Show and Tell Fridays is a new thing that Canadagirl has started.
Passion for Purple showed us a teacup that her Nana had wanted her to have. It reminded me that I have a few things from my Nana that are treasures to me. They were passed from my Nana to my Mum, and then to me. I'll Show and Tell them one a piece over the next few weeks.
This is one of three Christening robes that I have been given. Now I don't know the exact story behind it, but I believe they come from my Great Grandmother, and were used to Christen/Baptize my mother and her brother, and then my sister and me. I then used them for my first three boys to be dedicated to God in their infancy. (We've never gone to a baby baptism type church, and now we don't do dedications either)
They're made of linen, and I think the tatting at the end of this dress was made by my Great Grandmother - Nana Bosworth.
And here are the two others. The one on the right is just an under dress, and I think it was designed to go under one of the other two. It's made of cotton, but still has pretty lace details at the collar and hem. These are old photographs, I should get them out and take some new..
As I took these new pictures, I noticed that they are each hand sewn, and have french seams, (that means that there are no raw edges showing, they're all tucked inside - so she sewed each seam twice.)
Trying to show you the relative size of some of this lace. That's a dime (Canadian dime for my US friends, but it's the same size)
Hem of the same dress. and the hem on the under dress.
Ah, to have the time and patience to make dresses like this. - for what? For a 15 minute service in a babies first few months of life? - Ah, but the love that went into it - that is immeasurable. And these are but a few things that I have that connect me to my Nana and my Great Grandmother - Nana Bosworth. And that is worth more than I can calculate.
Hi Sombra, just popping in to say hi and catch up on some of your entries. I love the christening gowns. How special that you have them and that they have made it through so many generations : ) I can't believe you just had snow! Do you usually get it this late in the year?
Thinking of you,
Rosina
Our church doesn't baptize or dedicate babies either, but since we are in the Midwest where most extended families expect such things... twice a year (Mother's Day and Christmas) we have a "ceremony" in which the parents vow to raise the child to know and love Christ. Families can attend, dress the baby up in fine clothes and get photos, etc.
I am sooooo sorry it took me so long to come on over. You are linked. (0= I have been getting ready for my visit with Mom and older brother. I cherish the things that my Grandma and Mom have made with their hands. It feels like a connections to our family heritage. I too haven't dedicated my baby's well at least not in a church service. I try to give my boys to the Lord everyday. It reminds me of the story of Hannah. I may never leave them with a prophet but I leave them to the Lord. These are SO BEAUTIFUL. I don't know if I had ever heard of the term French seams. But that is such a beautiful finish and the tatting...wow ! My Grandma use to tat. That is the grandmother that my Canadian heritage comes from.
Header Banner photo of wild oats taken by Trent. background wallpaper is my concept, but Trent's technical abilities.~~~~
I am Sombra, and these are the stories from our house. We're a Messianic family where academics often take a back seat to the work and adventure of life.
These are old photographs, I should get them out and take some new..
and the hem on the under dress.
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May. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Thinking of you,
Rosina