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.

Recent Portfolio entries

Read More
follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

In order for a bride to look beautiful and serene as they walk down the aisle, some thought has to go in to make sure that her dress is sitting just right.

Most of the time when I make bespoke wedding dresses, I'm not there on the day. But sometimes the dresses can be tricky to put on. If the bride's team aren't with her during her final fitting, they're not going to know how to make sure her dress is done up correctly and ready for the aisle. Especially if there are multiple layers, or corsets to tighten. So here's a little look into how I guide a bride's dresser. 

I go step by step through the process, carefully explaining how each layer does up, and giving any tips I think would be useful. 

This particular video wasn't for a bridal party, but for a shoot organiser. In the past I've sent dresses away to shoots and only after receiving the photos do I realise the dress was put on wrong! So now I make sure to arm the organisers with the knowledge they need. It's always good to learn from your mistakes!

Looking at the different between the dress on the mannequin and on the model makes me think: wedding dress really come alive once its on a bride. Don't you agree?

~
Suppliers
Photographer: @english.rose.photography
Concept/Cake Designer: @primrosecakesipswich
Venue: @hintleshamhall
Decor/Styling: @giantgesturessuffolk 
Models: @youdeservelove88
Wedding Dress: @felicitywestmacott
Veil: @hannahcummingsembroidery
Hair/MUA: @maxine_pfander
Bridal Shoes: @the_new_glass_slipper
Groom Outfit: @goldingnewmarket
Table Decor/Styling: @the_prop_library
Chair Drapes: @extravorganza1
Stationary: @moocollection_calligraphy
Jewellery: @nujewellery_byemma
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