Restoration

When the term restoration is used for Wedding Gowns this usually refers to removing yellowing or browning of material. It can also mean replacing trims and lace or through alterations repairing damaged areas. Whitening of discolored or yellowed gowns can usually be accomplished with our special procedures. Extra caution is taken with antique fabrics as they tend to become delicate from the aging process. When dark brown spots are visible there is likely damage already caused to the material and it is often not known how well a garment will restore until it is actually tried. The areas with dark spots could become holes in the process. Although there are no guarantees, through our experience we can usually give our customers a good idea of what to expect. One thing to consider when restoring a gown is that there are many shades of white. The gentle restoration processes we use will usually bring a garment back to its original color. We can test a small area for a customer before beginning to give them an idea of what the material will look like. It is important to do the restoration before selecting matching pieces such as a veil or shoes. If alterations need to be performed they should be done after restoration in case extra material needs to be added such as lace or entire panels. They may match when sewn together but can become very different after restoration. There are many wonderful fabrics used in vintage gowns. The fact of using a family members or friend’s gown can make a brides wedding even more special.