Rhonda is a special lady in my life – we had met through the sewing center I called “home” – Rogers Sewing Center. Being very gifted and talented, Rhonda has created this christening ensemble:
It is simply a masterpiece showcasing the best of Heirloom Sewing (French Hand Sewing). Last year Rhonda graciously gave me the christening ensemble as a gift to my family. It is one of the most precious heirloom gifts I have ever received on behalf of my family. It is made with Swiss batiste and miles and miles (it seems like) of French laces, and Rhonda had lovingly embroidered all over the gown with delicate embroideries and shadow work by hand:
Can you spot the bird that Rhonda has done by shadow work on the bottom right corner? There are a total of four birds stringing the ribbons on this gown:
My bear Lady Carlyle is doing her best to model the bonnet for me. You can see that her head is a tad bit small for the bonnet:
The slip is blank for the most part except for the little bit of lace around the neck, armholes and the hem. I will embroider the date of birth and monogram of the child who gets to wear this christening gown on the slip. I have read in one of the Sew Beautiful Magazines about a christening gown that has been passed down in a family in England for 300 years, and all the babies that wore the gown had their monograms embroidered on the slip — how’s that for heirloom?
[From Wikipedia: Heirloom sewing is a collection of needlework techniques that arose in the last quarter of the 20th century that imitates fine French hand sewing of the period 1890-1920 using a sewing machine and manufactured trims.
Heirloom sewing is characterized by fine, often sheer, usually white cotton or linen fabrics trimmed with an assortment of lace, insertions, tucks, narrow ribbon, and smocking, imitating such hand-work techniques as whitework embroidery, Broderie Anglaise, and hemstitching.
Typical projects for heirloom sewing include children’s garments (especially christening gowns), women’s blouses, wedding gowns, and lingerie.]
I count myself blessed to have known Rhonda, with whom I have shared matters of the heart. And I count myself blessed multiple times and over to have other women like Rhonda that have touched my life in very very special ways. I cherish the relationships I have with these very special women in my life. And I will share about them as time goes along.
Thank you for coming to my show-and-tell. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Ivory Spring 