I spent the day working on the golden baby tunic. I used a pattern from Sewing Victorian Doll Clothes as a starting point. I’ve used this pattern before when I made the Godey lady. Here is a photo from the book-

What I was wanting was the sleeve design. The victorian (and earlier) sleeves were a very different design from today. This curved sleeve was used in men and womens clothing.

I copied the pattern and adjusted it to fit my doll and made a muslin model. If I had been smarter, I would have read the directions through again… but that’s not how I do things. Also, I never really learned any sewing techniques beyond about intermediate level. When I dive into a project with linings and piping and slippery, sort of metallic fabrics, I am really in over my head. I worked really hard on the tunic today- lots of intense concentration, basting, backing up, ripping out stitches, and, when I started feeling too stressed, worked a few rows of knitting- Well- my knitting is coming along VERY well! HA!
Lots of the sewing is done by hand- because I can’t figure out how to do it by machine. The openings are too small or I just need the control of hand stitching.

This is a photo of the inside at the armhole. If a real person had to wear this they wouldn’t be very happy about all the lumps in their armpits… that is one good thing about sewing for dolls- they wear what you make them and don’t complain.

I have just about finished it now- I am sewing on the closures- hooks and eyes.
I’ll finish, photograph and post tomorrow. Right now my eyes and hands hurt.