I spent a good part of a day working on the vintage gown that will be worn by a granddaughter. It is a classic ballgown style with a tulle skirt and lace top (see photos on previous post). In order to replace the lace, the gown had to be taken apart.
First I removed the bodice from the skirt. Fortunately in those days gowns were more simply made. Meaning that they did not have boning, several layers inside with lining etc. There is the lace and then the fabric which is a lightweight satin.
This is the bodice fabric. The lace was stitched into the darts, so those had to be removed also.
The lace pieces. It was lined with some tulle, with lace over it. The tulle was in better shape than the lace, so it held it together where the tears were.
I removed the buttons on the sleeve and will plan to reuse the loops on the sleeve and the back. It was in pretty good shape.
This is the new lace cut out and put together front and back. I plan to put an edge around the upper edge, and the sleeves will also have an edging.
With the sleeves.
Fitting with the bride. The edging was just tacked around. We needed to mostly check for the fit.
The back. It will have the buttons and loops down the back. The fit was nice. Need to make a few nips and tucks, then reattach the skirt. Stay tuned....
