Heirloom Baptism/Christening Gown on a Budget

If there isn't one your family already uses for babies in the family, Baptism/Christening gowns are expensive, ranging from $40 to several hundred. Buying one at Goodwill or Salvation Army can feel impersonal, as if you're buying someone else's memories. However, if you choose to go that route, make your own, or even purchase one at Wal-Mart or Target, there are several things you can do to dress it up and truly make it your family's own.

1. Use some fabric from your wedding dress to make the gown or add a layer to the one you purchase. If you are afraid of destroying it for future use by your daughter, or future daughter-in-law, try using a piece of lace or a strip of tulle from an under-layer of the skirt. If you're not handy with a needle, use a diaper pin (they're safer), going underneath with the head so it doesn't show.
2. Print a poem written by you or a family member, celebrating the occasion, onto an iron-on transfer (you can use your home printer for this). Iron that transfer onto the inside of the gown. Just make sure that the gown's fabric is iron-safe and can, literally, take the heat. Alternatively, you can use inexpensive cotton and attach it by sewing or pinning it to the gown.
3. Is there a pair of stud earrings that have been in your family for years? Stick them to the gown as an accessory. Put a piece of fabric tape over the backs so they don't stick your baby's skin.
4. For a few dollars at your local tailoring/embroidery shop, you can have your baby's monogram, family name, or a favorite religious reference embroidered on the gown. 
5. Ask family members that attend the ceremony to sign a white piece of fabric that matches or accents the gown with a silver fabric pen. Before or after the ceremony, you can sew or pin the fabric to the gown so that those you share the day with will always, truly, be a part of the gown. You can alter this idea by having it signed by those who are in the delivery room or recording the names/birthdays of babies baptized/christened in the gown.

Make sure that any colors of fabric, thread, or ink (for the writing/transfers) are okay with your religious official. You definitely don't want to customize a beautiful gown and then find out that it doesn't jive with your faith's observances. Be sure to enjoy the ceremony. At the end of the day, no one will ask you how much the gown cost or judge you on how much time/effort you spent on it. They will be too focused on the event itself and your beautiful baby. You should be, too. Don't forget to check out Big Dot of Happiness for the invitations, decorations & favors, even gifts! (My personal favorite is the Easel Frame. It's a classic, gorgeous way to keep the memory.) Everything is affordable, just one more way to make your baby's big day special without breaking the bank! Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger