Christening gowns are traditional outfits made just for baby’s baptism. They are almost always white and can be very ornate, highly decorated garments. Usually, the christening gown is quite long – much longer than the baby being christened, particularly when it is worn by a young or very small baby. Many families keep a “family” christening gown that has been passed down through various family members and is used for the baptism ceremony. This christening robe was probably used by the Cameron family.The christening gown was a late 18th century innovation usually made of white lawn, muslin or net, longer than the baby and fancier than a day gown. The design was a more moderate version of contemporary adult fashion. Most 19th century christening gowns featured lace. All, until the end of the century, had low necklines and short sleeves. This gown reflects the style of christening robes in the early 20th century. A high waisted, short-sleeved long white broderie anglaise christening robe made of fine cotton. It is hand made edged with machine stitched cut work lace. The bodice is pin tucked.christening-robe clothing-childhood

Robe belonged to the donor's mother, Mrs Laura Hill.White cotton christening robe. Traditional style with V-shaped bodice on centre panel of skirt. Design is made up of bands of hand and machine made eyelet embroidery.christening robe

Christening robe first worn in 1858 by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter, eldest surviving child of James & Mary Poulter. Used by several generations of Poulter descendants.Early Christening robe with local family significanceWhite lawn christening robe with embroidery detail to bodice and front skirt. Mostly hand sewn. Very good conditionpoulter, chapman, christening

Family Christening Gown worn by donor's brother in 1949 at his Christening at Buckfastleigh in Devon. Previously owned by donor's mother Mrs Laura Hill.Ivory embroidered net christening robe with lace and tucks around the hem.clothing

Part of a complete layette made by donor's maternal grandmother Mrs Charlotte Sarah Webb (nee Richardson) before 1907 (1865-51). The layette won equal second prize at the First Australia Exhibition of Women's Work 1907. Refer file for information. Part of a complete layette, which won equal second prize at the first Australian Exhibition of Women's Work 1907. See also 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117. Letters in archives.White cotton petticoat decorated with lace and pintucks.christening robe, petticoats, embroidery, heirloom sewing, australia, 1900-20, lace

Part of a complete layette made by donor's maternal grandmother Mrs Charlotte Sarah Webb (nee Richardson) before 1907 (1865-51). The layette won equal second prize at the First Australia Exhibition of Women's Work 1907. Part of a complete layette, which won equal second prize at the first Australian Exhibition of Women's Work 1907. White cotton, dress has a fine self stripe, gathered bodice and squared collar of torchon lace and insertion, gathered sleeves, and pintucks, insertion and lace at skirt edge. christening robe, petticoats, embroidery, heirloom sewing, australia, 1900-20, lace

Classical Ayrshire embroidery worked on fine lawn, with decorative "V" shaped bodice, winged and embroidered skirt and finely embroidered, scalloped lawn edge. Sleeves are 4 tiered, embroidered and pleated.embroidery, ayrshire work, christening robe, late 19th century, scotland

Found in a collection bag by Miss Thelma Crawford and brought to Guild.Typical fine Ayrshire, high standard with classical flower, fillings and skirt wings.embroidery, ayrshire, christening robe, 1840-60, scotland

Christening ensemble first worn in 1858 by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter, eldest living child of James & Mary Poulter. Ensemble comprises a short underskirt, long underskirt, robe, 'shawl' & silk bonnet. The robe is reliably dated to 1858, however, the underskirts, shawl & bonnet may have been added to the ensemble at a later date. Used by many generations of family & extended family.White cotton underskirt to christening robe. Pin tuck detail to skirt. Tear at left shoulder.poulter, chapman, christening

Coloured photo (two copies)of Society Display at Whitehorse Spring Festival. Barbara Keene on duty in Whitehorse Centre. Display of Christening Robes & Cameras.whitehorse spring festival, keene, barbara

Made for Mrs. W. Johnson's daughter - Gertrude.Cream silk and lace Christening robe and carrying jacket.Dress gathered at skirt with tucks and lace inserts, and smocking on sleeves. Circular cape with tucks and lace inserts.christening clothing, baby clothing

White muslin Christening Robe. Typical long dress with machine made lace and pin tucks. It has a pretty round yoke with lace and insertions. Machine lace & pin tucksembroidery

