The ‘Better Betty’ Dress
The Facts
Fabric: Double bedsheet, thrifted, $3 and leftover white cotton for the lining
Pattern: McCall’s 3718, thrifted, $2.99
Notions: hand me down zipper
Year: 1955
Time to complete: About 6 hours
First worn: March 2012
Wear again? Yes!
Total Cost: $5.99
Oh Betty Draper! There are few characters on television that I want to shake some sense into, but at the same time marvel at her contradictions and somehow find myself championing her to success. That could actually be said about the whole Mad Men cast, you love them, you hate them… and the show just keeps getting better so I am overjoyed for the season return!
And HELLO again! It’s been too long! After last year’s epic Sew Weekly, I’ve been slowly pottering around the sewing room, making lots of stretchy summer dresses, but nothing too spesh. So the Mad Men theme totally rebooted my drive to try out a new pattern and aim for something dazzling!
It’s a McCalls pattern from the op shop in Bendigo, and from 1955, which could be a smidge too early for the Mad Men era. I decided with the ‘peek a boo’ slit it would be a Peggy type style (she’s a high neckline modest gal) but this fabric just turned it into Betty Draper category. After a bit of pinteresting searches, I noticed blue florals (for both Peggy & Betty) were more dominate in Mad Men’s style guide, so instead of the green and white cotton plaid I’d bought especially for the theme, I searched my stash and found this blue/fawn floral bedsheet. I know, I bought new fabric and still used a bedsheet!! Some things just never change! I’ll have to use the green stuff another time, I just thought it would be too bold and blocky for the era of the Mad Men theme.
As this dress was a little more detailed for me (with the neckline and the bows), I had originally wanted to follow the instructions step by step, but of course I zoomed ahead and missed out the double neckline entirely. It wasn’t til I tried on the bodice I realised how loose and gape-y it was, and *then* I understood what the neckline pieces were for! (I thought they were facing pattern pieces, and ditched them as I decided to line the whole bodice cause the bedsheet was a little sheer) A-ha! I reattached the neck piece to the bodice, taking oodles of time to do so carefully… and I think the clean & flat ‘peek a boo’ looks great! Always read all of the instructions all the way through before sewing! (Will I follow my own advice, I wonder?)
The rest of the dress was great to sew up, the little bows attached easily into the 6 gored skirt pieces, and they come across looking like edges of pockets! They’re also on the back as well, which is sweet. I am wearing a few petticoats to fluff out the shape of the skirt though, there’s stacks of fabric there! There’s a lovely side zipper, so the back sits nice and flat too… all over, it’s a lovely pattern and I’ll be totally sewing it up again! I over exaggerated the sizing for this one though… It’s a 32 and I’ve been feeling I’m a 33 or 34 of late (in the bust, it changes so often!) but really I should have just sewn it up as the pattern pieces suggested, as it’s a *little* loose around the darts. Not that I can tell now looking at these photos!
Husbie and I looked around town for a 1950s/1960s cafe (there are a few with loads of vintage chairs and tables and lino floors), but as it was a Sunday it was so busy! We thought if I had other people in the background (wearing modern clothes), the photos wouldn’t look Mad Men enough! As we drove past the old Town Hall (and now Council building, I think), we both thought it’d look like Betty Draper attending the divorce court, or paying a visit to her lawyers! Unfortunately, I couldn’t frown as much as Betty does (!) in the show so I’ve named this the ‘Better Betty’ Dress in ode to her happier times.
So lovely to be here again, can’t wait to see the radical 1950s and 1960s attire this week! My fave eras for clothing & sewing!
xoxo
Yay! Welcome back Veronica!!! As always, your bedsheet garments look amazing, and this one is no exception.
I did think those little bows were the tops of pockets… they look cutie cute cute. :)
Thank you Sweetie! I agree those little bows are cute!
This dress is so fantastic! I’d love to make one like it! It’s so flattering on you too!
Thank you Leigh! It’s a really pretty shape, hey?!
Great to see you back. I love that length of dress on you. Very pretty and very flattering to your figure. I think designers knew something then that they’ve forgotten now (namely, most real women have curves).
Before Sew Weekly, I’d have thought this length was weird on me (because of the short nature of my height) but you SW fans egg me on to keep making them! I love sewing things just for my curves, shop bought clothing just never fits my shape! xoxo
I was just thinking last night about how I missed all the ladies from last year and was wondering how they were! So great to see you back, you’re dress looks awesome, as usual.
You must have loved seeing us all Victoria! Thank you for your lovely words!
I love that that Sew Weekly pioneers are back for Mad Men week (I spotted there’s a post from Adey in the wings too). I loved your jersey dress you made a couple of weeks back but this is delightful. Love those bows and your styling.
It was a fun week with everyone showing up hey?! Thanks for visiting my blog too Tempest! xoxo
That dress looks really beautiful on you. So lovely to see you back here :)
Thank you!
Veronica this dress is so lovely on you and your photos are gorgeous, lovely eye candy for sure!
Thank you Cathe, always love seeing your comments!
OH, you look so adorable! This is such a lovely dress, I love the details. I wish Betty was a better person. I’m glad you are happier then Betty, girlfriend needs an INTERVENTION, I swear.
She’s such a contradiction too, ups and downs and sometimes I prefer her to be a bit bad instead of prissy! I wonder what will happen this season? Thanks Leah!
Hi Veronica! I have missed you and your bed sheets and I always think of you when I am rummaging in op shops, and I never miss the sheets section! What a great pattern and dress. Makes you want go out and get a really ugly antique day bed and flop down on it.
