Aiden’s Dedication Gown
Design by Kathy Barnard from The Best of Sew Beautiful Christening Gowns
Handsome and suited for a baby boy, this ensemble of Swiss cotton batiste fabric consists of a bubble suit with a removable skirt, both ornamented with shaped bias strips of blue handkerchief linen and machine-embroidered crosses. Six quarter-inch tucks also add to the crisp, tailored lines of this ensemble. Sleeves are short, cap sleeves with cuffs trimmed in blue linen piping, which also trims the collar. A choice of monogram or cross, stitched in either white or blue, adorns the center of the yoke bias shaped design. The piped waistband of the full, gathered skirt with slip is attached to the bubble suit with four mother-of-pearl buttons. A 3/4 –inch tuck is stitched on the lower skirt. The back yokes of the bubble suit are fastened with four mother-of-pearl buttons. The leg openings of the bubble suit have casings through which elastic is run; a crotch placket is fastened with three mother-of-pearl buttons. $1200
- Photo shows this gown stitched in Swiss cotton sateen (without slip) with white machine-embroidered crosses.
- Available in 6 and 12 month sizes
Blessed Beginning
Design by Wendy Schoen from Creating Heirlooms for Baby
Gracefully scalloped French lace-shaped insertion surrounds the gorgeous front panel pinstitched on this Swiss cotton batiste and cotton organza gown, which is richly embroidered from the yoke to the wide French lace edging ruffle that adorns the hemline. The neckline is trimmed with Swiss entredeux and gathered French lace edging. Short puffed sleeves of cotton organza have three rows of insertion lace in their center, a sleeve cap ruffle, and are finished with Swiss entredeux, French lace beading with silk satin ribbon, and gathered French lace edging. The bottom of the embroidered front panel is sewn to a fancy band of seven French lace insertion rows, which encircles the rest of the skirt and is attached by Swiss entredeux to the wide edging ruffle. The back plackets are fastened with four mother-of-pearl buttons. A cotton organza belt with a bow is a focal point between the yoke and skirt, and is fastened with two mother-of-pearl buttons.
- Hand embroidery – $3000
- Machine embroidery – $2000
- Slip – The neck edge and armholes of this Swiss cotton batiste slip are finished with French lace edging, and the wide, full ruffle at the bottom is edged with wider lace edging. $175
- Available in Newborn, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months sizes
Boy’s Christening Gown
Design by Michie Mooney
Boy's Christening Gown in Irish Linen
This elegant 30 ½–inch long gown has crisp, tailored lines, and is made of either Irish handkerchief linen, Swiss cotton batiste, or Swiss cotton sateen. Pinstitched cotton lace trims the distinctive collar style, soft front and back pleats give fullness, and embroidery of your choice (religious, monogram, vintage) adorns the center front. Sleeves are ¾ length, and are finished with a cuff. The gown has a back placket and four mother-of-pearl buttons for closure. A one-inch hand-stitched hem finishes the gown.
- Hand embroidery – $400
- Machine embroidery – $350
- No embroidery – $325
- Slip – The styling of this Swiss cotton batiste slip mirrors the styling of the Boy’s Christening Gown. Two buttons fasten at each shoulder; the slip is finished with a double 3/4 ” hand-stitched hem. $100
- Available in 3, 6, and 12 months sizes
Circa 1950 Christening Gown & Slip
Design by Wendy Schoen
This stunning reproduction gown of cotton organza is lavished with a pinstitched front panel made entirely of French cotton lace insertion, bordered by wider lace insertion and elegant hand-embroidered featherstitch and white bullion roses dancing up its side. A fancy band of three strips of the same insertions surround the rest of the circumference of the gown. 
