1860's baby layette

Recently one of my online reenacting friends' was expecting her first child! A while later she discovered she was going to have twins!!! So some of her local friends planned a 1860's baby shower! I so wish I could have been there, but since I live thousands of miles away I couldn't be. Rather I made a few things to send her.  If you know me. You know I prefer simple things. I've never been one for all the frills of fashion. I'm more of a sleek person. That said, that's what I did with these. :D

 For the gowns. I used simple cotton prints.

For the pattern I used Sarah Jane's lovely infant gown pattern. I pleated the front of the bodices and both skirts were hand gathered. I think used the coat sleeve pattern from Elizabeth's pattern.

The chemises were made out a fine white cotton. It was so soft I really enjoyed working with it. :) I based them off of Sarah's pattern here.  (Which is shaped pretty much like this chemise. :) I just added length, tapered it out slightly, cut both the front and back on the fold, and bound the neck link as one 'big' circle.

Lastly we have the caps. :) Once again fine white cotton with lace edging. And self fabric ties which I only put in the bottom. I'm sure I found the pattern for this on Sarah's blog also, but I can't for the life of me find a link. :-/ Basically the brim is rectangle as are the ties and the back is rounded on the top and flat on the bottom as you can see. :D

The adorable recipients Alanna and Jesse. :)

Thanks so much, Sarah Jane for being so helpful and sharing. Your such an inspiration. I'm so blessed to know you!

 I suppose I will sign off now. As I'm running on 3 hours of sleep last night a cup off coffee this morning and I've had a very busy day. Me and  Michelle froze 39 quarts of sweet corn,  pulled and snapped a gallon and a half of green beans, picked a gallon and a half of blackberries in a terrible patch (we're super scratched up now :P), and  we just got done making/canning 12 quarts of blueberry jam. Now the kitchen is spotless and it 10:54 p.m.. :D Needless to say. I'm alittle tired and in for a day of the same tomorrow. :)

Love,

Brooke