My project is to produce a contemporary Christening gown which, while traditional (as requested by parents), also avoids yards and yards of lace, pin-tucking, embroidery, and hand sewn French seams. A short history of the garment can be found here. The Ann Ladbury pattern I have chosen, interestingly offered a “modern” take in the 1970s – a patchwork version. This harked back to Victorian times when hexagonal patchwork was popular. Modern and traditional are not really polar opposites – everything gets re-invented and recycled over time especially in the world of clothes and fashion, doesn’t it?
Here is the 1970s “modern” version. Personally I don’t really like the placement of the patches on the yoke, but I suppose if the fabrics were right this might work. The baby modelling the grament doesn’t look too impressed.
![Ann Ladbury patchwork christening robe](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-17-20-01-59.jpg?resize=611%2C814)
So I approached the modern/traditional issue with a desire to bring some freshness to this garment. The silhouette, colour and fabric are what you would expect. But I decided against buying and applying layers of delicate lace, or driving myself mad with rows of tiny pin tucks. As the garment is for a modern boy, and quite a heavy one at that, I decided we could do without a flounce and lacy neckline.
Instead I fancied using (ancient) printing techniques to create an impression of lace, embroidery or smocking. My idea was block printing some patterns, in white fabric paint, on to a slightly transparent white lawn cloth. I tried printing with lace but this wasn’t very satisfactory. I needed a bolder effect. Here are the tools I used.
![block printing tools](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-16-20-44-05.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
I also tried another technique, which involved sticking individual grains of rice on to a piece of cardboard and covering it with PVA glue to make it waterproof. Here it is at the end of the printing process, still covered in the white textile paint.
![Cardboard block print with rice grains](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-16-20-42-30.jpg?resize=611%2C814)
The cotton lawn was laid out on the blankes and I printed two boarders and a stripe across the middle.
![white fabric with white block prinitng](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-16-20-43-57.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
This look is created by using the roller, with the comb used in between. And here is the rice print, close up.
![using rice block printing to print on cotton](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-16-20-43-33.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
Here is the work in progress. I have still to add sleeves, hems, button holes and press studs. The printed design is limited to the yoke, hem and sleeves.
![Unfinished modern Christening robe](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-10-17-20-14-29.jpg?resize=611%2C814)
Stephanie
Lovely work, Kate.
linnyjcreations
Wow what a clever idea to use rice for fabric print. Love the christening gown and can’t wait to see the finished garment.
Joyce
great idea!!
Kerri
I’m with linnyjcreations… this is a WOW project! I’ve always been interested in creating unique fabrics and you’ve certainly done that. I’ll be interested to see the final result.
bunny
Lovely. It will be a treasure. Have to remember that rice trick. Thanks.
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