'Oh to watch them flutter in the light spring breeze
Beneath the sun's warming rays
Cause me to dream of the babes they clothed
Alas, in the bygone days...'
Pictured is a gathering of late Victorian and early Edwardian infant dresses out for a brisk spring airing.
I collect the gowns from various sources throughout the year. In the early spring they are hand washed and hung on the line to flutter in a gentle zephyr and dance in the sunlight.
Made from delicate fabrics; soft nansook, fine lawn, French flannelette and silk overlay these dainty frocks once adorned newborns to tots.
The long dresses are luscious in trims and lace. Some are exquisite in their fine pin-tucks or feather boning and insertion lace. Hems and bodices rich in broderie anglaise take one's breath away.
Some are used in creative projects while others are sold for display in a nursery, sewing nook or treasured for their intimate connection with our past.
If I close my eyes for just a moment, I believe I hear the coos and giggles of the wee bairns whose lily white limbs frolicked beneath the gossamer fabric.
22 comments:
Oh how beautiful these are!!!! I have one small child's dress from the 1800's, the details are just stunning.
Blessings
Doreen
What a magnificent and beautiful post, Susan. These are treasures for certain. Alas, I owned one beauty, but dealer that I am, sold it. Wah!
Christine
what a beautiful collection of sweet baby dresses...they look so lovely fluttering on the breeze...beautiful post Susan...
So very beautiful! Those are the treasures of the past, I love them. Unlike Christine, I haven't sold all mine, I am keeping a little (a lot) for myself.
xo Lidy
A very melodic post -- I can feel these gowns blowing in that breeze - and see that dirty snow on the ground!! I'll tell you if those babes were out in those gowns over the last few days they'd be catchin' their death of cold!!
All that aside..they are absolutely beautiful.
Oh, these are just so lovely, I still
see the glistening snow on the ground...I have several baby christening gowns, dresses and baby slips....I also love the sweet baby shoes, I hoard them...I will never probably let go....this image is just
priceless and pure, thank you for sharing I so enjoyed it Pinkie Denise
A number of years back, over 25 actually, I worked as a secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Textiles were part of this department. They had an amazing collection of vintage whites that were breath taking. My memory is of a professor who was in the process of doing an inventory with a couple of work study students. I remember seeing the clothing in one large room where they were working. Your post brought back a very nice memory.
I really like your blog. This was my first visit.
Sending you good wishes.
Cookie Sunshine
http://www.cookiesunshine.com
I think I remember my very first visit here. You had beautiful dyed orange fabric hanging outside. You had me hooked to come back and this is another post that I just loved. And the juxtaposition of the snow and gowns is wonderful. Like the gowns are christening the birth of spring in your own garden!
D
What a beautiful notion! So heartwarming!
What a Precious post! Those beautiful little dresses have such sweet history ~ I have the tiny dress that my dad wore as a baby & he was born in 1928. It's very aged & yellowed but I treasure it.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Yours is lovely!
Kathy
These are SO beautiful and lovely!~
How beautiful. I love antique white christening gowns.
Close your eyes again! I'm gonna grab these and take 'em home with me!
oooohhhh, it's a good thing I was not driving by your house...finders keepers right? LOL Those are SOOOOO beautiful. You are right, they do tug at your heartstrings...just the sweetest thing I've see this week. Thank you for sharing this! xoxo ~ Joy J.
Oh they are just lovely!!
I would love to WEAR some of them
or just display them for a peaceful setting!!
hugs to you
Deena
I can almost smell them, yum.
They are lovely Susan!
I wanted to stop by and thankyou for the sweet comment on my blog and I'm so glad I did! I'll be back for more!
Nan
You always give us the "big eyes in the toystore" look! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Hello Susan....I love the row of christening dresses...When I was but a late teenager...many many years ago!! I used to indulgle myself in Jumble sales, I used to buy these divine victorian childrens dresses...and slice of the tops and make the bottoms into divine skirts (I still have some) I'm glad I grew out of the habit of wrecking them, and now ... well now I just love them for what they are 'beautiful'. I can smell them now all fresh and starchy from the washing line.
I would have so much fun looking at your wonderful treasures.
Hugs Lynnxx
Beautiful photos!! The crisp blue sky, the soft white gowns....and the snow! Looks as if you are having the same "spring-like" (?) weather we are. The gowns are beautiful, I'm sure it would be difficult to choose a favorite!
Omy gooodnesssss.... This is my one hearts dream... I loooove those dresses!!! I loved seeing babies in looong gowns.... I also enjoy collecting those white treasures for myself (girl sized), and really have found myself living in them. I think maybe I shouldn't wear them out to shreds... But then i decide, I must enjoy them....
Alas, I adore your snow shot... How perfectly 1800's movie quality ;)
oh my!Your photos are BEAUTIFUL!! laurie
what a sweet picture...
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