Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often only worn once, but they needn't be consigned to the back of the wardrobe. There are many ways to refashion a wedding dress, from upcycling it into a new garment to turning it into a work of art or a keepsake. This could be a sentimental reminder of your wedding day, or it could be a way to make some money back after the big day. Either way, it's a great way to cut down on waste and give your dress a new lease of life.
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What You'll Learn
Dye and chop to make a cocktail dress
Dyeing and chopping your wedding dress is a great way to transform it into a cocktail dress that you can wear again. This process can be done at home, but it is time-consuming and requires careful planning and preparation.
First, determine the type of fabric your dress is made of. Natural fibres like silk, cotton, linen, rayon, and wool take dye the best. Synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic may not take the dye at all, and even with dyes made for synthetics, you may not achieve the desired result. If your dress has elements made of different fibres, it may not take the dye evenly, but this could create a beautiful effect.
Next, choose the colour you want to dye your dress. If your dress isn't white, you may want to use a colour remover first. The exact amount of dye you need depends on the colour you choose and how saturated you want it to be. For a deep, dark colour, you'll need more dye than if you're just adding a wash of colour.
Before dyeing your dress, test out your chosen dye on a scrap of fabric. This will help you understand how well your dress fabric will take the dye and avoid any unpleasant surprises. Once you're happy with the colour, add your wet dress to the dye bath and stir slowly and continuously for about ten minutes to avoid splotching. Leave the dress in the dye bath for the amount of time recommended for your fabric, up to a maximum of about an hour.
After dyeing your dress, you can chop it to transform it into a cocktail dress. Depending on the style of your dress, you may need to have boning or elastic removed to create a more comfortable garment. You may also want to have it hemmed to a shorter length, such as tea length or sundress length, to make it more suitable for a cocktail setting.
By following these steps and enlisting the help of a skilled seamstress, you can successfully transform your wedding dress into a unique and versatile cocktail dress.
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Transform into a christening gown
Transforming a wedding dress into a christening gown is a great way to preserve your dress and create a family heirloom. You can either do this yourself or use a service to transform your dress.
If you're a crafty person, you can deconstruct the wedding dress and use the fabric to create a new christening gown. You can find patterns and instructions online, and you can even add embellishments from the wedding dress to the new gown. It's important to use small pins when working with delicate fabric, and to avoid sewing over pins when stitching gathered elements. You can also create a vision board on Pinterest to help you decide on a design.
If you'd rather not take on the project yourself, there are companies that can transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for you. These companies often offer custom designs and can work with you to create a one-of-a-kind heirloom. The process typically takes around 10-15 weeks, so it's important to plan ahead. You can also choose to have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved before sending it in for transformation.
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Frame and display as art
Framing and displaying your wedding dress as art is a great way to preserve and commemorate your special day. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through the process:
Cleaning and Preservation:
Before framing your wedding dress, it is essential to have it professionally cleaned and preserved. This step ensures that any stains, smudges, or dirt from the wedding festivities are removed, keeping your dress in pristine condition. Professional preservation services can package and store your dress safely, or you can opt for dry cleaning and acid-free storage boxes.
Choosing a Framing Method:
There are two popular options for framing your wedding dress: bespoke framing shops and DIY framing. Bespoke framing shops offer a traditional, full-length shadow box framing service, but this option can be significantly more expensive, often costing thousands of dollars. A cost-saving alternative is to opt for a smaller frame size, displaying only half of the dress.
If you prefer a DIY approach or want to keep the costs down, you can create your own full-length shadow box frame. This involves ordering a custom-made box and hanging your dress inside. Artist Russell Collins, based in Milton Keynes, provides DIY framing materials and guidance.
Display Location and Environment:
When choosing a display location for your framed wedding dress, opt for an area in your home that doesn't receive direct sunlight. A cool, dry, and shaded environment will help maintain the dress's colour and structure over time. Ensure that you have a large enough wall space to accommodate the frame and that it is securely fixed to the wall.
Accessories and Customisation:
Consider framing additional accessories along with your dress to enhance the display and capture the essence of your wedding day look. This could include items such as your veil, tiara, earrings, shoes, or jewellery. You can also explore customisation options, such as adding a backdrop or folding the skirt behind the bodice to create a unique display.
Professional Framing Services:
If you prefer to have your dress professionally framed, companies like The Beautiful Frame Company, Outrageous Framing, and Framemyfrock.com offer specialised services. These companies can guide you through the process, from choosing the right frame to preserving your dress from air pollutants and UV lighting. They will work closely with you to decide on the type, size, and depth of the frame and create a mock-up of the final product.
Framing your wedding dress allows you to transform it into a stunning piece of art and a cherished keepsake. Whether you choose professional framing or a DIY approach, carefully consider the display location and take the necessary steps to preserve your dress for years to come.
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Make a clutch purse
If you're looking to refashion a wedding dress into a clutch purse, there are a few options available to you. You can make the clutch purse yourself, or you can commission someone else to make it for you.
Making the Clutch Purse Yourself
If you're handy with a needle and thread, you might want to make the clutch purse yourself. You can find tutorials online, such as the one provided by Little Red Window. This tutorial includes diagrams and covers all the steps. You can also buy secure DressBoxes from Unbox the Dress, which you can fill with your dress and send back to them to make into a clutch purse.
Commissioning a Clutch Purse
If you would rather commission a clutch purse, you can find craftspeople on Etsy, such as JEM DESIGN, who will make a clutch purse from your wedding dress fabric. You can also find craftspeople on independent websites, such as Sew Grace Inspired, who will turn your wedding dress into a clutch purse.
Design Ideas
Whether you make the clutch purse yourself or commission it, there are several design ideas you can incorporate. You could use lace and beading from the neckline of the dress, or cut out the lace and pearls from the bodice and put them on the flap. You could also add D-rings to the purse so that a strap can be added. If you want to make the purse more stable, you can use stiff interfacing, which you can find at your local fabric store.
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Turn into a tree skirt
If you're looking to refashion your wedding dress into a tree skirt, there are a few ways to go about it. You can either do it yourself or send your dress to a company that will repurpose it for you.
If you're going the DIY route, the first step is to cut the dress at the bodice or midway down, ensuring you have a minimum of 30" for the skirt. If the centre of the skirt has a raw edge, you can either hem it or finish it with ribbon. If the skirt isn't big enough to go around the back of the tree, you can add fabric as necessary. You can use hot glue to hold everything in place and hide the glue seam with ribbon.
If you'd rather send your dress to a company to be transformed, Unbox the Dress is one option. They create custom tree skirts featuring satin, lace, and embellishments from your wedding dress. The process starts with a design consultation, and in about 10 weeks, you'll receive your transformed product. Another company that offers a similar service is Swoodson Says, where Cindy Gomez turns wedding dresses into tree skirts.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to refashion a wedding dress. You can repurpose it into a new formal/prom dress, a christening gown, a tree skirt, a clutch purse, a Christmas stocking, a tote bag, or a pillow. You can also frame it as a wall hanging, or turn it into jewellery, shoes, or lingerie.
The first step is to get your wedding dress cleaned to remove any stains and smudges. Then, you can decide what you want to refashion it into and find a company or service that can help you with that.
Some companies that can help you refashion your wedding dress include Unbox the Dress, The Beautiful Frame Company, Outrageous Framing, and Andrea Hawkes.
