Christening shirt for girls

The baptism of a baby is a very important stage not only in the life of the child himself, but also of his parents. Mom and Dad choose godparents, the temple in which the sacrament will be performed, as well as the baptismal dress. By tradition, the choice of clothes for this event can be entrusted to the godmother or father.

A baptismal set for a girl must include a long shirt, an openwork cap or kerchief and a towel in which the child is wrapped after the font.

In today's article we will tell you about the features and types of christening shirts for girls. You will learn how to choose the right shirt depending on the age of the baby, as well as how and when to wear it.

In children's clothing stores and church shops, you will come across different options for children's christening gowns. They differ mainly in style, decor and gender.

Here are the most popular types of christening gowns for girls.

The simplest and most popular option - this is how the shirts traditionally looked, in which children were baptized in Russia.

The model with a gathered bottom, reminiscent of a fluffy skirt, looks very cute and delicate and is suitable even for the smallest princesses.

Models that can be easily put on and off without disturbing the baby are ideal for newborns, because they do not like clothes over their heads.

This model should be chosen if you are afraid of catching a cold to your little one after the hot tub. The hood will keep cool air and drafts out of your baby.

Since olden times, clothes for special occasions have been decorated with embroidery, since this was the most affordable way to decorate. Today, shirts are most often embroidered with a cross, floral ornaments or the name of the child and the date of baptism.

Models decorated with lace and ruffles are often purchased not only for girls, but also for boys. Girls' shirts are usually more luxurious, while boy models are more concise.

If the mother or the future godmother of the girl is an experienced needlewoman, then the baby has the opportunity to receive as a gift a truly unique thing that no one else in the world has. A baptismal shirt knitted with your own hands will retain the warmth and love of the one who made it.

For knitting an openwork shirt, it is better to choose a crochet hook, not knitting needles, since it can be used to create more complex shapes and subtle patterns. You can come up with a shirt style yourself, or you can find a suitable pattern in knitting magazines.

Which pattern to choose depends only on the imagination and experience of the needlewoman herself. For example, christening gowns of sirloin knitting (netting) with thematic patterns are quite popular; these can be angels, crosses and other Christian motives.

There are no strict requirements for the appearance of a christening shirt for a girl, as such. Today it is not even an obligatory element of christening. But, as a tribute to tradition, most parents prefer to baptize the youngest children in special shirts.

Traditionally, a baptismal shirt should be:

1. Condition: Necessarily new - it is customary to carefully store the baptismal shirt throughout life; she is even credited with healing powers.
2. Color: White, milky, ivory and other light shades. White is associated with spiritual purity and cleansing from sins.
3. Length: Like any other garment in which a woman (regardless of her age) comes to church, the baptismal shirt should be long enough - not necessarily to the floor, but such that it covers the knees.
4. In addition, a christening shirt should have sleeves, but the presence of embroidery and other decor is at your discretion.

In the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to baptize a child on the 40th day after birth, but today few people follow this rule. Many parents put off the ordinance until a later time so that the baby can retain memories of it.

At the age from 2 to 4 years old, a girl is unlikely to be able to understand the meaning of what is happening, but this is not at all a reason to postpone baptism for several more years.

Small sizes of christening gowns are in greatest demand, as older girls are often baptized in elegant white dresses.

If a non-newborn child is baptized, a lace scarf is selected for the shirt instead of a cap.

Older girls can choose their own baptismal outfit if their parents correctly explain to them the meaning and significance of the sacrament. Sometimes it is difficult to find a christening gown of the right size, as stores buy more kits for newborns and very young children.

However, companies that manufacture baptismal accessories often provide a tailor-made service - you can order a shirt of any size, not only for a child, but also for an adult.

Christening dresses are produced for girls of primary school age. They differ from shirts in a more complex cut, a fitted silhouette and rich decoration.But all the traditional elements of the baptismal shirt - color, length, sleeves - are preserved in such a dress.

Christening gowns for boys and girls differ mainly in decor. Decorating girly models usually gets more attention. It can be not only traditional embroidery and lace trimming.

Common ways to decorate christening gowns for girls include:

• metalized thread embroidery;
• embroidery with satin ribbons;
• openwork binding of the edges with threads;
• trim with braid and ruffles.

When decorating a baptismal gown, you must observe the measure. The decorative elements should not be conspicuous, so try to stick to a discreet color scheme. White, gold, silver, pale pink - these colors are usually preferred when decorating a christening shirt for a girl.

When preparing a baby for baptism, you can get by with the purchase of only shirts, or you can purchase a ready-made baptismal set, which includes everything that is useful during the sacrament, as well as souvenirs.

A baptismal kit may include:

• kryzhma - this is the name of the diaper in which the child is wrapped after he is dipped into the baptismal font;
• a headdress - for very young children this is a bonnet, and for older girls - a kerchief or an openwork cape on the head;
• booties are optional, they can be replaced with simple socks, however, things from one set will look much more beautiful;
• bib - needed in order to preserve the original whiteness of the baptismal dress, preventing the appearance of various spots on it;
• diaper panties - you don't need to wear anything over the diaper, however, many parents prefer to cover it with white panties for the sake of aesthetics;
• a bag for hair - locks cut during the sacrament will be stored in it.

According to the Orthodox tradition, the christening gown is put on immediately after the child is immersed in the font three times (if the sacrament is performed with full immersion). At the same time, the shirt must be new and clean - after all, it is a symbol of renewal and purification of the soul.

When very young children are baptized, temple officials are advised to keep them simply wrapped in a diaper from the beginning of the ceremony. Then the child is dipped into a font and wrapped in a canopy. After that, the godmother hands over the baptismal shirt to the priest performing the ceremony. The priest dresses the baby in a shirt and this is where the sacrament usually ends.

The child is in the baptismal gown after immersion in the font and until the end of the sacrament. After that, you can take off the shirt and take the baby home in regular clothes. But some parents organize a photo session or a family celebration after the ceremony, at which the convert is present in his baptismal dress.