QuiltingQueen

I am making my latest Granddaughter's baptism gown out of my daughter's wedding dress... She said she doesn't plan on wearing it again! The fabric scares me because it is a washed taffita - I think that is how it is spelled - and it ravels very easily. My daughter does not want any lace just plan and simple. I think I will add some little pearl buttons out of Baby Fay's Great-Grandma's button jar however.

The Baptism is the middle of June and I plan on starting on it this weekend. Good luck to us both!

BCM

Martha Pullen has some wonderful patterns and also kits. The kits have all the needed material in them. You might want to check her products out on the internet. She is the one behind the magazine Sew Beautiful and has a lot of experience. I think you will find it is intimidating, but will be proud in the end.

carolynjo

If you can, do make it; our family's christening or baptismal gown is on its 3 generation and gets handed around to whoever needs it. I am the keeper of the gown until it is needed.

sew_itnow

You must do a good job or your daughter wouldn't have ask for you to do it. That to me is the high test complement she could give. Just take a deep breath and dive in and make sure you show us a picture when you are finished. I bet it will be beautiful.

ChattQuilter

I just finished a christening dress for a pastor's baby daughter. I did English smocking on the front, lace insertion alternating with 5 pintucks just above the hem of the dress, and attached lace edging to the bottom. It had puff sleeves with ribbons around the sleeve band. I enjoyed doing it all. I would charge for making another one though. I bought several yards of cotton batiste fabric which wasn't very expensive. I also made a slip to go underneath and embroidered the baby's name and birth date on that slip. The parents were very happy with it.

KarenR

Why not pick up a cheap wedding gown. AT the second hand stores they go cheap. Beads already on it.

KarenR

That looks very similar to a vogue pattern (I think it's vogue) Made one 14 years ago- took 10 yards of cotton batise and it was beautiful.

Suz

I know you can make the gown. We quilters enjoy a real challenge. If I can, so can you.

I have made three for greatgrands. One thing I suggest you do as this gown will be an heirloom. Make a slip or petticoat and add a 1" hem before you add the lace to the hem. I did this and the baby's full name and DOB were written with the pigma pen on the inside. The gown stays with my grandsons or granddaughter to be kept for future baptisms and additional names can be added to the hem with each baptism and keep a history of each baby who wore the gown at baptism.

One more thing. Using a double needle, make rows and rows of pintucks which are easy and look great. Just make the first row straight and then just butt the next row against the first. Good luck and be sure to show us photos (with baby, of course), when you are done. We are all cheering you on.

MamaInRed

I made one over 20 yrs ago for my best friends son. It too, was cotton batise, & took yards of fabric. It had tons of tiny pin tucks. I was never so glad to be done with that gown. It turned out beautiful, but I said never again.
The next one I did I crocheted out of a pearl cotton thread (not yarn). It had matching booties & bonnet.
I enjoyed making that one, but did not want to do anyone like it either. They were a both labor of love.
Good luck if you take on the challenge & try to enjoy the process.

Gerbie

Oh! the request we get from others only because we sew. I don't have grandchildren and don't think I would ever want to make a Christening dress. You might check on line for patterns to help you out. Good luck, show us pics when you get it finished.