An Heirloom Christening Gown for Eleanor

The phone rang. The conversation started like this:

“Could you make me a christening gown? My first granddaughter is getting christened. We want something that we can hand down as a family heirloom.” 

She also wanted a bonnet to go with the dress. It has been a couple years since I did any heirloom sewing. I love doing it, so even though my schedule was packed I agreed to take on the project. She sent me a picture of a style they liked, then we chose fabric- the traditional batiste- and I went to work.

First I made a zillion pintucks.

Next, I made the dress parts- bodice, skirt and sleeves. The components were embellished with white on white heirloom style machine embroidery. In addition to lots of tiny pintucks, I did some eyelet work, folded tucks, lines, and floral vine stitches.

Here's a close up of the finished bodice.

I added a pleated flounce to the bottom of the skirt- I like the way it turned out.

Next came the bonnet. I adapted an old pattern I have used many times, and covered it with pin tucks and embroidery. 

The bonnet brim is trimmed with lace and silk ribbon roses.

The project is done, and Eleanor's grandmother is happy. 

So am I.