Clinton News-Record, 1987-02-18, Page 584.
9,
Page 46 Showcase '67
IMINMSRAVF
Well preserved gowns
can last for generations
Many brides are wearing wedding
gowns which were once worn by their
mother or their grandmother.
Some of these older gowns are stained,
damaged or discolored. But these are not
reasons to abandon the gown, says
Margaret Loewen, clothing and textiles
specialist with the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food's rural organiza-
tions and services branch.
Minor problems such as small holes,
tears or stains may not be noticeable to a
full -skirted gown.
If the bodice is damaged, sections can
be replaced with new fabric or with parts
of the original fabric from ruffles, train
etc.'Use lace or ruffles to cover holes.
Lace appliques either new or old can be
used to cover damaged areas or seams
which have been let out.
If the bodice is too small, side pieces or
underarm gussets can be inserted.
You could also cover the entire bodice
with new lace to conceal flaws or let -out
areas.
If the skirt is in good condition but the
bodice and sleeves are badly damaged,
then you may want to create a whole new
dress by adding a new bodice and sleeves
to the original skirt. Parts of the original
bodice and sleeves may be used to trim
the new ones.
If an old gown has yellowed evenly, it
can stillbe worn providing you don't use
new white fabric with it.
Instead, choose ivory lace or try drying
pieces of white fabric with tea to get the
desired off-white shade.
Before cleaning an old dress, seek
some advice from an established dry
cleaner. Cleaning can be costly because
special treatment and pressing are
necessary.
To preserve a dress for a future bride,
have it cleaned but,not pressed, and wrap
it in a clean old cotton sheet and pack in
a box.
Some stores and dry cleaners offer a
special wedding dress service—cleaned,
stuffed with tissue, and packed in a box
for storing.
Investigate this if you plan to keep the
dress in usable condition.
Preserving your wedding dress the proper way might enable your daughter to wear it on her
wedding day as this bride did. (Gary Walden Photography)