She taught my mum, Barbara, to sew and my mum in turn taught me. Betty started out as one of the first female engineers at the BBC. However, as was the custom at the time, when she married my grandad, Gandy, and began a family she stopped working. She did however continue to sew, first for my mum and my aunt, Celia, and subsequently for many women in the local area. She was an entrepreneur of her
time. I just hope that I can do her proud.
1950s Swing Skirts:
I design my own quirky fabric by creating my own illustrations using watercolours before digitally editing and sending them to be professionally printed. Once I receive my fabric back from the printers I create Swing skirts with large box pleats to give volume. A new skirt design is launched on the first Thursday of each month. Check out my home page for the most recent design or you can see older designs in the 'Swing skirt' section of my gallery. Skirts are available to buy from my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Becauseofbetty
Each skirt is made to order so please allow 3 - 4 weeks for delivery. If you would like to ensure a perfect fit for you please send me your waist measurement as well as the length that you would like the skirt. (Please be aware that as this is a 1950s style skirt they are designed to sit on your waist - the narrowest part of your torso - and not on the hips as many modern clothes are.) Bespoke dresses:
I also offer a full bespoke design service. From our original consultation, I will create a series of sketches for you to consider before starting the construction process. Because of the nature of a bespoke garment, at least two fittings will be required to ensure the perfect fit. For this reason, I am only able to offer this service to people in the Birmingham area and to those people who are willing to travel to me.
