Restoration Project

The restoration of this 1947 dress was another labour of love.  It was made of blush pink bridal satin and decorated with beading and embroidery.

The embroidery featured three different types of threads.  The most unusual thread was a blush pink plastic ribbon.  The second thread was a brass coloured knitted tube.  The third was metallic.  It had corroded and damaged the thread securing the beads.  Holding the dress vertical created a pitter patter of beads dropping to the floor.  Needless to say, many beads were missing.  In addition, the beading and embroidery were applied after construction of the dress.

The dress was 16 cm (6 1/4 inches) too large around the waist.  Since beading and embroidery were stitched across the seams, the dress could not be opened and re-sized.  I chose to open and remove enough of the back bodice to reduce bulk.  The side panels were pulled toward center back and stitched down.  This created a deep tuck at the back skirt.  Small satin buttons were added as detail.

None of the original beads or embroidery could be matched.  Any beads that fell off were kept.  Complementary contemporary beads were purchased.  Beads and embroidery threads from the removed back panels were kept.  All were stitched back on to restore the original decoration.  The contemporary beads were distributed over the whole dress so as to appear original.  Every single bead on the dress was restitched.

I think the final result was very glamourous!

(Originally published in 2011)