Christening Gown HELP!

[The Wavy Framer]

I am about to frame my 43 year old Christening gown. It would be a big help to me if the Grumblers could offer a few suggestions or opinions. I have kept this stored in a (don't :bdh: me) cardboard box and wrapped in tissue for the last two dozen or so years (can't remember how it was stored before that). Other than the yellowing of the lace and satin trim, it has survived nicely, no tears or holes.

First: can any of you offer suggestions on what could lighten the yellowing of the lace? (see pic). Seeing as how this belongs to me, I don't mind a little experimenting.

Secondly: The inner satin dress is missing, and the outer gown is see-thru. Any suggestions about how to mount this would be appreciated. An acid free foamcor or mat board cut out inside the dress is not what I have mind. Maybe an off white satin "stuffing"? I thought about mounting as is, but I don't like seeing the backing fabric through the dress. I will most likely sew down with cotton thread to mount the gown and booties. I have not yet ordered the EZ Attach, but will soon, just not in time for this project.

Thirdly: is there any reason this should not be framed? Obviously the only value is sentimental. There is no chance of any one in my family wanting to use the gown. So, I am wondering what possible damage could be done to the fabric (unknown type). I know light can degrade nylon over time, but what about satin, lace, and (polyester?).

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Sister]

Try the link below to a great product for cleaning linens. We buy and sell old linen napkins, tea towels, pillowcases, etc. and this linen wash is great. Not all yellowing and stains can be removed all the time, but it is the safest and best product we have found.

http://www.linenwash.com/

I would not try to line it or stuff it with anything unless you had a seamstress make a slip for that purpose. As sheer as the dress is, I feel anything else will look like you stuffed it.

The fabric wouldn't bother me if mounted (sewn) onto a complimentary light colored fabric mat rather than a dark which would only emphasize the sheerness. We use suede, silk, and moire for delicate shadowbox designs.

Gorgeous dress!!!

 

[Nancy W]

What a great gown, it will be fabulous. The first thing to tell you is to avoid detergents (Woolite is a detergent).Detergents are petroleum based and they never fully rinse out. Over time the residue yellows and is as permanent as the original residue. Even on your polyester gown it could be an issue.

USE SOAP. Detergent is not soap. Soap is a rinse-able combination of fats and lye that has undergone a chemical change of saponification. That good old Ivory bar soap will be perfect! The best trick that goes along with this advice is harnessing a nifty molecular reaction between soap, chlorophyll and sunshine. After you have washed and rinsed the gown lay it down on a white cotton sheet on a lawn in the sunshine. The chlorophyll via photosynthesis passes through the sheet and garment where it interacts with the soap and removes yellowing. It is more scientific than that, but for you and me, that is the gist. How cool is that! If it doesn't do anything, is also will not hurt anything. That's the beauty. Our pioneer mother's whitening trick.

Avoid bleach, it could change the color of the cotton threats holding the gown together.( sometimes dark blue!)

I would make a thin bodice shape , tracing paper on top of the gown and you can draft your own. One layer of Mountain Mist quilters batten covered with the soft color of you choice. A medium color will show the embroidery design but also feel light and young for the sake of the garment. Your needle and thread will do a lovely job and the stitching will be easier into the slightly padded form.

It will all turn out lovely, even if you frame it in it's slightly yellowed state, choosing the right ground color will make it look ok , heck, use a soft yellow

 

[Rebecca]

Just to clarify the soap vs detergent issue -

Textile conservators use an anionic, neutral pH detergent called WA Paste or liquid, the most commonly found version is Orvus. This is assuming it is safe to wash whatever it is that is being considered for treatment. There are other cleaning agents we use too, but WA Paste is the most easily found by general public. It doesn't have additives like perfume.

Soap, and many other detergents, have too high a pH to use on delicate fabrics, especially protein like silk and wool. Also, soap can bind with metal and minerals in hard water and form an insoluble scum.

Lawn bleaching, or light bleaching is simply a gentle form of oxadative bleaching, but the UV is something to be avoided - a sheet of UV filtering plexiglass raised above the item being bleached would work. One would want to give a final rinse in deionized water after this type of bleaching. Textile and paper conservators use an indoor form of light bleaching with artificial light, and the item in a water bath.

Re the padding, it should be needlepunched polyester (Mountain Mist may well be) and the covering fabric should be washed to remove sizing.

 

[Jill]

Hi,

When you get ready to frame this (I do a lot of these) put a picture of each child that has worn the gown, in the box. It helps to show the family value of it. If You stitch it in place you can easily remove the gown for the next generation to use, then replace it. Our family has turned it into a true family tree of sorts.
For these boxes I strongly recommend museum glass, for its clarity and anti-reflective quality's. There is no need to mention conservation grade everything inside. You will be surprised how many in you family will want to use the gown once they see and remember it.
I would also find the under gown (slip) that goes with it so the true beauty of the fine stitching can show. Remember you are a fussy customer so do your best work, then display it for a while in the shop it will sell shadow boxes till you get sick of doing them LOL

 

[The Wavy Framer]

Thank you Ladies, for your ideas and suggestions!!!

I ordered the Linen Wash yesterday, looks to be a very good product. Then I read Nancy and Rebeccas reply. I am now confused on which to use. I may try all three if I can find the WA paste. The idea of "lawn bleaching" seems crazy, but I will try it, too, with the UV plexi.

Jill, I do plan on using 2 photos in the frame. Unfortunately I am the only one who has ever worn it (or ever will, most likely). The photos are of me with my mom holding me while I was in the gown. The other is the same but with my grandmother.

I am leaning toward having a seamstress make a slip for the gown. I just don't think I can make any "stuffing" look good.

Thanks again!!

 

[moglet]

I am leaning toward having a seamstress make a slip for the gown. I just don't think I can make any "stuffing" look good.

I really hope that you decide to get a replacement satin slip for this beautiful christening gown. (Did a family member make it, by the way?)

Once you have an opaque slip, you could then pad out the gown with a little tapestry wadding to give it a little volume within the frame.

Here's a pic of one of my shop samples: the christening robe is lightly padded. (Apols for the pic quality.)


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