When my second grand daughter was born, her parents began to plan her christening. I came up with the idea to make her christening gown from her mother's wedding dress. My daughter was initially skeptical, but realized that neither she nor her daughter would likely ever wear the dress again, so I started planning. Making that first cut into the expensive dress was a little nerve wracking but after that it got much easier.
I learned that the cut and style of the wedding gown itself directly influences how the baby's outfit will turn out. For instance, the loops on the back of my daughter's dress in which the sash laced up corset-style became the front bodice of my grand daughter's dress. I utilized the Swarovski crystal-encrusted embroidered areas on her little shoes and bonnet. It was a breath-taking heirloom which will always be treasured.
Soon, people began asking me to make their baby's christening outfits from their wedding dresses. I enjoyed doing this for several reasons. First, each project is new and different (no getting bored here); I love wedding gowns; and finally, I was creating a treasured heirloom that would be passed down through the family.
I realized that there must be other people out there who would like to have their wedding gown transformed into their Baby's special christening outfit as well and I offered them for sale on Etsy. I recall receiving a dress from the first Etsy customer. While she and I had conversed via Etsy, we had never met nor even spoken on the phone. What a leap of faith she took in sending her treasured wedding gown to a virtual stranger to have it cut into pieces. She was more than pleased when she received the final product. Her words were "Amazing! Thank you so much ... I am beyond thrilled!"
Another Mom said "It is absolutely beautiful!... Thank you so much for making this treasure!"
Another Mother said "I just received the gown via UPS. It is absolutely PERFECT! (My husband) and I are in tears, it's so beautiful and exactly what we wanted... Thank you so much for helping us make (the baby's) day so special!"
New parents can purchase a christening outfit just about anywhere, including mass produced ones off of the internet. I am not in the market to make off the rack clothing of any kind, and especially not christening gowns. I believe there is a really special quality in my gowns because not only is the design what the new parents request, but because it is cut from the very cloth that the Mother wore on the day she and the Baby's Father were married. I can think of no better purpose for that wedding gown.
There is usually enough fabric and trims from a wedding gown and veil to make two or possibly even more outfits. In fact, one order I received was for twins - a boy and a girl. In that instance, there was enough fabric left over to eke out another outfit and ring bearer pillows for the children when they got married many years later.
 |
| A Beautiful Wedding Gown Gathering Dust |