Thank you Trish! I’m glad to inspire! And honestly, I didn’t really like this as a bedsheet at all, but with vision (and it’s not going to cost you much if you stuff up!) it’s something else wonderful!
Smashing! I love the neckline, and I adore the bed sheet you chose! A fantastic dress – we’ve missed you here!
Thank you Meg, it’s a unique pattern for me! And glad to be back! I’d love to do once a month really, but work has been so busy! xoxo
I echo Zilredloh and love those little ties! Such a great dress to make a return in – missed you!
Awww, you’re a darling!
YAY for a Veronica Darling post!!! And such a cute dress to boot!
Thank you Liz! Your Peggy dress was also cute! xoxo
STUNNING! This is my favorite, so far, of the MadMen dresses posted for the challenge! I cannot believe you turned a bed sheet into this gorgeous dress! All the little details make this really special!
Thank you Michelle! I agree with the details, I’m usually ‘cutting corners’ with my dresses, but wanted to reflect the era properly this time!
I adore this dress!! You’ve done such a marvellous job, Veronica! The fabric, colours, and fit are just perfect on you! I really like the peek-a-boo neckline and the bow details – so pretty!
Thanks Sarah! Pretty happy with it! I’m now on the look out for Mad Men parties, I want to get a lot of wear out of it before it gets colder here! xoxo
Yay, welcome back! I love this dress! The bows are such a cute detail. Once again, envious of your bedsheet finds.
You always have to look in the bedding section of an op shop, just in case! Thanks Jennifer!
SO beautiful Veronica!! LOVE the print and the cut – and the little neck cutout!
Awww Sarah, it was such a lovely week to see us all on Sew Weekly again! And yep, the cut out! I was calling it a peek a boo, but cut out is the phrase!
You look GORGEOUS and the dress is amazing, I love the neckline and little bow details:) As usual, wonderful photos!
Thank you Adey! We’d make a great group this week at a 50s/60s cocktail bar, hey?! xoxo
Great to see you again! You look as lovely as ever in your “Betty” dress. That pattern is so unique with its little bows and peek-a-boo neck opening. Hope you plan to start contributing again on a regular basis. As you can tell from the comments, you have a lot of fans.
Why thank you Barbara, and yes I’m hoping to contribute a little more regularly throughout the year! It was such a busy Christmas and New Year period for us, so I hope to check in at least once a month now! Your tangerine dream dress is gorgeous this week! (I’d totally wear it tight!) xoxo
Wow. I love that neckline! I might have to track you down and steal that out of your closet…. oops…. maybe I shouldn’t have told you that.
Let’s do a pattern swap! Happy to share! xoxo Unless you mean to just take this whole outfit completed… hang on, I didn’t notice it in my wardrobe today! LOL
I find your outfits so inspirational and really enjoy the uniqueness you bring to the sewing community. I’m so glad you contributed this week.
Thank you Krista, I hope to see you again soon! (Just gotta plan some new Sew Weekly projects) xoxo
Gorgeous dress =) That neckline detail is exquisite!
Thank you Stephanie!
I love this Veronica. (Oh how I’d love to head out with you in our matching blue floral dresses. hehe.) The neckline is gorgeous and I love those bows.
Wouldn’t we be such a darling pair together in our blues!? Thank you darling Casey! xoxo
Seriously Veronica, you are the cutest thing eva!
Dazzler, THANK YOU!
OMG. Veronica! I’ve never seen a bedsheet look so good! JUST love this pattern….that neckline and the shape of the skirt are just fabulous! Great photos (as always). Fun to be back this week, isn’t it? :)
It’s so lovely for us and for everyone to bring a Mad Men return! Thanks darling Debi! xoxo
Great to see you here again! Love to hear about the mishaps along the way and yet smashing, well-fitted result. Stunning photos too, as always.
Thank you Lee! There’s always some mishap when you zoom through the instructions … but mostly they’re delightful mishaps!
You look beautiful in that dress! Can’t believe it was once a bedsheet. Bravo!!!
Thanks Stacy! Bedsheets are just the best!
You are adorable as always! xo
Thank you darling! You’re a sweetie!
Just gorgeous! As always. Welcome back Veronica. It’s nice to see you up here again.
Thanks Bethany, glad to be ‘dropping by’ again! xoxo
Yay!! It’s so great to see your gorgeous smiling face back here. Your bed sheet couture is always so much fun. As usual you look absolutely stunning perfect for this theme. xx
Thank you gorgeous girl xoxoxo
My eyes can’t stand so much beauty! What a great comeback! :D
Thanks Anna! Glad you approve! xoxo
Glad to see you back, I love the little peep hole and the ribbons on the skirt, I have to try that!
Thanks darling, you could probably do it with any gored skirt, it’s a nice touch, hey?!
Whoa. Love this! Truly. A bed sheet. What? Blown away I am at how beautiful this dress is. I have never drooled over Betty Draper’s dresses this much.
Thank you! I love how a bedsheet refashion always gets such a great response! xoxo
That definately does not look like a bed sheet. The neckline turned out great and the little bows! I am not usually attracted to this type of floral but you have elevated it to a much more interesting place. Love the shoes too. Thank you for sharing, you inspire.
Thank YOU Frances! As a bedsheet, it didn’t really rock my boat either, but as a dress it’s a little special!
Thank YOU Frances! As a bedsheet, it didn’t really rock my boat either, but as a dress it’s a little special!