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Mabel Watson Payne was just waking up from a nap when I arrived to begin fitting her for a new dress – the first of many that I hope to be allowed to sew.
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Still a bit sleepy, she nevertheless consented to change out of her own polka dot dress (complemented by baby leg warmers) into a couple of tiny faded synthetic dresses that once made part of her mother's wardrobe (and had originated even back then as hand-me-downs). I had the idea of cutting up these dresses and using them as patterns if they turned out to be the right size and shape.
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The pink one was already too small. Mabel Watson Payne felt tolerantly stupefied to find herself wearing such a garment.
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But the yellow one, with its square yoke, looks to be a serviceable model, provided we ditch the lacy floppy collar, unpoof the poofy sleeves, and subtract excess fullness from the body.
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Fashion duties fulfilled (and a quick diaper change out of the way) Mabel Watson Payne was ready to settle in and socialize, now fully awake.