taken by David Mathews
She was baptised almost a week ago, but there is still a faint scent of sweet chrism oil in Gladys’ hair. It is one of my favorite scents in the whole world.
taken by David Mathews
When my older three children were baptized, they wore a simple gown made by my mother. When I was pregnant with Gladys, I felt the need to do something special to prepare for her. Her baptism gown became that something.
Normally, I am pretty impatient to finish up a project when I get started. But for this one, I enjoyed taking the time to do things carefully – enclosing all the seams, hand-stitching when needed.
The sleeves were set in between the bodice and bodice lining. No discomfort for the baby.
This baptismal gown is a knock-off of a silk baptismal gown available on One Small Child. I decided not to make it out of silk for reason and practicality. This was a wise move because the first thing that Gladys did when I tried it on her was spit up on it. Then, she had a diaper blow out at the baptism reception. I chose a cotton stretch sateen. It has a bit of shine to it, and it has a wonderful weight and drape.
The pattern used to make the gown and slip is McCalls 4865. It is a nice basic pattern and was the perfect silhouette to imitate the silk gown. I added a gathered inset to the bodice, and wide ruffle to the bottom hem. I also added long ties to the back of the bodice. The lace detailing and placement was a changed as well as the number of pintucks on the skirt.
I made a slip for the gown out of a synthetic taffeta which was a pain to work with. It pulled out of shape when I was trying to cut it and puckered some while being sewn. I suspect that is just a problem with using synthetics, as I have been told real silk taffeta is a dream to work with. The slip is hidden underneath the gown, so it doesn’t bother me badly.
The only change I made to the slip from the original pattern was to self-line the bodice. This changed the button placket a bit, and I used a fun technique to machine sew the bodice armholes.
I hope that this gown and slip will be treasured in my family for a long time. Maybe someday little Gladys will grow up and have babies of her own baptized in this gown. That would be amazing.
But for now, I will just hug her sweet smelling little self and enjoy her smallness.
To say that the baptismal gown is gorgeous is an understatement. Once again, with your attention to detail, what could have been a plain outfit, turned into an heirloom gown that I’m sure you’ll want to have preserved by a professional so that your kids, one by one, can use it with their own children.
You’ve got me all teared up. Also, the look on your face (even though we can’t see your face entirely in the last picture), holding your little babe, is just precious- and that word falls short, too. Congrats!
She was grinning at me when that picture was taken. I can’t get enough of it.
and thank you.
Wow… Jodi! This is amazing. Stunning!
Our family uses a baptismal gown that has been passed down in the family and 5 generations have been baptised in it. It’s an heirloom… and seeing the care and love that went into Gladys’ gown, I know yours will be too. You have outdone even yourself, and that’s a feat!
I really hope so!
It is absolutely stunning. The details are just lovely and the fabrics you used are perfect. It is a total heirloom treasure.
That gown is spectacular! I love the detail work on it. So, sooo beautiful!
You have a gorgeous family! You’re a blessed woman indeed~!!
Jodi, that is perfectly lovely. The attention you put into it display so much love. I’m quite sure it will be treasured for many more baptisms. And congratulations on the de-heathenizing!
Thanks Maria!
And I had no idea you guys were building a boat! Crazy. 
This turned out so beautifully. What a lovely gown for an adorable little girl! I’m hoping to use similar techniques to finish my daughter’s baptismal gown this spring. I do have a question… how did you attach the ruffle so that it looks like the hem overlaps it a bit?
Samantha, I attached the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt and finished the seam. Then I folded up the bottom hem and sewed the hem and the ruffle in place.
In other words, that bottom hem is just a giant pleat that overhangs the ruffle attached to the bottom of the skirt.
Does that help? Let me know if not and I might draw you a little diagram or something.
That does help! Just trying to imagine… did you sew the ruffle wrong side to wrong side? When you folded up the hem was the ruffle upside-down and then you pressed it downwards? I’m sorry to be such a pain… I’m usually very good at figuring things out but for some reason this one is eluding me… and I love the look of that little pleat over the ruffle!
yes, i did.
Like a french seam. But standard seam then some sort of binding to cover the raw edges would work too.
Perfect! I think I got it….thank you so much! Can’t wait to try the technique