Finis

Winslow's bridle is decorated with a lovely, three tier horse tassel on the throatlatch.

Although I'd planned to attempt something similar, circumstances changed, and I went with a simplified mohair version. 

I slid it on to the throatlatch, and just like that, my IMTM bridle is complete.

Well, sort of. There is another, extremely important step: Trying it on the model and making corrections.

The bridle fits fine, but when I compare it to my reference photos, I can see some areas I'd like to change.

Usually, I would go back and make those changes, but this time, I'm leaving it the way it is. Here's why.

All my dogs have enjoyed spending time with me in the studio, but none more so than Darcy. Despite being the lowest on the pecking order, she owned the space by my feet. It was one of the few things she insisted on. That spot did not belong to Maggie, Emma or Piper. It was hers.

On the last full day of her life, Darcy experienced a lot of mobility issues. She seemed comfortable when she was lying down, but walking was clearly painful. Still, she was determined to be with me. If I walked, she followed. 

So I stopped walking.

Instead, I spent the whole day in the studio, updating family members, writing a blog post, looking at photos and working on my IMTM bridle. I made the mecate, slobber straps and tassel, all with Darcy sleeping peacefully behind me.

My IMTM bridle isn't perfect, but it is the last thing I made with Darcy lying at my feet. I'm not going to change a single thing.