Ache sat in her chest, in her empty hands. There was no relief from it as it bore through her.
Ache wears deepest black. Her bodice is imitation silk, and the recess in her chest is lined in silk. In it sits an empty hand, sewn in place with deep red thread. The outer edge of the hole in her chest is lined with black scalloped crochet, and it is covered with an accent of antique lace in white and a tiny black button. The white lace represents half-mourning, traditionally observed for the 6 months beyond the First Year of Full Mourning. I chose to put her in Half Mourning as a reminder that there is no time line for Grief. At her waist is black crochet lace. Her skirt features an overlay of fine lace, the hem is scalloped. Ache comes with a wee hankie of my choosing, handmade of antique linen and hand embroidered by me.
Ache was made in my smoke free, one cat household. She is made of cotton muslin and fiberfill. I made her and her clothing using a combination of machine and hand stitching. Her hair is wool. Her elbows, knees and wrists bend. She stands 23" tall.