General Chat

Do you have a family one perhaps worn by previous generations?

My Christening gown is about 100 years old.The last baby to wear it was my son 23 years ago.It is too fragile to use anymore sadly.

Yes we have a family one.
My OH is 75 and his nan had a friend who was a dressmaker and she made a christening gown ,with separate under petticoat ,for him .It was made so the back opened up as they are Catholics and the baby has some blessing with anointing done on the back of the neck.
The gown was used for his sister and brother and for mums sisters children in America up to the 1950,s Our daughter was christened in it in 1958 and then OH brothers children were christened in in in the 1960/70,s Our grandson was born in 1980 but by then the silk bodice was falling apart so i bought some new silk embroidered fabric and renewed the bodice but did add some of the anglaise to it from the old bodice,.
Our grt grandson was christened in it in 1998 and I still have it awaiting more use. We do have other grt grandchildren but the gown wasnt used for them as they got too big for it before they were christened .SO yes its a family heirloom from 1934 !

i have oh's christening gown 61 years old did not use for mine as his nan insisted in buying a new one with matching bonnet and shoes for her first ggchild so have that as well 42 years old and well used

I have my christening gown and shawl...74 years old.
They have been used a good few times for various family members.
Not quite as white as they were,but still in very good condition.

Brenda x

It seems that quite a few of you have old gowns then.

Our gown is about the same age as Shirley's.
My grandmother bought it new for her first grandchild b. 1937 and I later wore it, as did my 2 daughters.
It is fine white cotton with a deep Broderais Anglais trim at the hem. There is a small band around cuffs and waist where narrow ribbon can be slotted through. At the moment it has blue ribbon as my grandson was the last child to use it.
There is a petticoat to go with this too.
Our shawl is much newer.
My aunt hand-kniited it in 1970s for my daughter. -A real labour of love as it's fine 3ply wool.

Gwyn

My last surviving aunt, who is 83, sent one to me,
it was mine used 71 years, nearly 72 years ago..... I didnt know it existed, and was thrilled to receive it! its two gowns, one an under garment and the outer is made of lace...........

Bob

I still have the gown I wore 55 years ago when I was 4 months old. My brother wore it in 1945 so it was rather plain being wartime and him being a boy. Imagine that, I wore my brother's hand me down frock.