So, I got my dress a little early....I'm getting married August 2009.
I bought it at a sample sale recently, and now I don't know what to do with it! It's in very good condition with some minimal stains on it....
Please help!
Am I supposed to get it cleaned professionally before getting it altered? I'm only supposed to start the alteration process about 5-6 months before the wedding, right?
And then there's the question of how I should be storing this....It's a fairly light V neck A-line silk poult gown with chantilly lace. so it's not so heavy that it's being weighed down on the hanger.....but it's currently on the plastic hanger in the plastic bag they gave me....
From what I've been told, you're not supposed to leave it in the plastic bag (something about the fumes can turn the dress yellow) Take it out and put it in a cloth garment bag and then store it in a cool or room temperature dark closet. You can ask a seamstress if you should have it cleaned right away, she'll know. Hope that helps..
I waited until after alterations to get my sample dress cleaned. It turned out really well because the dress got a little dirtier during the alterations process. If I had cleaned it before, I'd be debating about paying the money to clean it again. But if you don't mind paying twice, it doesn't matter.
Well, if your wedding isn't for over a year, I assume you're not getting alterations for a while, right? So I'd probably get it cleaned soon, in case the stains/dirt set in after a year. You might end up having to get it cleaned twice, but better than having permanent stains ;)
I agree with Peihan - I wouldn't want to store it dirty, in case you make it more difficult to get the stains out. And obviously, if they don't come out, you don't want to be finding that out after you've paid for alterations and too late to get another dress! I would have it cleaned right away. Then you can hang it in a cotton garment bag, or have the cleaners pack it in acid-free tissue for you.
I think costs vary depending on where you are... I'd just call a few places and ask. And I'd still get it cleaned- there might be perspiration or some such that you can't see now, but might yellow later. It shouldn't be that much, especially in comparison to how much it cost!
Dont wait until 8 weeks to begin the alteration process...My seamstress took my dress in too much and it had to be let back out, the hem had to be worked on twice (she tore it when I tried it on once!)...Anything can happen. Get a final fitting a month or so before the wedding date to make sure everything is still good to go, but I recomment starting the alteration process early. The more you can do early, the less you have to stress you out in the last weeks!!
Dont wait until 8 weeks to begin the alteration process...My seamstress took my dress in too much and it had to be let back out, the hem had to be worked on twice (she tore it when I tried it on once!)...Anything can happen. Get a final fitting a month or so before the wedding date to make sure everything is still good to go, but I recomment starting the alteration process early. The more you can do early, the less you have to stress you out in the last weeks!!
So, I got my dress a little early....I'm getting married August 2009.
I bought it at a sample sale recently, and now I don't know what to do with it! It's in very good condition with some minimal stains on it....
Please help!
Am I supposed to get it cleaned professionally before getting it altered? I'm only supposed to start the alteration process about 5-6 months before the wedding, right?
And then there's the question of how I should be storing this....It's a fairly light V neck A-line silk poult gown with chantilly lace. so it's not so heavy that it's being weighed down on the hanger.....but it's currently on the plastic hanger in the plastic bag they gave me....
Your help is appreciated (in advance)
- clueless bride
posted by l3r0wnEyedGurL Worker bee: 120 posts 8 months agoFrom what I've been told, you're not supposed to leave it in the plastic bag (something about the fumes can turn the dress yellow) Take it out and put it in a cloth garment bag and then store it in a cool or room temperature dark closet. You can ask a seamstress if you should have it cleaned right away, she'll know. Hope that helps..
posted by StephSept2808 Newbee: 17 posts 8 months agoI waited until after alterations to get my sample dress cleaned. It turned out really well because the dress got a little dirtier during the alterations process. If I had cleaned it before, I'd be debating about paying the money to clean it again. But if you don't mind paying twice, it doesn't matter.
posted by katch11 Newbee: 15 posts 8 months agoI don't know anything about storage beyond cool, dry place (my bridal salon is storing mine) but alterations aren't until about 8 weeks before!
posted by Janna19 Helper bee: 428 posts 8 months agoWell, if your wedding isn't for over a year, I assume you're not getting alterations for a while, right? So I'd probably get it cleaned soon, in case the stains/dirt set in after a year. You might end up having to get it cleaned twice, but better than having permanent stains ;)
posted by peihan17 Helper bee: 259 posts 8 months agoI agree with Peihan - I wouldn't want to store it dirty, in case you make it more difficult to get the stains out. And obviously, if they don't come out, you don't want to be finding that out after you've paid for alterations and too late to get another dress! I would have it cleaned right away. Then you can hang it in a cotton garment bag, or have the cleaners pack it in acid-free tissue for you.
posted by suzanno Bumble bee: 2,425 posts 8 months agoThe good thing about the dirty parts....
It's slightly dirty on the very bottom....but I'm so short that this will all be hemmed.
And a slight makup stain that's fairly light and i couldn't really notice it.
Do you all know about how much the cleaning can cost?
posted by l3r0wnEyedGurL Worker bee: 120 posts 8 months agooh, and thank you for the advice
posted by l3r0wnEyedGurL Worker bee: 120 posts 8 months agoI think costs vary depending on where you are... I'd just call a few places and ask. And I'd still get it cleaned- there might be perspiration or some such that you can't see now, but might yellow later. It shouldn't be that much, especially in comparison to how much it cost!
posted by peihan17 Helper bee: 259 posts 8 months agoDont wait until 8 weeks to begin the alteration process...My seamstress took my dress in too much and it had to be let back out, the hem had to be worked on twice (she tore it when I tried it on once!)...Anything can happen. Get a final fitting a month or so before the wedding date to make sure everything is still good to go, but I recomment starting the alteration process early. The more you can do early, the less you have to stress you out in the last weeks!!
posted by TwoLovelyBerries17 Newbee: 9 posts 8 months agoDont wait until 8 weeks to begin the alteration process...My seamstress took my dress in too much and it had to be let back out, the hem had to be worked on twice (she tore it when I tried it on once!)...Anything can happen. Get a final fitting a month or so before the wedding date to make sure everything is still good to go, but I recomment starting the alteration process early. The more you can do early, the less you have to stress you out in the last weeks!!
posted by TwoLovelyBerries17 Newbee: 9 posts 8 months ago