Hello Daphne,
Yes, I made the Christening gown from Veronica Sorenson's book back
in the 90's. It took me about 4 and a half years years to complete
including the time off from the project to regenerate. I made the
yoke, then the sleeves and then the frill. That took a year or so.
Then I started on the front which took 2 years. The biggest mistake
I made was deciding to make the front all in one piece instead of two
as the directions called for. Then I was required to have not 114
pair (228 bobbins) on my pillow at one time but double that amount -
228 pair or 456 bobbins on my pillow at one time. I spent more time
moving the stacks and stacks of bobbins than actually making lace. I
had tall hat pins that I stacked bobbins on, and I had cloths that I
layered bobbins on. It took me 2 weeks to wind all the bobbins for
the front, I didn't have a winder back then. I made a pillow to
use. It was 3 sections of ethofoam that lay horizontal in a 30 inch
square box with the sides cut down to 2 inches. I used every bit of
the pillow real estate I had. Being thoroughly sick of the whole
project by the time I finished the front, I started a few smaller
projects and took a vacation from the dress. After about a 6 months
hiatus I began one of the back pieces and only having half the number
of bobbins on my pillow made it much easier but even so 228 bobbins
is quite a few to deal with. I finished the first back piece and
took another hiatus for several months and then began the final piece
and it seemed to alternately drag along and move with surprisingly
swiftness. Perhaps because it was the last piece I stayed more
dedicated. I do remember staying up until the wee hours of the
morning many times on the weekends so I could get more done.
Eventually it was completed. I couldn't wait to sit down and sew it
together. I am glad that I persevered and finished it, it is quite a
beautiful piece of lace. When I have it on display I put dark purple
velvet inside the dress and I have a little pink ribbon rose with
some streamers that I pin on the front. Every couple of years I
bring it out of it's box and acid free paper and take it to the Lacey
Ladies of AZ Lace Day and put it on display. If my daughter ever has
a daughter I would consider letting her use it for the baby's
christening. Her first child is a boy and she didn't think she
wanted to put a dress on him. I think I would have enjoyed the
project a lot more if I had not decided to make the front in one
piece instead of two. I was overwhelmed by bobbins I didn't know
what to do with... Of course the bobbins on the bottom of the stack
were always the ones to be used next..
It is quite a worthwhile project as when you are done you will have
an extraordinary piece of lace.
Best Regards,
Carol Melton
Valley of the Sun
Phoenix, AZ USA
On Mar 20, 2011, at 2:12 PM, Daphne Martin wrote:
Hello
I have made the tablecloth from the Veronica Sorenson book and
have been
looking and pondering about the Christening Gown. Has anyone made
the gown??
If so how did you get on with it??
I still like the Biggens one as well. Choices Choice
Daphne Norfolk UK
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