For a babies first formal occasion, what
better start in life than silk?
Especially when teamed with a lovingly homemade cotton shift.
And completed by a silk bonnet handed down from a previous generation.
Tradition and family represented in one child.
These christening clothes date from the early part of the 20th century and were given to Henfield Museum by a Sussex family.
Let's start at the top.
A sadly shattered silk bonnet, showing through to the tiny construction inside. The ribbon rosette adds to the delicate trim round the front edge. The crown carries some silk embroidery and the single remaining fastening ribbon shows signs of wear and, shall we say 'moisture'?
Next the homemade under garment.
Two tiers of cotton are sewn together, with a simple handsewn bodice topping it off.
And so to the Christening Dress.
Fine silk, shop or seamstress made. Dainty, neat, pretty and beautifully decorated.
The skirt has a graded pattern of design.
 |
| From dots |
To tiny flowers.
To bigger flowers & garlands  |
| And finally to a scalloped hem. |
