I normally write about home decor but today I wanted to share a project I have been working on that is a little different. You may remember the budget nursery design I shared recently for baby Elizabeth. Well when it came time for her baptism and her mom asked for my help making her baptismal gown I was happy to help. It has been a while since I have done any heirloom sewing since my own daughter is about to turn fourteen but I have always loved making baby things so I had a few ideas.
My first thought was to do soft Batiste cotton gown with inlaid lace on the bodice and hem. I began shopping and pretty quickly found beautiful white Batiste that would be perfect for the gown, the lace proved a little more difficult. I found lots of heavy crocheted lace but nothing as soft and delicate as I was going to need for a baptismal gown. Then I had a breakthrough!
While at my fourth fabric store I found some delicate crocheted lace that I fell in love with but I also found some lovely embroidered handkerchiefs with a hemstitched edge. They were perfect! I could use the embroidered design on the bodice and the hemstitched edge for the sleeves, better yet the hemstitched edge matched the lace I had already fallen in love with.
With my handkerchief and lace for embellishment all I needed was to add a series of pin tuck pleats to the lower third of the skirt and one on each sleeve which created a great place to inset my lace. On the back I added vintage buttons to the closure.
The final results, perfect for a sweet baby girl!
Lisa in AL
It’s beautiful.
Nancy Wolk
Yes, perfect for baby girl, Elizabeth! Beautiful too!
Marie Robertson
So classic and feminine…….surely befitting a princess. Marie Robertson
atreefor2
I can’t belive this! That is so cute and the idea to reuse those beautiful handkerchiefs is adorable! …If I ever have a baby can I come back to you with the baptismal gown?
Maggie Overby
Absolutely! This project was so much fun, I guess I work best thinking outside the box.