Our children have worn a variety of baptismal (christening) gowns. All beautiful and sentimental in their own way. Our children have traditionally been baptized by my dad, Deacon Papa. Our fifth child will be Baptized in April, and I really want to witness to our family how special this sacrament is.
The gown is worn to represent their newly clean soul and clean start with life in Christ. This event is just as amazingly special as a First Communion or Marriage, but often seems downplayed in the faith communities we've been a part of. We finally found a parish that takes the ceremony up a notch with song and old tradition. Hence my reasoning to sew a new heirloom gown for our son.
Here are the gowns in our family...
Baby 1: Girl
Gown: 50 year old fraternal grandfather's gown, crocheted and cotton underdress with sheer embroidered overlay.
Cost: Free
Baby 2: Boy
Gown: New jersey cotton romper set from JC Penny, a tux look with bow tie.
Cost: about $25
Baby 3: Girl
Gown: My baptism dress (28yo), white cotton with pink rosebuds and matching bonnet
Cost: Free
Baby 4: Boy
Gown: Maternal grandfather's satin gown (about 60 yo) sewn by my grandmother (worn by 3 generations), and the cotton romper of baby 2
Cost: Free
My daughter saw some fabric and thought I should make one, so I did!
JUST FINISHED SEWING TODAY…
Baby 5: Boy
Gown: Homemade by me, Mommy! Bridal heavy satin, sheer with embroidered crosses, and crocheted lace trim. Added pearl buttons.
Cost: $25 in materials, 4 hours time
just praying it still fits him this nice in a month :)
Why didn't I do this earlier? Mostly because I was lacking in experience back then. So happy to gift this to my son and future grandchildren! Now I realize I NEED to get a serger sewing machine. It would really clean up the inside seams, especially the sleeves. I was so happy that the cost was only $25, considering the gowns I've seen online can cost upwards of $150-$400! I got the same heirloom look for so much less.
Simplicity Pattern #5813 with my own modifications.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-2270-babies-christening-gowns.aspx
Got the pattern on sale at JoAnn Etc for $1! This is a great start, then look online for more ideas how others use wedding gowns for fabric. When it comes to unisex gowns... To make it for boy or girl, have a frilly bonnet for girl and a cap for the boy. I chose to not add a collar and to add darting to the front for more texture. You might also make a satin coat or a add a clip bowtie for a boy, and have a lacey sweater for a girl.
UPDATE: It was just lovely...
http://stbrigidsacademy.blogspot.com/2012/04/edward-baptism.html
Do you have a family baptism gown that is passed on? What does it look like?
**BAPTISM PREP IDEAS HERE**
