Thursday, January 19, 2012

Follow a 50-year-old wedding gown through the restoration process

Ever wonder what happens to a wedding dress when it comes to Margaret's? Follow this 50-year-old wedding gown through the entire restoration process.

Before
After





















The yellowing and stains on the shoulders and bodice could be from a number of things: hairspray, perfume, perspiration, and even food that caramelized over time. 


______________________________________________________________________________________________


__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Restoration (Spa Day!)

Now that you've seen the incredible before-and-after photos, take a look at what goes into gown restoration. Every dress is treated differently on a case-by-case basis, but this photo tour will help you understand some of the processes at Margaret's.

You can think of the restoration process as a sort of spa-day for wedding gowns! Our professionals treat gowns with utmost care and use tried-and-true techniques that are decades in the making.

Steps for a gown "Spa Day":







Draw a warm, spa-like bath for the gown, and then add a special cleaning solution.

You won't find soaking tubs like these at any other couture dry cleaner.













Carefully submerge the dress into the warm water.








Relax and soak.

Ahhh...











Remove the dress. Look at that water!











Fill the spa, add a different special solution, and then place the gown back into the tub for more relaxing.









Soak, soak, soak!












Rinse gently to clean away the impurities.











Carefully gather the dress for a gentle spin cycle.






A quick spin!









Our specialty seamstress restitches metal hooks and clasps (the equivalent of a spa massage?).









More pampering...







Looking refreshed and beautiful!









Transformation
Before
After


Tell us: What do you think of this restoration? Do you have a vintage gown you'd love to restore? Or do you hope that one day your daughter or daughter-in-law will wear your wedding dress? Talk to us in the comments section below!

2 comments:

Carey E said...

Absolutely amazing, this gown looks fantastic!

Margaret's Cleaners said...

Thanks, Carey!