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Trash To Treasure

Grandmothers wedding dress

19 years ago

Hello everyone;

I have been trying to think of a neat way to display my Grandmothers wedding dress. My heart was set on an old dressmakers form, but I haven't seen a single one! What else can I do so I can enjoy my treasure??? :-)

Comments (10)

User
19 years ago
I typed in "keyword" mannequin on ebay and you can buy these relatively cheaply. They even have a "hanging one" for under 10 dollars.
User
19 years ago
By the way....the old dressmaker's forms are also listed...a little pricey though!!!
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What to do? Mother's wedding dress (pic heavy)
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Comments (28)
DLM, I think that you will never be sorry to have kept them. To keep them from being seen as "clutter" after you're gone, get them them properly packed and stored and then pick the right person to have custody of them for the next generation. It may be one of your DIL, or if you have nieces or nephews, perhaps one of them. I'd choose someone who appreciates family stories, and who would be a good - and generous with access -custodian of shared family history. In my DH's family when I got engaged there was a small family gathering,(mostly female) and the wedding dresses and some other family wedding memorabilia were sort of the organizing theme for the party. It was a great way to meet my some of my in-laws-to-be and feel included in my new family's story, Since my engagement diamond was re-set from an family piece, everyone wanted to see it in my new ring. It was a lovely tradition and I plan to do it when my nephew finally settles on a bride - even if it seems a bit old fashioned. What else is an elderly aunt for? Many times I hear people express a bit of envy that in my family and in my DH's we have so many "heirlooms" from generations gone by. Some things have by sheer old age have now become valuable, but most still have only modest monetary value. But they all tell the stories of the family - sometimes in modest circustances and sometimes not. Each succeeding generation chose to take care of these items and pass them on,probably always at some cost of in terms of time, trouble, or even perhaps the forgone value of selling them. This speaks volumes about the values cherished and passed down in our families. And that alone is worth the effort preserving these things as totems of the clan. Anyone can start one's own chain of family hierlooms, today. It has to start somewhere. L.
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Sneak peek at the wedding dress....
Q
Comments (67)
Thanks everyone, I don't think I dare show this to Ashley, she's going to get a big head! Cathy, don't worry about it. I know that everyone has their own way of doing things and I know you aren't malicious at all. At least I don't have to deal with a florist, a caterer, flights, accomodations or foreign languages! Ashley did hire a photographer, but that's her problem. Social event? ROFL. We don't have "social events" here, and I've never heard anyone refer to any local wedding as a social event. It will be a heck of a good party, though, so if you want to come to Michigan, come on up, I'll have a cranberry juice and limoncello ready for you. You'll be safe, every cop and fire fighter in the county will be here! Annie
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And then the bride tossed the bouquet....
Q
Comments (26)
My folks just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Mom had her wedding dress and the little satin Juliette cap she'd made; AND my aunt still had her bridesmaid dress. Mom hung them both up at the reception. It made me think about whether I should keep my own dress, and headband, etc. I think I will. Thank goodness it's not that large--just a tea-length party dress, really, only in white silk dupione. Mom also has my grandmother's wedding dress; it was sort of nice to see it 15 years ago, when I was planning my own wedding. I used the sash from it to tie my bouquet (and now I can't remember where it went!! I'm hoping it's in the closet with the wedding dress itself). I have some extra fabric from my wedding dress (we made it, and I bought plenty in case I changed my mind and wanted it floor length), and I think I'll keep that. I used some of it to make a baptism gown, and I might want to make another so each of my kids can have one to hand down.
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Anyone display vintage/heirloom clothing?
Q
Comments (23)
Lafonda, about how to attach the denim to the foam board is this the same thing as foam core board - foam on the inside, poster board on the outside? If so, here's what I would do: Cut the denim about 4" bigger than the board on all sides. Lay the denim face down on the table and center the foam board on top of it. Start at the center point on the edge of the board and fold the denim over to the back. Use a straight pin to pin through the denim and into the edge of the foam board. Pull the opposite side taut and pin. Pin the other two sides. Then working back and forth, from side to side keep stretch and adding pins. Miter fold the corners. When this looks good use fabric/craft glue to glue the fabric to the back of the board. If it were me I would probably leave the pins in place just in case the glue didn't hold. This may be way more information than you wanted. My only concern is that the denim color in the fabric might transfer to the baby clothes over time. Maybe washing it first would help. Also I doubt foam core board is archival. This could be a problem over time. Hopefully Igloochic will read this and give some advice.
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nonacook
19 years ago
Have a frame made and put it under glass--hang it on the wall!
hallngarden
19 years ago
Entwife, I have two wedding gowns on my wall in the family room. I have each of my grandmothers and have them on a padded hanger and placed the veil above the neckline and let it fall over the top of the dresses. I do have one extra, I have both of the wedding pictures for each beside the dresses. For years, I had them protected in a box for safe keeping and one day just decided to get them out for display. Both have been on display for over 5 years and I get them down and run through the cold cycle on my dryer ever so often. Noticed no damage to them, and I sure enjoy having them out. Both of them date back to about 1910. Just enjoy them whatever way you feel comfortable.
Hallngarden
JoJo_Ohio
19 years ago
My wedding dress 28 years ago was a long cotton dress that had lace at the neckline and a lot of detail at the cuffs. I hung it on a padded hanger and placed it on the door of a spare bedroom that is decorated in victorian. Over the years it has faded and yellowed. It really does look antique now.
joelke
19 years ago
On a craft forum, a lady needed a dressmakers form and just made one. She put on an old tight fitting tee shirt and had a friend put duct tape all over it while it was on her. Then they cut it up the back so she could get it off. She then stuffed it with fiberfill packed as tightly as she could. She then made a muslin cover to cover up the tape. It would be light weight and could be hung or stick a post on a base up the middle to stand. Ever since I read that on the forum, I have been planning to try it. Good luck. You have a wonderful keepsake. Joyce
GrassIsEvil
19 years ago
I'm wondering. If you took the duct tape base and covered it with papier mache? You would have a lightweight shell and wouldn't have to fight with the stuffing.

Ray
babblingbetty
19 years ago
What a wonderful treasure! The idea to "make your own" sounds easy, BUT....in my case...who wants all those humps and bumps in another wedding gown...much less hanging on the wall!
avyona
18 years ago
Why not have the dress made into a quilt? I perform this service professionally for a price ranging from 100-250 depending on the dress and whats involved. I have outlined the detials and answered commonly asked questions at my ebay auction. The link is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wedding Dress Quilt
honey_pott
18 years ago
avyona,
No advertising is allowed in any of the forums. this is one of gardenweb's rules. In case you didn't know, this is a forum for some very talented people to share there projects and ideas with the not so talented (like myself). Your quilts are very pretty, however, this is not the place to solicite sales.
Lesley

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