I got an interesting bit of news today. Last week my wife and I took my grandmother’s wedding dress to our cleaner, one of the best and most reliable in the Chicago area, to be handwashed.
The garment was first worn by my father’s mother at my grandparents’ wedding a century ago. It’s in the style of the early 20th century, a layer of netting over an underlayer with a pink ribbon and rosettes at the waist. I believe that the netting is linen and the underlayer is silk. It’s possible that the netting is cotton but I wonder if it would have lasted so long if that were the case.
My wife tells me that after its bath the garment is beautiful and could be worn. I may take a picture of it and post it.
The binding at the bottom hem probably needs to be removed and there are a few tatters in the netting here and there. Not bad shape for a centenarian. We should probably all expect a few tatters in that amount of time.
Update
I’ve just seen the dress as it has come back from the cleaners. With the exception of a couple of places where pink sateen blanket binding which had been used on the interior of the garment has disintegrated the dress is in gorgeous shape. I’m even more puzzled by the what it’s made of having seen it again than I was before. Very loosely woven cotton muslin? I’m really not sure. I’ll ask the cleaner and see if he has any idea.
If it’s not inconvenient, please post a picture.
I’d like to see it.
I’ve been doing some research. A popular fabric of the day was batiste lawn. Related to organza.
I thik you’ve nailed it, Janis. It is almost certainly cotton or linen batiste.
The stitched decoration is called “whitework embroidery.” I’d need more expertise to call the work on this dress “broderie Anglaise.” I don’t know if it has enough cutwork in the design to qualify.
Does someone else have an opinion?
David, I am the youngest daughter of Virgina Schuler Harris and Charles H Harris. I would like to have copies of any info you have on the Schuler genealogy that you have. I have some that your Mom passed on to My Mom,but imagine that you have more. I know that my sister Pat Harris Stott has been in contact. But could you please send us what you have. gryan4259@yahoo.com. I am still in Kirkwood, MO. I remember growing up and having 2 of everything from your sisters. Very fond memories but also quirky!!
Thanks so much
Ginny Harris Ryan