Was left over from material used for child's christening robe. was donated by Mrs Jo Hermann ( Elsie Winchester). Jo Hermann was an Orbost resident -blacksmith, painter and signwriter. Baptism through the ages has held great importance in celebrating a new life for social and religious beliefs and to announce another generation. Christening gowns, dresses or robes became special for these occasions and followed fashion as life changed. this cloth is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century.A cloth of handmade broderie anglaise on white fine linen with white thread.cloth handcraft needlework

This doll was reportedly won in a raffle in 1917, possibly in Orbost, Victoria.A female doll with its upper body including the arms made from porcelain and its lower body of fabric. It has genuine hair and also possibly eyelashes and its glass eyes are blue. It has painted eyebrows and mouth. The christening robe which it is wearing is not its original costume.doll child's-doll porcelain-and-cloth-doll

Laundered 30/10/1999Long white Christening robe with Ayrshire embroidery on a vee shaped bodice front coming to a point at the waist with a small opening under the point. If the baby was a boy the point was left showing an if a girl it was tucked into the opening. Tucking across the front panel. Drawstring at neck.lace and pin tucking down front. Drawstring neckcostume, infants'

Traditionally worked using white thread onto a fine white muslin, Ayrshire embroidery is recognisable by stylised floral motifs with areas of filled in cutwork. Developed from Dresden embroidery (a form of pulled work) and tambour embroidery, it uses a range of stitches, including satin stitch, chain stitch, eyelets and buttonhole edging as well as a range of lace filling stitches. The technique became popular in the early nineteenth century, when the previous fashion of elaborate gowns with hooped skirts was replaced by looser, simpler white cotton muslin garments. Although the elegant simplicity was favoured, women also desired some decoration. However, looms of the time could not create complex designs, so women turned to hand stitching.Using cotton muslin woven in Ayrshire, local women and girls would complete the intricate whitework to help supplement their family income. Mainly produced at home, Ayrshire whitework garments would be initially completed by one person. However, as the technique became more popular and the industry developed, to ensure high quality work, a piece would be passed around so that each embroiderer could focus on completing the stitches they specialised in.It is believed that the designs and motifs used in Ayrshire whitework were inspired by lace filling stitches found within an inset in a French Christening robe that was bought to Scotland by Lady Mary Montgomery, who then lent it to Mrs Jamieson of Ayr. She copied the stitches used within the robe and taught them to her outworkers, and she also produced plain muslin that was stamped with a water-soluble blue ink design that made embroidering the designs neater and more efficient. Ayrshire work became popular quite quickly, and it was incorporated into collars, cuffs and caps as well as children’s clothes and bonnets. Pieces were exported across Europe and the British Empire. As the decades progressed, technology advanced, resulting in looms that could incorporate decoration into the weave of the cloth, reducing the need for hand embroidered Ayrshire whitework.A triple frill of Buckingham lace, followed by two bands of fine embroidery - eyelets and satin stitch, and tucking, with small circle at crown.embroidery, whitework, bonnets, mid 19th century, scotland, garments

Doll maker Kammer and Reinhard bisque doll heads and bodies were designed by them, but most heads were manufactured by Simon & Halbig which is why heads bear both marks.Kammer and Reinhardt porcelain and cloth baby doll mould number 116A circa 1912. She has a porcelain head, forearms and lower legs and feet. The rest of her body is a stuffed material calico. Her legs are jointed at the knees. She is dressed in a long sleeved, extended christening like robe of cream broderie anglaise. The robe has decorative pintucking and lace on the bodice, sleeves, cuffs and skirt with a contrasting broderie anglaise hem. Part of a lace insert has become unstitched at the front. Underneath is a full petticoat of white cotton with pintucking and lace with a white broderie anglaise hem. Another full length petticoat of cream linen trimmed with lace is also underneath. She has a cream knitted singlet and knickers with cream knitted bootees. She has short blonde matted hair and wears a lace trimmed broderie anglaise bonnet with satin ribbons to match her robe.Initials K and R either side of a Star of David and the words Simon and Halbig below with the mould no 116/Atoys, dolls, porcelain

One of two underskirts accompanying a christening ensemble. First worn by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter in 1858, eldest surviving child of Mary and James Poulter. Used by generations of Poulter & Chapmans. The robe is reliably dated to 1858 but the two underskirts, shawl & bonnet may have been added to the ensemble at a later date.Early christening underskirt related to early Kilmore families.White cotton christening underskirt with pintuck & broderie anglaise detail to skirt. Excellent condition.poulter, chapman, christening