Janette Gerber
"Birth Mantle"
 (Photo by Tom Caroll) |
 (Photo by Charles Fyer) |
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The footlocker that contained my father’s belongings on his return from the Army became our family safekeeping place. As a child, I remember my mother telling stories as we looked at my father’s army uniform, love letters, birth and death certificates, baby clothes, teddy bears and the dress I was Christened in.
The long white Christening dress was made of the finest and softest cotton with tucks, rolled seams and tiny pearl buttons. Over the years, relatives used the dress. When my first daughter was born, we learned that the dress was lost. There was no time to create a new family heirloom then, but there is now. With cotton, silk and lace from Liberty of London, a collection of pearl, silver, antique and Swarovski crystal beads, my mantle challenge has been the creation of a new Christening garment. A slip to hold the embroidered names of the children who will wear it, a dress for many to wear and a mantle for each to keep.