A huge congratulations goes out to Tara Lynn Scheidet, aka EarthBitch, who designed and crafted the beautiful evening gown you see here. This masterpiece will be traveling with Miss Vermont, Ashley Wheeler to the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas!
The dress is green — not forest green or sage green, but green, the concept. It’s an eco-friendly dress made of hemp and silk, lined with hemp and organic cotton, and adorned with repurposed gold lace, beads and sequins.
Tara Lynn’s studio runs off solar electricity. The shelves 
are stocked with vintage and recycled materials collected over years of yard sale shopping. The ceiling is adorned with inspirational pictures hung over a floor of antique sewing machines. Since the company started in 2005 it has become a team of talented women. They all stand behind the same mission to increase awareness of biodiversity, promote sustainability and be proud of what they do and the clothing they make.
Miss Vermont says, “I was raised as part of a family-run business and I understand how important it is to support locally-owned and operated businesses. So when it came time for me to purchase an evening gown for the Miss America pageant, I decided to keep my business in Vermont and call upon a designer from the Northeast Kingdom. I had heard about Tara Lynn and it was very appealing to go ‘green’ for Miss America. I will be making a significant statement and suspect I will be the only contestant who has chosen to go this route. I think this is the perfect way for me to share my stance on preserving our environment and set myself apart from the other contestants.”
The four-part series, “Miss America: Countdown to the Crown,” airs on TLC on Fridays at 10PM (e/p). It began on January 2, but it’s not too late to tune in! The Miss America Pageant finale airs on January 24. Congrats to EarthBitch for bringing handmade to the pageant scene!
61 comments
Sign in to add your ownAnthologiE says:
Congrats! Hooray for you, Ashley and best of luck :)
3 years ago
softmelody says:
The dress looks gorgeous on her, too! Good luck!
3 years ago
sillylittlelady says:
That is so cool! congratulations to earthbitch and the best of luck to Miss Vermont!
3 years ago
TheBrassHussy says:
omg, that dress is just gorgeous. Congrats to earthbitch!
3 years ago
dogties says:
Awesome. Rock the Green Globe
3 years ago
Midnightsnack says:
That is amazing! I'll be watching to see the dress live! Congrats EarthBitch!
3 years ago
KnitStorm says:
That gown is gorgeous, and EearthBitch sounds like a great collection of talented, "green" people!
3 years ago
kjoo says:
WOW Congratulations!
3 years ago
nicolecarey says:
i love vermont so much
3 years ago
christinececelia says:
Beautiful dress! CONGRATS!
3 years ago
LittleCritters00 says:
The dress is really amazing. Congrats
3 years ago
pigeonsintheattic says:
I don't usally tune in to Miss America, but I will this year. Congrats, it's a beautiful dress! The one-of-a-kind clothing in EarthBitch's shop is to die for, thanks for sharing the story.
3 years ago
sarahryanstudio says:
Vermont rules!
3 years ago
PenelopeAndAnastasia says:
lovely dress - I've got some jewelry to match!
3 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
Awesome :)
3 years ago
SASessories says:
right on!!!
3 years ago
StudioCherie says:
Miss Vermont is so articulate about her choice. I hope it is a great boon to your business!
3 years ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
Congratulations... so pretty!
3 years ago
4TheSparrowsNest says:
Wow...that is gorgeous!! I love that it's "green." Good luck Miss Vermont!!!
3 years ago
littlepancakes says:
so cute. love that shop name
3 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Oh my goodness this is fantastic~ I got goose bumps reading this article. Hats off to Miss Vermont wish her good luck in the pageant and hope this brings a booming business to EarthBitch whose gown is beautiful a true one of a kind. Great story & read, enjoyed it. I'll be watching on the 24th.
3 years ago
NewDuds says:
AWESOME! We are from Vermont and applaud the green Miss Vermont! Best of luck, show them what vermont is made of! Hard work, dedication and a strong connection to the environment. Not to mention natural beauty!
3 years ago
HEARTTOHAND says:
The dress is beautiful and I hope Miss Vermont's modeling of your design brings you lots of business!
3 years ago
Krystyna81 says:
what a cool concept! bravo to all involved - what a gorgeous dress on a gorgeous woman!
3 years ago
jmillenLovesToKnit says:
That's one beautiful gown! Great job, EarthBitch!
3 years ago
kristensteinfineart says:
WOW! How exciting. Beautiful gown! Best of luck to EarthBitch and to Miss Vermont!
3 years ago
westcorinthstudio says:
What a great story, congratulations to both!
3 years ago
jeannesu says:
Beautiful! and green too!
3 years ago
soapkitchen says:
My hubby is a Vermonter... YEA for green!
3 years ago
KalliopeJewelry says:
Congratulations Tara Lyn, the dress is stunning! And Miss Vermont has beauty AND brains for choosing to go green!
