Filled With Symbolism and Hope...

As I said in my Easter Sunday post, I finished Preston's gown on a day special to Christians.

I had worked on the gown, slip and bonnet for the week leading up to Easter, and as I usually do with garments that hold special meaning, I sewed love, hope for the future and a little symbolism into this project.

Keeping in mind the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - I decided that I would use motifs and elements in threes to follow my theme. There are three pintucks on each sleeve, three oval motifs in the front of the gown, three circles (love never-ending) on the motif I chose for the yoke, and finally three crosses on the motif at the bottom front of the gown.

I said special prayers for Preston's future - and for every child who will wear this gown - as I did my handstitching.

I shipped the finished gown, slip (bearing Preston's name and birthdate as the first child to be christened in the gown), and bonnet to Wisconsin today to the baby's waiting parents.

My nephew, Daniel - Preston's father - said he and Preston's mother, Amber chose the baby's name in hopes that their child would grow up to be strong and successful. My prayers for their baby asked for blessings that he grow into a man who loves the Lord and his family, a man who is hard-working and studious, and a man who believes in himself to become anything he chooses to become.

I look forward to watching this baby grow into a young man. I'll continue to pray for him and his parents...beginning with the symbols embodied in this simple cotton batiste gown.

You may view larger photos of the completed gown and bonnet in my Christening Gown Flickr album.