Historical information

In the early 19th century, infant baptismal gowns were modelled on dresses worn by adult women. Gowns were typically made of fine white linen or cotton, and often trimmed with tucks, lace, whitework embroidery, and other handwork. The Kew Historical Society's collection includes over fifteen christening gowns dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Physical description

The christening gown of Dione McIntyre, local architect and life member of the Kew Historical Society. The colour and fabrics used in the gown were recycled from Ilma Diamond's [her mother's sister] wedding dress, when she was christened in 1931. As the smallest of the christening gowns in the collection, this would indicate that she was baptised at a very early age. The fragile baptismal gown is made from a silk slip, above which is an outer layer of embroidered net separated by bands of chiffon. The lace at the hem is also scalloped.