3 years ago
nfall2rt says:
Wonderful news! Let all etsians celebrate, one's success=the success of everyone in a small way:)
3 years ago
cravejewelrydesign says:
I love everything about this :)
3 years ago
faeriesfolly says:
What a beautiful dress and an awesome choice! :D Good Luck, Miss Vermont & Congrats Earthbitch.
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Nice username...
3 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
That dress is STUNNING!!!!
3 years ago
JetWhitePonytail says:
An Etsy dress on Miss America! That's sweeeet!
3 years ago
salmonbarn says:
Thanks - love the story, dress and shop !
3 years ago
CutieDynamite says:
SO awesome! Beautiful.
3 years ago
SelenaEon says:
My dream is for ALL the miss America contestants to be this committed to sustainability and handmade. The very thought brings tears to my eyes.
3 years ago
EarthBitch says:
Thank you! This is so cool, all the responses. ;-) And that a hemp gown is going to be in the Miss America Pageant. America is the only developed country where hemp is illegal to be grown for agriculture and Miss Vermont is showing America that hemp is a good thing. Did you know that Hemp has past legislation to be grown for agriculture in two states; one being Vermont and the other North Dakota. However it is held back by federal legislation. Go Hemp! One day you will once again be grown in America. You can see more beautiful hemp gowns at taralynnstudio.com
3 years ago
Rose442 says:
Wow What a gorgeous gown!It's wonderful to see all natural fabric so beatiful!
3 years ago
OutOfSomething says:
The gown is gorgeous!!! A great way for etsy to make waves! :)
3 years ago
tinahdee says:
Big congratulations to you. Nice work!
3 years ago
buddhanature says:
This is a great story! Way to go!
3 years ago
MADART says:
You're an inspiration to other artists to "Go Green"!
3 years ago
incoldstorage says:
I hope they give the dress a plug at the pageant!
3 years ago
FlanneryCrane says:
Gorgeous Dress!
3 years ago
NovaScotiaBeachGlass says:
A stunning dress and great story!
3 years ago
HistoryofArt says:
So interesting. Thanks for sharing your story!
3 years ago
HistoryofArt says:
So interesting. Thanks for sharing your story!
3 years ago
RetroHeaven says:
way to go Ms. Vermont! and beautiful dress Tara Lynn....let's hear it for HEMP! FABULOUS....every state in the Union should be growing hemp!
3 years ago
stardogstudio says:
Congrats fellow Vermonter! Love your style! Keep repurposing!
3 years ago
bbbennyandthejet says:
BooYah!! Such a beautiful dress.. and woman.. and eco-mission! Congrats on your success.
3 years ago
laurebelle says:
WOW..... AMAZING accomplishment - and so glamorous! I so appreciate "real beauty" and that dress brings out her natural-amazing beauty! I'm a Tennassean, but I will be cheering for Miss Vermont in support of our business! I love Miss America and will be watching in anticipation of seeing this unbelievable gown! Blessings and Congratulations!
3 years ago
MakeMeOver says:
Absolutely gorgeous dress!! What a way to make a statement in "green". Congratulations - bet this brings you much success :)
3 years ago
BusyBeeBumbleBeads says:
Absolutely gorgeous gown!!!
3 years ago
itselemental says:
FABULOUS, my fellow Vermonters!! The gown is Stunning!- and hemp farming would GREATLY contribute to the economic prosperity of agricultural systems...the fears and arguments used to keep it illegal just don't hold water...Lobby your congressional delegation...GO HEMP!!
3 years ago
luckytwentyone says:
that's amazing, congratulations!
3 years ago
KellysGifts says:
Very nice work! I use yarns that I have found at yard sales or given to me. I'm still working on the thread that use to be my grandma's, over 20 years ago. Go for it!
3 years ago
kristincoffin says:
"Did you know that Hemp has past legislation to be grown for agriculture in two states; one being Vermont and the other North Dakota." I know, EarthBitch, and I'm so PROUD TO BE A VERMONTER for this reason! Congratulations on being able to represent all the eco-friendly talent that comes from our caring state! We have set a precedent, and I hope that other states (maybe even the federal level) follows suit. Who knows what change is to come, but small steps in our very own Etsy shops do make a difference. LOCALIZE, GREENIFY, and have a VOICE.
3 years ago
auntbethys says:
I am amazed with the gorgeous dress, and I just HAVE to say that you look stunning! You're a precious young lady and I wish you ALLLLLLL the best with everything you go for! Thank you for taking the time to share with us (I came a little late, but... :) I'm here now and enjoyed the opportunity to see someone who's outrageously beautiful on the outside AND THE INSIDE.... You already stand out from the other contestants where ever you go. Blessings, Aunt Bethy
3 years ago