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Christening Gowns

April 27th, 2009 in reader's closet     
photomom photomom, member
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For my newest granddaughter, this dress is made from opaque white nylon tricot for the straight cut underskirt and sheer white nylon tricot for the overskirt which were in my scrap pile. Overskirt is cut as a complete circle with a quarter circle insert at center front. The bodice and hem are appliqued with individually cut lace motifs from lace yardage (again, the scrap pile) and applied by hand as is the beading. Sleeve hems and skirt hem have been serged. The finished hem width is twenty-seven feet. The skirt length is 36 inches. Center back closes with flat buttons.
Close up of bodice. The neck binding is constructed from the opaque nylon tricot.
This dress is constructed from crepe back satin with godet inserts overlayed with lace. (Some scraps in the scrap pile). The bodice is machine heirloom stitching. Puff sleeves gathered at hem with elastic and 4 inch flat lace trim stitched at hem. This dress has been lined with sheer batiste. Center back is closed with flat buttons
Close up of bodice
For my newest granddaughter, this dress is made from opaque white nylon tricot for the straight cut underskirt and sheer white nylon tricot for the overskirt which were in my scrap pile. Overskirt is cut as a complete circle with a quarter circle insert at center front. The bodice and hem are appliqued with individually cut lace motifs from lace yardage (again, the scrap pile) and applied by hand as is the beading. Sleeve hems and skirt hem have been serged. The finished hem width is twenty-seven feet. The skirt length is 36 inches. Center back closes with flat buttons.

For my newest granddaughter, this dress is made from opaque white nylon tricot for the straight cut underskirt and sheer white nylon tricot for the overskirt which were in my scrap pile. Overskirt is cut as a complete circle with a quarter circle insert at center front. The bodice and hem are appliqued with individually cut lace motifs from lace yardage (again, the scrap pile) and applied by hand as is the beading. Sleeve hems and skirt hem have been serged. The finished hem width is twenty-seven feet. The skirt length is 36 inches. Center back closes with flat buttons.

Photo: Pam Kutzen
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The two christening/blessing dresses are original designs from crepe back satin and nylon tricot.


Pattern or design used: My own design - Pam Kutzen
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Comments (5)

Sewista writes: I love the unconventional and beautiful use of the tricot. Some heirloom sewist would flinch at this idea. I find it lovely and refreshing. You did a fabulous job on this gown. Posted: 7:27 am on July 1st
photomom writes: I haven't been on to see the posts in a while. Thanks for your comments. I had not even considered using a wedding gown. Thanks, again. photomom Posted: 8:23 pm on June 15th
CHL writes: I made a friend's wedding dress and saved the left over silk and lace. when her daughter was born I made a dress and then a yoked Christening "vest-gown" out of the left over silk. After the ceremony, her daughter spent the rest of the day going lap to lap, and her gown was preserved. Posted: 11:17 pm on June 11th
catspajamas writes: Having made my own wedding gown (see the post on that message board), when my first daughter was born three years after our wedding, I took the train from my gown to create a christening gown for her. I used it again when my second daughter was christened, and she subsequently wore it to a children's fancy dress party when she was three years old. I added some silver spangles and she went as "Moonbeams". Posted: 9:34 pm on May 18th
trapunto writes: I used to make christening gowns out of vintage wedding gowns and made full use of lace, buttons and embellishments. There is always plenty of length and usually beautful detail that can now serve a new purpose. The last ones that I did were a gown for the little girl and the mother wanted something more masculine for the boy. So his satin pants and shirt were covered with a lace vest with original buttons!! Posted: 3:26 pm on May 18th
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