas I can attach the lining to the facing pieces.


To keep the neckline from stretching, I place some stay-tape around it.


Next, the sleeves need to be fitted to the armhole. To do this, I place a gathering stitch around the sleeve-head, then I slightly gather it up to fit, and then use the iron to steam it. This shrinks the gathering and prevents puckering.


Once the sleeve-head is steamed, I pin it to the armhole, then I sew it in place.



Then I can focus on the lining and sewing the jacket together.


I like the lining to be just as neat as the outside, so I trim the seams to be neat, and press them flat.


I like to match up all the seams as best as possible too- including the lining.


Now that the lining is ready, I need to insert the pretty pink pleated frill around the neckline of the jacket, before I sew it all together. I create this pink frill from another vintage fabric. It is a large roll of pleated material, which I cut the edging off- this is what I use on the bolero.


Once the frill is attached to the jacket, I then sandwich the layers with right sides together, and sew around the entire edge.


I then trim and clip all seams, as it creates a better finish. Then the whole jacket is turned out through a gap in the lining seam- a little handy trick I learnt in college! This is where it really gets complicated!


Once it is turned out and the neckline has been under-stitched, I then need to finish off the sleeve hem. I do this by turning it inside out, through the same gap in the sleeve lining. It is too hard to explain, so just take my word for it when I say that is where my years of sewing experience comes in handy!


I like to use a contrasting blanket stitch on certain designs. I think it adds a certain handmade quality, while still looking chic and individual. In this design I use a bright pink thread to tone back in with the flowers in the print and the pink frill.

When I bought my sewing machine, I thought I was never going to need all of those fancy stitches that it can create. Now I am so glad they are available, as I think when I use them on my designs, it sets them apart from the rest.


By this stage it is practically done. All I need to do now is place the tiny hook and eyes onto the garment centre front. This is done by hand, and I even make my own little eyes with thread.




And the completed Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero is done! You can purchase a copy of it in my etsy shop here.