Betty

Hey vintage fashion fans! 🌟

Today, I’m thrilled to share the transformation of a truly exquisite 1960s lace wedding dress—one that immediately felt like a “Betty” to me. With its delicate sleeves, a sweet little bow on the back, and a charming short train that cascades in tiers to the floor, this dress is a vintage dream come true.

The Task at Hand: A Dress with History

This stunning dress was handed to me for a much-needed revival. Given its timeless beauty, remaking it wasn’t an option; instead, I focused on cleaning and repairing it. After nearly 60 years in storage, the dress was in remarkably good shape. It had some yellowing on the ivory lace and a few tears, especially in the muslin lining and the zip. Despite these issues, the overall condition was impressive!

Cleaning and Repairing a Vintage Lace Dress: My Process

1. Initial Assessment: The first step was to evaluate the damage. The dress was made entirely of polyester, which, despite its age, seemed quite resilient. It wasn’t particularly delicate, which was a relief. I soaked the dress for an hour or two in a non-bio stain remover to tackle the yellowing and grime.

2. Washing Procedure: To protect the delicate lace and avoid any potential damage, I placed the dress inside a cotton duvet cover and secured it with a knot. My washing machine, which handles up to a 9kg load, was perfect for this job. I set the machine to a delicate wash at 20 degrees Celsius with a low spin speed of 400rpm. It felt like a bit of a gamble, but I was confident the dress could handle a gentle cycle.

3. Drying: Once the wash cycle was complete, I hung the dress on the washing line to drip dry. It took a few hours, but it was worth the wait.

4. Repair Work: The next step was mending. I used Gutermann thread or Coats Moon thread in a matching color for the repairs. My hand sewing skills have improved significantly over the years, so I felt confident tackling the dress by hand. While using a sewing machine might have been quicker, handling a bulky dress can be tricky, and I wanted to ensure the repairs were as precise as possible.

5. Muslin Petticoat Repair: One significant repair was the large tear in the muslin petticoat. Although I could have cut it off and hemmed it, I chose to preserve the original design. I used a wide zigzag stitch on my sewing machine to mend the tear, ensuring the repair was sturdy but discreet.

The Final Result

I’m absolutely thrilled with how this dress turned out. It retains all of its vintage charm and looks as beautiful as ever. Seeing a piece of history come back to life and preserve its unique elegance is incredibly rewarding.

Thanks for joining me on this vintage revival journey! If you have any old treasures in need of a little TLC, remember that with some care and patience, you can bring them back to their former glory.

Stay tuned for more vintage adventures and tips!

Happy revamping! ✨👗