I've been asked many times to make something 'baptismal' from a wedding gown. I always refuse. That granddaughter is going to be far more interested in seeing the gown intact, and maybe even wearing it someday herself. I personally don't agree with cutting them up, giving them away, or trashing them.

However, if your friend is bound and determined? What about a small quilt, with the name and date beautifully embroidered in one corner? Perhaps designed in a way that other names/dates can be added as other babies are baptized.

... Perhaps covering a frame to hold her baptismal photo, but I'm with azzalea on not using the gown (perhaps some of the undershirt could be used...

I'm all for using the gown. I wish we would have
done something with my mom's before my brother gave it
away. Lets face it, today's brides are larger.
For the most part. I couldn't wear my Mom's gown.
It was a tiny tiny tiny size, and too short. ( and I'm only 5'5" ! lol)
there was NO way to have it tailored. My sisters in
law were WAY too tall. It had a million buttons going
down the back. It was very pretty. I've shown pictures
to my nieces and there is no way either one would
want to wear it. NOT something they liked the style of.
I've NEVER seen or heard of a wedding gown gown that
was saved for my friends/acquaintances family, worn.

Pillows, quilts, capes, jackets, cover photo album, cover frame, wall hanging, hat, bonnet, handkerchief, gloves,
muff, a little purse or bag,

all kinds of stuff!

Kat, you've never been to a wedding where the bride wore an old family wedding gown? I've been to several and it's always so lovely to see the bride in an old, traditional gown.

My mother's gown was worn by a few people for their weddings, then, when we were kids, our church did a 'fashion show' of some of the women's gowns. Mom's was a very elaborate, beautiful style and was one of the more striking gowns in the collection. Today? It's on a dress form in one of her granddaughter's homes as a decorative piece.

Guess everyone has their own ideas of how important a wedding gown is, and with the divorce rate so high these days, it's understandable that some gowns don't have the good memories that others do.

I just can't imagine chopping one up for the fabric, and won't do it. I know, I'm glad I got to see Mom's gown all in one piece, and try it on as a kid, and I'm so glad I was able to save it from the trash can when Mom told me to throw it out one day--my niece was so thrilled when I sent it to her when she got engaged (knew she wouldn't wear it, but she was the closest gc to my mom, and knew she'd treasure the gown--she does)

I've been to a zillion weddings in my 62 years and haven't seen a "used" gown yet, I don't think.

I made my dtr's gown and all her attendants' gowns, plus mine and my mother's. I'd even cut that gown up! Fortunately, I had all those scraps of silk to make a quilt with. The only quilt I'll ever make (not my cup of tea) but it's beeeyouteeful, if I do say so myself. (Sorry for the bold OT brag - couldn't help myself)

any ideas, Vickey?

the one use of wedding gown fabric i've seen (and it uses a great deal of the fabric) is making a skirt for the bassinet...at least the bodice would be intact...

check this out...

navasdeigns.blogspot.com

I don't understand not wanting to use a wedding gown for something useful...is it better to have it sit in an attic or basement for a hundred years?? I'd love to find something useful to do with mine! 30 years in a box is long enough!

The sentimental value of the dress seems to be your friend's, not necessarily her daughter's. She seems to be finding a reason NOT to cut it up even though she says she wants to.

Personally I think placing sentimental value on some thing for future generations is just putting a burden on them. How many of us have something socked away that we don't like,have absolutely no use for but hang on to because a previous generation harped on how lovely,valuable,sentimental it was? That stuff is pounded into us from childhood and then we end up being guilt tripped into accepting and hanging onto the item. Then it gets passed on until someone finally has the guts to get rid of it.

It's a dress. It's just fabric. The only one it really truly meant something to was the one who wore it. If your friend likes it so much then maybe she should make something for herself out of it. The grands won't care. I'm assuming Great Grandma is no longer with us. If that's the case the grands will never have even known this stranger who left them this this piece of cloth they're supposed to cherish.

Wildchild..you make an interesting point. She has rejected every suggestion I've made, so she may not really want to cut it up. The friend's mother died when she (the friend) was 12 so her children never even knew her. I will take that thought to heart when she rejects all suggestions and I start to think she's just being rude (asking for and then rejecting without even a ...wow that is a neat idea, I'll have to think about that)

Vickey-MN

I think Wildchild hit the nail on the head!
and I agree with juellie

How about a 'wedding gown quilt' ? They are very popular and you can make a bedspread size one or a baby wrap size for ravel to the ceremony.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

A pillow would be nice too.

I say make a small pillow it can be used now and/or saved for later. Your friend could even have one to "keep" her memories of the dress.

My mother's bridal gown came with a sewn-in full lace petticoat. She carefully cut off the petticoat and used it to sew a baptismal gown used by me (the oldest) and my three siblings. I now have that baptismal gown. The lace is still very nice but it's a bit yellowed. I can't imagine what I'll be doing with it. My two daughters have boyfriends but no talk of marriage or babies. Meanwhile, that gown is safe in my possession.

jannie, you would be surprised how a gentle soaking/wash in oxi clean will brighten that gown again :) Then store it wrapped in tissue paper.