Finally Catching My Breath.

Wel, after a month or so of throat viruses, ear infections, strep throat, nursing strikes/early weaning (which is still going on, by the way, although we're at least nursing during the night), I just had a serious reality-check about a reenactment that is coming up at the end of April which has put me full-force into the throes of sewing.  Because I have a little girl who is now pulling up and cruising around and 24" long infant gowns are not going to do the trick for her independent little self.  That, and it'll be warm at the reenactment I bet.

Thus, I've shortened my girl.

A bittersweet thing, isn't it?  But it's hard to feel tragic for long, because she's so sweet in her new shorter petticoat and soft stays that I could just eat her up!  I shortened her skirts to 14.5" -- they come to just above her ankle.  Not so great for crawling, because they still get in the way, but she'll find so much more freedom to toddle, grab, and chew on her little "feetsies"...whichever suits her fancy at the time.

I got inspiration for her new yellow and green dress from this:

Shortened the sleeves, of course, and made it to fit a baby (because the original looks to me more like a young girl, rather than an infant.  Here is a pic of her wearing it today.  I hope to get more at the reenactment.

And one of her petti and soft stays:

And one of her being silly while sitting with daddy in the rocker:

I've also been busy with a navy blue with white polka dot dress that has white soutache trim all around the hem.  For Victoria, of course.  I mean, who could possibly have the time to do that around the hem of a ladies' dress??  It took me 2.5 weeks just to get 86" done.  But it looks stunning...if I say so myself.  I don't have pictures yet -- sorry! -- because the dress isn't done yet.  It's still very much in pieces.

And I've also completed a pair of drawers for my darling man.  He's been needing a new pair.

Well, I'm off to visit 1862.  Y'all be good.