Antique Wedding Dress
M. Suzanne Bradshaw
Hi folks,
I am new to the group and have my first question. We are having an
outdoor June wedding. I really wanted a simple, full length cotton, linen
or silk dress but found after weeks of looking, such a beast does not
exist in todays bridal market. (Alas, I mourn the passing of Laura
Ashleys wedding line since they most closely fit my mental picture.) I
interviewed a seamstress to make me one, but was very worried about the
final outcome. But I got lucky, I went to a vintage wedding gown shop
and found a turn of the century linen dress with hand embroidery on the
skirt and bodice and handmade lace around the neckline and sleeves. It is an
amazing find. Though many of the modern gowns actually looked
good/flattering on me, I could not see myself getting married in them.
When I tried this dress on it was a completely different feeling. It was
more than I initally planned to spend, but my fiancee helped convince me
it was worth it. ( Besides the owner of the shop has already offered me
at least 1/2 of what I paid if I will sell it back to her when I am done.)
So here's my problem. The gown is a bit yellowed with age and has a few
minor stains on it. The biggest problem is that the previous owner washed
the dress in water and let it drip dry leaving rings of water marks.
I took it to a Bridal gown restoration specilist who
says she can restore the color and remove the stains for a shocking $325.
Am I being ripped off? Does anyone have any experience with restorers? I
am terrified that I will not like the outcome or that they will ruin the
gown. How can I protect myself/my dress? What should I be looking out for?
Maybe my first mistake was having bought this dress which needs work done
on it, but it really feels right for me.
Thanks for listening. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
-Suzanne and Bob (who also loves the dress)
6/21/97
louis_a...@studio.disney.com
In the LA area I've gotten quotes around $200 just to clean my dress
after the reception, so for saving a dress that might not be a bad
price. (for LA). If it's the dress you want, go for it.
Jean Healy
In article <Pine.SOL.3.91.960726175724.29752B-100000@minerva>, "M. Suzanne
Bradshaw" <brad...@pantheon.yale.edu> wrote:
> final outcome. But I got lucky, I went to a vintage wedding gown shop
> and found a turn of the century linen dress with hand embroidery on the
>
> So here's my problem. The gown is a bit yellowed with age and has a few
> minor stains on it. The biggest problem is that the previous owner washed
> the dress in water and let it drip dry leaving rings of water marks.
> I took it to a Bridal gown restoration specilist who
> says she can restore the color and remove the stains for a shocking $325.
> Am I being ripped off? Does anyone have any experience with restorers? I
Suzanne,
Congratulations on finding The Dress ... it sounds beautiful and very,
very special!
Re. the cost: $325 _does_ sound high to me. I was also married in an
antique dress (my grandmother's, from 1945), which had been sitting in a
garbage bag in my uncle's attic for years, stained and yellowed. I had it
cleaned -- and it came out beautifully -- by a local dry cleaner for about
$95. What I did was called around to a few dry cleaners, explained the
situation (very old dress with sentimental value, wanted someone who would
treat it with the care it deserved, etc.), and asked what they could do/
suggest. The manager at one place was _very_ thorough, and explained step
by step what she could do with the dress, and had me come back midway
through the cleaning process to look at it/ see if I was satisfied ... in
short, I was completely comfortable leaving the dress in her hands. Given
that "bridal" or "wedding" specialists, packages, etc. almost always means
"more expensive," you might check with some of the dry cleaners in your
area and see what they say. (Of course, don't leave it with anyone unless
you're POSITIVE they'll respect your wishes/ treat it carefully.)
You post from a Yale address, which makes me think you have some
connection to the university. If so, you might check (if they have a
museum, an art history department, or a textiles department) and see if
someone there -- or in the costume collection of a local museum -- can
suggest cleaners who work with antique garments.
The only other thing I'd suggest is that while you'll obviously want the
stains removed from the gown, you might consider whether you really want
the color restored ... or if you can live with it being an antique, ivory
color. I don't know how much color restoration (whatever that is) adds to
the cost, or how important a white dress is to you, but it's a thought.
-Jean