The other day, as I was sorting through all the things I’d stashed in my vintage trunk, I came across something that I think was my grandmother’s. It’s petite, and she was just over five feet tall, and it’s handmade. Letitia, my vintage dress form, is also quite petite and you can see it fits her rather nicely.
I think it’s a nightgown. It seems to be made from muslin or something very much like it. Perhaps this was part of Grandma’s trousseau? Did she take it with her as she moved with my grandfather to Michigan, leaving her beloved Canada behind?
The neckline is hand crocheted. Such a simple and effective embellishment.
Each sleeve has two tucks and is finished with a crocheted edge.
Isn’t it lovely?
My mom passed on a lot of my grandmother’s things to my sisters and me. Last year, my adored sister Meredith found another more elaborate (and rather sexy!) nightgown that we were pretty sure had to have been Grandma’s. It was exquisitely handmade. We analyzed the bust size, we pondered whether Grandma made it or if our great-grandmother made it, and we finally came to the conclusion that it had to have been made for Grandma. My mom was about five feet seven inches tall when she married my dad. These nightgowns wouldn’t have fit her.
My grandmother was tiny and small boned. My grandfather was tall and his nickname was Slim. His sisters were very tall. My mother is tall. My brother was about six feet four, my sisters and I are tall. In a sea of tall people, my wee little grandmother stood out. So really, isn’t it obvious? This was hers.
If you click on the link to the nightgown that Meredith found, you’ll see that it must have been part of her wedding trousseau. This one is simpler, a bit more everyday, but beautiful in its simplicity.
Did you know that Meredith and I named our dress forms after each other? Mine is Letitia, which was my aunt’s name and is Meredith’s middle name. Meredith’s dress form is Caroline, which was my grandmother’s name and is my middle name. Can you tell we love each other?
Such a lovely surprise. See what happens when I start to rearrange things in anticipation of the arrival of a bigger bed?
Now I’m looking at the studio with tough and uncompromising eyes. I’m in the mood to eliminate unnecessary clutter. I’ve cleaned off a lot of the little tchotchkes on the mantel shelf, I’m taking the Reimagined Bulletin Board down for the time being. Since I have to move the bookshelf out of the way for the upcoming bed maneuverings, I’ve decided to move it permanently into a corner of the bedroom. It takes up too much space in what is a turn in the hallway. Don will be happy about that. I won’t ever be a ‘spare’ decorator, but I’m tired of too much stuff in a tiny space and that is what my studio is – a tiny space.
Gosh, this bed is causing a lot of changes!
Happy Monday.
I like the picture you have behind the dress form. My granny and grandpa had that picture in their bedroom when I was little. While I was still a child, their house burned down and the picture was lost, but seeing a copy of it always makes me smile.
It’s very like, but not exactly like, one that was in my grandmother’s guest room when I was a child.
Oh! My sister and I love these handmade textiles and the clothing, so personal, strikes a sympathetic chord.
I am getting tough with my stuff, too. I find it exhausting and can only do a bit at a time as, most of my life, when it was gone, it was gone. We usually didn’t/couldn’t buy another. Need I say, we are a creative little family of pack rats? :) Time to lessen my nest “padding.”
I am a bit of a pack rat myself, so I understand! I have to be in a ruthless mood to get rid of things and I definitely am in one now. Have to strike while the iron is hot!
How wonderful to have something handmade especially for your grandmother. I have one of the well worn home sewn aprons my granny wore everyday. Love it. I also have an 8X10 photo of my grandfather on my dad’s side with his family in front of their farmhouse when he was about three. Such treasures! We had three warm days when we had to run the a.c. and then yesterday it turned cool again. Hope you make enough discoveries while you are rearranging things that the work seems like fun for you. Have a lovely day Claudia!
It is fun. Tiring, but fun!
That is a beautiful nightgown! What a lovely way to display it. Changes can be good and so much fun!
I’m hesitant to display it there for too long as the sun that comes through the skylight can be harsh. But I think it should be fine for the winter.
Good morning, Claudia. What a beautiful nightgown–I love the crochet trim! I also have fond memories of the painting behind your dressform. My aunt’s parents had this print hanging in their living room, and I also loved to look at it–I felt “protected” by the angel too! I just read your post from yesterday–I was up at 5 am this morning staring at my computer screen, praying for inspiration. I seem to have hit a wall lately with my writing and life has been too crazy to plan any posts in advance, so there I sit, struggling for words. We’ll persevere together, right?! xxoo, Martha
We will indeed! I woke up at 5 this morning, too! Too early and I feel groggy and slightly out of sorts because if it!
What a beautiful piece and it looks to be in excellent condition. To bad it’s not your size it would make a darling summer top over a cami once it was shortened. Vintage finds like these are sought after right now.
I don’t think I could alter it – because it was my grandmother’s. I wouldn’t want to spill anything on it and I can guarantee you I would.
