Christening Gowns started to become very elaborate works of art during the Victorian era. A christening was looked forward to with great anticipation and the event was a chance for large celebrations.  The Church at that time insisted that all babies were christened in white, a symbol of the purity and innocence of the child.

During the 18th century christening robes were created from silks and satins and were finely embroidered. As cotton became more accessible in the 19th century, it became the more popular fabric.  Intricate whitework patterns began to emerge, lovingly embroidered onto these fine white cotton lawns, creating fashionable garments that mimicked the ladies styles of the period.

By the mid nineteenth century, the fine white embroidery known as Ayrshire work was very fashionable as a decorative form on christening robes and towards the end of the century the skirts became more lavishly decorated with robings and elaborate embroidery up the centre of the front panels.  Lace and pintucks were also frequently used. 

The baby would most certainly have worn a bonnet, again highly decorated with whitework embroidery.  The mother would also have carried the child to church wearing a shawl.

After the christening the christening robe would have been carefully stored away. Victorian families were often large and it was usual for the robe to be worn at each christening, and then passed  down through the generations.  As a result these gowns became family heirlooms.

To purchase your own Victorian heirloom, why not take a look at the selection of Victorian gowns for sale on this site.  Or if you already have your own family heirloom in need of restoration or altering, please contact Little Doves for advice.