Gowns for Malachi

I was a bit saddened over the weekend to have David away at Galena without me. I had a lovely time despite his absence but on that first Friday evening with him gone I was quite lonely indeed. The best cure for lonliness, indulgence in self-pity and lowering spirits, at least for me, is keeping busy. With the littles asleep in bed I cut out Malachi's reenacting gowns and my goal was to have them done by the time David got home Sunday night.

Well, I got them done today.

I just don't have the time to sew like I used to have. I'm lucky to get in an hour each day. I really need to understand that and am having a hard time doing so! I need to give myself much more time to get projects done since a child in the middle of the age 2, a 19 month old and a 3 month old do demand so much time and attention, especially lately since the older two figured out how to open the refrigerator and like to climb among the shelves and try to eat the barbeque sauce and ketchup in silence and secret. . .but I digress.

Last year I made each of the babies 2 gowns apiece. I realized that they really needed at least 3 gowns apiece since they were prone to getting filthy. For Malachi I made him these short sleeve gowns in a blue cotton print, a sheer cotton check and a semi sheer white and beige cotton stripe. I want to make him a long sleeve gown in wool for the cooler months but I think I'll wait until August or so before I start. I made these gowns a size 9-12 months and they are none too big for him and I'm hoping they will last him through the season.

I used the same pattern I have used for all the boys so far. The gown style gets a bit monotonous after a few years but this style is so quick and easy to put together I find myself going back to it time and again. It is also incredibly adaptable to growing figures, being a very non-confining style, especially if the waistband is made a few inches larger than the actual waist measure. I also used the same pattern for their petti chemises, except with drawstrings at the neckline and waist rather than binding or piping. I hope to get these posted up on my pattern blog soon, in case any of you all would like make little gowns like these yourselves!

The Blue Gown ~

Made of a blue and white cotton print, with a piped neckline, piped 1" waistband and "waved braid" trim. The trim is an off white vintage ric rac I got a-thrifting. It is sewed to the gown so that only half of it peeks to the outside. The skirt has three 1" tucks and a 1.5" wide hem. I think this one is my favorite. I intend it to be Malachi's "Saturday Dress". The Sheer Checked Gown ~

Same style as above, only with the neckline bound in bias binding rather than piped. The material, being so thin and light, did not apply itself very well to piping. I managed to get it on the waistband, which, being straight, was fairly simple but it did not go around the neckline curve well at all.

No trim, just the basic dress. This is Malachi's "Very Hot Weather Dress" and otherwise his "Best Dress" since the material is so light.

The Semi-Sheer Striped Gown ~

Same style as the blue gown, but the skirt is plain like the checked gown. No trim, but the sleeves are drawn up at the top of the shoulder for a petal effect. Will probably be Malachi's "Packing In and Packing Up" dress that he will wear on Friday afternoons/evenings and change into after church services and lunch on Sundays.

With these out of the way the fun accessory making begins. A wee sunbonnet and some pinafores are first on the list and for cooler evenings and mornings a light wool sack coat and hood.

And if I have time tonight I'll get Judah's gowns cut out. I decided to keep him in skirts for one more year since he will not be two until September. It will be fun sewing totally different styles for each boy. Malachi in long skirts, Judah in short skirts and David in short pants! Hopefully this year folks will know at least one child is not a girl!

Love,

Sarah