Little Doves: Items in Scottish Baptisms

Euan gown A baptism is a special day in every baby's life and often customs and traditions play an important part in this momentous day.

Since Victorian days the Christening Gown has represented the purity of the child, and the decoration on the gown was a sign of the status of the family. In the mid 1800's a wonderful fine type of embroidery, Ayrshire Whitework, became popular. This embroidery, worked totally by hand, was created in Ayrshire and decorated only the finest of Christening gowns. Little Doves has a selection of these Victorian Ayrshire Gowns for sale, all in perfect condition.

But Scotland is blessed not only with being the creator of the finest hand embroidery to ever decorate a Christening Gown. With its wonderful heritage, Scotland has such a rich history that can and should be remembered and recognised in the baptism of its children. Every Clan has a crest, a shield, a motto and indeed a tartan and these should be encorporated in this most beautiful of family garments. Little Doves has worked closely with a team of Scottish friends and is now proud to introduce its Scottish Collection. This Collection includes hand embroidered crests and shields on gowns and rompers as well as tartan shawls and trimming to outfits and accessories. Every clan crest, shield or Coat of Arms is available and of course every tartan too!

Dear Linda

Thank you so much for the shawl. It is fantastic and we (me, and Euan's Mum and Dad) are delighted with it!

Once we have a piccie of little Euan wrapped up in it, we will share it with you. An heirloom indeed.

Watch this space for further commissions :-)

All the best, Angharad, June 2011

Take a peek at the Collection below and feel free to contact us for further details on this exclusive and wonderful addition to the Little Doves range.

This is the latest edition to the Scottish Collection and is understated in its simplicity. The whole focus is on the delicately hand embroidered crest centred in the middle of the bodice front. The gown has no collar so that the eye is drawn solely to the embroidery. The bodice is finished with tartan trim threaded through somebeautiul insert lace.

Short sleeves are softly fitted into the bodice and have pintuck detail at the cuff. The long skirt is gathered into tiny pleats at the waistline with the bodice.
A classic style Christening Gown made even more individual and sumptuous with the inclusion of the clan Coat of Arms, Crest Badge or Shield on the bodice.

This beautiful Christening Gown is made from pure silk dupion. The bodice is delicately hand embroidered with your Clan Coat of Arms. The neckline is left plain to make sure the eye is drawn to the embroidery. Short puff sleeves compliment the style. The full skirt is gently gathered into the waist band. The bodice is then enhanced with your tartan, which is threaded through cotton insert lace and gently stitched to the waist.
A beautiful silk dupion christening gown suitable for both baby boys or baby girls. The bodice is decorated with your chosen clan crest badge,shield or coat of arms. It has a delicate Peter Pan collar which softens the neckline. Short sleeves are softly fitted into the bodice and have pintuck detail at the cuff.

The long skirt is gathered into tiny pleats at the waistline with the bodice. Your chosen tartan is then inserted through lace and trims the waist seam.
New for Spring 2011 is a delightful christening gown, created specifically to celebrate the heritage of Scotland. Little Doves has created a simple silk dupion christening gown and decorated it with a beautiful hand embroidered thistle on the skirt front.

The first use of the Thistle as a royal symbol of Scotland was on silver coins issued by James III in 1470, however the prickly purple thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the rein of Alexander III (1249-1286). Legend has it that an Army of King Haakon of norway, intent on conquering the Scots landed at the Coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more stealthily under the cover of darkness the Norsemen removed their footwear. As they drew near to the Scots it wasn't the only thing hiding under the cover of darkness. For one of Haakon's men unfortunately stood on one of these spiny little defenders adn shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say the Scots won the day.
A beautiful silk dupion christening gown very similar to the William Gown but with a fuller skirt and larger pleats. This is a delightful christening gown again suitable for both baby boys or baby girls. The bodice is decorated with your chosen clan crest badge,shield or coat of arms. It has a delicate Peter Pan collar which softens the neckline. Short sleeves are softly fitted into the bodice and have pintuck detail at the cuff.

The long full skirt is gathered into lovely pleats at the waistline with the bodice. Your chosen tartan is then inserted through lace and trims the waist seam.
This is the latest addition to the Scottish Collection and it is a really delightful example of Classic finery.

The Catriona Christening Gown is made from 100% pure silk dupion. As with the other gowns in the Scottish Collection, the bodice has been hand embroidered with the family clan crest. The neckline is left plain so the eye is drawn to the embroidery. Puff sleeves compliment the effect.
This romper is the perfect style for every wee boy to show off his heritage. Created in 100% pure silk dupion the romper has beautiful hand embroidery detailing your clan crest, Coat of Arms or Shield. Shown here is the McClure Shield.

