Few projects are as satisfying as a baby daygown. Even lavished with time consuming details and handwork, they are relatively quick. You can use fine fabrics and short lengths of special trims from your stash that might be too small or too expensive for a larger garment. And you can use things you have put away for something special and not feel guilty, because daygowns are special.
This smocked daygown was made for Laurel, before her May birth. The angel wing sleeve seemed to be appropriate for the summer heat that would blanket her infancy. The fabric is easy care Imperial batiste, chosen because of the non-stop demands on a new mother’s time and the fact that my daughter-in-law hates to iron.
The trim is a Swiss embroidery from Capitol Imports that I had put away many years ago. The blue floral insertion was used on the front opening and the matching edge finishes the angel sleeve.
The edge is 1″ wide, too wide, I decided, to be joined to either side of the insertion down the front. It seemed as if  that much width and that many blue flowers it would just overwhelm the smocking and the dress and the baby.Â
Since the insertion was bordered with entredeux, I trimmed away the “seam allowance, cutting in the ditch between the entredeux and the raw edge. Then with DMC perle cotton the same color as the DMC floss used in the smocking, I simply whipped it in and around the holes of the entredeux.
This finish pleased me. It is a neat way to add color without fuss and a good finish for other entredeux edged Swiss insertions. I have several white on white insertions which would be very suitable or boys. The option of adding color makes it very useful.
The same perle cotton was woven through the entredeux which joined the edging to the sleeve. NOTE: You are wise to coordinate the perle cotton and floss before beginning to smock. A number of blues might work for the smocking, but the selection of perle cotton colors is more limited.
Before Laurel was born, her mother was convinced–or perhaps simply hopeful–that her daughter would be a tomboy just as she had been. But truth be told, I have seen childhood pictures of Shelly and she was as feminine as any little girl you have ever seen.
At any rate, Shelly informed me in a very sensitive and polite manner that she was not a fan of  lace or pink or frou-frou anything. But, she assured me, she would be grateful for anything I made Laurel and guaranteed she would wear it. Sure, I thought, but she wouldn’t like it.
So when I began sewing in earnest for my first grandchild, concessions were made on both sides. Laurel’s coming home outfit was yellow instead of pink  and trimmed with blue ribbon and tatting not lace.  It was still very girly, but not exactly this Nana’s  Heirloom Dream Dress come true.  Shelly genuinely liked that set and appreciated the daygown smocked with a squirrel and trimmed in tan microcheck . We were on firm design ground now.
Time marches on, babies grow into little girls and mothers sometimes change their opinions, about lace and pink and ironing! Now, hat Laurel’s favorite color is pink and she loves lace, I have free reign to make what I want. And what Laurel wants. Shelly just smiles. Ahhhhhh…life is good.
