Sometimes I have things I want to share here, but they’re not quite big enough to make a full post, so I thought I’d lump them together as a miscellany, a collection of unrelated items!
I’ve recently heard a bit about Craftivism and I found an article in the Guardian newspaper about it which is worth reading. Craftivism is about using embroidery and sewing as a voice of peaceful protest and it gets results. As an example the group decided to campaign for Marks and Spencers to pay their staff a living wage (as opposed to the legal minimum wage) they googled all about members of the board and made them a very personal hand embroidered handkerchief, including on them messages to encourage them to pay the living wage. They presented them at the AGM and 10 months later M&S did a U-turn and paid living wage.
Last month I was browsing on ebay – always dangerous – looking at vintage textiles – even more dangerous! I spotted a vintage Christening gown just about to finish with no bids at £6.99, before I could ask myself what would I do with a vintage Christening gown my bid was on and of course I won it!
From the photos I wasn’t sure what it would be like, I knew there was a little bit of damage and old repairs. It is beautiful, it’s made from a very fine soft cotton and when I examined the seams, I realised it’s all totally hand-stitched. The tiny stitches in the seams are exquisite.
I think the lace on the bodice is possibly handmade bobbin lace, it’s embroidered on the bodice too. I was fascinated with how the skirt was attached, I can only describe it as faggotting, all neatly gathered in with tiny pleats.
The buttonholes and the buttons look handmade. I think the lace on the hem is mass produced, though as my mum said when I showed it to her, it could have been added later.
Even the tiny cuffs on the sleeves are embellished with some hand embroidery. It’s beautiful, it’s one of those things that’s just lovely to own. I just need to learn how to launder these textiles properly now.
It was the Festival of Quilts last weekend, I didn’t go this year as I’m saving up for a new sewing machine, but I am planning to go to the Great Northern Quilt Show at Harrogate showground, it’s 30th August to 1st September. It’s a lot smaller but actually it’s a nice size, they have a good display of quilts and lots of stalls. I find the big shows a bit overwhelming at times, this is more manageable! I even took my mum last year in her wheelchair. It’s only £9 to get in too, a bargain, and free parking too! If anyone else is going and fancies meeting up for coffee, let me know!
thecraftycreek 
all you need now is a grand child to christen!
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I don’t think we’re quite at that stage yet 😀
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What a beautiful heirloom, Margaret! 🙂
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The christening gown is so beautiful, and I can understand why you were attracted to it. There are things in our lives that bring us real joy simply because they exist. I am sure you follow Kerry’s blog, but just in case you don’t https://lovethosehandsathome.wordpress.com
She is a wizard at bringing vintage fabrics back to life.
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Thank you, Anne!
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The dress is sooooo pretty.
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What lovely details on this little dress. No wonder you couldn’t resist it.
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A beautiful christening gown. I have the one my brother and I had. My eldest two were christened in it too, but the youngest had outgrown it, and modern babies seem much bigger. Hopefully you will have it ready in time for a grandchild, they come when you least expect them.
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I and my siblings were christened in something very like that. It went to my brother, and his 4 daughters were christened in it too. Like yours, it was fine lawn, with insets of delicate lace and handmade buttons. A real find, and a thing of beauty. You really don’t need a reason to own something like that, it’s its own justification.
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The christening gown is a beauty! SO many different techniques on display–lots of love went into it!
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What a lovely thing, and how sad that it ended up on eBay. I’m glad you rescued it!
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Agree with Kathy – it has a nice warm home now!
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That is beautiful, I have my two daughters christening gowns that I need to hand wash and store correctly (currently just stuffed in a bag – coming up 6 and 2 years…) oh dear!!!
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