Thursday, January 19, 2012

1940's pattern Infant Gown!

This week at Project Run and Play the challenge was to create something from a certain decade- any you choose.  I had the perfect thing!  My hubby, er, I mean, Santa, put a vintage pattern in my stocking that actually had most of the pieces, yay!!!
It was this one from McCalls:

I decided to go with View A, a gown that has a drawstring at the bottom to keep out the chill :)
Theirs 
Mine!

The instructions were missing, but the construction was really simple.  I did the buttons and button holes first, then attached the sleeves, then sewed one long line from the sleeve edge all the way down the edge of the gown.  I did gather the neckline as in the pattern, but left off the lace- too scratchy!  Instead of gathering the wrists, I used elastic.  The pattern is copyright 1940, so I guess they didn't have it then, IMAGINE THE HORROR OF NO ELASTIC!!!

I did keep the drawstring on the bottom, even though some might say its a hazard.  By the time she can mess with it she will have outgrown the gown anyways I figured.  Plus, she won't actually sleep in this, it will be more for photos or special visitors, haha!  I used my new favorite crochet tool, the Sharp Crochet Hook.  Follow the link to check it out!  I did a picot type lace pattern all across the bottom.  This took the longest of anything on the gown, and it looks so pretty when pulled straight or gathered up with the ribbon.
Gathered up
Pulled out straight

The embroidery patterns were missing, I was so sad!  So I winged it with some cute little french knot flowers, and then a scallop down the button placket.  Nothing too wild since its for a baby.  I wanted it to be pretty simple. I may add more, but I will need to look at it and think about it!  Comment and let me know what you think! 
French knot flowers
Scalloped placket
My 92 year old Grandma gave me her sewing notions when her Macular Degeneration made it too hard for her to see well enough to use everything.  So I dug through the embroidery thread and found the oldest ones I could find- they might be older or newer than 1940, who knows!  But I bet they are close!
I hope my little girl feels special someday when she hold this gown in her hands and understands its ties to Daddy, Mommy, and Great-Grandma.  It really is something special!  

Don't forget to become a follower!  I am only a few more away from my current goal and then will do another giveaway!!!


11 comments:

  1. I like the embroidery you used. The whole piece turned out great! It reminds me of the baptism gown my mom sewed for her girls, though we were born 20 years later.

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  2. Thanks! I actually thought it would be a great gift to family members to use as a baptism gown. I could do it more "manly" for a boy, or just do all white.

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  3. How cute!!! I'm sure you won't have to worry about that drawstring, you're probably right about her not being able to mess with it for awhile.

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  4. Just lovely. I love the old baby patterns.

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    1. Thanks! I just heard a rumor that my aunt has my grandma's old pattern stash, so I am planning to raid them soon! Hopefully I will have more posts like this one!

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  5. This turned out beautifully! I love the embroidered details that you added. Aren't vintage patterns the best?!?! Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize~

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  6. That is so sweet! I'd love to see a baby wrapped up in one of those =)

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  7. Love those vintage sweets! Nice Job!
    Sassy Cathy

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