Studio Sale!

This Saturday, the 2nd of May, I am holding a Studio Sale along with fellow Melbourne Crafters, Anna Laura, Jodie Nicholson, Kate Boulton, Rachel Francis and Samantha Sultana.

The sale will be held on Level 2, 37 Swanston Street in Melbourne (on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane) from 9am until 5pm.

We will be selling a wide range of new products, seconds, samples and overstock. Also, fabrics, craft supplies, sewing patterns and much more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hansel and Gretel by Lotte Reiniger

Thank you so much to Pip from Meet Me Mikes for posting this on their blog today - I am in love!

I went shopping at Meet Me At Mikes and look at what I bought!

On Thursday, I, along with a group of wonderfully talented designers and models (including 2 of the chicks that run Thread Den), filmed a tv commercial. I am not sure if I am allowed to say anything yet, but I will blog about it as soon as it 'goes live'.

It was important to me to wear locally made clothing and accessories for the shoot, so.... I went SHOPPING!!

I bought a gorgeous red hand knitted in Australia cardigan by Cul Desac from one one my stockists, I Dream A Highway in Northcote.

My dress was a Hawaiian Barkcloth one made by me, so I needed some accessories to compliment the outfit. Next stop, Meet Me At Mikes!

I bought a gorgeous necklace with some sweet birds on it, a copy of Pip's new book Meet Me At Mikes and a beautiful Swallow brooch. The swallow brooch is super special as Pip's partner and boyfriend Cam hand carves them - exquisite!

If you are in Melbourne and have'nt already, please do check out the three stores I have mentioned in this post, you are sure to find yourself a handmade piece of wonderful goodness!!

'Sara' shirt in Ice Skating check

This is one of two new 'Sara' shirts that I made about 2 months ago.

Up until recently, my computer was hardly working so blogging meant going to the library and hoping that a computer was free.

Anyway, here is one of two new 'Sara' shirts, available in Australian size 8 to 22. It is made from 65% Polyester/35% Viscose giving it great wash n' wearability.

This shirt is available from Thread Den in North Melbourne and I Dream A Highway in Northcote.

It is great for both Spring and Autumn and looks gorgeous under a vest or pinafore.

I have listed a couple in my Etsy store and hope to add more over the next week.

Have you been to Five Boroughs?

Five Boroughs in Brunswick East, Victoria is a delightful shop run by Steph & Kyle. The shop is filled with beautiful handmade and hand screenprinted bags, homewares and decorative art.

My brooches are stocked there as well as Rewind coffee, which you must check out!

Please visit this beautiful store and ask to see their in-house produced range.

My dress is featured on thisnext.com today!

The lovely Angela D'Alton from one of my online stockists, leeloo.com.au sent me this link today.

You can buy this dress from: www.leeloo.com.au as well as my online store.

Do-Re-Mi + dancing in the train station

My friend Alexandra sent this link to me this morning, I have no doubt it is to advertise something, but it's worth watching it to the very end.

When Paula called me about Marie Claire...

This news is old, as my computer was on it's way out when this news happened and trying to do anything on it was a nightmare!

In late January this year, I got a phone call from Paula Delley asking me if I would consider loaning her some dresses for an upcoming shoot to accompany an article being written about her Pinup Workshop by Marie Claire magazine.

Paula wanted to re-create 3 vintage pinup images and my job was to help replicate the outfits. The first one was a Hawaiian style frock, for which I loaned her a 'Lucky Diamonds' dress.

The next image was easy, Paula simply loaned a petticoat that I had I in stock and used it as an outer skirt.

However, the final dress - well that dress kept me awake for 3 nights. Paula emailed a photo to me (you can see the image on the top right hand side of the article page) and I had to replicate that dress in exact detail, the problem was it is a dark photo and I had to do a little guess work. OK, making the dress was easy, but this was Marie Claire! My mind went completely blank and with other dressmaking orders baking up, I had to get my act together fast.

For the outer, I chose a beautiful Italian Crepe from Clegs, $59.95mt and a dream to sew. The lining was 100% viscose adding weight and slink to the dress.

I combined a store bought pattern, a 1970's pattern and my own pattern making to create a really luxurious gown.

Paula was happy with the dress and I am happy for Paula to have been featured in an international fashion magazine...I have a feeling this is not the last time we'll be seeing Paula in the glossies.

Note: All photos and text in the image above are owned by Marie Claire Australia and Paula Delley.

Sarah Lea Cheesecake fans read on...

I first met Sarah in 2004, at a rehearsal for Route 66's Peek A Boo parade - she was admiring one of my gingham belts.

Since that day, Sarah and I have become good friends, she is warm, sincere and is always a great listener. Her advice is sound and she always makes you feel like you are worth a million dollars.

Sarah's alter ego, Sarah Lea Cheesecake is a sexy, talented, hard working Burlesque performer currently based in Melbourne. Photographers have queued up to photograph her in the well loved Pinup style and she has modeled for clothing labels such as Route 66 and my own label, Peta Pledger.

Earlier this year, Sarah finally completed her much anticipated website, which can be viewed by clicking here.

To keep up to date on upcoming performances and to view a comprehensive collection of live action photos, visit her Facebook page.

Things that make me Happy # 2 - Johnny O'Keefe

There us something absolutely magical about Australian music. Growing up in the 1980's, music shows always put an emphasis on Australian music.

Watching music video programs now is always a mixture of American Hip Hop, R & B more Hip Hop and more American *insert genre here*.

My mum is a Johnny O'Keefe fan and I remember feeling awestruck everytime I saw him on tv or listened him on the radio.

Whenever I hear this song, I have to sing it really loud and if you have heard me sing...well...

Thread Den is having a House & Garden Party

20% off storewide, including Peta Pledger clothing & accessories.

Three of my dresses in MX today!

Thank you Paula Delley for using three of my dresses (and Beth's petticoat) as part of your truely wonderful MX newspaper photoshoot.