Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Daddy Doesn't Want Frills on His Son's Christening Gown?

Spiritual - Before the day of our holy Baptism, we had only a human life.  Afterwards, we began to participate in the Divine life. We became incorporated in Christ as His members and received the Holy Spirit for the first time.  The Holy Spirit began to diffuse Christ's graces in us so that we could begin to live and walk in Christ.  This sacrament is the first; the other sacraments restore, root, invigorate and build up this divine life within us.  This gift, however, requires our cooperation.  "Every sin, fault, or voluntary negligence dishonors Christ and grieves the Holy Spirit who lives within us.  We cannot remain content to merely avoid sin; we must also strive to make Christ's life increase in us.  Without our cooperation, it is possible for this life to remain stationary in us for twenty, thirty, fifty years after our baptism, after hundreds of confessions and Holy communions.  We may be adult, or even aged in years, but children according to grace!"

SewingThis is an interesting history of Christening gowns.

Simple & lovely.  This "boy" Christening gown was made using one of the patterns by Nancy Coburn from her series of books of baby & toddler's gowns, day dresses, and suits.  It was made using white Imperial batiste (blend, so won't need ironing), a simple sweet Swiss embroidery, entredeaux, and thread.  An intermediate beginner can make this gown.

Ginger Snaps Designs By Nancy Coburn.  Nancy has a series of these booklets which include the basic pattern and several variations of each gown.  SewHealing has several in the shop. 


The yoke has two sets of triple (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) pintucks that flank three machine embroidered cross-stitched crosses. The yoke is attached to the skirt with entredeaux.  The neck is finished with Swiss embroidery.
The band at the bottom of the gown is a simple repeat of the yoke.  There are two sets of the triple pintucks.  The machine embroidered cross-stitched crosses are placed evenly around the band between the sets of pintucks.
Triple pintucks and crosses are repeated on the lower sleeve. A sweet  Swiss embroidery embellishes the three-quarter length sleeve and the neck.  The sleeve is a set in sleeve and has no gathers at the shoulder.

Christening cap

Triple pintucks, crosses and Swiss embroidery are featured on the Christening cap.  

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