Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are often stored away in boxes after the big day, but there are many ways to repurpose your dress or its scraps to create cherished keepsakes or gifts. From decorating a shadow box to trimming a handkerchief, there are many ways to upcycle your wedding dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donate scraps of fabric to be used for sewing angel baby gowns for babies who don't make it home | Donate scraps of fabric to hospitals or charities |
| Make a memory bear | Keep it in a memory box or display it in a special place in your home |
| Decorate a shadow box with lace or beaded material from the dress | Add pictures, flower petals, your garter, and other elements from your special day |
| Make a handkerchief or pocket square for a parent or grandparent | Give it to them on your wedding day |
| Wrap your bouquet stems with the fabric | Remove it before the bouquet toss or pass it on |
| Use scraps as embellishments | Add to decor at your wedding, such as bows on centerpieces or ribbons on bouquets |
| Sew scraps into other projects | Create purses, bags, book covers, luggage tags, bottle cozies, pillows, home decor boxes, wallets, key fobs, bookmarks, lanyards, flowers, etc. |
| Create accessories | Trim a headband with lace or embellishments from the dress to make a hair accessory |
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What You'll Learn
Create accessories like headbands, scrunchies, and purses
If you're looking to create accessories with your wedding dress scraps, there are several options to choose from. You can create accessories like headbands, scrunchies, and purses, or even something special for your wedding day.
For headbands, trim a simple headband with the lace or embellishments from your dress to create a sparkly, pretty hair accessory that you can wear every day or on special occasions. You can also use the fabric to make scrunchies, especially if the fabric is satin, as it won't snag curly hair.
If you're looking for something more functional, you can create purses or clutches. The lace or embellishments from your wedding dress can add a unique and elegant touch to your purse or clutch, making it perfect for a night out or even as a keepsake. You can also use the fabric to create a drawstring bag or a handkerchief with a lace trim, which can be a thoughtful gift for a family member.
Additionally, you can create accessories for your wedding day. For example, you can use the scraps to wrap your bouquet stems, create a ring bearer pillow, or add ribbon details to your cake. These accessories will elegantly incorporate elements of your dress into your wedding decor and create a sense of synchronicity on your special day.
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Make a keepsake, like a memory bear or a shadow box
Wedding dresses are often expensive and intricate, so it's no surprise that many brides want to repurpose their dresses into keepsakes to cherish forever. One way to do this is to create a memory bear, a small teddy bear dressed in a replica gown made from the scraps of your wedding dress fabric. This can be kept in a memory box, displayed in a special place in your home, or even saved for future children or grandchildren. You can make the bear yourself or have it crafted by a small business.
Another option is to create a shadow box, a type of display case that can hold and showcase special items. You can include scraps of your wedding dress fabric, as well as other mementos and decorations from your wedding day, such as dried flowers, photographs, or other embellishments. Shadow boxes can be hung on a wall or placed on a shelf or mantelpiece, allowing you to keep your wedding memories alive and on display.
If you're feeling creative, you can also use your wedding dress scraps to make other types of keepsakes, such as jewellery, Christmas ornaments, or accessories like clutches or lingerie. These items can be worn or displayed, reminding you of your special day and allowing you to get more use out of your beautiful dress long after the wedding.
For those who are handy with a sewing machine or enjoy crafting, upcycling wedding dress scraps into keepsakes can be a fun and meaningful project. It's a way to honour the memories of your wedding day and create something unique and lasting.
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Decorate your wedding with bows, ribbons, and flower baskets
If you're looking for ways to decorate your wedding with bows, ribbons, and flower baskets, here are some ideas to consider:
Bows
Bows are a versatile decoration that can add a touch of elegance and charm to your wedding. If you're using wedding dress scraps, consider making your own bows in different sizes and styles. Here are some places where you can incorporate bows:
- Pews and Chairs: Decorate the pews or chairs with bows made from wired ribbon or fabric scraps. You can attach the bows with loops or use floral wire for a secure hold.
- Gazebos and Wedding Arches: If you're having an outdoor wedding, enhance the structure with bows. For a gazebo, you can loop the ribbon around the pillars, while for a wedding arch, you can attach the bows directly to the frame.
- Tables: Bows can be attached to the tablecloth or altar cloth using safety pins. Drape the ribbon ends along the edges of the table for a dramatic effect.