The bodice features a small Peter Pan collar and short sleeves with pintuck detail compliments the design. The knee-length legs join the bodice with narrow pleat detail. Tartan and lace trim finish the design with a stylish flourish!
Due to the demand for sets of clan crested, tartan trimmed outfits, Little Doves has created the Scottish emsemble. This luxury set includes:
New for summer 2009 aned a lovely addition to the Scottish Collection and a perfect choice for parents who are unsure whether to dress their little boy in a gown or a romper. The solution? Choose both!!

This christening outfit is created from 100% pure silk dupion and features a romper with a mock waistband that carefully conceals fateners or a skirt to join. So, for the baptism ceremony the baby will wear a gown and then afterwards the skirt is easily removed to reveal the little romper underneath.
A simple yet effectively classy Christening Romper perfect for any time of year. Made from 100% pure silk dupion this little romper sports short sleeves trimmed with pintuck detail and a dainty Peter Pan collar. The knee-length legs are attached to the bodice with lovely pleat detail.

The tartan trim is created from 100% pure wool, inserted into cotton lace. It decorates the waistband. Finally three tartan wool buttons finish off the decoration. Please note that every type of tartan can be encorporated into this design.
An understated yet pretty christening gown, ideal for celebrating any christening with Scottish roots. This gown is created from 100% pure silk dupion. The bodice boasts a dainty little Peter Pan collar and the short sleeves are trimmed with pintuck detail at the edge. The full skirt joins the bodice with pleat detail making this gown ideal for either boy or girls.

The trimming is minimal, tartan of your choice is threaded through delicate eyelet lace and trims the bodice/skirt seam. And finally, three tartan buttons decorate the bodice to create this much loved gown.
A lovely addition to any of the Scottish Christening Gowns or rompers. This dainty bib is created from 100% pure silk dupion and is trimmed with your chosen tartan running through beatiful eyelet lace.

The bib is also personalised with the name of the child and date of the baptism.
New for 2011 and part of the Scottish Collection, the Savannah Christening Dress is ideal for summer baptisms. Understated in its simplicity, the whole focus is on the delicately hand embroidered crest centred in the middle of the bodice front. The gown has no collar so that the eye is drawn solely to the embroidery. The bodice is finished with tartan trim threaded through some beautiul insert lace.

The short puffed sleeves are softly fitted into the bodice and gently gather at the cuff. The short skirt is softly gathered into the waistline with the bodice.
This shawl is the ultimate luxury item for your baby's baptism day. Created from 100% pure wool tartan fabric, the shawl has been delicately edged with silk. Your clan crest, shield or coat of arms is then hand embroidered onto the tartan creating a unique and personal lasting heirloom for the family.

The shawl can be created from every tartan available and of course can be decorated with every clan crest, shield or coat of arms.
This shawl is guaranteed to provide the finishing touch to your baby's baptism day. Created from 100% pure silk dupion, the shawl has been delicately edged with the tartan of your choice. Your clan crest, shield or coat of arms is then hand embroidered onto the silk creating a unique and personal lasting heirloom for the family.

The shawl can be created from every tartan available and of course can be decorated with every clan crest, shield or coat of arms.
Delightful silk booties edged with tartan ribbon threaded through beautiful cotton lace. These hand stitched booties fasten with pretty satin ribbons that are attached to the side with a delicate bow.
A beautiful silk handkerchief that is the perfect present for every godmother or grandmother. Made from 100% pure silk dupion and edged with a pure wool tartan of your choice. The clan crest is then delicately hand embroidered onto the centre of the hanky as well as the name of the baby and the date of the baptism.
A beautiful silk handkerchief that is the perfect present for every godmother or grandmother. Made from 100% pure silk dupion and trimmed with a pure wool tartan of your choice. The name of the baby and the date of the baptism is delicately hand embroidered onto the silk.

A wonderful present.
This lovely silk bonnet with tartan trimming is a beautiful addition to finish off every little girls Christening Gown. Made from pure silk dupion the bonnet is available in white or ivory silk, or white cotton lawn. It is gently gathered into the crown and has a full frill.

The bonnet can be decorated with every type of tartan available.
This lovely silk bonnet trimmed with tartan and lace is the perfect finish for a little goys outfit, especially if a gown is chosen for the baby boy. With less lace and frills as the other bonnet, this is perfect for the wee boy.

Made from pure silk dupion, the bonnet is available in white or ivory. It is also available in white cotton lawn if preferred. The bonnet has a fitted back and sides with smal frill. It can be decorated with every type of tartan available.
This is a delightful silk cap which has been gently decorated with lace and tartan trim. Made from white or ivory silk dupion this is the perfect addition to your christening romper.

Every type of tartan can be catered for.
Another delightful addition to the Scottish Christening Collection. This lovely little romper is made from 100% pure silk dupion and bears simple short sleeves with pin tuck detail and a delicate Peter Pan collar. The short style bottoms are attached to the bodice with small pleats.

The trim detail encorporates pure wool tartan running through pure cotton insert lace.. Three tartan buttons complete the decoration. All in all a lovely and simple christening romper that will sure to please.