Grandmothers Hope Chest: French Sewing by Machine, Smocking, Shadowwork, Embroidery

From the front flap of this 352 page book: "For centuries, hope chests have been kept by young women and filled with treasured items they will need once they are married. Lingerie, linens, and jewelry, are just a few of the things a girl might collect. Heirloom sewing enthusiast Martha Pullen has taken the concept of the hope chest one step further. With four married sons, Martha anxiously awaited when she would be presented with her first grandchild. When her grandson Campbell came along in the spring of 1992, and she learned her second grandchild would arrive four months later, she thought to herself 'Why didn't I start making baby clothes years ago." With this came her idea for 'Grandmother's Hope Chest'. This book is to encourage mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, and even friends who invision babies in their futures to start work on layettes today. Many of the patterns and instructions included in this book call for French sewing, so Martha Pullen shares her vast knowledge in this art. Martha has pulled from her personal collection of antique baby clothing to give this book the ultimate heirloom flavor. The specifics of each dress, boy suit, and gown are described extensively for those of you who wish to reproduce them. Much of the antique detail has been adapted to the new christening gown designs to capture the turn-of-the-century look. The center of the book is graced with 48 pages of beautiful color photography. Each of the sixteen christening gown designs is captured in full detail, as well as several antique ones. Six smocking plates are shown in full-color. Martha calls these clothes 'love clothes'. That's really what these garments are, love clothes made for very special people."