Thursday, February 24, 2011

Recycling A Discarded Wedding Gown

The bride left this gown with a friend 3 years ago.  The friend kept asking her what she should do with it.  Did she want it?  Finally, the bride said, "Just get rid of it!"    I saw it on freecycle, wrote stating why I wanted it = to use the material.  After a couple of weeks, when no one else responded [she really wanted someone to use it as a wedding dress], she gave it to me.   

Now some facts and questions.   The material is a heavy polyester satin, lining is polyester, and the tulle is nylon.  I will not be using the tulle.  I intend to take the gown apart and use the pieces.   It is a size 28, so there is LOTS of material.   I would like to dye the fabric.   Any suggestions on what dye to use.  I have never dyed before. However, I would really like to do shibori IF it is not too difficult. I want to use this to create a jacket [or cape] to wear to an April plus a dinner-dance in September for my 50th high school reunion.  Any and all suggestions welcomed.


Back of Gown showing staining on front

Bottom of Gown showing some of the mud stains