By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com
- Christening Fashions in the Victorian Era
- Baby Cape
- Baby Yoke
Christening Fashions in the Victorian Era
Whilst pregnancy and birth were quiet private occasions for the Victorians, the whole family looked forward to the public occasion of the christening as an event of celebration. The Church insisted that babies were christened in a white garment, a symbol of purity and innocence.
Christening robes of the 18th century were made of embroidered and trimmed silk or satin. However, by the 19th century white embroidery on fine cotton lawns, or fine linens was the fashionable, tasteful garment of choice.
Large families were popular in the Victorian era, and therefore a mother might make one very beautiful gown when she had the time whilst awaiting the arrival of her firstborn child. Although many women had access to a sewing machine in mid-Victorian England they preferred to hand-sow the Christening gown.
One reason was that because the gown was small and compact, it could be easily moved around the house from room to room in a young matronís needlework bag. Victorian pregnant women, even if barely 18, would as expectant mothers have been considered to be young matrons.
Once used and admired along with the new baby, the same christening robe would then be packed away and carefully kept for the next occasion, and would probably be used for every baby a mother bore.
Well-made Christening gowns were even handed down through the generations. The robe as a result, became a family heirloom.
Mid-nineteenth-century christening robes were often decorated with fine white embroidery known as Ayrshire work. Ayrshire's work consisted the embroidery work with extra needlework fillings and cutwork.
In the mid to late Victorian era, the christening gown skirts were lavishly ornamented with fine pin tucks and lace insertions. The bodices of this era were also decorated with white embroidery too. Unlike today, every baby would have worn a cap with the christening gown.
Baby Cape
A mother may also have carried the baby to the church using a mantle or beautiful shawl.
The picture right shows an Edwardian illustration for a cashmere baby cape which would have been very suitable for such a special church and family gathering.
Very special christening robes ensured that any baby wearing one looked picture-perfect for the occasion and the event of having a family photograph taken to record the day.
Christening robes are one of the few pieces of costume history that have seemed to survive across a broad range of society, probably because they launder well, are small enough to store easily and another baby may get a one-off use for it.
Step back in time and look toward the future with exquisite, Victorian-style christening gifts and clothes from a distinctive fashion era.
Alternatively make your own christening robe using a Vogue sewing pattern, a Butterick, Simplicity or McCalls dress Pattern. All make christening robe patterns with heirloom sewing techniques.
Baby Yoke
The Edwardians were lucky enough to be able to buy ready-made embroidered yokes to which they added skirts in fabrics of their choice enabling them to make easy dresses or gowns. such yokes could also be used as a top fresh cover-up over a dress just like a bib was used for protection. If the baby dribbled food a fresh yoke could be used over a simple gown.
