machine-made lace and cotton, metal snap fasteners

Our client brought in an Edwardian wedding dress that had been originally worn in 1907 by an ancestor, and intended to be worn again for a wedding in the present day. The long sleeve dress consisted of a lace overlaid over a cotton dress, with the lace centred on the bodice and shoulders. Although it was in fairly good condition, it had been stored for many years and was showing some signs of age such as yellowing and a number of small stains. Small areas of lace were missing with losses at areas where the garment had been stressed from use. Treatment methods needed to be best practice, as well as practical to withstand normal use. To prepare the garment for use:

• washed the garment using a pH adjusted and surfactant aqueous solution

• stabilised losses in lace by sewing onto a tulle backing, especially in areas at seams stressed by use

• visually reduced stains with cleaning gels

• stabilised and repaired holes in cotton