Jenny Block
Classic Hand-Embroidered Heirlooms, Delicate Lace & Timeless Silhouettes: How A Legacy Company, Feltman Brothers, Rekindled One Woman’s Joy In Dressing Up The Smallest Among Us, Especially In Texas
By Jenny Block Photography courtesy of the author, Feldman Bros.com
My friend just had a baby. I shouldn’t have been surprised at how excited I have been ever since she told me she was pregnant. I mean, I love babies. But this is a new friend, a much younger one, not someone I’m related to, nor even someone I see every week. Although we do text nearly every day.
So, I wondered why I was so excited, and I realized, maybe shamefully, that I was excited about buying baby clothes. Laugh if you like. I indeed chuckled at my own realization. But it’s true. As enthusiastic as I am to snuggle that baby, read to her, and watch her grow one day when my friend is ready to leave the building without her, I am also insanely excited to dress up this tiny bundle, especially in time for the holidays.
Courtesy of the author
My own daughter is 26 years old. It has been longer than forever since I got to dress her. I loved dressing her in all of the smocked dresses and little matching sets. Sure, I bought plenty more “modern” baby and toddler clothes, for lack of a better word. But my favorites were always the classics: the beautiful knits and charming embroidery, the smocking and crocheting, and eyelet and lace.
I have been dreaming of those outfits for years, waiting for the day my own daughter would make me a Bubbe, and I’d get to buy all of those things all over again. So, when my friend told me she was pregnant, I was giddy at the thought of what it might be like when I might one day be called up to the plate.
Sure, I scoured the chain stores for onesies and the teeniest jean jacket. I bought buntings, sleepers, and cutesy outfits with matching hats. But I about jumped for joy when the Feltman Brothers dropped me a line and asked if I wanted to take a look at the latest pieces they’ve added to their collection.
Feltman was founded in 1916 and began with a line of handmade dresses. However, people loved them so much that they started making Christening gowns, rompers, bubbles, body suits, booties, bonnets, blankets, and similar items as well.
And somehow, the exquisite craftsmanship has remained unchanged even after all these years. The fabrics feel amazing. The detail is just beyond belief. And the designs are as classic as they come. Think elegance meets vintage, baby style. Think raiding your rich aunt’s hope chest in her Kennebunkport summer mansion vibes. Or the royals have with baby vibes.
Truth be told, it harkens back to a time when we dressed babies like babies, not tiny adults. Not that I take issue with that latter. It’s just that I love the former…
I am somewhat obsessed with the hand-embroidered detailing, the smocking, and intricate open-work designs, as well as the delicately hand-sewn rosebuds, embroidery appliques, pintucks, and French lace adornments. The pieces are for boys and girls, from toddlers to newborns.
And these are the heirloom pieces that get passed down again and again. And though it’s hard to imagine now, when my friend’s baby is just days old, I can’t help but think that Feltman pieces I got for her are destined for the baby’s hope chest or the family’s mahogany wardrobe, where the teeny couture will await the next generation.
Some of my favorite pieces include the Victoria Dress with lace inlay, a button down front, and the sweetest little, hand-stitched pintucks; the A-line Olivia Dress with a charming peter pan ruffled collar, and embroidered yellow flowers; the Crochet Cardigan & Romper Set with the most delightful details, and the Pink Floral Vine and Pink Garden Diaper Sets with darling elements like hand embroidered floral designs, a cross-over button top, and a little butterfly sleeve.
All of their pieces are impossibly cute. And although the new baby is still too tiny, the pieces could not look any more adorable in my friend’s maternity shoot. I’m eager to play dress-up with this new little doll. Some things never change. And they shouldn’t…
