OFB Daygown with Petit Point Handloom

Baby’s First Daygowns pattern by Old Fashioned Baby

I absolutely love this pattern.

It is versatile, with three distinctly different views.  All the hand embroidery designs are included.   The directions are clear and specific.  Scattered between the pattern pieces on the blank tissue are sweet notes and Scripture.

features I most love

• SLEEVES   Somehow, it never occurred to me that baby girl sleeves should be anything but puffed.  I  really like the straight, tailored sleeve with the flat lace edging.

• STURDY CONSTRUCTION  The fabric behind the lace insertion, or in this case the handloom, is not cut away.  With no sacrifice of its delicate look, the structural integrity of the gown is not compromised by the cutaway.
• HEMLINE  Not only are there clear instructions for making the curved hem lie flat, the flat lace edging covered the machine stitches I used (always in a hurry) to secure the hem.

• BACK PLEAT   With an A-line design, the skirt can seem skimpy.   This pleat adds fullness.  The pattern suggests that a rose be embroidered but there were no roses on the gown.  So one petit point motif was isolated, faced with organdy and then attached at the peak of the pleat with French knots.  Wish I had used yellow or blue floss for those knots.

•  NOTE  The bits of text and Scripture make me feel like I have a friend at my elbow as I cut the pattern.

• DESIGN  It is just so pretty.  I can’t wait to make up the other two views.

However, my interpretation is less than pleasing.  And I’m going to tell you why even though it has been suggested by at least one reader (JSD) that I should not do so much criticizing of my projects or pointing out their flaws.  My hope is that you, Dear Reader, might benefit from my mistakes.  What do you think–pick it apart or just show the pics and describe it?

Let me preface my remarks with the mandate found in just about every pattern —  read the instructions and material list carefully.  If you are dealing with a proven reliable designer, you ought to trust that she is steering you straight.

my mistakes

Mistake #1–materials for view #2 calls for 3/8″ wide lace insertion. Because I really wanted to use that much wider handloom, I trimmed it down as far as I could, to 3/4″. A little wider…so what?

Mistake #2–Then entredeux was added to either side.   1/8″ + 1/8″ = 1/4″ added to an already too wide fancyband.  The lace was just a tad wider than recommended but wider lace is rarely a problem.  But in this case, it is.

the consequences

Consequence #1. The gathered lace almost overwhelmed the overall design, like dresses that make you say, “There must be a baby in there somewhere.”

Consequence #2.  When I applied the fancyband to the marks on the yoke, the inside gathered lace was completely cut away near the shoulder.  Fortunately, by redrawing the angle, the band fit exactly, with not a hair to spare, between the shoulder seam and the neckline. But it required a lot of fidgeting.

Consequence #3.  The extra width on the gathered yoke lace could easily have covered a buttonhole, which I had stitched before adding the yoke fancyband.  It was just dumb luck that the buttonhole was placed where it was.

3.  I can’t wait to start another one of Baby’s First Daygowns.  Without all my time consuming modifications and errors, the construction really would have been fast.  View 1 looks reeeealy quick.  This  time, I will follow the directions exactly–or at least carefully consider the ramifications of any changes.

Six days past her due date, Baby Vivienne (middle name STILL to be determined….by what?  Obstetrician choice?  Name of favorite nurse?) still has not made her grand entrance.  So I continue to sew and continue to pray for the safe, uncomplicated delivery of a healthy, strong baby.