A ruffle of 2-inch wide lace edging finishes the hemline of the 31-inch long gown, and is connected to the front panel and fancy band with Swiss double entredeux. The neckline is finished with entredeux and cotton edging; the sleeves are short and puffed, and finished with a self-fabric band. The back yokes are buttoned with two mother-of-pearl buttons. A simple shoulder-buttoned A-line slip, with lace edging at the neckline, armholes, and hem completes this classic ensemble. $900
- Available in infant size
Double-Scalloped Madeira Christening Dress & Slip
From Martha Pullen/Husqvarna Viking II Licensing
Dress
This glorious gown of white Swiss cotton batiste has a lovely shaped Madeira appliqué in handkerchief linen carefully pinstitched to the front yoke, which is mirrored by the most beautiful double-scalloped Madeira appliqué treatment on its hemline, also in handkerchief linen. In the middle of the yoke is the perfect place for a baby’s monogram, if desired. The front and back skirts are gathered, and at the hemline showcase magnificent lace shaping, also in scallops, until rising at the front of the dress to a tied lace bow. Under the streamers of this bow are machine embroidered bows and flowers, and in the center of all this is an embroidered cross. (Your preferred embroidery may be used here in place of the cross.) The short puffed sleeves are finished with Swiss entredeux, beading through which silk satin ribbon is threaded, more Swiss entredeux, and gathered French edging lace. The back yokes are closed with three mother-of-pearl buttons. The gown is 41-inches long. $1200
- Available in 3-6 and 9-12 months sizes
- Bonnet
Slip
The neck edge and armholes of this cotton batiste slip are finished with French lace edging, and the wide, full ruffle at the bottom is edged with wider lace edging. The slip is made slightly longer than the dress so the lace is visible under the double-scalloped appliqué hemline. $175
George Dalton Gann Gown*
Design by Sharon Landis from “Sew Beautiful,” #61, 1998
This 35-inch long gown of Swiss cotton batiste has touches of cross-motif French cotton lace, but is uniquely enhanced by double-needle pintucks which embellish the front yoke, sleeves, and the bottom of the skirt, excepting the front panel. In the center of the front yoke is an embroidered cross. The front panel of the full, gathered skirt is divided horizontally into four sections, the first of which has a central monogram, and embroidery next to the bordering French lace insertion. The second section consists of double-needle pintucks divided by three sections of lace insertion; this section is separated from the first and third by more insertion lace. In the third section is a large trefoil lace shaping design pinstitched to the skirt, and embroidery adorns the corners of this section. The final section is made up of puffing, and is separated from the third section and wide bottom ruffle by insertion lace. Lace insertion at the center of the sleeves is attached by fagoting. Similarly, lace insertion borders the sides of the whole front skirt panel, and this is attached to the rest of the skirt by fagoting. The pintucks on the long sleeves are smocked in a simple wave design, in which silk satin ribbon is woven and gathered to a suitable width. The neckline, sleeves, and wide ruffle at the hemline are all edged with entredeux, and then ornamented with a bullion picot stitch, all done by hand, which gives a classic, tailored finish.
- Hand embroidery – $1500
- Machine embroidery alternative- $1200
- No embroidery except for cross & monogram – $1100
- Slip – The neck edge and armholes of this cotton batiste slip are finished with narrow French lace edging, and the wide, full ruffle at the bottom is edged with narrow lace edging, or a shirt-tail hem, if desired. $165
- Available in Newborn, 3,6,9,12,18 month sizes
Lace and Roses Gown
This exquisite gown of Swiss cotton batiste is lavished with French cotton lace and Swiss embroidered insertion with a beautiful rose design, joined piece-by-piece to form the front yoke, set-apart a richly embroidered front panel, and embellish the center of the short, puffed sleeves, which are finished with Swiss entredeux, French lace beading, more entredeux, and gathered French cotton edging. Silk satin ribbon threaded through the beading is tied into bows on each sleeve. The front panel embroidery consists of machine satin-stitched bows with streamers, two doves, floral sprays, and smaller and larger crosses. The neckline is trimmed with Swiss entredeux and gathered French cotton lace edging. The hem of this 41-inch gown is finished with a fancy band of rows of Swiss entredeux bordering three rows of French lace insertion, attached to a ruffle of Swiss cotton batiste with wide, flat edging lace. The back yokes are closed with three mother-of-pearl buttons. $1800
- Slip – The neck edge and armholes of this Swiss cotton batiste slip are finished with French lace edging, and the ruffle at the bottom is edged with cotton lace edging as well. $175
- Available in 6 and 12 month sizes
Le Petit Oiseau Bleu, The Little Blue Bird
Design by Wendy Schoen from The Best of Sew Beautiful Christening Gowns
Dress & Apron
This magnificent ensemble in handkerchief linen and cotton organza is absolutely breath-taking! The dress has a beautifully hand-embroidered low yoke, under a hand embroidered cotton organza Peter Pan collar trimmed in cotton tatting. Long cotton organza sleeves are attached at the armscye with Swiss entredeux and finished with Swiss entredeux, French lace beading through which blue silk satin ribbon is woven, more entredeux, and cotton tatting. The full, gathered long skirt is trimmed with a pinstitched fancy band of French lace beading in the center of two rows of French cotton insertion, and wide cotton tatting. Blue silk satin ribbon woven in and out of the beading further defines the fancy band. Blue hand-embroidery spills over onto the left back yoke, and the gown is fastened in the back by three mother-of-pearl buttons.
