I have been asked to make lap quilts out of a wedding dress. This dress was made in 1973 of white velvet. I removed all of the stitching and the material is not dry rotted in any place. My questions is can this fabric be washed before I make the lap quilts?
It was very hard for me to rip this dress apart as my deceased Grandmother made this dress with all hand beading done by her in the middle of her living floor :roll: :cry: Thanks for all of the information that any one is able to provide.
Charlsee'

Hi and Welcome from Southern Oregon.

I am a 63 YR old grandmother to 3 girls and 4 boys 20 yrs to 4 months. They all like "C" to make them things!! Doesn't matter what it is! Have been retired/disabled since 1992 and spend my time sewing, alterations, embroidery(machine) and quilting and when I have time play with all my dogs!!! Had to move after Katrina came through as the roof was lifted off of the house and sat back down, just moved to another location on my property and added a 16X40 room for my sewing!!! I am out of SPACE!

A big welcome from the eastern part of Texas.

Hi from Ohio! I did a search and came up with these.


http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Velvet
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3112508AAypu6I

Hi.good luck with your venture....not much help...have never used it.

Hello and welcome from Kansas

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Warm welcome from New York.

You would have to test a snippet to see if this velvet can be washed. Some of the newer ones can be washed, dripped dry and pressed on the back using a low heat, steam, very thick towel or velvet board. However, most velvets that would be used for a wedding dress would need to be drycleaned especially from 1973.

Good luck with your project!

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

Welcome! I wish I could give you some great advice on your project. The only thing I could think of is to purchase a small bit of new washable velvet and use it sparingly for your new projects.

Hello and welcome, from western Nevada!

Hi and welcome from NE Ohio.

Welcome from North East Louisiana:) Happy you have joined us:)

Welcome from Mississippi Gulf Coast. Good luck with your lap quilt. I have never worked with velvet but I am sure it will be beautiful.

Hello, welcome from Oklahoma!

Welcome waving from central Indiana, USA

And, here's a big HELLO from northwestern Louisiana, Shreveport to be exact. We moved here from north of Lake Pontchatrain when my husband was transferred after Katrina.
We lived on 30 acres of 100+ yr. old trees, and lost them all. But not one fell on the house we were in through the storm! I am sorry about your roof, and all that goes with that kind of damage, but you ARE getting a sewing room!
Debbie Stair :thumbup:

welcome from se TX

Hello and Welcome from Michigan. Sorry I can't help.

Hello and welcome from northern California!

Thanks to all of you!!

Welcome!

Welcome from Oklahoma!

G'day from Australia

Welcome from Natchez, Ms.

Hi and welcome from central Louisiana

Hi, and welcome from Harahan, LA.

Hi and welcome from Arizona.

Welcome from San Gabriel, California

Hello from Western Mountain Maryland !! :-D

Welcome from Loreauville, LA (Iberia Parish). I don't know what I would do about the white velvet. I think the sweet lady that made the dress would be proud to know that you are trying to add new life to it.

I am so happy to hear from Katrina survivors. I'll never forget that night as long as I live.

I can't help you with your question but I wanted to say HI from Indiana

Welcome from Utah.

Welcome from Coos Bay, Oregon.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

hello and welcome from Ohio.

?? have no idea, sorry.

Welcome from Ireland