- Glassware: Personalize the bride and groom's glasses by wrapping the stems with clear, double-sided tape and tying a bow around it. This adds a special touch to the head table.
- Wedding Favors: Show your appreciation to your guests by presenting their wedding favors in boxes adorned with handmade bows.
Ribbons
Ribbons are a classic way to add colour and texture to your wedding décor. Here are some ideas to incorporate ribbons:
- Car Decorations: Decorate the wedding car with ribbons that match your wedding colour scheme or theme. You can drape ribbons across the hood, bumpers, or even create a "Just Married" banner for the windshield.
- Bouquets: Enhance the bridal bouquet by incorporating ribbons into the design. You can also offer ribbon-adorned bouquet alternatives, such as floral-filled basket bags for the bridesmaids.
Flower Baskets
Flower baskets are a whimsical and romantic addition to your wedding décor. Here are some ways to use them:
- Aisle Decoration: Line your wedding aisle with baskets filled with florals or foliage, creating a dreamy garden-like atmosphere.
- Seating Chart: Display a unique seating chart by using an oversized scroll surrounded by woven basket foliage arrangements.
- Welcome Signage: Create a gorgeous focal point by placing a basket filled with flowers next to your welcome sign.
- Reception Décor: After the ceremony, repurpose the flower baskets as centrepieces or floral arrangements at the reception. Hang lightweight baskets from the ceiling or place them on tables for an elevated picnic feel.
- Confetti: Use the baskets to hold loose petal confetti or confetti cones, adding a touch of charm to your send-off.
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Sew small items like pillows, bookmarks, and key fobs
If you're handy with a needle and thread, there are plenty of small items you can sew from your wedding dress scraps. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Pillows
You can sew small pillows for decorative purposes or even turn them into ring bearer pillows for a future wedding. Adding embellishments like bows or ribbons from your dress scraps will make them even more special.
Bookmarks
Create delicate bookmarks by cutting thin strips of fabric from your wedding dress scraps. You can add a tassel or a decorative bead to one end for a stylish touch.
Key Fobs
Design unique key fobs by sewing small pouches or keychains using your wedding dress scraps. Embellish them with beads, lace, or other trimmings from your dress to make them stand out.
Other Small Sewing Ideas
- Purses or pouches for little girls or yourself
- Small "envelope blankets" for premature babies
- Christmas ornaments
- Hair accessories like headbands or scarves
- Stuffed animals or soft toys like teddy bears
- Lingerie, g-strings, or bralettes from small, oddly shaped scraps
The possibilities are endless, and you can create beautiful keepsakes that hold precious memories of your wedding day.
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Donate scraps to be made into angel baby gowns
Donating your wedding dress scraps to be made into angel baby gowns is a thoughtful way to bring comfort to grieving families. Angel baby gowns are burial attire for infants who have passed away, often handmade by volunteers from donated wedding dresses.
Several organisations, such as NICU Helping Hands, Little Angel Gowns, and Angel Babies, facilitate the transformation of wedding dress scraps into angel baby gowns. These organisations work with hospitals and bereaved families to provide this special service, ensuring that grieving families do not incur any costs.
When donating wedding dress scraps for angel baby gowns, it is important to review the guidelines provided by the organisation. Some organisations, like NICU Helping Hands, have specific donation processes, such as online forms and shipping instructions, to ensure efficient inventory control and compliance with their 501(c)3 status.
It is worth noting that some organisations may have waitlists or only accept donations on an "as-needed" basis due to the overwhelming support they receive. Additionally, certain organisations might have colour preferences, with NICU Helping Hands specifying that they accept pale pink, pale blue, and lavender bridesmaid gowns in addition to wedding gowns.
By donating your wedding dress scraps to be made into angel baby gowns, you contribute to a meaningful cause that provides comfort and support to families experiencing the loss of their precious babies.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to repurpose wedding dress scraps. You can use them to make lingerie, a memory bear, a picture frame mat for your wedding portraits, or a handkerchief for a parent or grandparent.
You can use the scraps to decorate a vase or table runner, make a pillow, or even use them as accent patches on other projects.
Yes, you can decorate the inside of a shadow box with the lace or beaded material from your dress. You can add pictures, flower petals, your garter, and other elements from your special day that you want to display and preserve.
Yes, you can donate your wedding dress scraps to the Angel Gown Programme at Nicu Helping Hands, where volunteers sew angel baby gowns for babies who don't make it home.