A cloud-like cotton organza apron is richly hand embroidered with blue flowers, and songbirds carrying garlands of flowers next to a blue shadow-worked bow. It is finished with pinstitched scallops of French cotton lace insertion, Swiss entredeux, and cotton tatting. The apron is attached to six mother-of-pearl buttons on the dress, and ties with narrow-hemmed sashes.
- Hand embroidery – $2200
- Machine embroidery option – $1600
- Bonnet
- Available in infant size (newborn to 6 months)
Trinity Rose
This resplendent gown of Swiss cotton batiste and cotton organza is adorned with lustrous machine embroidery on the cotton organza portion of the yoke and front skirt panel, bordered by pinstitched wide French cotton lace insertion. The neckline is trimmed with Swiss entredeux and gathered French lace edging. Ornamenting the entire neckline and the other edges of the front yoke and central panel is a line of machine-stitched granitos, which are reminiscent of a strand of tiny pearls. The sleeves have a tiny ruffle at the armscye, over a central embellishment of three rows of lace insertion, and are finished with Swiss entredeux, French lace beading through which silk satin ribbon is woven, entredeux, and gathered French cotton edging. The fancy band at the bottom of the skirt consists of three rows of wide French lace insertion, attached to the skirt above, and French lace-edged ruffle below, with Swiss double entredeux. The back yokes of this 39-inch gown are fastened with four mother-of-pearl buttons. $1800
- Slip – The neck edge and armholes of this Swiss cotton batiste slip are finished with French lace edging, and the ruffle at the bottom is edged with lace edging as well. $175
- Available in Newborn, 6, and 12 month sizes
Sarah Blue Eyes
Design by Maja Clayton from “Sew Beautiful,” #73, 2000.
An exceptional treasure of a gown, this ivory and blue Swiss cotton batiste creation leaves an unforgettable impression! The ivory yoke is adorned with hand embroidery consisting of a blue shadow-worked bow flanked by pink bullion rosebuds, blue swirls, and French knots, and separated from the skirt by pinstitched French lace insertion. The blue Swiss batiste skirt’s fullness is gently worked into six ¼-inch tucks on either side of the center front skirt where it attaches to the yoke, and similarly, into five tucks on either side of the center back. A blue scalloped Madeira appliqué is pinstitched to the ivory Peter Pan collar. 
The blue Swiss batiste sleeves are trimmed in ivory beading and gathered French lace edging. Blue silk satin ribbon is woven in and out of the beading and tied in bows. The hem is ornamented with pinstitched scallops of ivory French cotton insertion, above which are hand-embroidered full bullion roses and rosebuds, encircled by featherstitching, and at the bottom, trimmed with flat French cotton lace edging. This 25-inch long button-down-the-back style gown is fastened with nine mother-of-pearl buttons.
Sweet Serenity*
Design reproduced from an antique by Karen Bosch from “Sew Beautiful,” #74, 2001.
