One of the questions I am often asked is, "Does the baby dress need a slip?". The answer to the question depends on the transparency of the dress fabric and the desired fullness. Personally, I like a slip unless your dress is made from a closely woven fabric such as broadcloth or a heavy fabric such as velveteen.
If you decide to use a slip, the next question might be, "What style slip do I need?". There are essentially four slip styles, each of which I will discuss below.
The simplest slip is an A-Line Slip.
This slip can go under any style dress but I think it is perfect under a bishop, raglan sleeve, or plain dress embellished with tucks, embroidery, or lace. I use it under my front ruffle gowns and my raglan sleeve gowns like The Kristi Monogrammed Smocked Baby Dress.
The A-Line Slip can be closed on one shoulder with a button or snap but I prefer to use a back placket.
The Round Yoke Slip is a little more complicated to make but well worth the extra time. It can be left plain or adorned with lace.
The slip goes well under Round Yoke Dresses and Smocked Bishop Dresses.
Slips for Yoke Dresses are one of the most used slips. The yokes can be high yokes, empire or raised waist dresses.
The slip can be plan or decorated as in the picture below.
A variation of the yoke slip is a slip for a front panel dress.
My oldest daughter was in a photo shoot for Creative Magazine year ago in a dress made by me but embroidered by the multi-talented Margaret Land. The dress was made using a raised pattern with a front panel design. As the diagram above shows, you can construct the slip in one of two ways. You can make a slip with a front panel and gathers on either side or you can make a yoke slip and flatten out the gathers in the center. The second picture shows a slip I made for my daughter using the first method.
Lastly, I don't want to leave out slips that show under the dress becoming the bottom of the dress. Below is a picture of in a pink scalloped edge dress with the slip ruffle peeping out from under the dress.
The hem of a slip can compliment the dress with a matching ruffle, hem, tucks, edged lace, or a simple scallop edge. Slips make stunning beach pictures for your little one or even teens. Happy sewing! I would love to see your ideas for the perfect slip.
