Blue bishop, 2014–Last week at nursery school, Vivian Rose was cute and comfortable. She is wearing a bishop dress made 32 years ago for her mother, Rebecca. True to the adage that any bishop is good for 3 sizes, this size 3 dress fits our 16 month old just fine after the hem was taken up. And it will fit for a long time.
Recently, I’ve changed my thoughts and opinions about the use of heirloom/smocked garments. From this post title, it’s likely you can tell where I now stand on the issue of packing away my lovingly stitched heirlooms.
With their almost timeless appeal and classic style, they can be worn in any fashion era. Until recently, my plan for their future was that they be carefully packed away in acid free tissue and then be passed down to the next baby in the family–whenever that might be. I felt certain that the style and stitchery would still be appropriate.  Often, that is exactly what happened, i.e. the Imperial batiste bishop dress shown above and below.
But I hadn’t expected that they would be put in service for everyday use, like at Vivian Rose’s pre-school. There, painting, bib-free eating, and rough and tumble playground time are daily events. And no child tumbles more roughly this little dynamo.
Blue bishop 1982–Rebecca, Vivian Rose’s mother, wearing the same blue bishop dress.
