Outfit: Betty Draper does Kenya
One of my personal favourite projects from last year was this Betty Draper-inspired dress. You can read the original post here.
This was made from a sheet that I bought for £4.99 in Oxfam, and I’m really glad I bought it. I still have the pillowcases left to make something else for next summer!
The final dress was very like the Betty Draper original, except the skirt wasn’t as full, giving it more of a 60s vibe than 50s.
Of course, I took this to Kenya. I actually wore this without the belt as it was so hot, but the breathable fabric really helped. The colours in particular were perfect for an African evening. I’m still completely in love with this dress and will continue to wear it as often as the weather allows.
Charity Shop Chic 
This is fantastic. What a great use for an unwanted sheet and you look very elegant in it.
Thanks so much Annie! I really love this dress and plan to make more in the same style for this summer.
I was so inspired by your original post that I hunted for and found green and white striped sheets in an op shop. Still sitting in my stash – now I’m all re-inspired!!
Sue, that’s great!! This works so well with stripes. Thanks to Ms Draper for the original inspiration :)
i love it. as you know it’s one of my favourite of your makes (and you were wearing it the first time we met!)
How sweet of you to remember what I was wearing when we first met ;-)
It was this dress which brough me to your blog originally, and I still love it. That last photo is terrific – the tree looks like an animal is about to eat your leg – you can see it’s eye just below your knee!
Hi Rachel, thank you for your continued support. I see what you mean about that tree picture. The ‘eye’ kind of looks like an elephant’s eye!
I remember this dress, too. Super cute on you! Did you see that Julia Bobbin is going to have another Mad Men Challenge. I’m in! I’ve got the perfect tablecloth to make one of Joan’s dresses. I better get started.
Hi Beth, I saw over the weekend that Julia is going to be doing the Mad Men challenge again this year! I’ll have to think about it, it took me ages to come up with the perfect project last time!
Can’t believe you made this from a sheet. Wish I could do that. The top is so pretty.
Thanks so much Mrs Fox, a little sewing knowledge goes a long way! You should learn!
I have got as far as getting a sewing machine…
Well that’s a good start :)
Darling dress and great idea — what pattern did you use?
Hi Margaret, glad you liked it! I used a self-drafted pattern which you can read about in the original post – it’s not that complicated, and there are diagrams… https://charityshopchic.net/2013/04/19/betty-draper/
I’m pretty jealous of your wardrobe :)
Hello Helga, thank you for the kind comment!
That’s impressive!
Thank you Vicky! Glad you liked it.
I remember reading about how you drafted the pattern and used a sheet to make that dress, and realizing how skilled you were (and are). I love to see the process you use to create your pieces. It has helped me realize that good sewing doesn’t just happen to some lucky people, it takes patience and thought which means more of us can attain it if we try.
Hi Jenny, thanks for the supportive comment. It does indeed take patience and practice to hone your sewing skills – that’s the fun part!
Ahhh! Love, love, love this! That’s something I would wear everyday =D
Hello 7cakes, I wish the weather was good enough to wear this every day…
Gorgeous, and very Betty. I only ever find floral patterned sheets. I’ve gotta keep my eyes out for the stripes, I guess!
Stripes are so much fun to play with, pattern-placement wise! I’ll take stripes over florals any day :)
This is brilliant!!! What a wonderful dress- perfect for Kenya!x
Thanks, it really comes into its own in hot weather!
Such a gorgeous dress!! Perfect for Kenya!
Thanks, Jenny! I loved wearing it out there.