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Christening Gown for Baby R

It was a real joy for me to create this mini-me version of my own wedding dress for my baby daughter. I used the same green and gold silk, and the gold lace and recreated the fuchsia embroidery. I adjusted the style to suit her age but kept the main design features of the contrast waterfall, switched to the front so it would show on a baby in arms.

Official Pictures by Sebastian Lomas

The dress has a simple bodice with round neckline and gold lace overlay. Long sleeves have a little puff at the top and a gold silk extension, the Christening was on Advent Sunday in December! The waterfall cascades in alternate green and gold either side of the underskirt with hand embroidered fuchsias in Japanese silk thread. The back fastens with buttons and loops, just like my real dress did!

I had also made a mini-me version of my husbands wedding waistcoat for my son’s Christening a few years before, and luckily he still just about fitted in it for this occasion!

Mini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity Westmacott

Mini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity Westmacott

Embroidered wedding dress by Felicity Westmacott: views of the back with peplum and contrast waterfall

Here are some picture of my wedding dress, you can click here to see the portfolio entry.

Embroidered wedding dress by Felicity Westmacott: on my way to the church with my daddy and cutting the cake

Mini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity WestmacottMini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity Westmacott: hand embroidery detail

Details of the embroidery and button back.

Mini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity Westmacott: button and loop back detailMini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity Westmacott

I made the dress quite big on purpose as I hoped we would get a chance for her to wear it again! She was eight weeks old when she first wore it for her own Christening, and here she is again at 19 months. It was the perfect length and just about squeezed on around her middle and arms! Luckily she has always been on the small side, but it was lovely to pop her in the dress again for her cousin’s Christening ceremony.

Mini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity WestmacottMini-me Christening gown in green silk and gold lace by Felicity WestmacottPale blue and green silk mini-me christening dresses by Felicity Westmacott

Here are me and my sister with our daughter’s, both wearing mini-me versions of our wedding dresses. You can click here to see more pictures of Baby A’s dress and here for Eleanor’s wedding dress.

Pale blue and green silk mini-me christening dresses by Felicity Westmacott

Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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You might’ve noticed that I can get quite particular about language. I think it’s important, especially when that word can carry a lot of meaning. When words get misused, you as a consumer might get mis-sold something.

An example of this is the word ‘vintage’, which now gets tacked onto the description of any garment, whether or not it actually is vintage. Often the item just looks like it’s from an older period of fashion, and for many sellers now, that’s good enough to warrant the label ‘vintage’ (which it’s not).

‘Bespoke’ is another of those words. The word comes from ‘to bespeak’, which means, to ask for. Like someone walking into carpentry workshop and asking for something completely new to be made to their exact specifications.

Anything can be bespoke, if it has been asked for, to be made especially to your requirements and preferences. You often hear it in the context of bespoke suits, but the term doesn’t belong to any one industry.

When it comes to wedding dresses, you have a few options. Off-the-peg, which is what it sounds like. Then there’s custom or made-to-measure, which both describe when something is adjusted or changed. You might order a dress where there are options to customise the length, the sleeves, the neckline etc.

But true bespoke is something different. It’s a dress that’s been designed and made completely from scratch. Completely to your measurements and your ideas. With several stages of fittings and adjustments, to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. It’s an entirely unique garment, and this is why the price of a bespoke dress can be so much more than something off-the-peg or made-to-measure.

So, next time something online claims to be ‘bespoke’, now you know what to look for to make sure you’re not being tricked into pay more for less.

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Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18093465229710412
You might’ve noticed that I can get quite particular about language. I think it’s important, especially when that word can carry a lot of meaning. When words get misused, you as a consumer might get mis-sold something. An example of this is the word ‘vintage’, which now gets tacked onto the description of any garment, whether or not it actually is vintage. Often the item just looks like it’s from an older period of fashion, and for many sellers now, that’s good enough to warrant the label ‘vintage’ (which it’s not). ‘Bespoke’ is another of those words. The word comes from ‘to bespeak’, which means, to ask for. Like someone walking into carpentry workshop and asking for something completely new to be made to their exact specifications. Anything can be bespoke, if it has been asked for, to be made especially to your requirements and preferences. You often hear it in the context of bespoke suits, but the term doesn’t belong to any one industry. When it comes to wedding dresses, you have a few options. Off-the-peg, which is what it sounds like. Then there’s custom or made-to-measure, which both describe when something is adjusted or changed. You might order a dress where there are options to customise the length, the sleeves, the neckline etc. But true bespoke is something different. It’s a dress that’s been designed and made completely from scratch. Completely to your measurements and your ideas. With several stages of fittings and adjustments, to ensure it’s exactly how you want it. It’s an entirely unique garment, and this is why the price of a bespoke dress can be so much more than something off-the-peg or made-to-measure. So, next time something online claims to be ‘bespoke’, now you know what to look for to make sure you’re not being tricked into pay more for less.

Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I`m in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆

Since it`s such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I`ll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely.

I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we`re gonna make it! 🏃🏻‍♀️

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Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 17949300540051823
Tonight is the Wedding Industry Awards! I'm in the running for two awards, which is all very exciting! 🏆 Since it's such a special occasion, I decided to design and make myself a dress. That way, regardless of the outcome, I'll feel like a winner. I rarely have time to make myself anything, so this felt rather lovely. I used some gorgeous pink coloured silk chiffon, lined with pale gold silk satin, finished off with velvet ribbon. I started making the dress at 11am yesterday, and I finished it at 3pm today. Now I just have to finish making the bolero to go with it as well. I think we're gonna make it! 🏃🏻‍♀️

Just to be extra clear 💜

#seamstress #dressmaker #historicalfashion #weddingdressmaker #weddingdressdesigner

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Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18069360128457300
Just to be extra clear 💜 #seamstress #dressmaker #historicalfashion #weddingdressmaker #weddingdressdesigner
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in