Finished Sarah's Dress and Bonnet

Voiala! Sarah's dress is finally complete. I used homespun cotton, which would be period correct for the era the dress was designed for. I was trying to go with the 1830's-1840's. Most all the photos I found were very basic and plain, or so complicated I was afraid to attempt it. I didn't use a pattern, I just looked at some images from google images with a search of 1830's children's clothing and looked into some of the fabrics that would have been available then. Everything is fastened with hooks and eyes. I machined stitched everything I could. All the gathers on the bonnet were hand stitched. The cuffs were almost too small to machine stitich, but, I made it work.

I used about two yards on the dress, almost a half yard on the bonnet and trim. I could add some more trim to the bottom of it possibly, but that can wait till later. I added in some growth seams, so she could wear this dress for the next 3 yrs and not grow out of it.
A view of the front and back of the outfit. I made some modifications to the bonnet, so it's not exactly period correct per the historic pros, I've been reading about. But, I bet the mom's back then made some changes as the were sewing too.

A side profile, my most favorite pose.

Don't the Ugg boots add the right touch? I bet they wish they had those back then!

It took much longer than I had anticipated. But I am very pleased with how it turned out. The petty coat is a bit heavy and perhaps a little too long, I will probably go back and make some changes, in my spare time.

Maggie's bonnet is finished, it looks like Sarah's, I am just getting ready to start her dress, after my hands stop hurting. I actually have blisters!!

It was all for a good cause, she looks addorable, even if I do say so myself. :)

I love sewing. As soon as cold weather hits, I start looking for fabric. There's not a safe sheet or curtain in my house!

Sarah was studying the Civil War in a co-op class, so I felt it was time for her to watch Gone with The Wind. Not that it's very accurate exactly, but it's a great movie to make you fall in love with the gowns.

The next night we were still working on her dress when a late night channel had a special on Carol Burnnette, Sarah cracked up when she saw her do the scene from Gone with The Wind and Ms. Ellen's Portiers, with the curtain rod sticking out of her back. For those of you who watched the Carol Burnnette Show you know what I mean.

I love to sew. I tried knitting a blanket for Maggie while I was pregnant with her and it was a painfully slow process. Sewing is so much faster. I am now looking at doing a small quilt out of some quilting squares I have had for almost 2yrs. I just couldn't find the right design I wanted. I think I may do a sampling of squares. I am a very novice sewer, so I don't know a lot of terminology, or really how the details work. A wonderful lady at our church, Ellie, has given me tons of advice and answers all my silly questions. I know that you piece the top together, you add some soft fluffy stuff in the middle, and a backing. Stitch it together with a neat design and its a quilt. I'll post some pictures of this quilt from beginning to end. We'll see how it turns out!