Question for Dianne Lewandowski?

Dianne,

I have in my possession a christening gown that my great grandmother
made sometime around 1910. Family legend says she made it from a table
cloth. we figure nearly 67 babies have worn this gown the latest being
DN Liam this August. I have wash the gown and rinsed it thoroughly in
preparation to storing it.

The lace appears to be a machine made Irish lace with a diamond pattern
net. There have been mend areas ( a couple not well done). My question
is should I mend the few areas that remain or leave them? There is a
spot on the bodice and one in the ruffle of the sleeve that I would
consider necessary to do.

a photo of the Gown is here

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...o/100_0128.jpg

I work with wedding gowns daily as a bridal gown alterationist and have
access to the proper threads. I can get you a close up shot of the
repairs to be done later today. Bobbie Viorritto

Hi, Bobby. What an absolutely gorgeous gown. How lucky your family is
to have something so precious to pass on to the generations. I'm envious!

The old adage "A stitch in time saves nine" applies here. If at all
possible, repair the damage before it becomes worse. Due to its age,
threads around the "break" could also be damaged, so it won't be an easy
task.

If you're not in a hurry, you could call the textile department at the
University of Minnesota - one of the few departments of its kind in the
U.S. - and ask how you should proceed. Sounds like you have the
expertise. It's simply knowing how best to go about it that seems to be
the question.

Thanks for asking. Hope I was able to help.
Dianne

Queencityxstitcher wrote:
Dianne,

I have in my possession a christening gown that my great grandmother
made sometime around 1910. Family legend says she made it from a table
cloth. we figure nearly 67 babies have worn this gown the latest being
DN Liam this August. I have wash the gown and rinsed it thoroughly in
preparation to storing it.

The lace appears to be a machine made Irish lace with a diamond pattern
net. There have been mend areas ( a couple not well done). My question
is should I mend the few areas that remain or leave them? There is a
spot on the bodice and one in the ruffle of the sleeve that I would
consider necessary to do.

a photo of the Gown is here

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...o/100_0128.jpg

I work with wedding gowns daily as a bridal gown alterationist and have
access to the proper threads. I can get you a close up shot of the
repairs to be done later today. Bobbie Viorritto



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On Nov 11, 7:46*am, Queencityxstitcher
wrote:
Dianne,

I have in my possession a christening gown that my great grandmother
made sometime around 1910. Family legend says she made it from a table
cloth. we figure nearly 67 babies have worn this gown the latest being
DN Liam this August. I have wash the gown and rinsed it thoroughly in
preparation to storing it.

The lace appears to be a machine made Irish lace with a diamond pattern
net. There have been mend areas ( a couple not well done). My question
is should I mend the few areas that remain or leave them? There is a
spot on the bodice and one in the ruffle of the sleeve that I would
consider necessary to do.

a photo of the Gown is here

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...o/100_0128.jpg

I work with wedding gowns daily as a bridal gown alterationist and have
access to the proper threads. I can get you a close up shot of the
repairs to be done later today. Bobbie Viorritto

Oh, how beautiful.

These people here might be able to give you some guidance.

http://www.stillwaterstudio.org/

They're in Bradford, west of Concord. A friend of mine took something
to them for help. She was happy.

Donna in Virginia

Dianne Lewandowski wrote:
Hi, Bobby. What an absolutely gorgeous gown. How lucky your family is
to have something so precious to pass on to the generations. I'm envious!

The old adage "A stitch in time saves nine" applies here. If at all
possible, repair the damage before it becomes worse. Due to its age,
threads around the "break" could also be damaged, so it won't be an easy
task.

If you're not in a hurry, you could call the textile department at the
University of Minnesota - one of the few departments of its kind in the
U.S. - and ask how you should proceed. Sounds like you have the
expertise. It's simply knowing how best to go about it that seems to be
the question.

Thanks for asking. Hope I was able to help.
Dianne

Donna wrote;
Oh, how beautiful.

These people here might be able to give you some guidance.

http://www.stillwaterstudio.org/

They're in Bradford, west of Concord. A friend of mine took something
to them for help. She was happy.

Donna in Virginia

Thank you Dianne and Donna,

I have made a new hardanger christening gown so that the old gown can be
retired. Babies tend to be baptized later and many are to big to wear
the heirloom. I have saved the site that you mentioned Donna. Can I go
work there!!! that would fill my heart with joy. I wish I had the
credentials though.

Thanks for the leads Bobbie