Spring is just around the corner . . .

I just love springtime!! I guess I could make a list of all of the "springtime" things that I love, but it would probably get pretty lengthy - so I won't. I guess the biggest thing that I associate with this season is our celebration of Easter. I sometimes jokingly say that "well dressed children and a clean house make me happy" - isn't that appropriate? I mean, spring cleaning and children in beautiful Easter clothes - can't get much better than that!

A lot of people start planning baby dedications, baptisms and Christenings in the spring as well. For the past few weeks, I have not only been pre-occupied with Easter sewing, but have made several Christening/dedication gowns as well.

This first picture is my version of a Sarah Howard Stone gown. It's hard to fully appreciate this gown from the photo. The skirt on this gown is made of 12 teardrop shaped panels - six are plain to allow for hand embroidery and six are made of puffing, lace and entredeaux. The skirt will almost lie flat in a complete circle. I can't wait until I receive a photo of the precious child wearing this beautiful gown!

This simpler dedication gown was conceived from a daygown design. It has 1/4 inch tucks and 1 inch wide lace insertion at the yoke and the same sequence is repeated at the hemline. I know different denominations do things differently, but being Baptist myself, I know if I walked into my church with my child in a Sarah Stone designed Christening gown I might get a few funny looks. A lot of today's churches have taken a more casual approach to things and a gown similar to this one would be very appropriate in those churches.