The Day of the Tablecloth
I wrapped her in a tablecloth and took her out to play
Not quite to play but rather, to put her on display!
There are days that mark our life and this one was her first,
The family all gathered as we took her into church.
We called her for her grannies, with a little variation
And so it was that she was known until her own abbreviation!
The tablecloth it was not plain and made with loving care
By a granny that she never knew, no longer round to share.
The tablecloth was crocheted in cotton years before
It spent near half a life time, lying in a drawer.
Now freshly washed and smelling sweet it was a perfect square
And it looked just right, on our wee mite, as we took her through the door.
A bright June morning the sun was high with singing in the choir
Our hearts near burst with happiness, with our darling hearts desire.
Then she grew up!
This is the tablecloth that I used as a shawl.
Once I decided to use the tablecloth for a shawl I set about finding a pattern to crochet a dress for my little bundle of joy. I did not want a dress a mile longer than my 18inch baby so adapted a pattern for a woolen dress.
Elly just four weeks old in the only photo I have of her taken on the day.
Our photographer for the day didn’t make it - his car broke down and it was before the days of digital cameras. I came across the outfit while clearing a drawer last week and gave it a wash. It is amazingly white even after all this time. To show it off properly I went in search of a baby sized doll. Not a difficult task you would think.
The first doll I borrowed was from a school pal of Elly’s and was the correct size and vintage. There was only one problem… the eyes were damaged and the young ladies father had replaced them with marbles. All the photos I took made them look like cats eyes! No way could I use a full face so I cropped the photos accordingly.
The pattern I worked from also had a pair of pants:
The pants may look bulky but not with a nappy on under them.
One day while out I saw a new baby goods shop and called in to see if they had a doll for display puropses. No they didn’t but the assistant promised to bring her daughters doll in the following day. It was a little smaller than the original one but I managed to take a photo.
I took this photo on the floor in the shop!
So to the girls in Rock-a-Baby who were so helpful I say thank you.
Lily said,
June 5, 2009 at 7:27 am
Loved the story. Not only are you great with crafting words …
The christening robe used for my three too has a story - you now have inspired a future post
Baino said,
June 5, 2009 at 9:17 am
OMG this is so sweet! My Sister In Law used to crochet the most beautiful things, I’ve never had the patience but I do have some lovely embroidered pieces that my mother did when she was a tuberculosis patient (contracted nursing children in the early 50’s) Funnily enough, I tidied out my linen cupboard and found her little pieces and some hand made lace table runners . . made me cry. Your tablecloth would be perfect for my plans to do high tea!
Grannymar said,
June 5, 2009 at 10:41 am
@Lily - Thank you and I am pleased that you now have another idea for a post.
@Baino - A new business? Serving Afternoon Teas by the pool with Quoits on the deck and Croquet on the lawn! Mmmm… sounds Niiiice!
Annb said,
June 5, 2009 at 12:18 pm
That’s such a lovely story. My own darling’s christening was a tardy affair - we eventually managed to get round to it this year, 8 years after her birth! Not being of a religious persuasion I had struggled with the notion of original sin and opted out. She decided she would like to make her communion with her classmates, we ‘fessed up to the school chaplin and he did the honours. We had a really moving day, just the 5 of us parents, godparents and the little lady wearing her father’s christening shawl. She chose the readings and researched her sainted name sakes. There’s something really special about welcoming our children into the world - whatever ceremony we choose. I love the fact that clothes for the ceremony are used for generations.
Wishing you lots of future wearers of your beautiful crochet creations!
Grannymar said,
June 5, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Annb,
That souned like a very special day with your dughter making an in-put as well as playing the staring role.
I make no assumptions about the future. If and when grand children arrive they will be surrounded by great love. Until than I am happy to enjoy my daughter & son-in-law.
rummuser said,
June 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Wow! I am speechless.
bikehikebabe said,
June 5, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Are you amazed at the time you spent (in the “olden days” as my daughter called them) doing what you couldn’t consider doing today?
Having a dinner party for 12 so you could use all of your wedding presents china. AND doing all of the cooking for that, plus getting the house spotless?
Making a dress-up dress that you’ll wear one time—to a party?
But you do have the dress to show for your trouble.
Grannymar said,
June 6, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Bikehikebabe,
I have to admit to enjoying the dinner parties and baking that I did years ago. Needlework in any form was a hobby for me, right through from that first dress to Elly’s wedding outfit. Alas the eyes (thanks to computers) are not as good as they used to be and the stitches not so fine anymore.
Geri Atric said,
June 6, 2009 at 1:48 pm
What a great idea!
(I loved the poem) and baby Elly is a perfect sweetheart in her lovingly crocheted dress and panties.
You are a talented lady indeed GM. - and a mum to be proud of!
Grannymar said,
June 6, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Geri
it was my way to include my late mother-in-law in Elly’s life and first big day.
The christening outfit « Lily’s Blog said,
December 23, 2009 at 11:18 pm
[...] a recent post, Grannymar described making Elly’s Christening outfit. Her post got me onto this [...]