The christening outfit
In a recent post, Grannymar described making Elly’s Christening outfit. Her post got me onto this subject.
When eldest mouse was born, a friend’s mother made a christening outfit using the material from my wedding dress. I loved re-using the beautiful ivory silk material for a family keepsake.
My friend’s Mum made a beautiful christening dress and bonnet as the following pictures show.
Eldest mouse
Middle mouse
Youngest mouse, not a happy camper. (Photograph reproduced here with permission!)
Speaking of the wedding dress, the main part of my head-dress probably cost all of €1 in today’s money. I got a piece of electric cord, covered it in silk ribbon and voila. Whilst the wedding dress was expensive, the head-dress certainly was not!
I loved the christening outfit. Sadly the person who made it, died from cancer shortly after Tommy was born. I remember going to her funeral with Tommy as a baby after one of his appointments. I remember the events of that day so vividly. I remember making a phone call on a pay phone en route to the funeral. These were the days before mobile phones.
In a separate story about six weeks before she died, she and her daughter came to stay with us. As well as being gifted at needlework, she also was a talented painter. On that visit, her daughter took some photographs, while her mum was resting. In the few short weeks she had, her Mum did a painting for us from one of those photographs. She signed the canvas shortly before she died. Always a very practical, down to earth sort of person, she said to her daughter, ‘tell Lily she will have to frame it herself, I don’t have time’.
Naturally I did and the painting is hanging in our house.
The christening outfit is truly a family heirloom.
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Jesus the way you treated me I’m lucky I didn’t grow up with bloody issues. Youngest “mouse” is probably pissed b/c he saw how his older siblings were abused.
PS, interesting to see how John’s clothes haven’t changed to this day.
Let’s just say it’s a far cry from the tshirts and jeans I wear nowadays.
Patrick, I happen to know child-line’s number. Shall we give them a call and link them here?
No word from middle mouse, do you think he is still in shock?
Seriously now, two great stories. The christening outfit is wonderful. I hope you store it in acid free tissue.
Ha ha all of ye
Grannymar, Middle mouse doing Economics paper as we speak.
See your posts get others writing!
What a fantastic heirloom to have and a wonderful tribute to your friend’s mum. She sounds like she was a very special lady.
My son and daughter were each christened in the same gown as their father and their grandfather and I loved the history attached.
Hi Steph, hope you are feeling a lot better, following your progress!
Your christening gown certainly has history.