rat, CELEBRATE! 1 1 , r\N PAST PERFECT from page C16 Let o`ur s plan a customized menu for your next special event INTIMATE 0INNERS LARGE EVENTS SPECIAL SHOWERS CORPORATE FUNCTIONS FULL STAFF OF SERVERS ONSITE BEVERAGE CONSULTANT AWARD WINNING BAKERY How well a dress ages also depends upon the fabric. Plant fibers, such as cotton or linen, as well as some synthet- ics such as rayon, are more acidic than protein fibers, such as silk or wool. The more acidic the fabric, the more likely it is to yellow rapidly, he says. Yellowing isn't necessarily bad, but there is a qualitative difference between the uneven yellowing of a poorly cared- for vintage gown and the aged patina of a well-preserved one. "A patina speaks to a gown's antiquity" says Scheer. Another problem is weakness in a gown's fabric, which can be caused by mildew or dry rot. Such weaknesses are not always readily apparent until after the fabric has been cleaned. For all of these reasons, it's important to get an expert assessment of an heir- loom gown before choosing to wear it. It costs roughly $500 for an assess- ment and cleaning, according to Scheer. And Saidman says he has restored dresses for as little as $50 to as much as $9,000. One of the most common problems, Saidman says, involves cats. "The cat sprays the weddinag gown on Wednes- day or Thursday before a Saturday wed- ding. We can get out the stain, but the bride wouldn't be able to." S.V11.1*4\ TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION CALL SHANNON AT 248 541 1414 1203 south math street royal oak, michigan 48057 p 248 541 1414 f 248 545 7611 www,Holiday-Market.cotn or email: Holidaycatering@Holiday-Market.com Vintage Gowns 44 . a f.-evr‘ 60, 7:6,ce. AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF WONDERFULSKIN CARE PRODUCTS INCLUDING: 0.1.01111K 131 A I THE SKIN CARE MAKEUP- In Care C 3/28 2003 C18 c alk -ins welcomelgroo,consulta 3MARWaikik. SUGAR TREE PLAZA •NVEST BLOOMFIELD • (248) 855-6668 The most challenging gown Saidman ever worked on was from the 1930s. It was an amalgam of lace, netting, hang- ing glass beads, cotton and silk that took three months to restore. Dave Galusha, owner of Professional Gown Preservation in Atlanta, restored a dress even older. For a bride who wanted to wear her • great-great-great-grandmother's dress, Galusha restored a Civil War wedding gown that had been stored in a trunk for 110 years. With four months of work, Galusha was able to restore the dress, with some "interesting support inside" at a cost of $1,000. Brides also should look for an expert seamstress if alterations are required because average sizes have changed over the years. In addition, an heirloom gown that has yellowed may be difficult to let out because the fabric beneath the seams often has not changed color. Nancy Culotta, owner of Bridal Sense in Roswell, Ga., often sends vintage gowns to Saidman for restoration. When they return, her seamstress does the fittings. "A gown is considered vintage once it has hit the 20-year mark," says Culotta. "The material has changed a lot over the years; the fabric is more delicate, even the threads. A lot of them have antique lace, and that is also fragile." Once a new — or vintage — bridal gown has been worn, there's the matter of preserving it. In the last 10 to 12 years, Saidman says, more brides have been preserving their gowns for posteri- ty. Galusha says brides looking to keep their dresses in shape should do a little research before the wedding. "If she spent half as much time researching a preservationist as she did finding her gown, these horror stories would go away," Galusha says. He suggests brides look on-line to educate themselves and ask bridal shops and coordinators for recommendations for good preservationists. He advises against taking gowns to dry cleaners. "Would you rather have it preserved by a dry cleaner or by a textile conserva- tor," he asks. Preserve Or Clean? Galusha explains the three steps a textile conservator would take to ensure a dress will last at least 75 years: The garment is cleaned to remove even the invisible stains. Then, the dress is brought to a neutral pH level; chemi- cals are removed from the fabric so it won't age. Then it is hand pressed and placed in an acid-free environment. According to Saidman, there are "three big things" that will jeopardize the preservation of.a -bridal gown after the big day: • Leaving it hanging on a hanger. "Because of the weight, the dress will stretch and pull and lose its shape.". • Leaving it in a plastic bag, especially a zippered bag. "The plastic outgases' as it ages and weakens the fiber of the gown." • Not having it professionally cleaned because no stains are visible. "Champagne, sugar, white wine and perspiration don't leave visible stains, but in less than five years, they appear." ❑ Robin Miller is an Atlanta freelance writer. Liz Poppens of Copley News Service contributed to this story.