Tiny Perfection. A Silk Christening Robe and Bonnet.

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.

CRÊPE AND DIAMANTÉ

AN LBD FROM THE 1930's

Crumpled crepe
Glass diamonds 
And oodles of style

                                                     
Slightly faded and a little creased, this lovely black crepe two piece is enjoying the daylight after years in a box. Beautifully made, using the dull side and the shiny side of the crepe to great effect, this ensemble must have been a staple of a 1930's lady's wardrobe.
The floor length sleeveless dress has flattering detail to the bodice and the short jacket fastens at the hem with a diamanté two piece bow clip.

                

                                                                                               Slip straps at each shoulder of the dress


The shiny side of the fabric gives emphasis to the lapels.
The butterfly sleeves are shown turned back on one side to reveal the arm hole of the jacket.

The clasp is heavy. It slots together behind the 'knot'. 

The stitches are not as neat as the rest of the ensemble, so perhaps it was a later edition?

Be Warm in Black Silk Velvet with Lashings of Lace

From The Ladies Emporium Stock Room

New for the 1880's

Sit comfortably in your carriage
Be in Fashion
Be Chic
And Be Warm

                           
A lovely silk velvet mantel from c1880s. In very good condition. The lining is intact, with a few marks. The jury is out as to whether the lace is a later addition or not. It has been attached by a skilled hand but slightly overwhelms the other trim.
The mantle is made in two pieces, with a broad bottom piece that is part of the front panels, but then appears as a separate band at the back, attached to the bodice portion only in the centre. Plenty of room for you and your bustle. This and a rug should get you twice round the park before you retire to a blazing fire, crumpets and a pot of tea.