The nightgown is absolutely beautiful! Very special treasure.
Have a wonderful day.
XO, Linda
Thank you, Linda. You have a wonderful day, too!
The nightgown is lovely with the beautiful crochet work, Claudia. I’d be quite happy to slip into something that pretty on a hot summer night (in a much larger and longer version).
Karen
Much larger and longer for me, too!
That nightgown is gorgeous! What a find! I love the chaos and rediscovery that comes with getting something new, or new to me, that causes such a frenzy. You never know what things you might rediscover…like a treasure hunt. And in the process, there’s always a little of the “why are you keeping this?” The cold days of January are good for this…have fun! ;)
It is like a treasure hunt and it forces me to look at my things and discard what I really don’t need!
So, as I started reading your post, I stopped. I looked at the date. It was a deja-vu moment. It seemed so familiar, but I know you don’t re-post older posts, I don’t believe. Then I realized it was your sister’s post from last year I was remembering about the “other” nightgown. So serendipitous that you EACH found one of these nightgowns in your things. The tucks on this one are amazing!! And I have one of those Guardian Angel pictures in a smaller frame from when I was a baby!
And all for the want of a new bed….. life is interesting as it unfolds, isn’t it??
I love those tucks. Such a sweet addition to the design. The Guardian Angel print reminds me of one that was in my grandmother’s house when I was a child. I found this one at auction about 6 years ago. This new bed has caused quite a store and it isn’t even here yet!
Now, how awesome is that! Makes me wish I could find one just like it and in my size, but not as wonderful as yours because I want to wear it! And I would not be able to wear such a treasure!
I’d love one like it, too. I wouldn’t ever be able to wear this heirloom.
Crochet runs in the family! :) It’s lovely!
Though I don’t think I could do fine work like this!
I love these beautiful vintage handmade gowns..truly made with love..I have one that is a similar style I found at a thrift shop for an unbelievably low price..gorgeous crochet trim..it hangs in my bedroom on a pretty satin hanger just for display..I wish I knew the story behind it..Yours & Meredith’s are treasures Claudia!
They are – and we are really lucky!
love it and the story behind it.
having a piece of your own familys history is priceless.
i popped over and read Merediths story also. what sweet treasures.
my youngest daughters middle name is also Caroline. :)
It’s a pretty name, isn’t it Sharron?
The nightgown is very lovely. I was blessed several years ago with a hand crocheted bedspread that my great grandmother made. I was caught totally unaware at Christmas when I opened a large package from my mom. Her mother had it and my mom obtained it from her and gave to me. It is beautiful and although I am currently not using due to 2 lovely feline children with very sharp and damaging claws, I hope to someday be able to bring it out and use in my decorating. With regard to the name Caroline…the great grandmother who crocheted the bedspread was Caroline, her daughter (my grandmother) was named Frany Caroline, my mother was named Carol and I am Ranee Carol. My dads new lady friend is also Caroline. It’s a very good name and I always want to start singing “Sweet Caroline” when I am around her. ;)
Caroline seems to be a favorite in your family!
Leticia is doing a beautiful job modeling your grandmother’s gown. While I neither sew or crochet, sometimes I wish we still lived in a world where homemade was “good enough” (and often better!) … the gown is a lovely example of “better”.
Yes – it is so well made!
The bed might be causing a lot of changes, but it sounds like they’re good ones! Love your grandma’s nightgown – it’s beautiful in its simplicity. The crocheted neckline is so pretty – do you think she made it, or someone else?
Lovely nightgown, Claudia, as is the one your sister has! Real treasures with such a family background!
I think it is so much fun to see that we both have something so precious of Grandma’s. I think she is smiling down on us. A little present from far away.
Hugs,
Meredith
That would make my day to find such a wonderful treasure.
It is so well made and I wish today they had good fabric,
I bought some expensive 100% cotton sheets and compared
them to some Macy linnens I bought 14 years ago,
it is not real cotton like the old sheets.
I bet a movie studio would buy that gown.
yvonne
what a beautiful piece of heritage.. i truly wish i had something from my grandparents.. i dont have anything belonging to either side.. sniff
the stitches are so delicate and perfect for the nightgown.. take your time and reminisce about your sorting… you are very lucky.. and heck.. what else do you have to do .. with this winter weather…. keeping us indoors.
have a great week… big hugs
lynnl
It’s truly lovely, Claudia..A treasure for sure..Isn’t it funny how one piece of furniture can mix up everything else?? I’m having that issue with a new loveseat…Kinda fun to change things around a bit…
What a beautiful piece and it has held up so well, no yellowing either, amazing.
That’s such a lovely discovery, Claudia! You must be thrilled to have found it. I’m very familiar with the domino effect of moving things in a small cottage… it becomes laughable after awhile! I’ve even found myself resting small pieces of furniture in the TUB of all places, until I get things moved around.