Q & A Forum Topics
WEDDING GOWNS
Back to topic listYour wedding gown is one of your most precious possessions. It is a symbol of an important event in your life and, as such, should be treated with special care. Whether you are borrowing it from a relative or buying it new, your gown deserves your attention, both before the wedding and afterward.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Posted by: Anonymous
CHOOSING A WEDDING DRESS
Wedding consultants agree that if you are buying a new dress for the big day, you should begin shopping at least six months before your wedding date. This will give you ample time to find the style, fabric, and accessories that suit you. It also will allow time for the manufacturing and shipping of a dress that is special-ordered. Today’s bridal gowns are made from satin, taffeta, chiffon, organza, brocade, and lace and are accented with delicate trims, such as beads, seed peals, sequins, embroidery, lace, and appliqué.
When shopping for your dress, ask the salesperson whether both the dress and trim are dry cleanable. If possible, get the information in writing. Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners often finds that trim that is glued on rather than sewn on sometimes does not stand up to the dry cleaning process. Other trims, such as beads and pearls, dissolve when cleaned with solvent. You want to make sure that your entire dress is dry cleanable so that you can preserve your investment for many years.
If you are wearing an heirloom gown, allow plenty of time for professional cleaning as well as any alterations that may be necessary. Because many fabrics naturally yellow with age, you should check the gown carefully for any discolourations. Often, yellowing can be overcome if the gown can be carefully wetcleaned.
Wedding consultants agree that if you are buying a new dress for the big day, you should begin shopping at least six months before your wedding date. This will give you ample time to find the style, fabric, and accessories that suit you. It also will allow time for the manufacturing and shipping of a dress that is special-ordered. Today’s bridal gowns are made from satin, taffeta, chiffon, organza, brocade, and lace and are accented with delicate trims, such as beads, seed peals, sequins, embroidery, lace, and appliqué.
When shopping for your dress, ask the salesperson whether both the dress and trim are dry cleanable. If possible, get the information in writing. Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners often finds that trim that is glued on rather than sewn on sometimes does not stand up to the dry cleaning process. Other trims, such as beads and pearls, dissolve when cleaned with solvent. You want to make sure that your entire dress is dry cleanable so that you can preserve your investment for many years.
If you are wearing an heirloom gown, allow plenty of time for professional cleaning as well as any alterations that may be necessary. Because many fabrics naturally yellow with age, you should check the gown carefully for any discolourations. Often, yellowing can be overcome if the gown can be carefully wetcleaned.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
AFTER THE WEDDING…
Most brides want to preserve their dress as a keepsake, perhaps for their own daughter to wear on her wedding day. Cleaning industry experts recommend that you have the dress cleaned by an expert before storage. The dress may have invisible stains from food, beverages, and body oil. If these stains are not
properly cleaned, they may become permanent. Therefore, it is important to point out any stains or spills to your cleaner before cleaning.
Most wedding gowns have some sort of decorative trim. Again, it is important to inspect these trims with your cleaner prior to cleaning since many trims are not made to withstand the dry cleaning process. For example, many beads, glitter, sequins, and laces are attached to gowns with adhesives that dissolve during dry cleaning. Some beads and glitter are made of plastics or covered with surface coatings that are not solvent resistant. In many of these cases, the trim becomes separated from the dress or altered in some way.
In some cases, decorative trims yellow as their finishes oxidize. An ivory or ecru trim may lose its colour and no longer match the gown if a dye component is lost in cleaning. Colour failures of this type are due to poor colourfastness of the dye, not to improper cleaning.
Most brides want to preserve their dress as a keepsake, perhaps for their own daughter to wear on her wedding day. Cleaning industry experts recommend that you have the dress cleaned by an expert before storage. The dress may have invisible stains from food, beverages, and body oil. If these stains are not
properly cleaned, they may become permanent. Therefore, it is important to point out any stains or spills to your cleaner before cleaning.
Most wedding gowns have some sort of decorative trim. Again, it is important to inspect these trims with your cleaner prior to cleaning since many trims are not made to withstand the dry cleaning process. For example, many beads, glitter, sequins, and laces are attached to gowns with adhesives that dissolve during dry cleaning. Some beads and glitter are made of plastics or covered with surface coatings that are not solvent resistant. In many of these cases, the trim becomes separated from the dress or altered in some way.
In some cases, decorative trims yellow as their finishes oxidize. An ivory or ecru trim may lose its colour and no longer match the gown if a dye component is lost in cleaning. Colour failures of this type are due to poor colourfastness of the dye, not to improper cleaning.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
SPECIAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Wedding gowns must have a care label that provides a viable care method. The care label covers all component parts of the gown, including all decorative trim. Gowns that fail to withstand the care procedure on the label should be returned to the retailer for an adjustment. Look at the care label before purchasing your gown to make sure you understand the recommended cleaning instructions. With proper care, your wedding gown will remain a keepsake.
Wedding gowns must have a care label that provides a viable care method. The care label covers all component parts of the gown, including all decorative trim. Gowns that fail to withstand the care procedure on the label should be returned to the retailer for an adjustment. Look at the care label before purchasing your gown to make sure you understand the recommended cleaning instructions. With proper care, your wedding gown will remain a keepsake.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
STORING YOUR GOWN
Unfortunately, no process or storage method can guarantee against yellowing or possible deterioration of fabrics. There are, however, several steps you can take to protect your garment:
· Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners will pack the gown in a special storage box that will help prevent contamination.
· Store your gown in a cool, dry place. Do not store it in a basement or attic. Basement dampness could cause mildew; attic heat could promote yellowing of the fabric.
· If you are storing a long gown on a hanger, sew straps to the waistline of the dress to relieve pressure on the shoulders from the weight of the skirt. Wrap the dress in a protective white sheet or muslin covering.
· Whether the gown is hung or boxed, the bodice should be stuffed with white tissue paper to prevent wrinkles. Fabric-covered buttons, pins, sponge padding, and perspiration shields should be removed and stored separately to avoid damage to the fabric.
· Never store headpieces, veils, shoes, or other accessories with your gown.
· Inspect your gown from time to time during storage. Stains not initially apparent could appear later, and should be tended to immediately.
· Preserving the quality of your wedding gown may be the finest gift you can give yourself and a loved one.
Unfortunately, no process or storage method can guarantee against yellowing or possible deterioration of fabrics. There are, however, several steps you can take to protect your garment:
· Dollar Wise Quality Cleaners will pack the gown in a special storage box that will help prevent contamination.
· Store your gown in a cool, dry place. Do not store it in a basement or attic. Basement dampness could cause mildew; attic heat could promote yellowing of the fabric.
· If you are storing a long gown on a hanger, sew straps to the waistline of the dress to relieve pressure on the shoulders from the weight of the skirt. Wrap the dress in a protective white sheet or muslin covering.
· Whether the gown is hung or boxed, the bodice should be stuffed with white tissue paper to prevent wrinkles. Fabric-covered buttons, pins, sponge padding, and perspiration shields should be removed and stored separately to avoid damage to the fabric.
· Never store headpieces, veils, shoes, or other accessories with your gown.
· Inspect your gown from time to time during storage. Stains not initially apparent could appear later, and should be tended to immediately.
· Preserving the quality of your wedding gown may be the finest gift you can give yourself and a loved one.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
