Becky's Corset

Firstly, thank you all so much for your sweet words of congratulations about our little Anne-girl. It is still incredibly hard for me to believe that we are actually having a girl. I have had some very sweet years with my little men folk and had sort of mentally resigned myself to the fact I would be a mother of boys. And now! God unexpectedly drops the blessing of a daughter in our laps. Our plans are certainly not His plans; our ways not His ways. Everyone in our family is so very excited. Actually, the day after we had the sonogram my mom called me. It had not yet been 24 hours and she had already purchased some little gowns for the baby, along with some tiny pink onesies and little pink knit pants. I think she is somewhat excited. ;) Aren't they adorable?!

I picked up some lovely sheer white cotton eyelet over the weekend (okay, it's actually a really huge, really gorgeous curtain I got for $2 at the thrift store) to make into a long gown for the baby. After the sewing I need to get done for our 1860's event next month I hope to spend some time making her some little simple gowns and caps, along with a whole mountain of linen diapers and wool soakers. . .am I really going to have enough time to get this all done before she arrives? It seems each pregnancy goes by so much faster than the previous ones. And can I just say how much more fun it is to BE pregnant with three little boys who are old enough to realize what is going on?

When Malachi was born David and Judah were ages 2 and 1 - really still babies themselves - and they didn't really get excited about him. This time around all three of them eagerly measure my belly with their hands, talk into my stomach, giggle and squeal when they feel the baby kick.

They ask hundreds of questions about the baby (exactly what do you tell them when they ask "how did the baby get in there, Mommy?! I have told them the truth but with as little specific information as will satisfy them so far - "God gives the baby to a mommy and a daddy. It is like planting the garden. The daddy plants his baby seed in Mommy, where the baby grows until it is big enough to be born.") and constantly ask me how much longer it will be until the baby is ready to "come out". David wants to know why we aren't having two babies. He can't fathom why a mommy would have TWO "udders" (um, yeah, that's what he calls them) and only have ONE baby. He was very disappointed to learn we will only have one baby this time. Apparently he had made his own little plans for a boy and a girl.

Anyway, so far this week I have finished Becky's corset. I made her chemises last week, so we are making good progress on her undies. Corsets really are so relaxing to sew. It's so fun to see how some simple materials transform into a sturdy, fitted undergarment that molds and supports the body into a period shape. I always love observing that transformation. I know, I'm weird. :) But really I do love making corsets.

Binding, topstitching and bones that won't break,

A steel busk to fasten the corset we make,

Eyelets - all twenty - and long lacing strings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Love,
Sarah