Years ago I had a dress form that I got rid of. Sure wish I hadn't!

I love to do crazy quilting, and have used old wedding dresses, you could make a pillow or small wall hanging

As old as it is, and if you decide make a project, i think l would deconstruct it first then wash in something like woolite. I would wash by hand and dry London roll flat method as your space allows.

I buy formal wear and deconstruct to repurpose pieces, this is the method i have found works best for me. Then i know if pieces are strong enough to withstand handling

You can make christening gowns (had a friend who did these and gave them to different family members, then sold others), and little boy christening suites. Have another friend who like Lynnie, she made crazy quilt bears for the family. I did a tonal crazy quilt throw from a wedding dress along with other formal dresses I had around. As you will find satin is a pain to work with (don't use pins, you'll end up with holes), but you will have something your mother loved as well as the memories of your parents. Good luck

Baptismal gowns! Many could wear it that way!

I was thinking while reading this post that my cousin who is a little younger than I am has her mother's wedding dress from the early 1940s that she also wore at her wedding. She has a very pretty dress form that the dress is on, in her upstairs foyer, and whenever you go up or down in her house, there it is. It is made of cream satin, not much fabric, but floor length with train. Very simple and very beautiful and it is being "honored". My cousin knows her daughter wouldn't be interested in it so it is just there for memories and to be pretty.

wedding dress
 

I made a lap quilt and a jacket for my best friend out of her wedding dress. She tells everyone she still fits into her dress.

I also saw this exhibit and it immediately came to mind when I saw your question. They were beautiful quilts.

A high school friend of mine actually wore her grandmother's wedding dress and shoes down the aisle at her own wedding. It was noted in the her wedding notice in the local newspaper as well. It was amazing and she looking absolutely beautiful in that wedding attire.

I Took mine to a wonderful woman who makes Christining Gowns out of them and my Grands wore them. I saved all the different pieces and I took sections of the beading and lace inserts and turned them into Hankerchiefs. Maybe in many years to come one of those grands would like it with her or him on their wedding day.