This charming confection has the most delightful lace shaping design pinstitched on the front and back yokes, enhanced by exquisite hand embroidered satin-stitched flowers with eyelet centers just below the neckline, which is trimmed in Swiss entredeux and gathered lace edging. The long sleeves on this 28-inch long gown are attached to the yokes with entredeux, and trimmed with Swiss double entredeux and flat edging lace. The gathered skirt is attached to the yokes with Swiss double entredeux, and finished at the hemline with a fancy band consisting of rows of French lace insertion, Swiss embroidered insertion, French lace insertion, Swiss double entredeux, and flat French lace edging. The back yokes are closed with four mother-of-pearl buttons. $800
- Slip – The styling of this Swiss cotton batiste slip mirrors the styling of the Sweet Serenity gown. The neck edge, armholes, and hemline are finished with French lace edging. $125
- Available in 3, 6, 9, 12 month sizes
The Christening Collection
Design by Kathy Harrison
The Christening Collection Rose Gown
This gown of Swiss cotton batiste (or Swiss baby flannel) has Kathy Harrison’s beautiful machine embroideries on its front yoke, back yoke, and cap sleeves, with an option of more extensive embroidery on the front skirt. The neckline of the Swiss batiste version is finished with Swiss entredeux and cotton lace edging. The gown is 24 inches long (or 29 ¾ for the embroidered front skirt) and is finished with French cotton edging lace or a hand-stitched hem. Two or three mother-of-pearl buttons close the back yokes.
Rose Gown – Front embellished by machine-embroidered pink roses and white wing needle fil-tire; sleeves with upturned scalloped cuff with roses; front yoke attached to skirt with Swiss double entredeux; lined bodice $300
- With 15 hand embroidered bullion roses in combination with machine embroidery $400
- Cross and Flowers – Front embellished by machine-embroidered cross and floral embroideries; sleeves embellished by Trinity circles and floral embroideries and finished with machine scallops; back yokes embellished with floral embroidery; lined bodice; lace at hem with cross design $350
- Ribbons and Flowers Gown – Front and back yokes, both sleeves, and front panel embellished with machine-embroidered ribbons and flowers; Swiss entredeux connecting front to back yokes; sleeves and hem trimmed with cotton lace edging; lined bodice $400
The Christening Collection Ribbons and Flowers Gown
- Swiss Flannel Gown – This yellow Swiss baby flannel version has an embroidered and scalloped Peter Pan collar, and scalloped, upturned sleeves; it has a 2-inch hand-stitched hem. Front bodice suitable for monogram or other machine embroidery, if desired $300
- Slip, if desired for Swiss batiste gown. The styling of the Swiss cotton batiste slip mirrors the styling of the Christening Collection gown. The neck edge, armholes, and hemline are finished with French lace edging. – $100
- Available sizing fits babies 11-13 pounds
Trinity Cross Christening Gown*
Design by Peggy Dilbone from The Best of Sew Beautiful Christening Gowns
Three lustrous crosses are machine-embroidered at the center of a carefully hand-smocked bodice of Swiss cotton batiste on this fabulous 40-inch long gown. Near the Swiss edged and pinstitched hem, is an elaborate pinstitched lace shaping design, the inside of which shows the three crosses surrounded by beautiful scrolled vine machine embroidery, all of which combine to create a stunning statement. The French laces’ designs are intricate geometric shapes and crosses. The scrolled vine embroidery is also echoed on the short, puffed sleeves, which are finished with Swiss entredeux, French lace beading through which silk satin ribbon is threaded and tied in bows, entredeux, and gathered French lace edging. The neckline is finished with entredeux and gathered lace edging. The back plackets are fastened with four mother-of-pearl buttons. $2200
- An exact reproduction of the Trinity Cross gown (but with hand smocking), with the addition of a double scalloped Madeira hem $2500
- Slip of Swiss cotton batiste, with cotton lace-edged neck, armholes, and trimmed with rows of insertion lace and edging lace to peek out from under the bottom of the gown $200
- Available in 6 and 12 month sizes
*Not an exact reproduction