Those dirty Girls

Sunday  12-22-24

Restoring and selling vintage wedding dresses is certainly not glamorous work. When you first unbox the latest beauty, you never know what you will find. Are they smelly, filthy, stained, and almost beyond hope? You just never know until you rip open that box. I will share a few of the most memorable dresses that came to my shop. First up was poor little Wren, who arrived in a very small cardboard gift box, wrinkled and pathetic looking. Her lace was just remnants, and her dirty little cap veil was rotten, with only the wax floral decorations remaining. I removed the tattered lace and managed to piece it back together enough to make a paper pattern. She received a much-needed  bath and remarkably looked much brighter. She then got new lace added to her sleeves and neckline, and a new veil built to resemble the old one. I ironed her, and WOW, what a change! She became one of the most popular dresses in my shop, but due to her very small size, she was not purchased until today! She finally got her new home.

Next, in the "what the heck" file, was Trudy She arrived in a plastic bag, purchased from lady in Georgia who obtained her from the estate of a former Georgia big wig coach's wife. Trudy was gray in color and almost entirely made of tulle, an off-the-shoulder full gown. very full, glamorous looking, probably from the 1940s or early 1950. So up to the lovely deep clawfoot tub in my bathroom, where all the pretty girls get to bathe. In she went for a warm, sudsy, Oxiclean and Tide relaxing soak. I left to go about my business, and when I returned to check on Trudy, her water was black, and I mean pitch black, like, where is Trudy in this toxic sludge? I drained the water and drew Truds a fresh bath with the same potion. I returned again, to my shock and amazement, Trudy was PINK. Trudy was a lovely pink and white gown, she sold almost immediately upon being listed. Thats it for now more later on unboxing some dirty girls.

Merry Christmas

Brigit