Robe that embodies a century of font memories

Passed down from mother to daughter, and from granddaughter to great granddaughter, the Whitby-based clan has been using the same christening gown for its new arrivals since 1897.

In an astonishing rite of passage, the custom has continued nearly unbroken for 113 years – cladding more than 30 babies.

Taylor Bailey Locker became the most recent addition to the family to don the flowing robe for his baptism last month at St Hilda's Church in Whitby.

Despite five generations of wear and tear, the gown is still in phenomenal condition, without a stitch out of place.

But then the irreplaceable garment, made of white cotton trimmed with broderie anglaise, is in the safe keeping of Mary Locker, proud great-grandmother of Taylor, when it is not being used.

The gown was made by Mary's grandmother Annie Sayers – Annie Ingham before she was married – and may enjoy a footnote in domestic history as one of the oldest to be made on a domestic sewing machine.

Experts say despite the gown's age, the International Exhibition in London in 1862 featured 50 types of domestic sewing machines.

Although expensive, the new labour-saving device was just catching on in England following its success across America.

Mrs Locker, 77, goes to painstaking lengths to ensure that one of the family's most precious heirlooms can continue to be handed down.

She said: "I'm the eldest one of the family and after it's been used I wash it very carefully by hand and keep it wrapped in tissue paper.

"It's been worn by over 30 babies in the family and has very even stitches but I don't know if it was sewn by hand or on a machine."

So far, the gown has been worn by five generations of the family – her father, herself and her three siblings, their nine children – including three of Mary's own, their 18 children and now four from the fifth generation, including baby Taylor.

Taylor's mother Rachel Ward, 25, of Whitby, said she was glad her son could carry on her partner's family tradition, adding: "When I first heard about the gown and that it was 113 years old I thought

'what state is it going to be in?'.

"But I'm not one for breaking tradition and when I saw it I realised how nice it was. Everyone who saw it commented on how pretty it was.

"It has been in my partner Marc's family for so long.

"But it's very well kept and hasn't discoloured even though it's so old.

"It's nice to have such a family tradition.

"I was terrified he was going to damage it in some way. A white gown on a baby is not the perfect combination, but he was great all day."

Mrs Locker said: "We were so used to having the gown in the family that it never seemed strange, very good care was taken with and it was always put away safely. It has always been part of the family."

One of the few exceptions to the tradition was Mary's other great grandchild Lilah-Rose Weatherill, who is 14 months old but was not christened until she had grown too big to wear the family gown.

Ms Ward added: "I had heard about the gown when I was pregnant with Taylor and knew he we had to get him christened before he was three months old or he would be too big to fit in it.

"I was really pleased that he got to wear the same gown worn by his dad and his granddad.

"I was going to take the gown off Taylor but he seemed to be enjoying it so much that he stayed in it all day."

How tradition has evolved

White is the traditional colour for a christening gown to symbolise the "newness of life" in Christ.

In the 19th century, more elaborate designs featuring lace and embroidery were fashionable, as were longer gowns.

White silk and satin were the most common materials until cotton became more accessible during the Victorian era.

Other accessories such as bonnets, bibs and bootees became popular around the same time.

Although most modern christening outfits are scaled-down versions of Victorian ones, they also come in different colours and styles.

Suits, rompers and vests often take the place of the traditional gown.

In the past, it was common for a mother to use her wedding dress to make the outfit for her oldest child.