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Using traditional fine hand smocking and embroidery with the finest natural materials, Rosana creates exquisite christening gowns and special occasion wear , individualy handmade for your child to make that special event perfect.
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| Christening Gowns |  |
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Taken from an article that appeared in the 'Anglesey Informer' and written by Sue Beesley |
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| Keen to carry on her mother’s ability in fine hand smocking rather than see the skill disappear, Anglesey resident Rosa Andrew learnt the craft a number of years ago and has since started her own business creating exquisite christening gowns and special occasion wear for children.Her grandmother and great grand-mother had dressmaking businesses and her mother in turn sold her smocked garments to Liberty and TheWhite House in London. Rosa dabbled in sewing throughout her childhood and the interest has never waned, prompting her to pick up her smocking skills in adult life.She takes meticulous care in sourcing her fabrics although this is becoming increasingly difficult due to manufacturing moving away from the UK. She uses hand-loomed | silk dupion from a firm in London, fine Swiss cotton and French lace. The finished product is exquisite in the true sense of the word,from the tiny rosebuds individually hand embroidered onto the garment to the perfect pin-tucking, lace insertion and fine scalloping. Her christening gowns take a minimum of a week to complete and the basic style starts at £170. Her main sales are to Ireland and America as well as UK, but she has also sold to Japan and Hong Kong.The garments can be individually tailored to your requirements and Rosa recalls one christening gown she made using tiny mother of pearl beads from the mother’s wedding dress.Rosa derives great pleasure from her craft and the fact that her christening gowns will become family heirlooms.“As long as they are cared for properly, dry-cleaned before they are put away, | protected by wrapping in acid free tissue and kept away from sunlight,there is no reason why they shouldn’t be passed from generation to generation”.In our technologically advanced world where computers and television compete for our time, it seems to me greatly regrettable that fine skills such as this are in danger of dying out. Rosa’s mother, at 82, still sews and makes some of her own clothes, fitting this in between time spent studying for a Masters degree in History.There must be few people around working in this craft to such exacting standards and it is to be hoped that the intricate skill Rosa learnt from her mother can, in turn, be passed to others of the next generation who are prepared to devote the time and patience to creating these exquisite handworked pieces. | ||||||||||