Traditional Christening Gown and Waistcoat for family S

bespoke christening gown on babe in arms

I was privileged to be asked to make two christening ensembles for Family S. We used fabrics left over from Mummy’s wedding dress to create a traditional christening gown for their baby girl and an 18th century style waistcoat, cravat and trousers for their little boy.

Baby christening gown from mothers wedding dress in brown and cream

Traditional Christening Gown with long skirt

The family decided on a christening dress made in the traditional ‘long gown’ style. This is where the skirt extends significantly beyond the babies toes. Obviously this style is only suitable for very young babies, before crawling age. In bygone eras all newborn babies clothing were made as ‘long gowns’ and the transition to their first ‘short dresses’ was a significant milestone.

pageboy waistcoat for church wedding

18th century style Waistcoat

We used fabric left over from the bodice of his mother’s wedding dress to make the waistcoat. I made the waistcoat with 18th century styling including a square bottom and high lapels. Our little man wore brown silk trousers and a matching traditional cravat to finish the ensemble.

Christening waistcoat and brown silk trousers for toddler
boys 18th century style waistcoat and cravat for toddler page boy on stand
waistcoat cover button detail with pearl and embroidery

The fabric for the waistcoat and dress bodice was incredibly beautiful and detailed. The silk organza was printed with a brown pattern on a cream background. The fabric designer had added cream and silver chain stitch detailing and well as hundreds of tiny pearls.

naming ceremony gown ruched sash
Long gown traditional christening gown back view with buttons

I made the traditional christening dress with couture details like these tiny covered buttons and french seams in the sheer silk chiffon. It had a simple round neckline and sleeveless bodice. I added a ruched sash to soften the join of bodice to the long, cream, silk chiffon skirt.

cover button and buttonhole detail on bespoke christening gown
Wedding dress by Linda Makin

Original Wedding Dress

Two pictures of the wedding dress originally made by Wendy Makin of Brisbane. I think the non-traditional wedding colours with more traditional wedding styling fitted their alternative but old fashioned tastes perfectly. We copied the styling and shapes of the wedding dress to make the the christening gown a really special keepsake.

Wedding dress by Linda Makin

See more examples of christening gowns I have made using mum’s wedding dress on my christening dress portfolio page.

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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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With spring finally appearing, it was time to update my bridal shop display window.
(If you're curious what it was last month, you can look at my previous post...if you're a fan of dip dye, I think you'll really like it)

I wanted to create something that was full of verdant texture. I feel really strongly about single use plastics, so I always try to either re-use elements from previous window displays, or gather things from nature. This time I used a floral garland by @muscariwhites and added dried flowers from the hydrangea bush in my garden, as well as ivy, and anything else I found that I thought would look pretty.

For this display, I featured two dresses. Usually it's three, but when one of them takes up so much space, I had to make sacrifices! I chose the sumptuous pink Evil Queen dress, as well as the lilac dip dye Bridgeton dress. Both of them are historically inspired (the former by Elizabethan fashion and the latter by Regency), but also have fantasy elements to them. Completely my style as a wedding dress designer.

Which dress in this display is your favourite?
Last month's window display before I change it to something new.

For the display I featured three red wedding dresses:

First is the Elodie dress, made in stunning red silk with a sequin top. I love the bow at the back that extends into a train, as well as the hand-beaded back necklace.

For the middle wedding dress, I took inspiration from Romani gypsy styles, using ivory silk chiffon, accentuated with red floral lace and trimmed with matching coloured ribbons.

And finally, on the right, is the Aurora dress, made in layers of soft blush pink tulle, with gorgeous, floaty balloon sleeves. I think this dip dye combination of deep burgundy, crimson and red is really beautiful.

Do you have a favourite dress out of these three?

All three of these dresses are available, so drop me a DM, or check out my Etsy to find the wedding dress of your dreams 💜

#weddingdress #bridalboutique #colourfulweddingdress #ukweddingdress #dorking #dorkinghighstreet #surrey #sussex #bespokeweddingdress
As a wedding dressmaker, one of my favourite things to do is add colour to my designs. Whether making the dress from scratch, or dying an already bought dress, the colours a bride chooses tell me a lot about who they are as a person. 

The most common colours I get for dip dye overskirts and wedding dresses are blues. Followed by purples and pinks. I love getting green commissions, although they happen a lot less often.

Tell me if you think your colour choice is true to you?

~
#weddingdress #colourfulweddingdress #dopaminedressing #uniqueweddingdress #uniquebride #altbride #alternativebride #alternativeweddingdress #ukweddingdress #surrey #dorking #bespokeweddingdress #customweddingdress
One final little sneak peek before I show the fabulous photos from this fabulous day!

1 sewing machine
2 bride outfits
3 bridesmaid dresses
21 talented wedding suppliers
and lots of stage smoke!

Make sure you're following me to see what I'm so excited to share. Photos coming this weekend!

~
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bride Models @michele_and_graziella
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes

Celebrant dave_the_celebrant
Guitar @shanetheojoseph
Stationery @theinkmoth
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Cake @gwynethjohnsoncakedesign
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Headdress @Creationsbylivfree
Millinery @beverleyedmondsonmillinery
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Confetti @proper.confetti

#bespokeweddingdress #weddingshoot #weddingdress #ukwedding #ukbride #ukweddingsupplier #londonwedding
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