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 It's
not easily visible when you view the photo (at left), but this 30 year old wedding
gown had stains on the skirt before we cleaned and keepsaked the dress.
Wedding gowns should always be cleaned as soon as possible after they
are worn to remove soil from car doors, dirt and mud, food, drink,
makeup, and other “stains” that have come in contact with the dress.
 This dress sustained some damage in
the cleaning process due to age and the condition of the fabric prior to
cleaning. A wedding dress that is cleaned as soon as possible after the
wedding should survive the cleaning process in good shape.
 Looking good! The cleaned dress prior
to keepsaking. Note that the bride (or maybe the groom!) stepped on the
hem of the dress at some point on the wedding day.
 The
bodice of the dress has a form inserted to help the dress retain its
shape. Acid free tissue paper is used to help prevent wrinkles and add
further support to delicate fabric.
The photo at right shows the bust
form being assembled.
 Wedding dresses (and other garments
such as baptismal gowns) that are keepsaked are placed in specially
designed boxes that are sealed to prevent contamination.
The photo at left illustrates the
sealing of the keepsake box seams.
 In
the photo at right, the box is being lined with acid free tissue in
preparation for the dress.
The keepsake box ready to receive
the dress. Wedding dresses can be placed in either a standard keepsake
box or a deep pack box, used for dresses with long trains.
 Baptismal
gowns and smaller items such as baby or toddler clothes can be placed
in a smaller sized box.
 The
dress is placed on a hanger which is hung from a hook in the ceiling.
The skirt of the dress is lowered into the box first and smoothed out
(right)
 Acid
free tissue paper is placed over the skirt before the remainder of the
dress is lowered into the box.
 Care
is taken as the dress is placed in the keepsake box to keep the fabric
as smooth as possible (left.) Layering acid free tissue paper
over the dress as it is gently folded helps to preserve the fabric and
keep wrinkles to a minimum.
 The
photo at the right shows the placement of acid-free tissue paper over
the skirt of the dress.
 Once
the skirt of the dress is in the keepsake box, the bust form is
inserted into the bodice of the dress (left.) The bust form
helps to prevent stretching and distortion of the shape of the dress.
Typically, this part of a wedding dress will have the most decorative
trim on it. The bust form also helps to prevent beads and other trim
from being damaged during storage.
 Note
how the dress appears with the bust form inserted (right.) Acid free
tissue paper is placed around the dress to hold it in place and
sleeves are stuffed with the tissue paper to help them retain their
shape.
 At
this point in the keepsaking process, we can add your wedding
invitation, head-pieces, silk flowers or other items to the keepsake
box. Whether or not to do this will depend upon the colors of these
items, as dye transfer could occur in the storage process. We
will work with you on the best method to preserve your wedding
memories.
 A
lid with an insert for viewing of the dress then is closed over the
dress and sealed with tape. Sealing the dress in the box prevents
contamination.
 Another
view of the sealing of the box (right.) The keepsake boxes have
an attached lid.
A close up of the completed
keepsake (below left.)
 Your
wedding dress is a symbol of one of the most important events in your
life. Preserve its original beauty by taking good care of it before,
during and after the wedding. Liberty Cleaners recommends you pay
special attention to the care label on dresses as you are shopping. Be
sure to check the cleaning instructions for the trim on the dress.
Trim that is glued on, rather than sewn, can come off during cleaning.
Some beads and pearls can dissolve in cleaning.
Liberty can also clean heirloom
gowns. Fabric that is old and/or yellowed takes extra time due to its
delicate nature. Please allow plenty of time to have your dress
cleaned prior to your wedding day.
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