FINISHED SEAMS -- OR NOT?

This post was inspired by JillyBe.  She is quite creative and there is nothing ordinary about her sewing.  Her entries Here and Here .

She talked about making her friend's wedding dress in the 80s and was shocked when she realized that she had put in all that work with great fabric only to discover that she hadn't finished the seams.  Then about two years later Jilly made the christening dress for this couple's baby.  She was shocked when she realized that she had put in all that work with great fabric only to discover that she hadn't finished the seams.

All of this reminded me that I had some baby dresses made by my mother and wondered if she had finished the seams.  I thought I might have my christening dress, but don't, but do have the christening blanket and pillow cover.

These photos break an important rule of posting photos of garments:  have items clean and pressed.  These dresses do need ironing but I am a bit hesitant to iron them in case I were to press in any dirt.  I hesitate to wash them because of their age.

Up first:

Seams finished  -- or not?

Not finished.

Several things surprise me about this:  that seams are not finished, especially since it is so sheer; the wide seam allowances; and that the fabric edges haven't come undone after all these years!

Up next:

Seams finished -- or not?

Finished.

The edge is not completely encased, yet are still in excellent condition.

Last up:

Seams finished -- or not?

Finished.

Not only finished but look at the type of finish!  It is serger-like, but use of a serger was not available way back then.  My computerized sewing machine will do this stitch.

My mother had a Kenmore which only sewed forward and backward, with the usual attachments.

I suppose it is possible that she had a different machine when I was a baby, maybe one with cams and she never mentioned it.

So I ask you:  were there machines years and years ago with cams which could make this stitch?

I don't know why my mother selected these three dresses to keep, unless they were representative of 3,6, and 9 months.  I found one professional photograph of my wearing the last dress pictured, but it is difficult to make out the dress in it.

In the same bag as the dresses were these crewel embroidery and cross stitch pieces which I think are fairly well done considering I was only 4 1/2 years old.  (The folded under parts cover the date--don't want to shock you too much)

Anyone interested in seeing my first shoes, both soft sole and hard sole or my first tooth or hair from my haircut?  I guess that's going to have to wait for a different blog entry, one way in the future.