Making a christening gown?

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

Has anybody sewn a christening gown or know where to get a free pattern? My mother said she has some fabric she has saved specially but it would have to be a fairly simple pattern as she was daunted by buttonholes lol

elona

I did this years ago as DHJ had managed to "put away safely" the christening dress and then denied all knowledge of it.

Had a white cotton babygrow which I used for the top and then sewed broderie anglais to the high waist of the babygrow - like a skirt - then attached a lining with the hem in lace.

Miss_Imaginative

I made a Christening Gown many years ago for my GCSE Textiles coursework, made out of silk with a net 'petti-coat' lining underneath. The beauty of most patterns is that you can adapt them to make it as easy or as difficult as you wish!

I'm 99.9% sure that the pattern I used was a Simplicity pattern - one similar to this. I'm not sure where you'd be able to get a free pattern from - although I'm sure someone here will be able to help you out on that front. You may even find just by looking at some patterns like the one I linked you to, you may be able to design one yourself if you feel confident enough.

Miss_I

Butterfly_Brain

These sites may help
http://sewdelish.blogspot.com/2009/01/christening-gown-and-sewing-tips-part-1.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5341868_turn-wedding-gown-baptismal-gown.html

http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/designing-a-christening-gown-finding-a-treasure-and-happy-birthday-to-me/

westcoastscot

Hi,
I made a traditional gown for my son, which wouldn't fit my larger baby daughter. I bought a simple but pretty white dress from mothercare and then added a longer, fuller piece of fabric from the bodice of the dress, and re-trimmed the dress with bows/ribbon etc

maman

I think it's a lovely idea. Don't worry about buttonholes as they're usually at the back and could be replaced by pretty ties or poppers underneath and 'false' buttons on the top. If it's a girl then a matching bonnet looks great too. Good luck!

ubamother

the gown my children wore tied at the back with very thin silk ribbon and didn't have any buttons.

As the gown my children wore was the gown I and my siblings wore, the gown my father and aunt wore AND the gown their mother wore (handmade by a great great aunt in late 1800's) I would say that ties instead of buttons are authentic!

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

wow loads of great tips thanks! i will pass them on to my mum and hopefully she will have the confidence to try making it....

pigpen

Mine is hook and eye fastening with a ribbon at the neck.