The Betty Dress - Part III

Done!

I finished the Betty Dress today, so here is with a few final details. I'd like first to thank a few people for this project. Thank you, Betty, for the dress design itself and Bunny for posting it and bringing it to my attention. Betty thought this up quite some time ago and it still works today. The fabric contributors also get a thank you: VickiW gave me the denim and Ann gave me the golden tan silk. Thank you both - the fabrics work nicely together.

The denim skirt was cut in one piece, with no side seam. This is because the beading went across the fabric from edge to edge and I didn't want to cut and seam the fabric. If I ever want to make a skirt from the length, I still can. I ended up making the piping in the denim, as I didn't like any of the other choices I had. Dark brown, beige and cinnamon brown all looked weird. I was hoping for a faux suede, but since it is summer, it was all but impossible to find such a thing at my only local fabric store.

I made only one design change: no ties to make a bow in the back. This is the adult version and the fabrics are a bit on the sophisticated side for the bow.

I attached the lining all at once along the neckline edge, which meant I still had to finish the armhole. I chose to do a simple binding, folded to the inside and hand stitched in place:

The finishing touches are some beads and accessories. First, some beads on the ties, these were leftover from a craft project many, many moons ago.

Second, a beaded bracelet in the same tones as some of the skirt beads:

Third, navy shoes, patent leather (of course!) and cork platforms:

Now for the big question: would I make another one of these? Well, maybe. I like the style, although it is very distinctive. The colors of this one are not my usual colors choices. I rarely wear either navy or golden tan (ok, I have neither of these colors in my wardrobe except for jeans), but the fabrics just worked together so well in color and texture that I couldn't pass them up. I think in brighter colors/prints this dress would look very different. Overall, a fun dress to make and wear!

Parting Shot: Leaf Print. Here is my daughter with the fabric she painted over the weekend. She sunprinted this with leaves she collected from the yard.