What should I do with my wedding dress?

Question

I don't want to store it in the closet. I want to do something unique with it. I've thought about having it made into a quilt, or pillows, or a Christmas tree skirt... Any ideas? I'm totally willing to hack it to pieces if need be.

Like I said, I DON'T want to store it in a closet. So suggesting I have it dry-cleaned and put in a box is not helpful. I want it to actually have another purpose other than sitting in a box. I've thought about the charity thing, but I want to keep it for sentimental reasons. The sentimentality of it is why I'd like to do something with it so that it doesn't just sit in a box in my closet.

Answer 1

150 years ago, the big dress with the frilly extra fabric was a gift a mother could give her daughter to help her in her new life.
The veil makes a great mosquito net or canopy hung from the ceiling over the head of the bed or over the baby's bassinet.
The ruffles gather up beautifully around a crib or you could cover a chair in the satin with the frilly bit around the base.
Pillows are a nice idea if you have a lot of unmarried friends, you could make each of your bridesmaids a ring bearers pillow as thank you gifts.
Use the fabric scraps to make satin roses, you could make a bouquet of roses. Fold strips of satin in half and gather along the raw edges, pull to gather and roll into a rose, securing the twists with stitching.
You could make slips, or nighties from the lining fabric.
I love the tree skirt idea if you make some victorian ornaments from the same dress to go with and to hand down in years to come.
How about a message board cover, or purse, or scunciis from scraps too?

Answer 2

I used to own a curiosity shop. I had an item in the shop that was 3 nesting boxes stacked on top of each other that was decorated to look like a wedding cake. Perhaps, you could use the trims, beads, pearls and lace even the fabric to make your own wedding cake box to store photos from the wedding or if big enough even mementos.

I also like the christening gown idea......if this still isn't quite what you were thinking, what about decorating a baby's bassinet with it. That would be very fancy and beautiful with all the layers beadery and lace. There are patterns for baby bassinets in the McCall's books and Simplicity. Either online or at walmart.

Answer 3

I've asked this same question lately. Everyone had the same advice (as sweet as they were) but I've decided I'm going to fashion my dress into a new, more modern dress. I'm stumped between chosing a skirt or a dress...maybe even a pant suit. Add a few embellishments and it'd be great for an anniversary dinner or any other sentimental event.

Also, you could use bits and pieces for several things, including a purse, picture frame, or little pillows for your bed or couch (if you don't mind them getting dirty). Depending on the size of your dress, you could even make beautiful curtains or a bedspread. Maybe even a nice cloak or long jacket for formal events!!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Do you want to keep the dress in some fashion? If not, you can always donate it to charity.

Dry Cleaners will preserve your dress and place in a special box. That costs about $100 or so depending on how large the dress is (or how complicated it is).

As for some of your ideas, I am not sure. A craft store or sewing store like JoAnn's or Hancock Fabrics could give you suggestions. There may even be classes! Just ask!

Answer 5

I think the 2 posters who said make a christening gown are right....this would be a way of making an heirloom that will never go out of style. You might also consider using some of the fabric to cover a photo album for photos of your first year together or to save for photos of your first child.

Answer 6

If it's a really nice dress save it for your future daughter! why would you wanna shred it to pieces? but if you really have to do so, you can make Xmas tree ornaments with it and use the rest as a tree skirt as you mentioned yourself. i don't know the fabric of your dress but if it's satin you can make very pretty satin globs.
Other suggestions are: Table runners or center pieces. If you're into crafts work you can create an elegant embroidery on the fabric (if it's a plain dress) and frame it.

Answer 7

Depending on your future plans and the traditions in your family, you could consider turning it into a beautiful christening gown and cap, that could be inherited from one generation to the next. A quilt sounds like a great idea though - very romantic bedroom :-)

Answer 8

Hi!
Could you have it made a little simpler, and wear it for a formal dress? If it is too obviously a wedding dress, could it be dyed a pretty color and then it would be good for a special evening out.... you already have the shoes!

Just a thought!

Answer 9

I don't know about cutting it into a million pieces to create something like a blanket.. but i've seen women use a process that will seal it in a container or bag for all time. I wish i knew the name.. it's professionally done, of which they remove all the air from the dress and the container it's in... from there you can store it away for memories..good luck hope this helped.

Answer 10

i had mine made into two christening gowns. so far its been used for 4 babies , 4 grandbabies. the other one as much as it hurts to remember was used to bury my oldest child who died of sids at 3 months. the left over material ( scarlett o'hara type dress) is packed with the remaining dress in case some future child wants another dress made in a different style then the long 3-6 month size we have.