My mom still has her wedding dress, it's in a K-Mart bag in
her attic.
Sitting around the table at the last family gathering, so
many conversations going on at once, this one line from one conversation stands
out, from Carrie.
I don't know why that came up, but it seems like it got quiet right then and everyone heard it. And everyone looked at me.
Me: Yes, that's true.
Carrie (to the girls): Y'all should go try it on.
Keith (looking at each one around the table): I don't think
it would fit anyone here, except for maybe Daniel.
All: Why? What size is it?
Me: I don't know the actual size, I weighed about 100 pounds
soaking wet…
All the girls: Oh well, not me…
Daniel: What are y'all talking about? Why do you want me to
try on a wedding dress?
LOL the things you hear at family gatherings, but that got
me thinking and since I am in the cleaning out mode this week, got out the K-Mart
bag and checked out the dress. It is actually in very good condition. The color
is not - It started out as ivory, now a little darker.
This is the dress now, just out of the bag. I tried to find a good picture from 43 years ago but 99% of the wedding photos
had the bouquet right front and center. This is how I would describe it - color ivory, high-waisted,
sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves, bodice was satin covered in lace, skirt was satin
covered in ? chiffon maybe. But the official description in the 'society section' of the Blue Ridge Newspaper went like this:
That beautiful description was no doubt written by my sweet
wedding coordinator (aka the local florist) who did a wonderful job, thanks Sue
Beaver. If I had known there would be such a fancy description maybe I would
have been more nervous when sewing it - actually it was just a little homemade
number whipped up in my spare time. Speaking of whipping, I learned to roll
& whip the entire length and width edge of that train, whew!
Google tells me how to DIY clean your vintage wedding dress.
Actually there were quite a few articles about this, then I saw why - it seems
the vintage look is in for brides, either they are wearing old dresses or the
dresses are being repurposed for use by the descendents of the original wearer into
things like ring bearer pillows, flower girl dress, or christening gowns.
So what do you think? Just dunk it into the bathtub
like Google says?
Anyone need something old? something borrowed?
I will save the K-Mart bag just in case, it was apparently a very efficient way to preserve something.
