Physical description

White embroidered cotton Christening gown. Eleven cm deep bodice with five vertical front neck to bodice and skirt seam, panels of embroidered cotton.Neckline has a casing with drawstring of cotton tape. Cap sleeves gathered at neckline edge, and outer edge trimmed with embroidered cotton. Skirt gathers to the bodice. Bodice also has a casing and drawstring tie, leaving a centre back opening from neck to skirt. Skirt is 84 cm long, and has an elaborately embroidered centre panel - full length. Two bands of embroidered cotton edge the centre panel. Embroidered "bobbles" similar to french knots extend full length beside the embroidered bands, and also form part of the embroidery on the bands. The gown was made by Merle's Grandmother for the christening of Merle's grandmother Geuer's son in 1885.