Mini-me Christening dress and Romper

 sisters sitting together in the garden, baby romper and bonnet custom made to measure puff sleeves flowergirl dress

Tessa commissioned me to create two outfits for her daughters to wear for their baptism day, I designed a mini-me christening dress and romper suitable to their ages. Tessa wanted me to use the fabric and styling details from her own wedding dress. This is a traditional use for a wedding dress after the big day and a really lovely way to make christening gowns very personal, as well as being environmentally friendly with the up-cycling of materials!

The original wedding dress

Tessa’s wedding dress was ‘Bowbelles’ by Ian Stuart, a very beautiful taffeta dress with a crossover ruched bodice and full skirt. There was diamante detail at the neckline, a large bow, buttons and silver corded lace on the skirt which we incorporated as features into the children’s designs.

bowbelles by Ian Stuart dress original before we began

The dress before we began work

 original wedding dress detail before cutting up
design sketches for bespoke child's dress and romper

Original design sketches for the two outfits.

As the girls were different ages we wanted their designs to compliment each other but also be suitable to their needs. So we designed a traditional party dress for the older girl with a full skirt and using the cross over ruching and diamante detail of mum’s bodice. The baby’s outfit was actually a romper suit with removable overskirt which featured the silver lace in a side split like Tessa’s wedding dress. I also made her a bonnet trimmed with more of the silver corded lace. Both dresses had puffed sleeves, button backs and large bows so they echoed each other.

family group wedding christening party dress gown ivory taffeta
baby crawling up the steps, traditional romper all in one baby with bow and buttons cute bespoke christening

The baby’s romper suit design meant she was not hampered by the longer skirt and could crawl as she pleased once the ceremony was finished. We trimmed the bottom with more silver lace.

outfits being worn on the day, sisters in matching puff sleeve ivory and silver dress and romper
two girls sitting on steps, bespoke children's clothes mini-me wedding dress corded lace
little girl on steps, party ball dress flowergirl wedding for christening gown child made to measure

final fitting picture christening party flowergirl dress taffeta and diamante

final fitting pic, baby romper suit and bonnet bespoke

Final fitting pictures of the two outfits.

Making the Mini-me Christening dress and Romper

cutting out pattern pieces laid out ready to sew

Cutting out the pieces for the baby’s romper and overskirt.

pattern cutting and dress pieces cut our and ready to sew

Creating the pattern and cutting out all the pieces for the larger dress.

finished baby bonnet silver lace applique

The bonnet, embellished with scalloped silver lace edging from mum’s wedding dress.

fastening detail on romper suit convertible with skirt

The removable skirt on the romper attached with little buttons and easy to use elastic loops.

bespoke bridesmaid diamante neckline ruching buttons and bow details

Details of the finished dress, back fastening with buttons and beaded diamante neckline.

finished dress and romper with bonnet made to measure from mummy's wedding dress

The whole collection finished and ready for collection.

mini-me christening dress made to measure finished and ready to go
romper dress christening gown with silver lace

Romper suit with over skirt for the younger baby.

details of romper suit made from mummy's wedding dress for baptism something blue

Details of the romper suit included silver lace applique to the breeches, sides and on her cute little bottom and we moved the ‘Something Blue’ button that had been sewn inside mum’s wedding dress to the knee cuff.

To see another example of a christening dress I have made using an Ian Stuart wedding dress head over to this blue and gold example. And this one in ivory taffeta was also made using her mother’s wedding dress

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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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Photography - Thomas Frost - @t.frost.photography⁠
Venue - Beacon Crag B&B, Porthleven - @beaconcragweddingvenue⁠
Flowers - Fullers Flowers - @fullersflowers⁠
Hair & Makeup - Amy Needham @amyellenhairandmakeup
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